Page 77 of On His Ranch

Piper haltingly put her hands atop her head. She could scarcely hold a thought, all of her energy concentrated on the pain radiating from her inner legs. She kept them spread wide, knowing if they touched the contact would be unbearable.

I hope we’re done after this, she thought, desperately hoping with all her might.

Then she remembered the butt plug, and her stomach plummeted.

Chapter 16

Chase used Piper’s corner time to get dressed. It would be time to get to his chores soon enough, and Senior would be home shortly and would need to be updated. Running a ranch meant sleep was a luxury—and these days had been harder than most.

Guess that’s why they say you can sleep when you’re dead, he mused, buttoning his shirt. He left his jeans and his belt draped over the chair and examined his naughty girl. Now that she’d been spanked, he felt calmer, even if his nerves were a bit frayed.

Maybe it’s my nerves leadin’ me astray. Maybe she’s everythin’ she seems—no secrets.But as much as he wanted to believe that, it wasn’t easy.

The intersection where the lower bottom and thighs met was an angry red, and as his eyes dropped he could see that her thighs were an even darker crimson. He let out a low whistle. She wouldn’t be eager to sit today, that was for sure.Will she take her breakfast standin’ or skip it altogether?he wondered.

“Alright, you can turn around.”

She did, though she moved with slow, hesitant steps. Once she was facing him he could see that her face was streaked with tears.

In other circumstances, he’d like to trace those streaks with his tongue, kiss them away. But that would have to wait for better times. Her punishment wasn’t over yet.

He beckoned her with the crook of his finger. She moved toward him with slow, careful steps designed not to put pressure on her burning thighs. It was a funny sight, watching her waddle over, but he repressed his smile. As soon as she reached him, he took her hand and guided her until she was bending over the bed.

“Reach behind and spread your cheeks.”

Piper whimpered, but she obeyed.

If she’s a spy, or worse, someone sabotaging my farm, would she be so obedient? Would she let me do this to her? Why wouldn’t she have her pals, whoever put her up to this, come rescue her?

But he dismissed the thoughts before he had any time to process them. None of that mattered now. He had a lesson to teach and he wasn’t going to stop midpoint.

“Jus’ a little more,” he encouraged, and Piper spread her cheeks wider. “Good, like that. Hold it for a minute.” He worked as quickly as he could, but when she squirmed, he spanked the side of her buttock. His fingers caught some of the previously spanked sit-spot, and she howled. “Be still, little girl. I don’t want to hurt you. Well, not in any way that’s permanently damagin’.”

After that, she did well, although once the butt plug was in place she let her displeasure known by drumming her toes and groaning.

“Shhh. Be a good girl now. It’s gonna hurt—that’s why—”

“It’s punishment,” she interrupted, her voice laced with heavy sarcasm. “I know, I know.”

Chase’s brows shot up. So, the saucy brat was back. He took hold of her shoulders and spun her to face him, but he didn’t see anything but a sullen little girl looking back at him. “Feelin’ sorry for yourself, huh?”

“You were mean to me,” she said before the lower lip protruded.

“You earned your spankin’ by—”

“Not that. You yelled at me.” Her wide green eyes filled with tears at the memory and her pouty lip began to quiver.

He willed himself to toughen up, to not be moved by the little girl in front of him.

What if she’s not what she seems? What if I’m bein’ played for a fool… again?The thought was a sobering one.What would Senior say? If it looks like a snake, rattles like a snake, get back or you’re gonna get bit.

“You’re right,” he said at last. “I was angry, and frankly, things aren’t quite addin’ up.” He captured her eyes with his. “But I don’t have much to go on, so for now, I’m goin’ to only look at what’s right in front of me.” Was it his imagination, or did she seem to deflate a bit? What was that? Relief? Or…

“I don’t want anything but to be your little girl,” she whispered, her voice so low he almost didn’t catch it.

“Well, that’s entirely up to you. All you have to do is be honest with me. Understand?”

Her eyes still on his, she nodded.

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