The Art of Discipline: Running Toward Trouble (The Mockingbird Chronicles) Read online

  Chapter Four

  It was midafternoon, the day after their fight, that Emma found herself taking a deep breath and answering the knock at her door. “Hi, Stevie, thanks for coming.”

  Stevie smiled. “Anything for you, Emma. I’m just glad that I can help. I want to sit down and talk for a few minutes, before we commit to anything though.”

  Nodding, Emma sat, tucking one leg under her, before addressing Stevie. “So, talk.”

  Stevie laughed before taking on a serious tone. “Are you sure about this, Emma? Because once we start, I’m in charge, and we don’t stop unless I hear your safeword.”

  Emma took another deep breath. “I’m sure. I need this, Stevie. It’s like I told you earlier, between Uncle Sean’s death, Dani, and this thing with Patrick Sampson, everything has just been building and I need a little me time right now.”

  Stevie nodded and patted her friend’s hand. “I don’t quite understand how getting your ass tanned is considered ‘me time,’ but I understand you need this and I’m willing to do it for you. So is this going to be a onetime or a regular thing?”

  Emma blushed slightly. “I was thinking maybe once a month, at least for a while. I think something regular will help with the balance. That is, if you were okay with that?”

  “I’m fine with that. Although you need to talk to me; if you need it more or less often, we will adjust. For now, let’s say the third Wednesday of every month?”

  “I think that can be arranged,” Emma agreed.

  “Great.” Running her hands through her curls, Stevie looked around the apartment. “So the brats are busy for the next hour or so downstairs, right?”

  Emma chuckled. “Yes, I put them both on shift with Jason and let them all know that we were not to be disturbed unless the place was on fire.”

  “What’s your safeword, Emma?”

  “Avalon.”

  “Toys?”

  “There is a box on the dresser, and a few other things I laid out on the bed. All at your discretion, of course.”

  “Of course.” Stevie shook her head and smirked. “Alright, young lady, you need to go to your bedroom, get into your pajamas, and settle into the corner. When you’re ready to begin, you are to come and get me.”

  Emma gulped. “Come on, Stevie…”

  Stevie’s brown eyes cut Emma off quickly. “This is not up for debate, Emma Renee. Move it,” she commanded, punctuating the last two words with firm swats before watching Emma slowly drag herself down the hallway.

  * * *

  “For the last time, Dani, you can’t go upstairs and you know it,” Anna hissed in Dani’s ear, pulling her off the stairs. “Trust me, you don’t want to bother Emma right now.”

  Dani ran a hand through her hair. “Yeah, my brain is telling me that, but my emotions are another matter altogether.”

  Anna led Dani to an empty area of the store and waited until she sat in an overstuffed chair before sitting herself. “Look, it’s not like she’s being hurt, really.”

  Dani smirked. “Well, no more than she wants to be, I guess.”

  “Exactly,” Anna affirmed. “Say, I can use a coffee. What do you say we send Jason across the street for a couple of beverages and we can then have him do the checkout routine while we chat.”

  Dani shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ve already hit my soda limit for the day, and I’ve been in enough trouble this week. Besides, I really don’t want to upset Emma after her chat with Stevie.”

  “And I’ve already hit my coffee limit too. You are so no fun,” Anna winked. “But I guess I’ll let you get away with it, just this once.”

  Laughing, Dani relaxed a bit more. “Glad to hear it, Anna.”

  “Yeah, besides, I don’t need to make Stevie work that arm at home tonight; wouldn’t want her to get spanker’s elbow.”

  Dani smirked and shook her head. “You are a total brat, you know that, Anna?”

  “Oh, I strive to be, so it’s so nice of you to notice,” Anna responded with a smile.

  Dani was just getting ready to respond when she felt her cell phone vibrating; answering it, her face clouded. “Logan, how hard is it to let the hotel know that you’re reserving the hall?”

  She began to tap her foot as she listened. “Listen, Logan, you better be able to tell me that we have a venue for the Whitmans’ anniversary by the time I get there tomorrow, or I swear I will be kicking your ass up and down Michigan Avenue myself. Yeah, right. Good. Better be.”

  Growling slightly as she hit the release button, she looked at Anna. “What?”

