Taking A Stand-The next part of Joe and Corinne's story

Taking a Stand
Part 1

Corinne sat on the hospital gurney in the skimpy white gown with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She sat silently, occasionally feeling tears trickling down her face. She felt cold and shaky, hardly able to comprehend what had happened to her.

It had all been so fast, almost like film run at high speed. She had stepped out of her office building into the darkness of a winter evening. She pulled her scarf tighter around her neck and started toward the train station. Before she realized what was happening a hand clamped around her mouth and another one started pulling at the shoulder strap of her purse. Fear had paralyzed her momentarily, but adrenalin flooding her system soon had her remembering that she had weapons at her disposal. A menacing voice growled,” Give up the purse lady."

Corinne relaxed then tensed her muscles. She lifted her left foot and spiked her heel down on her attacker's foot at the same moment she bit down on his palm with her teeth. He howled, grabbed her hair with one hand and punched her in the face with his other. She responded by lifting her knee aiming between his legs but hitting his stomach. He pulled her to the ground as she screamed, "FIRE" as loud as she could. Her attacker was startled enough to kick her once in the ribs and then take off running as he saw others further up the street turn back upon hearing the word fire.

As he ran off, footsteps echoing off the pavement, several people ran back towards Corinne. She lay on the ground trying to catch her breath, after the kick in the side. Two strangers knelt next to her while another dialed 911 on their cell phone. One man advised they not move her but just try to keep her warm until paramedics arrived. He covered her with his coat and she looked up at him gratefully. A woman knelt by her side, held her hand and spoke soothing words. Corinne closed her eyes, grateful that nothing worse had happened to her, he hadn't even gotten her purse. She could hear the wail of the approaching siren. And at that moment all she could think of was, "Joe, where are you?"

Corinne and Joe had met six months earlier when Joe had picked Corinne up as his last fare of the day. Joe drove a cab and Corinne was a team leader in a huge advertising agency but they had found instant connections. They were both attracted to each other immediately and on many levels, but the final connection had been made when Joe had spanked Corinne for her outrageous behavior that day.

Since that time they had spent a great deal of time in each other's company. They enjoyed many of the same activities and the first time Joe had suggested going to an art gallery opening, Corinne had prompted a huge laugh from him with her open mouthed amazement. She had since learned that he was a very multi faceted individual.

Their physical attraction was incredible; Joe was tender and so loving. But he was also a very dominant male. Spanking became a sensuous and loving form of erotic activity but there was the other side of it. Joe was determined to keep Corinne safe from harm regardless of how savvy she was or experienced. He had certain rules that he expected her to obey without question. If she broke them she could expect discipline. Hard spankings, standing in a corner, and being sent to bed were just several of his consequences. However, he was also very loving and forgiving afterwards. She was shocked, at first, to hear herself thanking him for caring enough about her to spank her. But it soon became a natural part of her feelings and their relationship.

Though they did not live together they did have keys to each house and spent many nights in each other's arms. Corinne felt she loved him more with each day that passed. Never had a man understood her so completely or connected with her on so many levels.

She gloried in making love with Joe. The kisses, caresses, and yes, the spanking was amazing. There was never anything casual or formulaic about their time together. Each experience lifted her higher than she had ever been in her life. And the stinging burn his hand left behind countered by the gentle caressing circles left her breathless.

Her shoulders slumped lower as she thought of Joe. She knew the hospital staff had called him; she had given them his number. And she knew he would come running. But how she hated to have him see her like this.

She knew her face was bruised and swollen, her eyes were red from crying and she could hardly sit up from the pain in her side. They had tried to give her pain medication but she refused it. She was going to tough this out. Her guilt at what had happened was beginning to overwhelm her.

Joe had told her many times that if she worked late she was not to ever try to take the train home. He told her that her safety came first and walking alone in that area after everyone else was long gone was a dangerous risk. All she had to do was have the doorman call a cab or she could call him and he would get there as quickly as he could. He was very insistent even though she told him she thought he was being overprotective. She remembered him taking her face gently in his hands, "Corinne"; he had said tenderly, "there is no such thing as overprotective when it comes to you."

Those words were coming back to haunt her now. If only she had listened, none of this would have happened.

