Page 74 of Ranch Rules

“That’s a good girl.”

She winced as Thomas helped her to sit. Then she buried her face into his white undershirt as she cried. When she had finally calmed down, she was embarrassed to see her tearstains on his shirt.

“Okay, I’m going to give you a choice.”

“Wh-what?” she asked as she wiped her eyes.

“You can either finish this with a paddlin’, or you can go pick your own switch.”

Her eyes widened as his meaning sank in. “What? But you already spanked me!”

“No, baby girl. That was your warm-up.”

Natalie’s mouth dropped open. “But... but that’s not fair!”

Thomas stared back, nonplused. “Well, I think it is. And who gets to decide?”

Her brow furrowed as her lower lip protruded. “You do.”

“That bein’ said, I am tryin’ to be fair, So you have a choice: the paddle, or a switchin’?”

She’d never experienced either of those things and part of the trepidation that gripped her heart was knowing they probably both felt much worse than his hand, as awful as that had been. “I... I don’t know. Can’t you give me one more chance? Just this once?”

He shook his head, his blue eyes somber. “I’m afraid not, little-bit. You already know better than to lie to me. Since you haven’t learned your lesson, sterner measures are required this time.”

“I know I lied, and I’m really sorry about that, but that’s not—”

“Not fair,” he cut her off. “We’ve covered that. Now, if you’re really sorry, then prove it.”

She didn’t need to ask how he intended for her to do it. Natalie thought about it for a moment. The only paddles she’d ever seen were the ones hanging in Nate’s office. Just the memory made her shudder. What were the chances that Thomas had an identical collection hidden somewhere in the house that she hadn’t seen yet? Maybe she shouldn’t risk it.

“A switch, I guess.” After all, both were wood, and one was much smaller, so it had to hurt less, right?

Thomas arched an eyebrow. “All righty then.”

“What? Was that the wrong answer?”

“There is no wrong answer. I told you to choose. Let’s get this over with.”

Nodding, she reached for her panties.

“Never mind that. You won’t need ‘em anyway.”

The memory of the police officer at her window flashed before her mind’s eye, but she knew better than to argue, especially since she was already in trouble. Which was why she dropped her hand and let the panties fall to the floor as she stood, following behind him as he walked to the door.

Once they were outside, she hugged her arms around herself. “What... what now?”

“You’re going to pick your own switch.”

“I... I don’t really know how to do that,” she said, hanging her head.

“Okay. I’ll give you a crash course. Come on.”

Once again, she trailed after him in shuffling, reluctant footsteps that contrasted his sure, long-legged stride. She was feeling sorrier for herself and her poor bottom by the moment.

“There are plenty of trees to choose from, and one is as good as any other, I s’pose.” He reached up and with quick efficiency he pulled down three branches and while she watched, stripped them bare of leaves.

Natalie’s stomach was knotting as she watched and her hands began to tremble. “You’re... you’re not really going to use that... that thing, are you?”

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