The Art of Discipline: Running Toward Trouble (The Mockingbird Chronicles) (24 page)

With a sudden smile, Dani flew up the stairs. She’d never been so eager to get into a corner in all her life.

* * *

Emma shook her head in amusement as she paused on the stairs to give Dani a few moments to follow her instructions. Maybe she was being hard on Dani, maybe too hard. When they first met, it was almost like she had to prove herself, and then with Dani testing her, she had to keep pushing harder, but now things had changed. Dani wasn’t just a spoiled brat who had been forced into Emma’s life; she was now part of her life, and a welcomed part at that. Emma meant what she’d said to Frankie the first time they’d spoken of Dani. She had every intention of spending the rest of her life with her.

Finally figuring that she’d given Dani enough time, she followed, only to shake her head again as she discovered Dani’s trail of clothing. Dani hadn’t even gotten to the bedroom before she’d lost her shirt. Emma then discovered Dani’s bra, one sock and then the other, her pants, and finally her panties. At the end of the trail, Emma found her tongue caught her in her throat. Dani was completely naked, standing with her nose to the corner, but the sight took Emma’s breath away. Dani had always been beautiful to her. Despite being Irish, she had almost an exotic look; her dark hair, her always-tan skin, and her curves with just enough womanly padding to make Emma’s mouth water.

Running her eyes down Dani’s back, Emma paused at Dani’s shapely backside. It was perfect, with just enough of a curve to make Emma want to reach out and stroke it, or perhaps slap it. Emma loved to see that tan skin pinken as Dani squirmed over her lap.

Blinking out of her daze, Emma realized that in reality Dani had only been in the corner for about five minutes. She’d usually give her at least ten, but honestly didn’t know if she could wait another five minutes. The way that Dani was quivering, clenching and unclenching her bottom cheeks, made Emma wonder if Dani would be able to wait that long as well.

Deciding she no longer cared about the time, Emma made her way over to Dani, running one hand over Dani’s exposed cheeks while pressing herself up against her partner. Kissing the back of Dani’s neck, Emma smiled, hearing Dani groan. “Come with me,” Emma directed, taking Dani’s hand and leading her toward the bed.

Stopping just short of the bed, Emma turned Dani to face her. “Undress me,” she again directed in a no-nonsense voice. “No touching, no playing, not yet,” she added, making Dani whimper. “And no talking,” Emma added with a twitch to her lips.

Dani’s eyes went wide, but she started to do as Emma bid. Dani managed to get Emma’s shirt off, and then her bra, but as she reached for the zipper to Emma’s jeans, she lost focus and ran her hand over Emma’s abdomen.

Emma reacted immediately. She grabbed Dani’s hand and used it to pull her forward, twisting her as she did so. She landed one hard swat, and Dani yipped before Emma decorated Dani’s other cheek with a second swat. “No touching and no talking,” she reiterated, releasing Dani and waiting for her to resume.

Dani gave her a look, reaching back and rubbing her backside before resuming her task. It didn’t take her long to relieve Emma of both her pants and panties. Kneeling down, Dani managed to get both socks off. As she moved to stand back up again, however, Emma stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “You may touch me now, but only with your lips,” Emma directed.

Dani cocked an eyebrow and then smirked. Rising up on her knees, she used her position to lay a line of gentle kisses just below Emma’s belly button, and before Emma realized what was going on, Dani had manipulated her into a sitting position on the bed.

Emma couldn’t help giggling as Dani used her lips, and occasionally her teeth and tongue to tease her. When Dani started in on Emma’s thighs, however, Emma stopped her. “Stand up,” Emma suddenly commanded.

The harshness of her voice seemed to catch Dani off guard. Dani paled slightly, but did as she was told. Emma’s face was stern, and Dani couldn’t help but say, “I, um…”

“Did I tell you you could talk?” Emma cut Dani off.

“No, I just…”

“Danielle,” Emma warned, watching as Dani chewed her lip in frustration. “Something tells me you’ve been naughty,” Emma said, letting her voice become softer. Reaching out, Emma let her finger trace the crease where Dani’s leg met her panty line before dipping between them, giving Dani a soft pat. Dani opened her legs far enough to grant Emma access. Emma slowly traced along one thigh until she got to her inner lips. Brushing a finger across them, she teased Dani’s clit before sliding into her inner fold.