She heard footsteps running down the hall and Joe burst through the curtain pulled around her area, his face white, and his breathing rapid. A nurse followed behind him, "Really sir, I think you need to talk to the doctor first." One look at Joe's face and she pulled the curtain and left them alone.

Joe put his arms around Corinne gently trying to hold back his own tears at the sight of her face. The feel of his warmth suddenly opened the dam and Corinne began sobbing hard.

Joe rubbed her back and crooned into her hair, "Shh Corinne, oh baby what happened. Were you in an accident? Did you fall? All they told me was that you were here in the emergency room and I needed to come immediately. Oh God Corinne, I thought..... "

He did not need to even voice the end of the thought. Corinne knew he was thinking about Lianne, his first love that had died of a stroke. Coming here tonight must have been torture for him. Her guilt intensified. She cried harder.

Joe climbed up on the gurney next to her and cradled her in his arms. He rocked her gently asking for no further explanation.

The curtain parted and a tired emergency room doctor came in with a clipboard. "Now Ms. Taylor, we got your x-rays back and you have a crack in one rib but nothing else is broken. Your face is badly bruised but no fractures in your facial bones. Very good news actually all things considered." He looked up from the clipboard, "But I really do wish you would let us give you something for the pain, you need to relax and get some relief. That rib is going to hurt for awhile and without medication sleeping will be very difficult. I also urge you to take several days off work. I will be happy to write you an excuse for that as well. And finally Ms. Taylor, I really urge you to talk to the police about this."

At the end of the doctor's little speech Corinne sat up in Joe's arms and was about to refuse all his suggestions. She was tough, and she didn't need time off or pain pills. Besides this was all her own fault.

Before a single word came out of her mouth she caught the look on Joe's face. Oh she knew that set to his jaw.

"Corinne?” he asked. Then he turned to the Dr. "I assure you that she is ready to comply with all your requests. Pain medication is an excellent idea and we both would appreciate you writing her an excuse from work. The two of us will discuss the issue with the police privately." Corinne opened her mouth to respond but a warning look from Joe and she didn't say a word. The Dr. stared from one to the other and then grinned.

"OK then, I will send the nurse in with a shot to start you off and I will give you a prescription for pain pills. In fact I can call it in to any pharmacy so you can get it on your way home."

Joe looked from Corinne to the Dr.,"Thank you very much, that would be an excellent idea," he gave the Dr. the name of the pharmacy. "Now do you think she needs to stay here overnight for observation?”

The Dr. shook his head, “No, actually I think she will be more comfortable in her own bed. There was no head injury and no sign of any internal bleeding. I think the care she will get at home will be the best medicine." He finished writing out his notes. "The nurse will be in with the shot and the excuse for work and I will call in the prescription. I know it doesn't feel like it now Ms. Taylor but you are a lucky lady." He left them alone.

Joe was beginning to understand this had been no fall on the pavement, no accident in a cab. He lifted Corinne's chin with his hand, "Are you going to tell me what's going on." His voice was gentle but firm.

At that moment the nurse appeared with medication in hand. Joe laid Corinne gently on the gurney and bared her backside for the shot. Corinne felt the cool swab and then the quick stick of the needle. She wondered for a moment if her backside would be feeling more than a quick sting after she reviewed tonight's events with Joe. Certainly he would understand that whatever had happened to her had been punishment enough for her foolish behavior and ignoring his instructions. And she could not imagine him being cruel enough to punish her while she was in pain already. That just wasn't Joe.

The nurse handed her the written excuse from work, went over the discharge instructions, and had Corinne sign them. Joe took the copy she held out. She wished Corinne good luck and smiled at them both.

Joe sighed knowing this was neither the time nor the place for explanations. Now that he knew she was alive if not quite completely well he could breathe again. He hadn't lost her.

He kissed her gently on the forehead; it hurt to even look at her poor face. "C’mon baby, I'll help you get dressed and then take you back to your house. But I am staying with you Corinne. No way are you going through this alone. And tomorrow morning you will explain what happened and just why we are going to be talking to the police.

Corinne nodded in exhaustion. Even if she had wanted to argue she found she was suddenly too sleepy to even consider it. The tension and horror of the situation along with the pain shot and the relief of having Joe there, combined to drain her body. Joe helped dress her as he would a child. He put on each piece of clothing with great care, noting that her skirt had a rip and her pantyhose were torn in several places. But tomorrow would be soon enough.

