Page 20 of Protecting Vidalia
It was Vidalia’s turn to choke on her coffee. A delicate pink stole into her cheeks as she stood up abruptly. “I’m going to get a shower and get ready for the day. Do you want to fix breakfast or just heat up some egg and cheese croissants in the microwave?”
“I’ll be happy to fix some breakfast,” he replied, standing up and following her into the cabin with a wolfish grin. Her backside was as delicious as her frontside. Her firm buttocks swayed up and down as she walked, enticing him to reach out and grab her. She certainly was one neat little package, full of sass and vinegar this morning, but he’d gotten in the last word.
Even though she said she didn’t want to get involved with him, her body was sending different signals. She was just as attracted to him as he was to her. And the more layers he peeled from his little onion, the more intrigued he became.
He loved those fuzzy slippers; they really did make him want to cuddle her. He made a mental note for the future when he needed to find a gift she’d like.
***
VIDALIA GASPED IN AWEat the picturesque lake spread out before her. Nestled between tall pine sentinels, the sun was casting its beams between the branches and highlighting the fronds on the glistening water.
It wasn’t a huge lake, but it looked old with the gnarled tree trunks of fallen soldiers adorning its edges and the worn footpaths here and there allowing you to get closer and inspect the delicate flowers growing on the green frond bases. Yellow, white, and some pink peeking out here and there created a gorgeous canopy that filled most of the lake. Fairy Lake lived up to its name.
“You like it?” Jake asked, pleased with her reaction. This wasn’t a hike often taken in the spring and it wasn’t easy to get to. Only the most avid of hikers and those in good physical health were able to make it up the steep incline and sometimes slippery slope.
It was only about an hour for a strong hiker but he’d held back a bit for Vidalia, wanting her to enjoy the entire trail and the reward at the end. He needn’t have worried; she’d taken to it like a champ, barely out of breath when they reached the lake. “This is one of my favorite places to come for peace and quiet,” he added softly.
Turning to him with shining eyes, she nodded her head. “If you look hard enough, it feels like you can see fairies dancing on the water lilies,” she replied reverently. “It’s a magical place, I can feel it.”
He held out his hand. “I know what you mean,” he added gruffly. “Come on, there’s a really good spot for pictures just around the other side. And some great seats on the tree trunks of some of the giants who’ve fallen.”
Holding Jake’s hand while he helped her over the rough spots sent tingling sensations up Vidalia’s arm. It was warm and fully enveloped hers in a firm grasp. There was no denying he made her feel completely safe.
When they reached the other side, she was delighted to see a couple of natural benches had been carved into the wood of two huge trees and sanded off and lightly coated in some type of resin. “Did you do this?” she asked, running her fingers over the smooth surface.
“Maybe,” he admitted with a quirky grin. “I used to spend quite a bit of time up here, so I figured I might as well make it more comfortable.”
Vidalia saw the shadow flit briefly across his face and knew he was thinking about Hamal. Then he returned to his aggravating self.
“Makes a nice spanking bench too,” he joked.
Her eyes narrowed. “Spanked a lot of women up here, have you?” she snarked. Her body heated slightly.
He shook his head, his eyes dancing. “Not a one...yet. You get to be the first.” He tugged her towards the bench on the right.
Vidalia dug her heels in. “I don’t think so,” she protested, unsure of whether he was serious or just fooling around. “What’s with this spanking thing anyway?” He got her to the bench and pulled her down to sit beside him. She was relieved he didn’t make any effort to pull her over his lap.
“You like fuzzy slippers, I like spanking a gorgeous bottom,” he drawled with a lazy grin that set her heart racing.
“You just like throwing your weight around,” she protested with a laugh. It was hard not to laugh when he was being so silly. “That could be considered assault with a deadly weapon.”
“What deadly weapon?” He feigned mock horror.
She picked up his hand and turned it palm upward. “That deadly weapon,” she accused, “it’s hard as a board.” It was too, it had left her skin stinging like dozens of ant bites.
“It doesn’t always have to be that way. Sometimes I can guarantee you would like it,” he promised.
She stared doubtfully at him considering the ramifications of his words. It’s not like she hadn’t heard about sensual spanking. Hell, she’d read a few romance books with a “good girl” spanking in them, but she’d never seriously considered it might be true. They were okay to read though, and some had even left her wondering. The few men she’d dated had never seemed remotely interested in it, even if she had been. Besides, the whole idea was embarrassing to contemplate.
It was one thing to get your butt smacked for punishment, and her parents hadn’t minded doing that when they felt she deserved a few swats. But until Jake had smacked her, she hadn’t considered it in a relationship.
“Look,” he whispered, gently palming her face away from him and towards the lake. “Take a video, quick, before it’s over.”
Vidalia gasped and brought her camera up, the subject of spanking forgotten for the moment.
