The Cowboy's Rules: 2 (Cowboys After Dark:) Read online

  THE COWBOY’S RULES: 2

  Maggie Carpenter

  ADULT ADVISORY

  This book is for adults only, and contains scenes of spanking, graphic sex, bondage, sensory deprivation, and are fantasies only, intended for adults. This book is not for children, nor does it condone corporal punishment of children. This book contains scenes of nonconsensual activities, BDSM and other nonconsensual activities. This book does not support nonconsensual spanking or any other nonconsensual activities, sexual or otherwise.

  Copyright © 2014 Maggie Carpenter

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  Published by Dark Secrets Press

  Ebook Cover Design

  Ashley@ Redbird Designs

  Formatting

  Polgarus Studio

  Visit the author at:

  www.maggiecarpenter.com

  www.MaggieCarpenter.com/blog

  www.facebook.com/MaggieCarpenterWriter

  www.twitter.com/magcarpenter2

  CHAPTER ONE

  Spring had arrived at Horse Haven Ranch. It was Chad Douglas’s favorite season; the snow had melted, the days were growing longer, and the earth was renewing itself. His life with Cassie, the rebellious, mischievous, fearless girl with whom he’d fallen deeply in love a few months before, provided frequent surprises. Some were welcome, some not so much.

  Sitting at his desk Chad lifted his eyes and gazed across the room at the large clock on the wall. It was old, Swiss made, and one of his favorite possessions. The large face sat in a beautifully carved horseshoe, and he often thought the artist must have taken his inspiration from the horses who pulled the carriages through the snowy fields in Switzerland. It was a romantic notion and one he clung to, though he wasn’t sure why.

  “Almost time,” he mumbled as he set about straightening the papers on his desk.

  Sitting on his rug in front of the fire, McTavish, Chad’s brilliant cattle dog nicknamed Mickey, lifted his head and yawned.

  “Yep, Mickey, she’s gonna get her butt walloped this time,” Chad declared staring over at him.

  In precisely five minutes, Cassandra, or Sassy Cassie as Chad called her, would meet him in their bedroom for the much anticipated conversation. They both knew it would culminate in punishment, and having committed an egregious sin it would have to be a sound spanking; Chad could not risk such irresponsible behavior happening again. Shaking his head he rose from his desk and headed for the bedroom.

  Two Days Earlier

  Cassie and her best friend Hannah McCloud, a young woman who lived with Marty Clark, the ranch foreman, had driven into town for an evening out, while Marty, Chad, Jeb and Tommy, the two younger horse handlers, stayed at the ranch to play cards. It was a weekly event, and the girls took turns being the designated driver.

  Hugging her warmly, Hannah dropped Cassie off at the back door of the ranch house, but as Cassie watched her drive away she decided the evening was too pleasant to waste.

  I think I want to check on my lovely horses, give them each a goodnight kiss on their perfect little muzzles.

  She started down the hill, making the trek to the barn without any trouble, then wandered into their stalls to hug them. As she leaned against Shelby, her thoroughbred jumper, she felt an unexpected wave of fatigue, and unsteadily ambling to the nearest bale of hay she plopped down and promptly fell asleep; she’d done so completely unaware that she’d neglected to secure the latches on the stall doors.

  It was Marty who discovered Dominic, Cassie’s equitation horse, meandering around the property.

  The motion light on his porch had flashed on, and running outside he’d seen the horse strolling around the cabin; he’d immediately sounded the alarm, clanging a large cowbell hanging from one of the porch rafters. Chad, with Mickey at his side, and Jeb and Tommy came rushing to help.

  “Have you seen Cassie?” Chad asked urgently as he met up with Marty and caught Dominic. “She’s still not home.”

  Hannah, standing on the porch in her robe, heard Chad’s question and ran across to join them, her bare feet freezing on the cold ground.

  “I left Cassie at the back door,” she declared. “I thought she would have gone straight in. She was pretty wasted.”

  “That girl,” Chad muttered. “Let’s get Dominic back in the barn. Maybe she’s down there.”