Corinne got off the gurney ready to walk out the door. "Oh no you don’t,” Joe cautioned. He lifted her in his arms, elbowed his way through the curtain and started out towards the car completely ignoring the stares of medical personnel and visitors in the ER.

Part 2-Corinne's Explanation

Taking a Stand Part 2
Corinne's explanation

Joe had barely gotten Corinne in the car and fastened her seat belt
carefully around her when it became obvious she was asleep. He gently
touched her face and winced at how swollen and bruised it was.

As he drove Joe was a whirl of conflicting emotion. More than anything he
needed to know what had happened to Corinne. He knew no explanation would be
forthcoming tonight, but he was determined that there would be no evading
the issue tomorrow. He had to know what happened, and why in the world the
police needed to be involved. The feeling that something horrific had
happened to her settled in the pit of his stomach and wouldn't leave.

He picked up the medication at the pharmacy drive up and drove silently to
Corinne's house. She slept throughout the trip. It did bring a slight smile
to his face as it always did to pull up in her driveway. He could never
forget the first day he met her and the spanking he had delivered. Actually
it totally shocked him as much as it had Corinne but he had never admitted
that to her.

Joe first went to the front door and unlocked it; he then carefully and
gently carried Corinne from the car into the house. He was able to pull the
door shut behind them and still she slept. What had she been through? His
mind continued racing.

Joe laid Corinne down carefully and undressed her gently. He didn't bother
with a nightgown, just tucked her under the comforter. He undressed silently
and crawled in next to her, holding her as close as he could without
disturbing. Now that he had her home, in bed, and in his arms he could relax
a little. Tears welled again in his eyes as he thought of losing her. He
knew sleep would not be easy tonight and he was so right.

Several hours later Corinne awoke in the dark with a stabbing pain in her
side. She tried to move and cried out. Joe sat up immediately. "What is it
baby, are you OK?

She tried to turn and face him but couldn't, it hurt too much. After another
groan, Joe realized the problem and got two pills out of the bottle he had
kept next to the bed. "It’s alright Corinne, just take these."

She took the pills out of Joe's hand and muttered, "I only think I need one.

He looked down at her in amazement. Even half asleep and in pain, she was
still incredibly stubborn. "Corinne if you don't take both pills immediately
I am going to spank your backside bruised rib or not."

This provoked an immediate if somewhat grumpy response. "Alright, alright,"
she swallowed both pills with the water Joe handed her. He helped her settle
back into his arms.

He could feel her body silently sobbing. "Sh Corinne the pills will help,
the pain will ease and you'll sleep."

She mumbled back through her tears, "Joe I was so scared, I should have
listened to you. I never should have done it."

Joe was immediately awake, "Done what Corinne, done what baby?" His voice
was firm but gentle.

But she was too far gone to make much sense. "And you weren't there Joe, oh
where were you?"

This confused him even further but he knew something very serious had
occurred and tried to think back to the rules he had set. Which one was she
talking about, what had happened?

He continued to hold and comfort her until she was asleep once more. He
remained wide awake until daylight trying to figure out what had happened
and how he might have let her down.

Corinne awoke with a throbbing face and side and horrible memories of a
nightmarish evening. Her sleep had been filled with images of what had
occurred and how much she needed Joe.

Panic filled her as she realized he was not in bed with her. "Joe", she
called out in a voice just under a scream. He came running in from the other
room.

He sat on the bed next to her, "I am right here Corinne, I was just making
coffee, I am not going anywhere." He brushed her hair back with his hand.
You young lady are stuck with me for the whole day."

Corinne tried smiling but her face hurt too much. And besides he called her
young lady which immediately woke her up to the fact that he knew she had
some part in what occurred last night. He never called her that unless they
were discussing a behavior issue.

"Corinne, I am going to get you a cup of coffee and then you are going to
tell me exactly what happened last night. And I want every word with no
excuses, I want the facts and total honesty, am I making myself clear?" This
short lecture was given in a gentle but extremely stern voice. Corinne knew
that voice very well and responded to it, "Yes I understand, but before you
get the coffee and before I tell all, I am so sorry Joe, please know that."

