Page 27 of What the Doctor Ordered
“I’m glad,” Kiley said. “I was worried because I’ve never been to a function like this. I’ll be more prepared for the next ones you invite me to.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” I said. I ducked my head slightly so that no one else would hear us. “You were treading on thin ice at the dessert bar but other than that, you’ve been pretty well-behaved. Keep it up, otherwise I’ll have no choice but to take you back to my place tonight to punish you.”
Kiley’s jaw dropped and I watched with satisfaction as she looked around self-consciously. “You shouldn’t say things like that in a place like this,” she hissed quietly.
Her nervousness just spurred me on, and I couldn’t help but lean down even more so that I could place my lips right at her ear. “If you weren’t so sassy with me at the dessert bar earlier, I wouldn’t feel the need to give you a thorough warning now,” I pointed out. “Sometimes, I suspect you act out on purpose so that I will turn you over my knee, yank down your panties and spank that bottom of yours until it’s bright red.”
Kiley gasped, her face darkening even further. I couldn’t even hide my wolfish grin at her reaction. I raised an eyebrow when I noticed her breathing quicken and her green eyes glaze over.
I hummed inwardly, realizing that she just might be excited by the thought.
“I must warn you that you’re not going to like it if I have to correct you,” I murmur in a low voice. I tightened my hold on her, making sure she could see and feel how serious I could be. “It wouldn’t be an enjoyable spanking if you chose to disobey me. It would hurt immensely. You wouldn’t be able to sit down for hours afterwards.”
She scowled at me, but her cheeks were still tinted pink. “Why are you threatening me?” she demanded. “You just said that I have been well-behaved.”
“And you have been,” I assured her. “But I know that, while you tend to be a good girl for the most part, you also have a naughty streak that likes to rear its ugly head from time to time. I haven’t had to punish you lately so I thought a warning would do you some good and could possibly save you from being given a hot bottom.”
I watched her expression carefully, noting how she looked away shyly, ducking her head so I could no longer see her shimmering green eyes. It didn’t matter though. She couldn’t hide her desire from me. I already knew that being punished excited her. And it excited me immensely to punish her.
I decided to stop torturing her and led her through another dance without teasing her. It was difficult to resist, though, now that I knew her upper cheeks colored as readily as her bottom cheeks. It was far too much fun to get a rise out of her.
“Don’t look now,” Kiley said suddenly, looking past me. “But it looks like your little childhood friend is on her way over.”
I grimaced and spun us around so that I could discreetly glance in the direction Kiley had indicated, trying not to make a sour face when I saw that Sicily was indeed striding over to us purposefully.
“It would probably be too obvious if we suddenly left the ballroom,” I mumbled, regretfully.
Kiley giggled but the sound was sympathetic. “I could accidentally spill some punch on her if you’d like.”
“You will do no such thing,” I replied sternly.
Kiley looked hurt. “Sorry,” she muttered. “I didn’t think you would want to defend her since she annoys you.”
“It’s not that,” I said, quickly. I calmed myself so that I could explain better. “I don’t want her targeting you. She was one of those girls who sought revenge on other girls who she felt wronged her. She made quite a few girls in our high school miserable. I won’t risk that happening to you.”
Kiley blinked, clearly surprised by my words. “I appreciate your concern,” she said. “But I’ve dealt with mean girls in my own high school. I can take care of myself.”
“You will not goad her,” I told her roughly, gripping her upper arms. “Just let me handle it. I’ve been dealing with Sicily Alcott virtually my whole life. You will not anger her. That is an order.”
Kiley’s lower lip poked out, but she nodded reluctantly. I was relieved because it allowed me to turn and face Sicily calmly.
“May I help you, Sicily?” I asked.
Sicily smiled at me, batting her eyelashes. “I was hoping that you saved a dance for me, Simon,” she purred. “You know, for old time’s sake.”
I gave her a pitying look and shook my head. “My apologies, Sicily, but I have already promised Kiley that she would be my only dance partner this evening. I’m sure you can understand that.”
Sicily frowned, her eyebrows knitting together. “No, I don’t understand, actually,” she snapped, her voice taking on a distinctly unpleasant whine. “I was far too busy to attend the gala tonight, but I decided to come because I heard you were going to be here. Please dance with me, Simon!”
“I will not,” I said firmly. “Please don’t make me tell you again, Sicily.”
I glowered at the young woman that I have had the displeasure of knowing for most of my life, pinning her with the only look that she seemed to understand.
Sicily scowled. “I don’t know what this girl has done to you, Simon,” she complained, gesturing angrily at Kiley. “You used to be such a gentleman. She’s obviously not good for you, but there’s clearly nothing that I can do to save you.” With that, she turned on her heel and stomped away, her nose high up in the air.
“Did you really have to be so harsh?” Kiley asked as we watched Sicily leave the room in a huff.
I shook my head in wonder. Kiley was really too kind for her own good. Here, Sicily had openly insulted her not once but twice and yet, she still felt sorry for the mean-spirited girl.
