Page 139 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

“Spanked me,” she whispered.

“He what?”

“You heard me.” Sage was embarrassed to share the secret no one had ever known about except her and Jacob.

“You wanted to have sex and started to undress, then he got angry and spanked you?”

“Yes, kinda. I was never so humiliated.” And turned on, but Sage ignored that memory.

“I bet. But that changes everything.” Renee was nearly gleeful.

“Yes, it means he hates me, not just didn’t want to have sex with me. But I don’t see how that would make you happy…unless you didn’t want me with him.”

“No, honestly, it makes a difference. You should understand how my Até taught his kids, including Carter and Jacob. He ensured that all the boys understood there were acceptable ways to treat the family. He taught them how to act and behave as young men and later men of the world. My father had firm beliefs, he still does, about how men should conduct themselves.”

“I understand that, but what has that got to do with Jacob and me?”

“What it means is Jake knew there was a specific way you treat the women in the family. You protect them. You make sure that nothing happens to them, including allowing them to make or get away with making dumb mistakes.”

“OK, so... still not getting it.”

“The protection factor includes those women that are special to you whether you ever marry them or not. You’re important to him, so he did what he had to. He wanted to deter you from putting yourself at risk, i.e., having sex with him or anyone at your age.”

“We had sex on graduation night. But just once. Besides, if that’s true, why didn’t he stay with me? Why did he just take off when he graduated? I would have waited for him to return from college. I would have gone to college a couple of years after him anyway. Since I was going locally, we could have had such a different life over the last ten years. I’m not sure if I believe your explanation of his actions. But I loved seeing him today.”

“OK, then let’s try this out. You know my brother Stryker is engaged to Avery, right?”

“Yes, I knew that, and I know Declan is with Teagan. I even know that someone from Seamus’s past has shown up.”

“Wow, you pay a lot of attention, don’t you? Is it because we’re Jacob’s family, and you’re hoping to hear some information about Jacob or possibly catch a glimpse of him if he came into town?”

“Maybe.” Her embarrassed smile came across the phone line. “But mostly because I never got over him. And I used to believe I would be a part of your family. A girl can dream. But I thought I would build my life with Flynn.” Renee gave her a skeptical grunt on the line. “Okay, so that didn’t work out so well. Still, I’ve gone on, and I’m sure Jacob has too.”

“In case you didn’t know, he hasn’t. He’s single, has no girlfriend he’s told us about, and plans to stay around here for a bit. He needs a break, and he knows he can always come here. He’s bummed that Até isn’t here, but that’s fine. Hopefully, he’ll be here when they get back, and we’ll take care of him until then or until something better comes along. Or someone.”

“You are so mean.”

“So look, I’m not good at hinting, so I’ll just come right out and say it.” Sage wasn’t sure if she or Renee’s other friends always appreciated that.

“Well, Renee, I’ve got to go. I’ve got things to do, and I’m sure you do too. But remember, you promised not to tell Jacob anything about Flynn.”

“Yeah, I won’t tell him. Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight?”

“Now, why would I do that?”

“I think you can fill that blank in all by yourself,” Renee said. “Dinner is at six.”

Chapter Three

Sage second-guessed herself all afternoon and later on the drive to the Red Eagle Ranch. She hadn’t been to the ranch for a decade, not since the last time Jacob had brought her there during the summer after he’d graduated. They were both working that summer, but they had often slipped out to a meadow or barn, somewhere to enjoy each other’s company. Thankfully, they had remembered to use protection.

She loved Jacob Red Eagle, and even now, she experienced some of the first glow of love when she thought of him. Her heart had melted, and her ovaries had dropped eggs when he’d walked into the store. The boy he was in school, serious, gentle, demanding, and responsible, had grown into the man she met today. This version had added confidence; as she thought about their encounter earlier today, he was more self-assured and, if possible, less weighed down.

Sage’s thoughts then returned to her last trip to the ranch. Até and Mam were gone somewhere, and when she’d expected Jacob to be loving, she found him standoffish.

“What’s wrong?”

Sage remembered Jacob blocking her attempts to settle her pounding heart by not allowing her to come close to him. Her happiness dissolved into an overwhelming urge to cry.

---