His sigh was audible, " Oh God baby what in the world did you do? Yes I am
sure you are sorry. And you are still going to tell me all of it."

Corinne was as sure as Joe was that she would fully confess to what happened
but she knew in her heart that in the condition she was in, he would never
consider punishing her. She was still clinging to that hope when he arrived
with the coffee.

Joe put the coffee on the night stand and helped Corinne as she struggled to
sit up in bed. He put several pillows behind her and tucked the blanket
around her before handing her the coffee. She took a short sip and looked
him straight in the eye. "Alright Joe, let me get this over with before I
get scared again. It scares me to even think about it."

Once again he was shocked; he had seldom heard Corinne admit to fear. In
fact the only time he could remember was when he took his belt to her bottom
for the first time.

Corinne began her explanation like a professor lecturing a class, as
dispassionately as possible. "I had to work late last night, we had
deadlines and there was too much that needed to be ready for tomorrow. I
couldn't do it at home, only at the office. I didn't finish work until after
seven." She stopped and took another sip of coffee.

Joe grabbed her pain pills from the nightstand, shook one out of the bottle,
"Take this now Corinne before the pain gets to bad and then continue. You
had to work late and.....?"

Corinne took the pill, swallowed it with coffee and continued the recitation
"Well it didn't seem all that late and the doorman wasn't there when I got
off the elevator. So I decided it would be acceptable to walk to the train
station." She watched Joe's face tighten and his jaw set. She continued,
after all it wasn't that late and people are still around at that hour.
Anyway, I left the building, headed for the train station and I was mugged."
She looked very satisfied with her explanation and took another sip of
coffee.

"YOU WERE mugged, my God Corinne." Joe sputtered. “Finish this story right
now, what the hell happened. All of it, every detail."

Corinne looked at him with pleading eyes that started brimming with tears.
Her nonchalant description was over, "He grabbed me from behind Joe and
tried to get my purse. Oh I was so scared I almost forgot what to do." she
began sobbing. “But I was able to spike him with my shoe and I bit the hand
he had over my mouth. He punched me." the sobbing increased but the look on
Joe's face was relentless. "Then I screamed Fire, and he kicked me in the
side and ran when he saw I had attracted attention. And oh all I wanted was
you, all I kept thinking was Joe where are you?" At this point she broke
down completely and he took away the coffee cup and held her in his arms,
gently stroking her hair. He waited for the sobbing to subside and then
began to speak. It was hard to even know what to say, part of him wanted to
jump in the cab and try to find the lowlife that did this so he could beat
the shit out of him. Part of him wanted to hold Corinne and never let her go

protect her forever, and part of him wanted to turn her over his knee and
spank the living daylights out of her, which he knew at this point in time
he could not and would not do.

"Corinne I cannot even count the number of times we have discussed the
alternatives to walking alone to the train station at that hour. Now the
doctor suggested talking to the police which you are going to do. I will
call them and I am sure they will be glad to come here and take a statement
since you are injured. You most certainly should have let them call the
police last night but we will discuss that later."

"Oh no, I don't want to talk to the police, there is just no point, I don't
even remember what he looked like, I never got a good look at his face."
Corinne's voice was starting to take on a very determined sound that Joe
recognized.

He looked at her sternly, "Corinne I am not asking you, I am telling you.
You are going to file a police report and you will do it today. Furthermore
we will delay our discussion of last night's events until you are healed and
better able to handle it emotionally. But", he said in a warning tone, “this
discussion is far from over."

Corinne thought about arguing the police report, she really did, but she
knew it would get her nowhere, but would most certainly aggravate Joe
further. She had no wish to do that at all.

He sighed and looked at her, "As for my not being there, you will never know
how sorry I am that I wasn't there when you needed me. It will haunt me
forever Corinne."

The guilt stabbed her and for a moment she wished he would give her the
spanking she absolutely knew she deserved. But he wasn't going to do that to
an injured woman. So she supposed she was stuck with the guilt trip this was
definitely going to play on her mind.

She lowered her head in confusion and shame, “No sweetheart, no. Don't say
that please, how could you have known." Tears once again began sliding down
her face. "Joe I am so very sorry."

He kissed her forehead, "I am sorry for what happened too Corinne and I
promise we are going to make sure it never happens again. I do promise you
that."

He went off to the living room, and she heard him calling the police.

