Page 75 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

Traci was pleased the president of the housing board felt like he could turn to her for help. Of course, Brent appreciated not only Traci's friendship with Char, but he'd told her many times how much he appreciated her work in counseling so many members of the community.

"I'd be happy to help, Brent. My last patient just left. I can walk over and be there in ten minutes. Do you need me to bring along my laptop or anything specific?"

"I don't think so. I just have some applications of potential new residents that I need your professional opinion on. There's something fishy that I just can't put my finger on. I'm hoping you can help me sort through it."

Traci was honored. Brent had never asked her to assist with screening the glut of requests he received each month to join the co-op. That he trusted her opinion was flattering.

The walk through the hot summer streets was quick, yet Traci was sweating by the time she arrived at the domed community center. The cool air was welcome as she swung the door open to the lobby. She took the stairs up to Brent's office.

Jonathan greeted her as he was leaving his boss’ office. "That was fast."

"I didn't want to be outside longer than necessary. It's sweltering out there. Brent said he had some applications for me to review. Do you have them?"

"Nope, he has them in his office. He's waiting for you. Just go on in."

"Thanks, Jonathan."

The door was ajar. Traci knocked lightly and she pushed it open as Brent motioned her in. "Thanks for coming over so fast, Traci. Have a seat."

Traci had only been to Brent's office a few times, but each time she came, she couldn't help but picture her friend Char bent over her husband's large desk, her ass bared for a spanking. Being Char's best friend and therapist gave her privileged information most town residents didn't have, like Brent's propensity to paddle his wife's naughty ass across this very desk when she had broken a particularly important rule. Char tried to convince Traci how much she hated being summoned to her husband's office, yet Traci recognized the tell-tale signs that told her that her friend protested a bit too much.

Traci had been daydreaming and had missed Brent holding out a manila folder. "Before you open that, let me tell you a bit of what has me concerned. The application is for a family that is relocating. They all seemed outgoing and nice in their interviews, but I'm not sure moving to such a small town is really right for them."

"What makes you say that?"

"For starters, they have always lived in big metropolitan areas."

"That by itself is no reason to deny them. We have many residents who have moved here from New York, Boston, Denver. You name it."

"True. But then there is the teenager. She sounds pretty rebellious and in need of some guidance. That's why I asked you to come over. It sounds like the HoH would be open to you spending time with his daughter. I'm considering making that be a requirement of their joining. Do you think you could make the time?"

Traci was torn. She loved working with kids and didn't get a chance to do it nearly often enough in Eagle’s Pass. Still, she felt the need to warn Brent she was considering leaving Eagle’s Pass herself. She took a deep breath and forged ahead before she lost her nerve.

"I'd really love to help a troubled teen, Brent. You know that already. It's just that..." He was staring at her with his intense eyes that made her feel like he could read her mind. "Well, I haven't talked to Sean about this yet, but I've been considering moving to Chicago. I'm happy to counsel the new resident for as long as I'm in town, but I want to be honest with you. If all goes as I hope, I'll be moving to Chicago in the next few months."

Brent's frown had his forehead wrinkling in concern. "Well, damn. I'd hate to lose you, Traci. Not only because you are an amazing therapist who has helped so many people in town come to terms with their DD or D/s relationships, but more selfishly because you've become one of Char's best friends. We'll sure miss you. And what about Troy and Hallie?"

"What about them? Of course I don't want to leave them, but I'm confident they'll understand."

"I'm sure you're right. I hope things work out for you and Sean. Well, even knowing you may want to leave town, I'd still love your opinion on if we should accept the new family into the co-op or not. I'll give you a few minutes to peruse the file before you need to weigh in."

Traci picked up the light folder and opened it. She sat transfixed, staring at the photos on the top of the file. It took her mind time to wrap itself around exactly what this meant. As she sat in silence, her hands began to shake.

She almost jumped out of her skin with Ashley's sassy response from just behind her. "Oh for crying out loud, turn around and let him kiss you already! It's bad enough I had to play the role of a troubled teen in this little ruse, but I've had to sit back here with Dad squeezing my hand so hard it's starting to cramp up."

Traci's eyes snapped up, seeking confirmation from her friend Brent that she was interpreting what was happening correctly. The grin on his face told her all she needed to know.

She jumped out of her seat as if she were on a spring and turned to see not only Sean and Ashley behind her, but Troy and Hallie also stood just inside the door. All eyes were on her, waiting for her to say something. Anything.

Traci stood speechless as she took in the sight of the man she loved. He had a look in his eyes that bordered on indecent for the crowded room. It was then she realized her dream had just come true. The summer was almost over, but this time, her summer romance was going to live on.

The silence had dragged on long enough that Sean had begun to look worried. He broke the silence. "Well? I hope you didn't have your heart set on moving to Chicago."

Traci grinned through her tears. "It wasn't Chicago I had my heart set on and you know it."

She rushed into Sean's arms and their lips locked in an R-rated kiss. Ashley's scandalized "Yuck" reminded Traci they weren't alone. In unison, Sean and Traci reached out to grab Ashley and pulled her into a group hug.

Sean summed up the moment perfectly as he looked back and forth between the two most important people in his life. "It looks like we'll be staying, Brent."

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