A quiet evening

The television was on, simply background noise as he worked on his computer.  Her hand, cool against his knee, caught his attention.  She sank to the floor at his feet, legs folded neatly beneath her.  Her fingernails ran down his bare leg, traced back up to his knee.  She rested the flat of her hand against the inside of his knee, her cheek pressed against the other side of his leg.

"What's the matter, beautiful?"

"Nothing," she closed her eyes, shutting out the lie.

"Don't lie to me, little one."  He closed his computer, his hand cupping her face.

"Don't stop working," she said quietly, her eyes still closed, "I'm just going to cuddle up with you."

"Then why aren't you up on the sofa with me?  Cuddled up in my lap?"

She shrugged, saying nothing.  His fingers worked through her hair, massaging her scalp.  She sighed, wrapping herself more tightly around his leg.

"I'm sorry," she said finally, "About yesterday."

"I already told you, you've nothing to apologize for."

"Yeah," her quiet whisper could not have said more clearly that she disagreed.

"Get up here, you."  He set his computer aside.  When she didn't move, he carefully brushed her hair back from her ear then took a firm grip and pulled.  She followed her ear, standing up and falling promptly over his lap.

"Meanie," she muttered as she rubbed her ear.  But she barely had time to pout at him, as he pushed up her satin nightgown and began spanking her.  He spanked hard, varying the swats from thuddy to stingy and back again.  He covered both sides of her bottom and worked his way right down her thighs.  She squirmed a little and whimpered a little, but largely accepted his punishment without complaint.

"Get up," he growled at her, helping her to her feet and then standing himself.  "Put your hands on the couch," he pushed her into position.  "And get those legs apart," he demanded, his hand slapping her inner thighs until she had spread her legs to his satisfaction.  "Stay right there."

Her legs shook just a bit as he walked away, the only outward sign of her nerves.  He could be after anything to use with her in this position.  The possibilities were seemingly endless.  She heard him return to the room, but forced herself not to look.

"That's my good girl," he murmured, his hands roaming her backside.  She arched her back in response, offering her bottom for his caress.  He did just that for a long moment, rubbing her bottom, teasing it with his nails.

The sharp crack of the strap against her bottom broke her relaxation.  She took several quick breaths, but he did not let up.  He knew what she needed, enough pain to forgive herself.  Enough pain to let go.

She was near tears when he stopped.  He wrapped her in a hug and pulled her onto his lap as he sat down.  She curled into his chest, just as he had wanted her to do earlier.  Sometimes, it took effort to keep her happy, but it was well worth it.