Dani whimpered, but Emma ignored the sound as she pulled her fingers away and then showed the glittery moisture to her partner. “Very naughty.” Emma shook her head before wiping her fingers on Dani’s leg. “I think we should do something about that, don’t you?”

Dani again whimpered, but nodded her head slightly.

Emma smiled and pushed herself back so she was firmly seated on the bed and turned slightly to the side. She then took Dani’s hand, helping the brunette over her lap, letting the bed support Dani’s upper torso as her feet touched the floor.

“Please, Emma,” Dani begged with a squirm.

“What did I tell you about talking?” Emma scolded, letting Dani have a hard spank.

Dani cringed, but said no more. Emma took that as a sign, and let her have a softer spank to the other cheek. “That’s better,” Emma praised, giving Dani another soft spank. Pausing for a moment and giving Dani’s cheek a rub, she then started a series of softer spanks. They were hard enough to sting, but the only real fire that was being set was the one fueling Dani’s libido.

After about twenty spanks, Dani started to squirm, and Emma paused. She ran her hands over each pinked cheek, and then down between them, pushing into Dani’s wetter folds. Dani moaned and spread her legs to allow Emma better access. Emma played for a moment, and could tell by Dani’s movement that it was taking all she had not to beg for more. Emma, however, wasn’t done yet. She had promised to show Dani that spanking was for more than punishment, and she aimed to deliver.

Emma pulled out again and resumed her spanking. The swats were more pronounced, harder, and Dani’s movement more prominent, but Emma again let her have about two dozen before she returned to explore Dani’s dampness. This time, Emma stayed longer, lingering across the wet folds, teasing Dani’s nub, and inserting two fingers slowly in and out.

Dani responded by gripping the comforter with both hands. She let out the occasional moan or grunt, and Emma was surprised that Dani hadn’t resorted to begging or pleading. She’d never known Dani to be so quiet, and the thought that Dani was trying so hard to obey her was making her wet enough to wonder if she was going to soak the comforter herself.

Dani started to shift again, and Emma knew by Dani’s body language that she was getting close to the edge. Emma pulled out, wiping the stickiness from her fingers across Dani’s backside. Pulling her hand back, she then resumed the spanking. This time the swats were crisper. They were hard, but Dani was welcoming them. She’d risen on her toes, almost bringing her hips off Emma’s lap as they rose to meet each swat.

Dani pressed forward, and Emma started to swat the underside of each cheek. This only made Dani’s movement more pronounced. She wiggled and groaned, and finally let the words, “please,” “harder,” and “more,” escape her lips.

Emma didn’t scold her now, but simply complied. The spanking intensified, as did Dani’s squirms. Emma slipped her free hand between her own legs and up under Dani’s belly. With a little bit of squirming and her own experimenting, she was able to slip into the front of Dani’s folds. Locating Dani’s clit again, she stroked it, establishing a rhythm that corresponded with the spanks.

Her attention now split, Emma lowered the intensity of the spanking. Still giving Dani enough stimulation, but focusing more on her core than her backside. Eventually the spanks stopped altogether, and with the attention solely on Dani’s folds, Emma strummed faster. She was now using both hands; one underneath, batting at Dani’s clit, and the other slipping between her warm cheeks and into her darker regions.

Dani groaned and suddenly tensed, her body becoming rigid before shaking like a bowl of Jell-O. It was then as if Dani’s bones became that Jell-O as she lost the ability to support herself. Chuckling, Emma moved quickly to avoid Dani sliding onto the floor, managing to pull her up and onto the bed. Lying down next to her so that they were face to face, she smiled before kissing the end of Dani’s nose.

“You can talk now,” Emma whispered.

“Jesus H. Christ,” Dani whispered back. “Damn.”

“Yep,” Emma smiled.

* * *

Dani moaned as Emma ran her hand over her still warm backside. She was lying on her tummy as Emma took her time with a gentle massage. She shivered again, as another aftershock coursed through her system. “God, Emma. I never knew.”

The redhead smirked.

“Next time you tell me I’m overdue for a spanking, I’m gonna so totally listen.”

Emma chuckled. She gave Dani’s bottom a pat and then lay down next to her so that they were nose to nose.

“How come you never did that before?” Dani suddenly asked in all seriousness.