Make sure it never happens again....that woke her brain right up. No he
wouldn't, he just couldn't. She had been through so much already. Surely he
meant a very stern lecture with many promises from her to never do something
so foolish again. That had to be what he meant, wasn't it?

Part 3-Recovery and Consequences
Taking a Stand-part 3

True to his word, Joe called the police as soon as he had helped Corinne get dressed and settled her on the couch with support from pillows. He had handled her as if she was made of crystal and she was incredibly touched by the care he demonstrated.

The police were very polite and kind, but also reinforced Joe's comment that she certainly should have called them last night from the hospital. Unfortunately they also agreed with Corinne's assessment that they probably would not catch him based on the information she offered. She had not really seen his face and it had all happened so fast that she barely had any memory of him except that hand over her face and the voice growling in her ear.

However, they also informed her that there had been an increased number of nighttime muggings in that area and patrols would certainly be stepped up. As they left they wished Corinne well, shook hands with Joe and assured him they would call if they had any further information.

Corinne was shocked to find herself shaking all over. It really had not been difficult talking to the police but every time she had to relive the ordeal, it was as though it was happening for the first time.

Sitting down next to her on the sofa, Joe drew Corinne gently into his arms. He could feel her shaking and held her close to him until the horror passed once again.

"OK young lady, its back to bed for you. Then you are going to tell me what movies to go rent and what you might like to eat. I will only be gone a short time. Unless you don't think you can stay alone. I could wait until later."

A small dart of fear was present as soon as Joe talked about going out, but she pushed it back. "I will be fine Joe, truly, even if you need to go to work. I can take care of myself. It doesn't hurt that bad. In fact I don't think I need to go back to bed."

Joe shook his head and spoke patiently as if explaining the facts to a small child, "No, I am not going to work today or tomorrow. And if you recall I did not ask if you needed or wanted to go back to bed. As far as taking care of you, well that discussion comes later."

She almost started to disagree and then thought better of it. Besides all this young lady and discussion business had her on full alert. Sometimes she was amazed at her responses to Joe. Six months ago if someone would have suggested she would obey rules set for her by the man in her life, or submit to a spanking if she broke them, she would have laughed and told them they must have been thinking of some other Corinne Taylor.

Yet, here she was with a man she loved more with each passing moment. And he most certainly did set rules and definitely spanked her when rules were broken. More importantly she had never found life so satisfying or fulfilling as it was now.

Given all that she decided against arguing the point and grumpily agreed to go back to bed. Joe helped her to walk and once again got her settled. They made a list of movies and what was needed at the store. While he was gone Corinne slept more deeply and with fewer interruptions than the night before.

The next three days Joe stayed home and would not even consider letting Corinne go back to work which had her somewhat impatient. Although her supervisor at work was more than happy to give her the time off. He was tremendously concerned and for the first time, since she could remember, he called her Corinne instead of Taylor, her last name.

The recovery process was faster than either Joe or Corinne imagined. Now she knew why the emergency room doctor had said she was lucky. She still felt a little sore but nothing like the way she had felt the first morning after the attack. She had to be a bit careful with her side. There was sometimes still a sharp pain but basically she was doing very well.

Except for guilt...she was wracked with guilt. Every time she looked at Joe she was reminded of how caring he had been and how all of it could have been avoided if she had done as he had asked.

Joe said no more about the incident, just cared for Corinne and treated her with loving gentleness that touched her very deeply. After four days Joe agreed she could go back to work under one condition. She had to agree to let him drive her back and forth to work for the time being. He would drive her in on the way to start his shift and pick her up when he was done. Then with a very stern look he told her there would be no overtime for now. She was ready to argue the point when she looked at his set jaw and knew it was pointless.

For the next week Joe and Corinne lived together, traveled back and forth to work together and totally enjoyed each other's company. Joe was a little quieter than usual but Corinne chalked that up to the after effects of the attack. She was extremely surprised there had been no further talk about her breaking the rules or never letting it happen again. She figured she would have to deal with the guilty consequences of this one on her own.

She was wrong.

Joe had been waiting and watching Corinne for signs of emotional and physical recovery. He had no intention of just letting this go. But Corinne had to be in the right mind set and physically healed before their discussion. He had every intention of being sure she never did something this frightening and foolish again.
So he waited out the week and a half.