  “I’ve never seen you like that,” Anna confessed. “You are totally different in Chicago, aren’t you?”

  Dani thought for a moment. “I guess I am. I’m always in control in Chicago. At my work, I have to be. There, it’s my reputation on the line.”

  “So which Dani is the real Dani?” Anna questioned.

  Putting her phone back in her pocket, Dani looked out the window for a few moments. “I think they’re both me, I just need to figure out how to make them meld into one.”

  “I thought that’s what you had Emma for.”

  “Maybe it is,” Dani responded, standing to help a customer who looked lost.

  * * *

  Dani had just finished ringing up a customer when she noticed Stevie standing in front of her. “You can go on up, Dani.”

  Dani paled, but practically flew to the stairs, taking them two at a time to get to the apartment.

  Chuckling at Jason’s expression, Stevie turned to him. “So did your co-workers behave this afternoon?”

  Looking at Stevie with confusion, the young man nodded. “I guess so.”

  “Glad to hear it,” Stevie responded before moving behind the cash register to wait on the next person.

  * * *

  Entering the apartment, Dani ran to the bedroom and stopped. Noticing Emma lying on her tummy, she kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the bed. Sitting next to Emma, she bent down next to her and gently kissed her on the temple.

  Emma opened her eyes, giving Dani a slight smile. “Hi, honey.”

  “Are you okay?”

  Emma nodded, her smile betrayed by a small wince. “I will be, in a day or two.”

  Dani frowned. “Anything I can do for you?”

  “Want to lie down with me?”

  “Did Stevie tell you that you had to take a nap?” Dani returned in all seriousness.

  Emma chuckled. “No, Dani. It doesn’t quite work like that between Stevie and me.”

  Dani lay down, her head on the pillow next to Emma’s. “Will you tell me about it?”

  “Not sure that’s a good idea…”

  “Please, Emma? I don’t understand. Why is it different?”

  “Stevie was just helping me, as a friend. She’s not my full-time top. She’ll never dictate any of my life choices, only occasionally help me focus on my path.”

  “Oh,” Dani responded. She ran her finger across Emma’s cheek, tracing a stain left by a recent tear. “You were crying.”

  “Crying usually accompanies spankings, Danielle,” Emma responded evenly.

  Dani smiled. “I know that, but she didn’t hurt you, did she? I mean… well…”

  “No, sweetie, she didn’t hurt me.”

  “Can I see? I mean, I want to make sure…”

  Emma raised an eyebrow. “You’re curious, aren’t you?”

  Dani couldn’t hide the blush as she nodded her head.

  “Go ahead; these bottoms are making me itch anyway,” she winked.

  Dani smiled and, moving to Emma’s side, she helped her slowly ease of out her pajama bottoms and panties. She then let out a gasp as she saw the condition of her lover’s backside; bright red, with darker splotches that would certainly turn to bruises. Not being able to resist, she brushed her palm over each cheek, not surprised, yet still shocked to feel how warm they were.

  “Stevie certainly is thorough,” Dani commented, rubbing her hand over Emma’
s bottom again, as Emma let out a soft moan. “What made these marks?” Dani continued, tracing her finger along one of the darker splotches.

  “Probably the sorority paddle,” Emma answered.

  Dani’s eyes suddenly got large. “Like you see on the movies?”

  Emma chuckled. “Yeah, pretty much.”

  “Is it in the box?” Dani shifted nervously.

  “No,” Emma looked over her shoulder, smiling as Dani’s panicked expression softened. “Too big for the box. It’s under the bed.”

  “What?”

  Emma laughed. “Don’t worry, Dani, that’s an advanced toy. You aren’t ready for that yet.”

  “Not funny,” Dani huffed.

  Emma smiled and patted the pillow next to her. “Come back up here, so I don’t get lonely.”

  Dani grumbled, but couldn’t resist. Lying back down on the pillow, she suddenly yawned.

  “Looks like someone could use a nap,” Emma teased.

  “How come you’re the one that got spanked and I need the nap?” Dani whined.

  “I’ll lie down here with you,” Emma bargained.

  “I think you need a nap too,” Dani mumbled.

