Page 75 of Ranch Rules

“One of them, yes. You get to choose again.” He held them out for her inspection.

“You’re really going to hit me with that?”

Thomas met her eyes. “I’m not going to hit you, Natalie. I’m going to spank you, plain and simple. It’s going to hurt, and it might leave some marks for a day or so, but it will teach you a lesson you won’t soon forget.”

She nodded, trying to be brave, but she couldn’t stop her lip from quivering.

Thomas reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. “It’s just a switchin’, little-bit. It’ll sting like the dickens, but you’ll be okay.”

She nodded, but her breathing was coming in quick little gasps as she stared at the switch in his hand. “Can we... I need to take a break.”

His brow furrowed. “There are no time-outs to stop the spanking, honey.”

“I... please?” Her eyes filled with tears and she turned away. She knew that there was nothing she could say or do to get out of this punishment, and while she knew she deserved it she couldn’t help but be scared.

“Hey.” He was at her side, lifting her chin. He gazed into her tear-filled eyes for just a moment, then his hand raised. He gently cupped her cheek as a tear slid down. Thomas leaned forward and kissed the streak the tear had left. “What’s wrong? Talk to me.”

“I... I don’t even know where to start,” she whimpered.

“This wouldn’t be another attempt to get out of a spanking, would it? Because if it is, I’ve gotta tell you, you’re going to be disappointed.”

She smiled weakly at his light teasing. “No, sir. I promise.”

“All right. Then what is it?”

Natalie dropped her eyes to the ground. “I just... I’m disappointed in myself. I wish I could take it back and just tell you the truth in the first place.”

“Well, we’re in agreement there,” he replied, but his voice was warm.

Her eyes still on the ground, Natalie sniffled. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I... I’ve never felt like this about anyone before, and that scares me.”

“More than the switch?” He brandished the ones in his hand.

She locked eyes with him. “Much more.” It was the truest thing she’d ever said to him.

Thomas reached out a hand and smoothed it over her hair, just the way she liked. “I understand. I know that relationships are scary—”

“Especially when you’ve never had one,” she muttered.

“What? What do you mean, never?”

Her cheeks flushed. She almost wished she hadn’t said it out loud—it was so embarrassing.

“You’ve never had a daddy. I knew that.”

“It’s not just that. I... I’ve never had a...”

“A what?” he prompted.

“A boyfriend.”

“Aw, I don’t believe that for a second, little-bit. A pretty, smart thing like you? Not for a second.”

“It’s true.” She smiled sadly. “Just like I’ve never had any fun, that includes boys. I mean, I’ve had dates, and sex, but this? What we are... never that.”

Thomas stroked her cheek with a look in his eyes so full of tenderness that her eyes filled anew. She’d never seen anyone look at her with so much compassion, so much love. “Let’s get this over with so I can show you how much I love you.”

Her breath caught. Too choked up to say a word, she did the only thing she could. She reached out and selected a switch.

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