Then on the second Friday after the incident Joe picked Corinne up from work and as they started off for her house said, "Corinne we have to talk."

She looked over at him somewhat surprised, "Of course Joe, about what." Something was wrong but she couldn't figure out what it was. She waited expectantly for him to start speaking. He was so quiet and then she heard a deep sigh.

"We have to discuss what happened the night of your attack. Corinne, I came so very close to losing you. And you came close to serious injury or death. You certainly didn't think I was just going to let it go. I told you that first morning that we were not finished with this discussion and that I would make sure that it never happened again. You do recall that don't you?"

Corinne tried to gulp down the lump growing in her throat, "Yes, I do recall you saying that. I just assumed you understood that I had learned from the experience and would never again do anything so foolish."

Joe took a very deep breath, "Corinne while I do believe you mean what you say right now, I also know the stubborn and sometimes foolish woman inside. You don't always learn from experience and you know how I feel about your safety. No my dear, I am not going to assume you learned from that horrific experience. I wish I could believe that, but I don't. The next time you are impatient and don't want to wait for the doorman, I know you will assume it can't happen twice."

"Now just a minute, I am not stupid, I am a very intelligent person and an adult. Do you think I want to go through that experience again?” Corinne's voice was just on the edge of anger.

"Of course you are intelligent, I am not questioning that at all. It’s just that when you want things your own way you don't always do as you should. Corinne I have to make sure you don't do this again." Joe's voice remained patient and level.

Daylight dawned on Corinne, "If you think you are going to spank me for this...don't you think I have been through enough. How much punishment do I have to go through?" As she argued she knew she was wrong but her stubborn side was not about to recognize or give in.

Joe spoke softly and intensely, "Yes, sadly I am planning to spank you. Most certainly Corinne. And you knew this was coming if you are honest with yourself. I had to wait until you were healed, I would never harm you. I certainly recognize what you have been through and as I promised we are going to make sure it never happens again. And I am going to spank you harder than I ever have, and I am going to punish you both tonight and tomorrow."

Corinne sat up straight as her jaw dropped, "You can't be serious, this is absolutely unreasonable. How can you even think of doing that to me? No, Joe this is way out of line."

"Corinne you agreed to this part of our relationship a long time ago, and put disciplinary decisions in my hands, literally. You can't now decide that is out of my hands and up to you. And beside that I know you understand you deserve this and need the release of guilt it will provide." Again his words were stern but soft. Not a harsh word was spoken.

She knew he was right but a part of her rose in rebellion, "Well then Joe I take back my consent. I won't let you do this. I am saying NO." She folded her arms over her chest and stared out the front window.

Joe was shocked into silence. There was no sound in the car other than the engine for several minutes. Finally Joe spoke,"Alright Corinne if that is your final word..."

"It most certainly is.", she announced with a conviction she was not sure of.

"You are correct, if you withdraw consent I will not spank you, I will drop you off at your house." Joe was fighting to maintain his composure and not lose his temper. He hardly ever did but right now it was a battle.

"Well I didn't mean you had to leave, you know that," Corinne said in some confusion.

Joe shook his head as he pulled into the driveway, "You can't have it both ways Corinne. You can't give and withdraw in a relationship. If this is no longer what you want then you don't want me. It is a part of me to watch over you and take care of you. I can't change who I am nor do I want to. So I will let you have your way but then we can't have each other," He was glad it was starting to get dark so she could not see the tears in his eyes.

Corinne sat a moment in shocked silence. This was not what she wanted. She opened the door of the car in confusion and uncertainty. But something inside would not relent. Without another word she slammed the door and left Joe sitting alone as she went into the house. She shut the door behind her and her head dropped at the sound of his car driving away. Tears began dripping down her face.

She wanted to run down the street after his car but a part of her mind kept saying, "He is being unreasonable, how could he want to do that to me." At the same time she knew he didn't want to but felt he needed to.

Suddenly panic filled her, no this was wrong, she needed him, all of him, just as he was.

With shaking hands she pulled out her cell phone and punched Joe's number. It rang once and then she heard, "What is it Corinne, are you alright?"

She spoke softly through her tears, "Joe please come back, please. I don't want you to change. I know I broke our rules and I know the consequences, please come back, don't leave me."