  “Hannah, you go on home, you’ll catch your death,” Marty ordered. “Why didn’t you put something on those feet?”

  “Please let me know as soon as you find her,” she pleaded, too concerned for her missing friend to be worried about her cold feet.

  “Sure, hon, I’ve got my phone with me, now go on in,” Marty said firmly.

  Teeth chattering Hannah ran home, but remained on the porch, her eyes fruitlessly probing the darkness for any sign of her wayward friend.

  No longer needed, Jeb and Tommy returned to their cabin, while Marty and Chad began to lead the horse back to the barn.

  “Can’t imagine where she could be,” Chad frowned as he and Marty trudged down the hill.

  “Probably passed out somewhere,” Marty suggested.

  “I sure hope not,” Chad replied. “It’s gonna be a cold night.”

  As they entered the barn Chad flicked on the lights, and to his dismay discovered Shelby, Cassie’s thoroughbred jumper, was also missing. Thankfully Rembrandt, her third horse, was still in his stall in spite of his door being unlatched.

  “Dammit!” Chad exclaimed. “I’ll go hunt for Shelby, but what the hell has happened to Cassie? Marty, could you give Dominic the once over, make sure he didn’t hurt himself, and Mickey, you stay. I don’t need any coyotes jumpin‘ you.”

  Wandering through the dark, moonless night, Chad discovered Shelby by the round pen, happily munching on some discarded hay that had yet to be cleaned up. The mare stood quietly as Chad slipped on the halter, and as he started to walk her back his concern about Cassie grew. By the time he reached the barn he was worried sick, and it didn’t help when he found Marty standing in the middle of the aisle waiting for him, his arms crossed and sporting a deep frown.

  “Now what?” Chad asked.

  “Don’t worry, it’s good news, well, kind of,” Marty grimaced, nodding his head down the aisle. “Mickey’s the one who found her.”

  Looking past him Chad saw Cassie fast asleep on a hay bale in the shadows of a corner, Mickey sitting beside her.

  “I can’t believe it!” Chad exclaimed.

  “She didn’t even bother to turn on the lights when she came in. I’d say she had too much too drink,” Marty remarked.

  “I’d say you’re right,” Chad scowled. “I’m tempted to leave her there.”

  “But you won’t,” Marty commented, a wry grin on his face, and taking Shelby’s lead rope from his angry boss he put the mare back in her stall.

  “No, I won’t,” Chad mumbled.

  Striding across he scooped her up, threw her over his shoulder, and as he listened to her groan and complain he headed out of the barn to hike up to the house, but Mickey’s barking caused him to pause; turning around he discovered the smart little dog sitting in the gator.

  “Damn, Mickey, you are so right,” Chad declared.

&nb
sp; “That dog of yours…” Marty chuckled, standing by the barn doors getting ready to turn off the lights.

  Mickey jumped in the back of the gator as Chad deposited Cassie unceremoniously on to the passenger’s seat, then drove up to the house.

  Cassie slept through the night until late the following morning, then hung over and miserable she spent the rest of the day in bed. Chad didn’t mention the incident, choosing to wait until she recovered, but after another good night’s sleep she seemed like her old self, and over breakfast Chad told her it was time to talk about what had happened.

  “I know I screwed up really badly,” she said solemnly. “Would it help to say I’m sorry?”

  “Not much,” he said sternly. “I have some work to do this morning, but I’ll expect you in the bedroom at eleven sharp.”

  Cassie had no doubt Chad would be spanking her, and she deserved it. Shelby could be unpredictable, and though the mare had settled down since living at the ranch she could certainly have gotten herself in trouble.

  Not knowing how to pass the two hours that loomed ahead, she wandered down to the barn and took both Shelby and Dominic out for a walk, and though she enjoyed the gentle warmth of the spring sun as it rose in the sky, she couldn’t help but think about what she’d done.

  I just can’t believe it. I guess I just drank too much, and I don’t know why I did that either. I have to figure out what possessed me to be so irresponsible

  The minutes ticked by slowly, and when it finally came time to put the horses in their paddocks and head up to the house she felt the familiar rush of butterflies, and her voices started in her head.

