Read Online Haunting Astrid by Dara Ames - Free Book Online

bottom was still bright red, and there were even a few bruises! How would I ever survive another spanking? I took off the black tee shirt and bra I was wearing and put on the dorm shirt that was hanging in the bathroom. I winced when the fabric from the shirt skimmed over my sore cheeks. It hurt.
    Joseph tapped on the door. “Are you okay in there, Jodi?”
    “No!” I declared as I threw open the door to glare at him. “I have marks covering my entire backside! There was no need for you to be so mean. A hand spanking was more than enough.”
    “We’ll talk about that after you’ve eaten.”
    “I’m not going to sit down, Joseph. I am in agony.”
    “Agony? I know you are sore, honey, but agony is a much stronger pain.”
    “I’m still not going to sit down!” I dared to say.
    “Jodi, listen carefully. I won’t tolerate disrespect, especially when you are being punished, which you are for the next forty days. If I tell you to sit, you will sit. Do not test me, young lady. I want to comfort you now, but sassy, disobedient girlfriends get punished a bit more to get rid of the pouting. Do you hear me?”
    I nodded, tears filling my eyes again. I didn’t want to sit down!
    “I’ve got soup simmering on the stove, honey. Come and eat.”
    Grudgingly I said, “Thank you.” The soup smelled delicious and one glance in the pan told me it was homemade. “You made this from scratch! I didn’t know you could cook.”
    “I don’t have the time to cook often, but I love to when I can, and you have fixed me so many meals that I wanted to do the same for you.” He leaned down and kissed me lightly, and I could feel the love pouring from him. I was suddenly crying and clinging to Joseph. “It’s alright, honey. I promise it will be alright.” He held me close, offering comfort. Joseph kept telling me that he loved me, and I finally calmed down.
    “I didn’t know I was going to do that,” I whispered, embarrassed.
    “You are emotional now, Jodi. That is pretty normal after a spanking like I gave you. You’ll feel better once you eat and get some more sleep.”
    “I don’t ever want another spanking like that!” I blurted the words before I could stop myself.
    “I don’t ever want to give you another spanking like that one,” he replied so solemnly I knew he meant the words. He dished up our soup and I placed my bowl on the counter so I could stand to eat. I finished the first bowl and asked for more. That seemed to please Joseph. I finished that bowl, too.
    “Really good, Joseph. You can cook for me any time.”
    “Thank you kindly, Jodi Lynn.” I was surprised to see his cheeks were tinged with pink at my praise. We did the dishes together, and then Joseph took my hand and led me into the bedroom once again. I couldn’t help but tense up a bit. I didn’t want another punishment. “I think you’ll be more comfortable in here,” Joseph said kindly.
    I had to agree with that. I could not sit for any reason. I was still in major pain. I crawled on the bed and lie on my side. To my surprise, Joseph took off his shoes and lie facing me. “Let’s talk now, Jodi Lynn.” I quickly discovered that Joseph’s idea of us talking was that he talked and I listened. He did ask me questions at times, and I did my best to answer. I slowly came to understand why he was being so firm with me. The thing that hurt even more than my bottom was that he was disappointed that I’d done something so naughty. He thought of things that hadn’t occurred to me, but since he is an attorney, it shouldn’t have been a surprise when he told me that I would have been guilty of murder if one of Astrid’s guests had a fear induced heart-attack and died due to the haunting. He made it very clear that I’d set myself up as judge and jury over Astrid, and that no man or woman has the right to do that. That is what laws are written for, and Judges and juries are picked to make these decisions. I understood why he gave me such a