Page 13 of His Naughty Girl

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Andrea,” Dylan said, his voice low and smooth.

I felt my cheeks flush as I mumbled a greeting, suddenly very aware of my body in the modest yellow dress. The room felt stiflingly warm, and I could feel beads of sweat forming at the nape of my neck.

Just as I thought the introductions were over and I could escape to the relative safety of the kitchen, Bill spoke up, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“So, Andrea,” he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of something that made me shiver. “I hear you’ve got a date with Devin’s palm after dinner.”

I felt the blood drain from my face as Bill’s words sank in. My legs trembled beneath me, and I was grateful for Lila’s and Lydia’s steadying hands on my elbows.

“I… I…” I stammered, unable to form a coherent response. The room seemed to spin around me, the faces of the men blurring together.

Bill chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “No need to be shy, sweetheart. We’ve all been there before—well, not me personally, but we’ve seen our fair share of naughty girls get what’s coming to them.”

Travis leaned forward, a predatory grin spreading across his sharp features. “I, for one, am looking forward to the show,” he said, his words full of lust. “Nothing quite like watching a pretty young thing learn her place.”

My breath caught in my throat, a wave of dizziness washing over me. The whole household? They were all going to watch? The persistent, impossible-to-suppress thought of being bent over Devin’s knee with my bottom bared for all to see threatened tooverwhelm me. I swayed on my feet, feeling as though I might faint at any moment.

Just as I thought my legs might give out entirely, Dylan’s voice cut through the haze of my panic.

“Come on, guys,” he said, his tone firm but gentle. “Let’s not make this harder for Andrea than it already is. She’s new here, and I’m sure she’s nervous enough without all this teasing.”

I blinked, focusing on Dylan’s face. His hazel eyes met mine, filled with a warmth and understanding that made my heart skip a beat. In that moment, I noticed again just how handsome he was—the strong line of his jaw, the subtle curve of his lips, the way his dark hair fell in soft waves across his forehead.

A sudden surge of affection welled up inside me, catching me off guard with its intensity. Dylan’s kindness, his willingness to stand up for me in front of the others, touched something deep within me. It was a small gesture, perhaps, but in that moment, it meant the world.

“Th-thank you,” I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.

Dylan smiled, a gentle quirk of his lips that sent a flutter through my stomach. “Don’t mention it,” he said softly. “We all had to adjust when we first came to Cato. It takes time.”

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. But even as I basked in the warmth of Dylan’s kindness, I couldn’t shake the dread that coiled in my gut. Much too soon, the mental image would come true: I would be over Devin’s knee, my backside burning under his palm—and everyone in this room would be watching.

The thought made me want to run, to hide, to do anything to avoid the humiliation that awaited me. Desperation clawed atmy throat as the full implications set in. The thought of being spanked was mortifying enough, but to have it done in front of all these people—strangers who would soon have such intimate power over me—was more than I could bear.

“Mr. Weathers,” I blurted out, my voice trembling. “Please, sir. Couldn’t we… couldn’t you punish me in private? In my bedroom, maybe?”

The room fell silent, all eyes on me. I felt my face flame with embarrassment, but I pressed on, words tumbling out in a panicked rush.

“I know I deserve to be punished,” I said, hating the way my voice quavered. “And I… I promise I’ll take whatever you think is right. But please, sir, not in front of everyone. I’ll learn my lesson just as well in private, I swear.”

Devin’s steady blue eyes met mine, his expression unreadable. For a moment, hope fluttered in my chest. Maybe he would show mercy, spare me this public humiliation.

But then he shook his head, his voice firm and unyielding. “I’m afraid that’s not how we do things here, Andrea,” he said. “A public spanking serves two purposes. First, it ensures that you fully understand the consequences of your actions. There’s nothing quite like the shame of having your bottom bared and warmed in front of others to drive a lesson home.”

I flinched at his words, once more, to my dismay, imagining the scene all too vividly. My hands instinctively moved to cover my backside, as if I could somehow shield it from what was to come.

“Second,” Devin continued, his tone softening slightly, “it shows the rest of the household that justice has been served. Itreinforces the rules for everyone, not just the person being punished.”

He leaned forward, his gaze intense. “I know it seems harsh, Andrea. But in the long run, this is the best way to make sure you’ll behave in the future. It’s for your own good, truly.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, threatening to spill over. I opened my mouth to protest again, but Devin held up a hand, silencing me.

“That’s enough,” he said, his voice taking on a gruffer edge. “The matter is settled. Now, follow Lila and Lydia to the kitchen. Dinner isn’t getting any warmer, and I won’t have good food go to waste because of your dallying.”

I stood there for a moment, frozen in place by the finality of his words. The reality of my situation crashed over me like a wave—there was no escape, no reprieve. In just a short while, I would be over this man’s knee feeling the sting of his palm as I kicked and squirmed helplessly.

In a fog of shame and fear, I followed Lila and Lydia out of the dining room, my legs trembling beneath me. The kitchen seemed impossibly far away, each step an eternity. The polished hardwood floor creaked softly under our feet, the sound unnaturally loud in the silence that had fallen.

As we reached the doorway to the kitchen, Lydia leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear. “Remember,” she whispered urgently, “we’re not allowed to speak at the table unless we’re spoken to. Just keep your eyes down and do as you’re told.”

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