Read Online Rocky Mountain Wild (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 6) by Lee Savino - Free Book Online Page A

away from him, half staggering on her twisted foot to his cabin where she slammed the door, pushing her body against it.
    “Phoebe.” His voice was muffled through the door.
    “You’re a monster,” she screamed.
    There was a pause, and she drew back, waiting for him to burst through the door and beat her, which is why the next thing he said floored her.
    “I’m sorry I disciplined you in anger. It was not right. I promise never to do it again.”
    “You spanked me.”
    “Aye. And you nearly lost your life doing something foolhardy. If I could, I’d go back and do it right, with a calm and level head, but I’d still do it again.”
    Her eyes stung with tears. “Why?”
    “We agreed this is how you would take correction.”
    She had, but this was too humiliating. He’d spanked her bottom in the middle of the field, and she’d let him.
    The worst was how she wanted to obey and please him.
    She could still feel his big hands on her, holding her easily, positioning her with confidence. It woke in her something she craved.
    “Dear one, open the door. You cannot hide in there forever.”
    Sniffling, she obeyed, knowing he was right.
    Her Mr. MacDonnell stood outside the door, uncrossing his arms when she stepped back to let him in. He didn’t look fierce anymore, just stern, though his movements were careful.
    “Are you all right?” he asked.
    She nodded, and he reached for her, running his hands down her arms as if checking for hurt.
    “You could’ve been killed,” he said. “I could’ve lost you, and all for a stupid shortcut.”
    “I know.”
    “You need a man to take you in hand, and protect you from yourself.”
    “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
    “So I’m not a monster.”
    “No. I apologize for saying those cruel things.”
    He stared out the door, unhappy. “I still want to switch you. You put your life in danger. I cannot have that.”
    “I promise I’ll never do it again.”
    “I know you won’t, and eight switches will keep the lesson in your mind for a good long while.”
    For a moment, she met his gentle gaze, then nodded.
    He visibly relaxed. “Go put your hands on the porch railing and wait for me.”
    In position, she watched him cross to the branch he’d cut, and examine it. Taking out his knife, he whittled at the end until it was peeled clean of bark.
    He came back and showed her the whippy implement. “It’ll sting, but it won’t break the skin. I’ll need you to stay still so it doesn’t bend round your side.”
    “I will,” she promised, wishing he’d just get it over with.
    “Stick out your bum.” As soon as she did, he laid her skirts up over her back and held them there while he drew down her drawers.
    As the air hit her bare skin, Phoebe bit her tongue, willing herself not to make a protest or a sound. It was a matter of pride.
    She almost lost control at the first snap, the pain cutting through her resolve. Calum quickly followed with the rest, laying the lines from her bottom to her knees. Phoebe panted and flinched with each stinging strike, counting them in her head.
    He stopped at six. “Enough.” He tossed the hated implement away. “Don’t make me do that again.”
    “I won’t.” Wincing, she rubbed away the sting and glanced back. Her bottom and the backs of her thighs were covered with thin red marks.
    “None of that.” He caught her hand, and replaced her drawers and her skirts. She felt the little thrill run through her at his touch. “Rub your bottom again, and I’ll have you stand in the corner with your hands on your head and think on what you’ve done.”
    She pouted at the floor, and he crossed his burly arms over his chest.
    “What do you say?”
    “Yes, Mr. MacDonnell.”
    “Good lass.”
    Another thrill ran through her. To distract herself, she asked, “If you’d hired someone like Mrs. Martin to be a housekeeper, would you switch her?”
    “No. I’d get her husband to do it.”
    She turned away, but couldn’t think of