Page 35 of On His Ranch

Her brows knitted together as she pouted. “Fine.”

“This time, make sure you listen good,” he advised, spinning his finger in the air.

She took the hint and turned to face the wall again, pushing her butt out toward him reluctantly.

“You ready?”

“Do I have a choice?” she muttered. She had thought she had spoken softly enough not to be overheard, but the sting of the switch followed her words without warning. “Ow!”

“That was a freebie. Watch the smart mouth, Piper. Now, I’ll ask one more time—are you ready?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, fingers clasped around the wood of the bench so tightly it bit into her skin. “Yes, sir.”

“Rule number one: you obey my rules. Rule number two: you won’t disrespect me. Number three: you do not endanger yourself.”

Piper mulled that over. She was almost done repeating it to herself when…

Whack!The switch smacked against her tender skin.

She was trying to remember the rules he’d mentioned, but as the pain in her bottom built into a smoldering fire, but she couldn’t help but whimper. Ithurt!

Another whistle sounded, followed immediately by a burning sting.

“Ow!” she complained.

“Better not be wastin’ your time.”

Think, Piper, think!What did he say? Oh, yeah: obey. Do what he tells me… I have, haven’t I?

Swish!

She’d been busy trying to figure out the answer he was looking for and had not expected the punishing sting. Her feet did a little agonized dance, but she had to stop and refocus. She didn’t have much time.

Do what he tells me…

The switch fell again, harder this time. Piper screeched at the impact.

“This is too hard!” she cried out. “Please, stop!”

“Nope.”

“Please…”

“Beggin’ isn’t gonna help you none, Piper. Now, you can do this. Put your big-girl panties on andthink.”

Suddenly, it came to her, and she dropped her arms and whirled around.

Chase, with the switch midair, arched a brow. “Yes?”

“I didn’t obey you.” Though the ‘aha’ moment itself had felt triumphant, remembering her disobedience had taken the wind out of her sails.

“When?”

“You told me not to spill the milk,” she said, trying to imitate the exact cadence of his voice.

“Makin’ fun of my accent again I see.”

She pulled a face. “I am not. And anyway, that’s what you said.”

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