Joe heard the panic, “Are you sure Corinne, really sure? I don't want you to be pushed into this if you don't want it. But I can only be who I am."

Without hesitation she answered, "Come back to me Joe, please."

He hung up and turned the car around. When he pulled back into the driveway Corinne was at the door looking small and scared. He got out of the car and went to her. He hugged her to him and kissed the top of her head.

"Alright young lady, let's get this over with, at least for tonight. Go to the corner right now>" For the first time Corinne went straight to the corner without a sign of defiance.

Joe went to gather what he wanted. Corinne stood in the corner shaking but so relieved he had come back and although she was not looking forward to this, she was looking forward to getting rid of the guilt.

It seemed like ages until she heard his voice, "Come here young lady." Stern, quiet but insistent. No turning back now.

She went to him, her head hanging. She stood between his legs as he sat on the couch. Panic coursed through her as she saw the hairbrush lying on the coffee table. Joe began, “Corinne I know you understand what you are being spanked for. You broke the rule regarding coming home after hours and it resulted in a situation that caused you serious injury and could have been much worse. Your welfare means everything to me and I mean to see you never ever do this again."

Tears ran down her face as he lectured but she said nothing. Her regret filled her completely.

"Take your clothes off young lady, everything, and right now." The insistent voice continued.

This shook Corinne; he had never required her to remove all her clothing. Oh God what was he going to do. Her mind whirled but instinctively she trusted Joe and knew he would not do anything abusive or cruel. She removed her clothing as he sat silently rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.

She finally stood before him, totally vulnerable. He ached to see her looking so distraught but was unwavering in what had to be done.

Without a word he pulled Corinne over his lap. He positioned her and put his left leg over both of hers locking them so she could not move. She closed her eyes knowing how severe this would be.

"Now young lady I am going to reinforce the fact that you will follow the rules we have agreed to so I never have to do this again, and you never put either of us through that horrible ordeal. I am going to spank you with my hand and the brush. And tomorrow you will be spanked with the belt. Do you understand?"

Corinne had barely choked out, "Yes", when the first crack landed on her backside. She bit back the yelp. Joe was not one to make her wait and began to rain down spanks on her reddening bottom. It was the hardest spanking he had ever given anyone. He spanked every inch of her bottom; hard rapid spanks many on the same spot one right after another. He spanked at the tops of her thighs. Corinne began to sob and beg, "Oh God that's enough, I am so sorry Joe, I will never do anything that stupid again. Oh please." Tears ran down her face. She lost count of how many times that hard hand rose and fell.

Joe stopped and stood Corinne up, "In the corner now Corinne and I want you to think about why I am doing this and what you will never do again. I don't just want bare bottom promises, I want to be sure we don't go through this issue again."

Corinne walked to the corner holding her bottom with both hands and sobbing harder than she ever had in her life. She stood in the corner, totally nude, totally exposed, knowing her scarlet bottom was on display. Joe spoke, “Put your hands on your head, no rubbing, just thinking."

As Corinne did as she was told, Joe sat on the couch. Part of him was absolutely captivated by the sight of Corinne in the corner with that extremely dark red bottom. Another part wished he did not have to do what was coming next, but he knew he did. He was also set on teaching an unforgettable lesson.

It felt like hours before she heard Joe's voice, "Come here Corinne."

She walked back silently, her backside burning but no defiance left. She understood this man so well and he understood her and her needs equally well.
"Alright young lady, what did you think about in the corner?"

Without hesitation she answered, "I thought about what a foolish risk I took by breaking the rules because of my own stubbornness. I deserve whatever I get and I am so sorry Sir for what I have done."

Joe recognized the submissive tone but this time it wasn't enough. Once again she found herself over his lap looking at the carpet as chills of panic raced through her. How much more could she take? She was about to find out.

She felt the cool wood of the brush rest on her bottom, "I know you understand what you did was wrong but I am going to make sure this is unforgettable.” With that the brush began smacking into her backside. She yelled in spite of herself, oh it stung so bad. She was sure her backside would go up in flames. Joe spanked back and forth from one side to the other, each cheek getting an equal dose of discipline. Her legs trapped between his tried to kick and her back arched as she cried and screamed. Finally she collapsed over his lap, sobbing, totally submitting.