  “Maybe I do,” Emma conceded, moving a little closer to Dani and kissing her neck.

  Dani put her arms around Emma and pulled her a little closer. “Hmmm, I thought you were tired?”

  “Maybe I have a little pent-up energy I need to get rid of first.”

  Dani pulled back a little. “I thought you said there was nothing sexual about this for you?”

  “It’s not like that…”

  “Then I don’t understand.”

  Emma let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t like being spanked. I don’t like being vulnerable, or letting go of control. That’s very difficult for me to do, but at the same time, afterwards… it feels good.”

  Dani looked doubtful, and Emma realized she needed to say more. “It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. My stress level goes down and I’m able to relax. It’s not sexual, not like that, but I feel better. It wasn’t until I saw you, and then you lay down next to me… you’re beautiful, Dani,” Emma again paused, running a finger down Dani’s face, curving it around her strong jawline. “I feel good, and I want to feel good with you.”

  “Oh,” Dani managed a small smile. “I want to feel good with you too.”

  Emma returned the smile before kissing Dani on the lips. “Make love to me, Dani,” she whispered when she again pulled back.

  Dani eagerly returned the kiss, and then sat up on the bed as Emma turned to her side and watched as Dani quickly shed her shirt and shimmied out of her pants. “Are you just going to watch or did you want to join me?” Dani asked with a smirk.

  “Brat,” Emma responded as Dani removed her undergarments and lay back on the bed. Dani easily pulled Emma on top of her, making Emma straddle her hips as she removed her pajama top.

  Reaching up, Dani caressed Emma’s breasts gently and then moved her hands to Emma’s shoulders, bringing her gently forward and allowing Dani’s mouth to capture Emma’s nipples. She slowly taunted them into hard nubs as her hands moved along Emma’s back and bottom.

  Emma leaned into Dani’s ministrations, but shifted slightly, causing Dani to let go of her nipple so that she could capture her mouth in a kiss. Lying on top of Dani, Emma moved down the taller woman’s body, kissing as she followed a line from Dani’s collarbone to breasts. Swirling her tongue around Dani’s navel, Emma then continued her gentle ministrations lower, finally causing Dani to whimper in need as her tongue flicked along Dani’s throbbing clit.

  Moaning Emma’s name, Dani pulled her knees up and spread herself as far as she could while her hands tangled in Emma’s hair, urging the woman to go faster. Feeling Emma’s tongue stop, Dani groaned and Emma looked up from between Dani’s legs. “Uh-uh, you aren’t controlling this, Danielle.”

  “Faster, Emma, please,” Dani finally whined.

  “Maybe,” Emma teased as she began to slowly work Dani’s bundle of nerves with her tongue again before slipping it inside Dani’s ready opening.

  Groaning again, Dani tried to open herself wider. Emma finally placed her hands on Dani’s exposed thighs, moving away from Dani’s center and licking and nipping up her thighs before once more moving back to Dani’s core. Using her tongue, Emma explored Dani’s lips and center once more before finally latching onto Dani’s clit and beginning a rhythm with her lips that finally took Dani to her ecstasy.

  Riding out Dani’s orgasm, Emma finally gave Dani’s lower lips a final kiss before moving back up the woman’s body and capturing her mouth in a passionate exchange, her tongue probing deeply.

  “Wow,” Dani finally pulled out of the kiss and then turned Emma onto her back, smirking when Emma winced as her sore backside came in contact with the mattress. “My turn, or should I say, your turn?” Dani asked with a definite twinkle in her eye.

  * * *

  It was mid-morning the next day when Emma found herself squirming in her seat. They still had an hour left before reaching Chicago and despite the release that Dani had offered her the night before, her backside was still paying the price. Looking out the window, she heard another snicker from Dani and sighed.

  “Dani, enough with the snickering,” Emma scolded coolly. “I’m quite over the teasing.”

  “Sure, Emma, whatever you say,” Dani answered before chuckling.

  “Danielle!”

  “What? I’m chuckling, you definitely said no snickering,” Dani protested as they left the remnants of the city of Valparaiso behind them.

  Squirming again, Emma groaned. She knew the last hour was going to feel like twenty. “Pull off at the next exit, Dani. I need to stretch.”

