Part 6 (1/2)

”Are you done pouting? Think before you answer, I don't like to be lied to.” James stared directly into her big green eyes.

Avery looked up at James. He was so close she could smell his aftershave. Well, he could try and intimidate her. But it wasn't going to work, Avery thought. But G.o.d, she wanted to give him another chance. He was crowding her and all she wanted was for him to kiss her. No, that was not what she was thinking. She shook her head at him.

”No I'm not, and for your information, I'm not pouting. Now go away and let me work.” She waved her hand in the air as if to dismiss him.

James grabbed the hand waving in the air and pulled her to her feet. Walking around the desk to her side, he put his other arm under her knees and lifted her into his arms.

”Put me down, James, this isn't funny.” Concern was now creeping into her voice.

”It's not supposed to be funny. This is very serious, and it's about time you know your place with me. I've let you have time, but your time's up.”

Avery put her arms around his neck and hung on as he briskly walked to his office. He slammed the door with his foot and turned the lock.

Striding to the chair in front of his desk, he whipped it around and sat, flipping Avery facedown over his lap.

Now Avery knew he was serious and started to struggle. ”Let me up, you brute. You can't do this. I have rights. Wait until I tell Clay, your a.s.s will be fired. ”

”Maybe that could happen, but not before I warm your a.s.s for your behavior.”

”My behavior. I'm not the one going into the alley and buying drugs.” Avery turned her head up to look at him, her hair falling around her face.

”Why didn't you ask if you wanted to know what was going on? No, you just leaped to conclusions, and they are wrong. It won't get you out of your punishment. Now stay still and it will go smoother.”

”Smoother for you maybe, but it's not your a.s.s on the line.” Avery squirmed again, trying to dislodge herself from his hold.

James held her with a firm hand on her back and lifted her long skirt up to her waist, biting back a grin at her words. G.o.d, she was magnificent when riled.

Avery was glad she had at least worn her nice panties for today. Avery gritted her teeth. Why was she bothered to think about her panties at a time like this? Maybe she liked the controlling James. Avery dismissed her thoughts the next second. No way was he getting away with this he-man att.i.tude.

The next thing she knew, her panties were around her ankles and James had struck her with an open hand on her right a.s.s cheek.

”Ouch, that hurt.”

”That's the point.” James gave her another wallop on her other cheek. This time he held his hand over the area so the warmth was absorbed by Avery.

Five more were given with Avery yelling, ”Ouch” every time. Her voice was now taking on a low tone, like she would be moaning if she allowed herself. James could tell she was holding back.

”Ready to give up and start acting like an adult?” James asked her in a no-nonsense tone. The heat had now started to make its way down to her p.u.s.s.y and she squirmed on James.

”No, I saw what you did, and you left my bed for a drug deal. I'm not stupid, I know what I saw.”

”Why. Didn't. You. Ask. Me?” In between each word, James gave her another paddle on her a.s.s with his hand.

His hand was starting to feel the heat also and James almost gave up when he heard Avery moan. G.o.d, she was stubborn.

Reaching his hand down to her mound, he stuck a finger in her. She was wet, almost dripping.

Turning her up to a sitting position on his lap, James lifted her face up to his and wiped the tears that she didn't know she was crying.

What could he tell her? He couldn't tell her about their job. He hated lying to her, but it was necessary. He hoped she would understand when all this was over.

”I'm...” James started again. It wasn't like him to hesitate. ”I mean Angel and I are trying to help the youth around here. Trying to get them off the streets and find a proper job.”

”But I saw money pa.s.sing hands,” Avery sputtered though her tears.

”Yes, you did. I would rather give them some money than have them run drugs for it.”

Standing her up beside the chair, James pulled her panties back up and straightened down her skirt. Unlocking the door, he waved her through with a pat on the a.s.s.

”Be ready after work. We are going to go out for dinner and try again. And if you have any questions, don't think, ask.” James closed the door behind her and she could swear she heard him sigh.

Walking back to her desk, Avery though of all James had told her. She really didn't know what to believe. Could it be true that what she thought she saw was just them helping the youth around here? G.o.d, she was confused. Looking around, she hoped no one had seen anything. She would be so embarra.s.sed if Clay or any of the others had seen their exchange.

Chapter Thirteen.

Avery looked in her bedroom mirror and took in the outfit she had chosen. She wore a knee-length black skirt and a white lace top. They had been buys at the thrift store, but didn't look worn. Avery hoped that James would approve. She didn't know why she wanted his approval. After this afternoon she should have just walked out. But something in her was drawn to James. It couldn't be his sweet disposition. If that's what she wanted, Clay would probably be the better bet. Clay seemed more even tempered and totally gorgeous in his own way, but he just didn't give off the spark James did every time he looked at her.

James watched Avery walking down the stairs to him. She looked good enough to eat. She had worn her hair down and it seemed to form a golden halo around her head. G.o.d, he was going to h.e.l.l with the thoughts he had running through his head. Smiling up at her, James took her hand as she neared the bottom.

”You look gorgeous. I really approve of what you're wearing tonight.”

Tonight would be a good test to see how submissive she was. He was going to be overly demanding. He wanted to see if this could be long-term for them.

”Well I wouldn't want to disappoint you. After the lesson you gave me in your office,” Avery answered back sarcastically.

”See, you're learning,” James said with a grin Avery looked up at him. Was he serious? James looked down at her with a twinkle in his eyes and took her elbow and led her out of the office.

The restaurant James had chosen was an upscale Italian bistro. Could he afford this? It was on the other side of town. When they pulled into the parking lot, she could tell that his car stood out like a sore thumb. In between the Jags and Mercedes, even the parking attendant looked twice at the car before getting in and parking it.

Placing his hand on her back, James led Avery into the posh establishment. Avery looked around. James didn't seem to be uncomfortable so she made the best of it and tried to look like they came here every day. She sure hoped James wasn't trying to impress her and spending a week's pay on one night. Pulling at his jacket sleeve as they waited for the hostess to seat them, she looked up at James.

”I don't think we should stay. It looks awful expensive. Why don't we go back and just eat at the diner?”

Catching the hostess's attention, James nodded at her. For some reason the hostess didn't ask for his name or reservations, just turned and escorted them to a very private booth at the back.

Seating Avery at the table, James turned and asked the hostess to send over the wine steward.

Something was up. James seemed too comfortable in this environment. James was dressed nicely in a black blazer that enhanced his wide shoulders and tan pants, but not up to the standards that others wore around them, and her little black skirt wasn't up to snuff either. Where would James get money enough to afford a place like this? Avery jerked her head up and watched James order a wine she had never heard of. She was crazy. How many times did it have to come and bite her on the a.s.s before she got it in her head that drug money was the only answer? Pulling back into herself, she looked around. Could she just leave? There must be a way out at the back. James seemed to notice her eyes darting around, looking very uncomfortable.

”Everything OK? I hope that you will like the wine that I picked.” Avery just nodded her head and kept looking around.

”What are you looking for? I can see that your mind is off someplace again. Need I explain to you again that if you have a question, just ask? I don't think your a.s.s could handle another spanking tonight. While I don't mind, I don't think the other customers in the place would like a floor show with you in the spotlight.” James used his Dom voice as he looked at Avery. She looked like she was going to bolt at any second.

That got Avery's attention. She turned back facing him with her month gasping. ”There is no way you can use that to threaten me here. You would get arrested.”

James laid down his napkin and started to rise from the booth. Avery reached over the table and grabbed his coat sleeve. ”Please don't make a scene. I think we stand out enough without the floor show.”