Page 37 of Ranch Rules

She nodded at his greeting, relieved that he had spoken first. “Hello, Nate. Lora.”

“Hi,” the petite blonde murmured, still seeming bashful from her spanking.

Natalie’s eyes shifted back to Nate. Might as well get this over with. She cleared her throat. “I came to apologize. I never should have gone on your computer. I knew that using the Wi-Fi was against the rules, and I should have respected that. I’m sorry.”

He nodded. “I appreciate your apology.”

Relief flooded her body so quickly that she nearly felt dizzy. “Well... thanks. I guess I’ll... I’ll see you around.”

“Thanks for coming by.”

She nodded and turned to go when she heard Lora say her name. She turned back around to see that the other woman had stood and was wringing her hands.

“Um, I was hoping... I mean... we could still take that tour later... if you want.”

Natalie hadn’t had a girlfriend since junior high. She was a focused woman and she’d never had time for slacking off. Still, she recognized the signs and knew that, for whatever reason, Lora seemed to think she would be angry with her. Though she was out of practice, she knew how to put her fears to rest. She reached out and gave Lora’s hand a squeeze. “I’d really like that. Tomorrow, maybe?”

Lora’s smile was immediate and bright. “Yes. That would be great. I’ll see you then.”

Promising that she would, Natalie, despite her scorched backside, was smiling when she walked back toward Thomas.

“That seemed to go well,” he observed.

“No thanks to you,” she quipped before she could think better of it. She winced as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

But much to her surprise and relief, Thomas laughed. “You really are a sassy thing, aren’t ya?” He shook his head, still grinning. “You have ten seconds to get to your room, or there will be trouble. One...”

Letting out a squeal and without a care for anyone else in the lobby who might be watching, Natalie took off for the stairs at top speed. Her heart was beating fast, but as she heard Thomas behind her, hot on her heels, she realized that she was having fun. How was that possible, after everything that had happened? But she didn’t have long to analyze it, because he was chasing her in earnest.

Natalie was laughing, her cheeks flushed, when she made a lunging sprint for the door. Her hand closed in around the knob and she turned to him flashing a triumphant, albeit breathless smile.

Thomas was only two steps behind her and began growling in mock annoyance.

With another laugh, she turned the door and fell into the room. He quickly closed the distance between them and slammed the door shut.

“What now?” she asked.

Without answering, he came toward her, but Natalie danced out of his reach, her smile so big her cheeks hurt. How did he do that? What was it in his smile that made her forget that not even twenty minutes ago, he’d been making her bottom red and tears fall from her eyes?

But she didn’t have long to muse on it because before she knew it he had captured her after all—darn those distracting thoughts!—and had a hand behind her head, moving her face toward his. As much as she was enjoying playing coy, she immediately dismissed the thought when his full lips were coming at her. She knew how delicious they tasted, and she wouldn’t mind a second helping.

His lips brushed over hers, ever so softly, before he pulled away, leaving her blinking in surprise and confusion.

“Bed. Now,” he ordered with a low growl in his voice.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “I... did I do something wrong?”

“You already know the answer to that one, darlin’.”

Natalie’s brow furrowed. “Well, yes, but I thought—”

“We still have to address your lying to me.”

Her eyes widened at this unexpected turn of events. “But you already spanked me!”

“I don’t like your tone, young lady.”

She swallowed over the sudden lump in her throat. “I... I’m sorry, I just...” She shrugged helplessly.

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