  “More like you need to get off your bottom for a bit,” Dani smirked, making sure to keep her eyes on the road. “Gee, I don’t know if I should do that. How else are you ever going to remember the spanking and what you needed it for?” she teased as Emma took a deep breath.

  Emma’s reply was cut off by Dani’s cell phone ringing. “Hello, no, Morgan, it’s Emma. Sorry, Dani’s driving right now, do you want me to put you on speaker or take a message? Okay, sure, I’ll tell her. Thanks for calling, bye.”

  Dani looked briefly at Emma before turning back to the road. “Well, what was that about?

  “Morgan says to tell you that per your instructions, her ass is now out of the condo for the duration of our stay in Chicago. If you need to reach her, try her cell, or her boyfriend’s place, since that’s where she’s staying.”

  “Oh, I’m sure that was the only reason,” Dani joked. “If I know Morgan, this is one of her relationship tests.”

  “Relationship tests?”

  “Yes, she’ll spend a long weekend or week with a guy to see if she could ever see herself living with him. If he passes, she keeps up the relationship. If he fails, she keeps it up until something better comes along.”

  “I can’t believe anyone would do that.”

  “Ah, that’s because you don’t know Morgan very well.”

  “I suppose,” Emma paused as the car slowed and took the exit. She was relieved that she’d be able to get off her backside, even if only for a few minutes.

  * * *

  Sighing in relief, Dani opened the door to her condo. She made a beeline for her bedroom before gladly dropping their bags on her bed. “I am so glad that trip is over.”

  “Me too. What a long, uncomfortable drive,” Emma commented as she followed Dani into the room, unconsciously rubbing her backside.

  Dani looked at Emma, her eyes wide. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Emma. We had a perfectly lovely drive this morning.”

  Emma smiled. “Yes, I suppose we did, especially if you count the stop near that park.”

  Dani rubbed her own bottom gently. “I still can’t believe you left that purple plastic hairbrush in my glove compartment.”

  Emma chuckled. “Must be my carryover from m
y Girl Scout days, ‘Always be prepared.’”

  “I thought that was the Boy Scout motto.”

  Emma shrugged. “Who knows; works though, doesn’t it?”

  “I guess so,” Dani muttered.

  Looking at the nightstand clock, Emma decided, “We have just enough time to run by the office and finish that paperwork you promised Cal.”

  “You’re tired; why don’t I take care of it and then pick you up here after my meeting with Mr. Zitti?”

  Emma shook her head. “Have you forgotten you’re grounded, Danielle?”

  “You were serious about doing it here too?”

  Emma smiled and linked arms with her girlfriend. “Dead serious, young lady, let’s get going.”

  * * *

  “Long time no see, boss lady,” Olivia grinned, handing Dani a supersized diet soda.

  “Thanks, Olivia,” Dani smiled, taking the large cup. “You remember Emma, don’t you?”

  Olivia smiled and handed the redhead a bottle of water. “Sure do. I didn’t expect to see you here though.”

  Emma accepted the water and gave a pointed look to Dani. “Well, I didn’t feel like hanging out all day in an empty condo, so thought I’d come and see how Dani does business.”

  Olivia moved to sit down again, only to pause as Dani sighed. Placing the cup on Olivia’s desk, Dani said, “Could you hand me a water instead?”

  Olivia slowly turned and took a water from the small refrigerator behind her. “You feeling okay, Danielle?”

  “Yeah, just felt like water,” she answered quickly, walking into her office before her office manager could ask any more questions. Sitting down, Dani frowned at the water now sitting on her desk. “I wanted the soda,” she pouted.

  Coming around the desk, Emma put her arms around Dani’s neck and leaned around to kiss her cheek. “I’m proud of you, Dani,” she stated before rising and moving toward the seating area to the side of the room.

  Dani watched her for a moment before starting to clear off the clutter that had accumulated in her absence. Time flew and before she realized it, it was getting late. Dani yawned and stretched. Seeing Emma still involved on her new computer tablet, she grumbled before saying, “Emma, we’d better get going; it’s almost 2:30 and I want to make sure we have plenty of time to get to Carmina’s.”