Chapter Ten #3
"Thank you, men." He paused and then said, "I would appreciate it if you would see to it that Glimmer is cared for. I'm going to take Miss Chambers inside and see if we can figure out who is behind this."
He offered her his arm, and was thankful when she slipped her arm through his.
He had had all the public humiliation he could stand for one afternoon.
"I could make us some coffee," he offered once they were inside.
"I'd rather have something stronger," she said firmly as she walked over to his liquor cabinet and helped herself to a glass of sherry. "You really hurt me, Rob," she admitted.
"Yes, I know."
"No, I don't believe you do know. I have cried over you!" Her pretty green eyes were brimming with tears even now. "I have never cried over any man!"
"I am truly sorry, sweetheart," he whispered, moving to take her in his arms. "I hurt, too. I was so lonely, and I thought I was keeping you safe from all of this. Mandy, I punished us both, and I regret your tears. Will you forgive me?" he begged of her.
"Yes, I forgive you, Rob. I love you too much not to forgive you!" When he lowered his mouth to hers, she kissed him with longing and passion, feeling as though she was 'home' once again, and all was right in her world. "Rob, you must promise me you'll never pull something like this again!"
"I promise." He was sincere. "I do not think I could have survived much longer without you in my life, sweetheart."
"That is why I had to ride over here today, Rob. I needed to know why... what I did wrong...? I wanted to promise I would never ever do it again," she explained. "I have been so miserable. Papa is ready to shoot me," she admitted.
"I doubt that," Rob held her close for a moment, "but I suspect he felt like doing this..."
Amanda was shocked when Rob suddenly flipped her through the air and she found herself pinned to his side, dangling over one arm.
Rob's deft fingers went to her gun belt, and it was soon lying on his desk.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, knowing full well what he was doing. He was going to spank her!
"My jaw stings, little girl," he announced, and proceeded to give her a dozen sound spanks on her jean clad bottom. "Now, I might have deserved that punch, but ladies do not go around punching men! Is that understood, young lady?" he asked sternly."
"Yes! I am sorry I struck you, Rob! I was just so angry and frustrated... I didn't plan to do that; it just happened!"
"I believe you, sweetheart," he whispered, smiling. "Now, then, there is another matter that I shall not let pass."
She immediately knew what he was referring to. "But, Rob, I only wore the jeans because you were being so difficult. I had to do something!" she insisted.
"I understand," he stated matter-of-factly, and she sagged in relief. "Now I have to do something... And I believe you know what that something is, since I promised you what I would do if I caught you wearing these particular pants again!"
"No!" she gasped, but in the next instant, Rob's hard hand spanked against her sit spots, and it was obvious this was not going to be a little reminder spanking.
He was perfectly serious, and determined to make his point about her wearing britches.
"I'm sorry, Rob!" she offered immediately.
"Please don't spank me. I still have to ride home!"
"And a sore ride it will be," he agreed, continuing the spanking. "Are you going to wear these pants again?" he asked a few minutes later. Amanda was sniffling now, and he was sure he had made his point.
"No, I won't," she promised. "I was in a snit when I put them on today... I think I wanted to see if I could get a reaction from you," she admitted the simple truth.
"And now you know," he said quietly, helping her up. He pulled her close and then kissed her tenderly. "I love you, Amanda, and I want to marry you as soon as possible. Do you believe me?" he asked, his voice hoarse with emotion.
"I believe you, Rob," she said. Her eyes were still shimmering with unshed tears, but he saw love reflected there, too. "I want to marry you, too."
"I must deal with this situation first; I cannot permit this bastard to harm you as he nearly did today." He ran his thumbs over her cheeks, wiping away the dampness. "You will need to obey the restrictions I set for you until he is captured. Will you do this for me?"
"If you insist," she reluctantly agreed.
"I will insist with a switch if I must," he said quietly, but she knew he meant the words.
"I can obey you without a switching," Amanda immediately decided. She'd already felt a switch on her tender backside, and had no desire to repeat that awful experience.
"I know you can, but will you...?" Rob was not about to give her a loophole.
"I will... as long as it does not take too long to bring this man to his knees."
"What can you tell me about him, sweetheart?"
"He is an arrogant creep," she replied, but then picked up a pencil from his desk, took a piece of paper, and started sketching from memory. When she was satisfied, she handed Rob the paper.
"I should have known..."