Page 6 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

Pushing Ethan Clarke’s buttons had always been one of her favorite pastimes. “Can we play now, Ethan?”

His grip on her chin tightened, and his eyes flashed with warning. “Is that how you want to play this, brat? You want your first time over my knee to be a punishment?”

Well, when he put it that way… “Sorry, Ethan.”

“Oh, Izzy. I cannot wait to break you.” He released her chin and took another pull from his own water. “Let’s go, then.”

“Now?” The word came out as a squeak, and she could feel her cheeks turning red.

“Yes, now. What did you think would happen if you kept pushing me?”

Palms slick with sweat, she rubbed them on her thighs as she looked around the room. It only just then occurred to her that they would have zero privacy. “In front of all these people? I can’t.” Other than a few measly little slaps on the ass during sex with previous boyfriends, she’d never been spanked. The idea of taking her first real spanking in front of nearly a dozen people was terrifying, not to mention humiliating.

“Look at me, Izzy.”

His tone commanded obedience, and for once, she did as she was told and shifted her gaze back to him.

“Do you trust me?” he asked, his voice surprisingly soft and gentle.

Of course she trusted him. She’d known him practically her entire life. Sheriff Clarke had a reputation around town for being the most honorable man anyone knew.

At the same time, she recognized she wasn’t dealing with Sheriff Clarke. The man who’d wrapped his fingers around her throat and threatened her with all kinds of delicious torment wasn’t the same man everyone in town knew. This man was dangerous, but somehow, she still knew in her soul she could trust him.

“Yes,” she managed to whisper past the tightness in her throat.

“Then follow my lead, baby girl.”

At his gentle nudge, she slipped off the stool and allowed him to take her hand and guide her over to a small, out of the way area where there was only an armless chair and what looked like a padded sawhorse. Another couple had taken up residence at the wooden X, and while most of the spectators had moved to watch them, a few were trickling over to the area Ethan had chosen.

“Eyes on me, Isabella.”

“Huh?” Tearing her gaze away from their audience, she looked up at Ethan, who was watching her with a small, amused smile playing at his lips.

“Try to ignore them. Focus on me. Since this is your first time, I’m going to allow you to keep your dress on. But I will still be baring your bottom for your spanking. Your safe word is always there if you need it, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good girl. Now, I was going to use a small leather paddle, something with a little sting but not too severe.” Though his lips turned down in a stern frown, excitement burned in his eyes. “But then you decided to be a brat. What are you supposed to call me, Isabella?”

“Ethan.” The response popped out of her before she really had a chance to debate her answer. She added a wide grin, and her heart skipped a beat when he growled.

Shaking his head, Ethan turned and selected a small, oval-shaped paddle from the wall behind him.

The dark, shiny wood was almost a disappointment after he’d promised not to go easy on her. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but it just looked so… harmless.

With the paddle in hand, he took his seat in the armless chair and crooked a finger at her. It was tempting to disobey again, but she was worried if she pushed him too far, he’d simply pack her up and send her home. Or worse, make her watch as he spanked someone else.

Intensely aware of the people watching them, she stepped closer to the chair. With more tenderness than she’d expected, Ethan took her hand and guided her over his lap. When she was settled, she felt the tug of her dress being pulled up over her ass, and the rush of cool air over her skin reminding her how exposed she was.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, stroking a hand over her bottom until she relaxed under his touch. “I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time, brat.”

He’d been dreaming of her? All this time she’d been pining for him, and he’d wanted the same damn thing?

Before she could twist around and demand answers, his hand lifted from its resting place on her bottom and came crashing down again a split second later.

“Holy shit! That hurts!”

“This?” He repeated the action, moving his hand slightly to the left to cover skin he’d left untouched with his initial assault.

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