“That was a reward. You have to earn those,” Emma responded, kissing Dani on the end of the nose.

“How do I do that?”

“Well,” Emma drew out. “Behaving is a good start, but tonight, that was for making me cry.” Dani wrinkled her nose, causing Emma to laugh. “What you said tonight, about how you felt, and being so open and honest with me. It just made me realize how much I loved you. So I wanted to show you something special.”

Dani smiled. “I love you too, Emma.”

“Good, cuz you have to get up to put some pajamas on.”

“But,” Dani protested. “Why can’t we just lie here? I’m happy, I’m nude, and I’m lying next to my incredibly sexy and equally nude girlfriend.”

Emma smiled as she glanced at the clock. It was well after midnight. “Because I have a feeling we are going to oversleep, and I’d rather not have your overly protective
zia
or
zio
busting in here seeing us nude or the color of your equally nude backside.”

“Oh.” Dani’s eyes went wide in understanding. “What if I told you it was worth the risk?”

Emma raised an eyebrow. “Danielle Elizabeth Ryan, you march yourself over to that dresser right this instant and put on some pajamas.”

Dani frowned. She sat up and started to climb out of the bed, when she felt Emma’s hand on her arm.

“Oh, and Dani? Bring me mine too.”

Dani’s eyes narrowed. “You…” she started, “are such a brat.”

Emma’s eyes got wide, and then she promptly stuck out her tongue.

“Oh, you are so gonna get it,” Dani threatened as she turned and pounced.

Before Emma knew it, she was squealing in laughter as Dani proved that she had not only memorized every tickle spot Emma had, but found a few new ones that were a surprise to them both.

Chapter Thirteen

It had been two days since the talk with
Zio
Frankie, and since then, he had gone out of town. He was due back later tonight, and even though Dani was anxious to talk to him, she had also taken advantage of his absence. Much to her delight, she’d found that when Frankie was away, the entire household relaxed. Between her extended family and the security that Frankie had on site, that was a big bonus, and one that she’d been using to her advantage. With Frankie gone, she’d managed to sneak out another two times. Feeling very clever about not getting caught and knowing that this was the last day before Frankie returned, she decided to make the most of her opportunity.

Leaving Emma in the kitchen with Toni, she’d made her excuses and headed down to the playroom in the basement. Toni was teaching Emma some complicated Italian dish, so she knew she had at least an hour before she would be missed. Wheeling the bike to the road from her hiding place near the crack in the stone wall, she grinned; nothing like old stonework to make her life easier. Hopping on the bike, she turned left and took off in search of the ice cream shop Giuliana had told her about.

* * *

Frankie was on his way home and was eager to check with his contacts one last time before sharing his information with Emma and Danielle. Noticing a familiar bike at their favorite ice cream shop, Frankie gave his driver the cue to stop. “Put Giuliana’s bike in the trunk, Carl. I’ll give her a ride back with me.”

The man behind the counter looked up as Frankie entered the shop. Waving to him, Frankie put his finger to his lips and motioned toward the store’s only occupant. The man nodded in understanding and merely waved in return before heading back to his duties behind the counter.

Walking slowly, Frankie cleared the counter and turned. His face set into a smile, he locked eyes with the brunette in the corner booth before motioning her to stay seated.

“Enjoying your sundae, Danielle?” he asked, sliding into the booth across from her. Dani said nothing, her eyes still locked on his. Sighing, he slammed his hand down on the table, making her jump. “I asked you a question, Danielle. Are you enjoying your sundae?”

“I was,” Dani gulped.

“Does anybody know where you are?” he asked roughly.

“No, sir,” Dani squeaked.

Nodding, he rose and pointed toward the door. “Let’s go, Danielle.”

“
Zio
Frankie,” Dani tried.

“Not one word, Danielle,” he interrupted. “Not one single word until I get you home,” he directed, tugging her arm and leading her from the ice cream shop.

Marching Dani to the car, he opened the door for her and motivated her to crawl inside by a firm swat to her backside. “In!” he commanded with another swat as she hesitated.

Quickly entering the car, Dani slid to the far side of the backseat, not daring to say anything. Tears were already forming and she couldn’t help but quickly wipe them away. Emma was going to kill her and she wasn’t too sure that Toni and Frankie wouldn’t be in the queue to do the same.