Free Summer Solace by Maggie Ryan Page B

pass and then said, “Lower your shorts.” 
    Joanna’s heart rate jumped. She felt him release her hands. Her hands were trembling as they went to her belt. Gabe said nothing as she unbuckled her belt and then unsnapped and unzipped her shorts. She moaned softly, her hands at the waistband of her shorts.
    “Good girl,” Gabe’s voice was soft and loving as he gave her quiet encouragement.
    She dared raise her eyes to look around the clearing as if remembering that they were out in public no matter that the camp site was isolated. She moved her eyes to his, her uncertainty shining from them.
    Gabe didn’t smile but spoke quietly and firmly,  “You can do this, sweetheart.” 
    His words gave her courage. Her face turned scarlet as she pushed her shorts down just until they cleared the curves of her bottom cheeks. Gabe was thrilled to see she had remembered exactly what position the order he had given her meant. He reached up to turn her face to his. “Thank you, Joanna,” he said sincerely.
    She gave him a small smile and when he turned her gently, she immediately lowered herself over his left knee, the position instantly familiar. She sighed when she felt his right leg cross both of hers, effectively trapping her in position. She shuddered once as she felt her stomach flip. God, it had been forever, but at this moment, felt like only yesterday.
    Gabe was trying to gather his courage. Her story had taken part of his soul away. He knew she was far more scarred than she would ever admit. He didn’t think he’d ever met anyone braver. She had been through hell. She thought he had simply abandoned her when the going got rough. Yet, she was trusting him, loving him and he doubted for a moment if he had the right to accept her submission, her love. He was proud of her but terrified that she would have some type of flashback and bolt.
    “Joanna, if for any reason you start to panic and feel you can’t handle this spanking, use your safe word. Do you remember it?” he asked.
    She closed her eyes and released the breath she had been holding. He had never offered her an out before – not for a spanking or punishment. She understood that he too was feeling some doubt.
    “I remember, Sir. It’s ‘red.’”  She paused and then spoke slightly louder,  “Sir, I won’t use it. I trust you to spank me. I know you won’t truly hurt me.” 
    Gabe closed his eyes and felt the weight of responsibility engulf him. She was telling him that she was secure enough to place herself in his hands. She was trusting him to take her where she so desperately needed to be again. He put the palm of his hand on the curve of one cheek. She was wearing dark pink panties that were silky under his skin. He smiled seeing the lace edging the leg openings and waistband. She might be wearing the standard khaki uniform of a park ranger, but she was definitely wearing very sexy underwear beneath it. He relaxed and began to rub his hand over her bottom.
    Joanna bit her lip and moaned as his hand roamed her bottom. She felt her stomach churn and her sex clench. This was where she belonged, in the care of this man who owned her in a way she had never imagined possible. Several minutes passed while she waited for the first smack. When it came, she was surprised. It was nothing more than a gentle pat followed by another round of rubbing. This went on for a half dozen smacks. Joanna grinned realizing that this was definitely not the spanking she had expected. After another half dozen smacks and more rubbing, Joanna’s amusement was over. This might be where she belonged, but the man holding her was not the man she knew. She was very well acquainted with the differences between spanking for punishment and spanking for foreplay. This was neither. She pushed back and was not the least bit surprised when he allowed her up. She stood between his legs. He was not meeting her eyes. Joanna sighed and reached out to cup his face in her hands, forcing him to