He noted her bottom beginning to turn reddish purple and stopped knowing what he still had to finish tomorrow. He put the brush down and rubbed her back. "Alright baby we are finished for tonight." He picked up the bottle of lotion and rubbed some gently into her punished bottom. Then he lifted her up onto his lap gently. She hissed as her bottom made contact with his leg. "You are going to bed now Corinne. And tomorrow I will finish your spanking. I know it seems harsh but I made a promise to you, I took a stand and I can't let you down."

She put her head down on his shoulder, "I understand Joe, I am sorry and not just because of how much it hurts, but how much I hurt you and myself with unthinking behavior."

He rubbed her back briefly. “Go to bed Corinne, I will be in later. You need to think about what happened and what will happen tomorrow."

She silently got up, gathered her clothes and went to the bedroom. She left her clothes on the dresser and got into bed knowing any nightshirt or panties would do nothing than rub against her burning skin. She crawled into bed thinking she would never get to sleep. Tears ran down her face and her hands could not help but rub the bruised skin of her backside. However, serious spankings have a way of making you very sleepy indeed and Corinne soon fell asleep. When Joe came to bed he got quietly into bed without touching or disturbing her. He was also exhausted and emotionally drained and soon was asleep.

The next thing Corinne knew there was sunlight streaming through the window. As she stirred in bed she gasped at the intense stinging pain on her bottom. She got up without disturbing and went into the bathroom. She looked back at her bottom in the full length mirror. Her eyes widened. It was still red with small purple bruises at the top of her thighs. Oh God he was going to spank her again. How would she ever handle this? Stabs of fear attacked her.

Joe awoke to the sound of Corinne running water in the bathroom. The water turned off and she walked silently into the bedroom looking at him with pleading eyes. He sat up in bed. This had to be taken care of now, he couldn't let it go and he was not willing to make anxiety a part of what she had to go through. No, waiting was over, there had been a long enough delay. He stood up silently and laid the two pillows on the middle of the bed. He then went to the closet and took his belt off the hook. Corinne closed her eyes anticipating burning agony.

Joe spoke softly but insistently, "Lay down over the pillows Corinne." As she hesitated, "Now Young lady, right now."

Corinne once again placed herself in a position of vulnerability trusting that he would know how much she could and must handle. No further lecturing was necessary. Only one statement, “You will never do this again Corinne, never."

The strap swished through the air and landed right across the middle of her bottom. She tried to hold it back but the yelp escaped her and increased in intensity as the strap landed relentlessly on an already sore backside.

Joe spanked up and down her backside with his belt but avoided her bruised thighs. After two dozen serious belt strokes he stopped. Corinne was limp and crying over the pillows. God he was glad this was over. Once again he rubbed lotion gently into her sore and maroon skin which now bore welts from the belt.

However this time he helped her off the pillows and laid next to her on the bed, holding her very close as she cried. "Shh, Corinne, it’s all over now and you know you are forgiven. Oh God I love you Corinne, don't ever scare me like that again." He rubbed her back and kissed her face. He wiped her tears.

She spoke in a tear clogged voice, “I am so sorry, and you are totally right Joe. I am sorry for everything and you were right to take a stand and not let me get away with it. Thank you for loving me so, I love you too. Don't ever let me go please. I will never question your right to punish me again. And Joe, I won't ever do that again, I do promise you." She looked into his eyes, "This is not a bare bottom promise, I mean it with my whole heart and soul." She knew for several days her bottom would serve as an excellent reminder of her promise. Her guilt was also gone with the words of forgiveness he spoke. And as always as the punishment ended and the guilt subsided another burning joined with the one her bottom was suffering. And she knew Joe well enough to know he would certainly quench that one before too much time passed. Once, more she spoke, “Never Joe, I will never disobey you regarding walking alone after dark."

He held her close and smiled as he noted the conditional nature of her promise. Yes, he really thought that he had insured that this would never happen again. He had taken a stand, she had submitted and by God he believed she truly would never do it again. At least this rule was imprinted on her mind and temporarily on her backside. As for the others well time would tell.

But for now he believed every word she spoke. They held each other as closely as they could, their bodies melting into one another. And for now they slept in each other's arms. There would be time for other comfort later and forever.

The end...at least of this episode