Traci giggled as he tickled her. "Oh, I trust you to think of a few things to keep us busy." "Indeed. I can think of many things."

Sean was ready and waiting for Traci to finish her primping when the doorbell rang a few minutes before one. He hated to admit it, but he was a bit nervous at the prospect of meeting Troy. Traci was a thirty-year-old woman, yet Sean was worried that her brother might not take kindly to Sean showing up unannounced and staying the weekend.

"Traci? You ready? They're here."

From the back bedroom came a stifled shout. "He's always so damn early. I'm not ready!" "Don't worry about it. I'll get the door."

"No! I should get it." She came rushing out in her robe, her damp hair wrapped in a towel, swami style.

Sean stopped her before she got to the front door. "Honey, do you think your brother is going to want to meet me with you standing next to me half dressed?"

Traci glanced down, blushing. "Maybe not, but—"

He turned her and smacked her ass playfully to get her moving towards her bedroom. "Go finish getting ready. I've got this. I promise, we'll be fine."

She looked back over her shoulder, unsure if leaving the two men she cared so much about to meet on their own was a good idea or not. His second playful slap got her moving.

Sean took a deep breath before unlocking the door and pulling it wide. He fought back a chuckle at the surprised looks on the couple standing on Traci's porch. The three of them stood frozen for several long seconds before Sean reached out his hand. "You must be Traci's brother, Troy. It's so nice to finally meet you." Sean pumped his hand up and down, doing all of the work because the tall man he had to look up to was standing in stunned silence.

Troy finally snapped out of his trance. "I sure as hell hope you're Sean."

"Guilty as charged."

Hallie's surprise changed to anger. "Wait a minute. There is a man answering Traci's door and you know his name and yet I know nothing about this whatsoever? How is this possible?"

Troy released Sean's hand and turned his attention to his petite, blonde wife. "It's possible because my sister's heart was broken by a guy she met in Chicago, and she asked me to keep it a secret so people wouldn't ask her about it." Troy turned his brown eyes that looked so much like Traci's back on Sean. His surprise was replaced with simmering anger. "Which begs the question of how you got to be here and why my sister isn't here to introduce us."

Sean stepped aside and ushered them into the air-conditioned house. "Come on in and cool off. You're a few minutes early and Traci is just finishing getting ready. I promise you, she is well and will be out to say hi herself in just a few minutes."

Hallie wasn't giving up on grilling her husband. "Let me get this straight. Traci is dating someone and you knew about this and didn't tell me?"

"She asked me to keep it a secret from everyone."

"I'm not everyone, Troy. I'm her sister for fuck's sake!"

Sean could hardly believe his eyes when Troy scooped his now screeching wife into his arms, taking long strides down the hallway. "We'll be right back, Sean."

He could hear Hallie wailing, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to cuss again. Please, Troy, I was just surprised. It won't happen again. I promise!"

Just before the door to Traci's office slammed shut Sean made out Troy's reply. "Hallie, you've promised me you'd quit cussing every day for the last four months. I'm done waiting. We've discussed this. Each and every single time you cuss, you're getting your ass toasted."

Based on the loud slam, Sean suspected the HoH had kicked the door closed. He stood rooted in place, unable to block out the sound of the semi-private moment occurring down the hall between the newlyweds. He might be uncomfortable that they were airing private matters in front of him, yet his khaki shorts were growing more uncomfortable with each loud smack of a hand to a naughty bottom heard through the door.

The sounds of the relentless spanking went on for several long minutes, giving him pause. Sean suspected he should excuse himself to Traci's room to give them privacy when they returned to the living room, but he stood transfixed to his spot, unable to move. By the time the sound of the spanking stopped, Hallie could be heard bawling her eyes out. He could hear the whir of Traci's hairdryer from her room and he was grateful she'd missed the main event. Sean couldn't help but wonder if Traci knew her brother and his wife were practicing domestic discipline.

I didn't think the whole DD thing was very widespread. That's odd that it runs in the family.

Several minutes passed before the door to the office opened and the young couple appeared, holding hands. Hallie trailed her husband, suddenly taking an interest in looking at her stylish sandals. Troy and Sean shared a pointed look and Sean couldn't shake the feeling that he was being dared to comment on what had just happened. If Troy was waiting for Sean to object, he would be waiting a long time.

"Hallie, I think you have something you'd like to say to Sean." Her husband prompted her as he pulled her close to wrap his arm supportively around her waist. Sean heard Hallie's mumble, but couldn't make out the words. Apparently, Troy couldn't understand her either.

"Start again, this time clearly and please look up at him as you're talking."

Sean saw remnants of tears still wet on her cheeks as Hallie lifted her chin. Regret spilled from her green eyes. "I'm very sorry I cursed when I was surprised, Sean. Troy has asked me many times to stop using vulgar words, but I've had problems remembering."

Sean didn't know what the correct reply was in this situation so he went with less is more. "No problem."

Troy kissed the top of his wife's head and hugged her to him while sliding his hands down to cup her ass. Her sharp intake of breath confirmed that she would feel her husband's reminder for some time to come.