  It’s been a while since he’s spanked me. Yikes. Oh, Lord, please don’t let him spank me too hard.

  Maybe that’s the problem.

  What do you mean.

  Maybe he hasn’t been strict enough.

  Shit.

  Exactly, and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that’s about to change.

  Shit…again!

  CHAPTER TWO

  When Chad entered the bedroom he found Cassie sitting in the armchair next to the fireplace. The absence of flames underscored that winter had passed, and though the nights were still chilly, he knew it would be autumn before he’d start the flames first thing in the morning.

  “I’m gonna sit there,” he declared walking towards her. “On your knees in front of me. It’s where you belong for this conversation.”

  “Yes, Sir,” she quietly replied, and dropped from the chair, looking up at him as he sat down.

  “Knees apart,” he directed. “This is very serious. What can you tell me about what happened?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it all morning,” she frowned. “You know how I care about the horses, and how conscientious I am.”

  “So what happened?” he repeated.

  “All I know is that I’ve been feeling a bit, I guess restless is the word. I thought it was being snowbound when we had those two weeks of crazy weather, and not being able to haul over to the covered arenas at the show grounds and ride, but I know it’s more than that. Anyway, last night I just kept drinking. I think I needed to let off some steam or something. When Hannah dropped me off I wanted to check on the horses, but after I’d gone inside the stalls I suddenly felt really tired and sat down on the hay bale to rest for minute. I must have passed out.”

  “It’s inexcusable, Cassie,” he said sternly. “We’ll talk about why you might be unhappy, but right now I need to punish you,” though I’m thinking it won’t be as severe as I first thought. “It was a lapse and we all have them, but it can’t happen again.”

  “I know,” she sighed.

  “Take off your jeans, lean over the bed and wait,” he instructed. “I’ll be right back.”

  Throughout the morning he’d considered her fate, and had decided the most appropriate discipline would be a few strokes of the cane, but after hearing the sincerity in her voice, and realizing her aberrant behavior had been borne from a vague unhappiness, he decided such harsh treatment wasn’t warranted.

  Moving into the kitchen he pulled out his oversized, heavy wooden spoon, the one he used to stir his large pot of spicy chili. He’d not used it on her before, but guessed it would carry just the right amount of sting. Slapping it on the side of his thigh he nodded; his assessment was correct.

  Returning to the bedroom he found her as he’d instructed, and sitting beside her on the edge of the mattress he placed the makeshift paddle beside him, then moved his hand over her cheeks.

  “Extremely irresponsible. I don’t care how tired or drunk you are, makin’ sure stall doors are secure should be automatic. If you have any doubt about your presence of mind you shouldn’t even be around the horses. What if you’d fallen over in the stall because you’re were so wasted. You know how fast horses can move.”

  “Yes, Sir, you’re absolutely right.”

  “Next time you go out cavortin’ with Hannah, you come right back in the house, but the next time won’t be next week. That’s cancelled. You can stay in the bedroom while I play cards.”

  “Yes, Sir,” she replied, feeling like a teenager who’d just been grounded.

  “I think I’ve made myself clear,” he declared, “now my hand can do the talkin’.”

  He began smacking her slowly, watching his handprint stain her soft pale skin, idly wondering what could be the cause of her restlessness.

  “Owwww!”

  Her unexpected wail caught him by surprise, and he paused, staring down at her burnt bottom.

  “Somethin’ you wanna say?” he asked.

  “You’re spanking me hard,” she complained.

  He paused, a frown furrowing his brow, and thought back to the last time she’d been the recipient of his discipline. When she’d first moved in she was over his knee at least once a week, but as time had ticked by, and Christmas had come and gone, he’d had less reason to punish her.

  Have I been too lenient? Have I been lettin’ her get away with crap I shouldn’t?

  “Cassie, when was the last time I punished you, I don’t mean a tinglin’ sexy spankin’, I mean punished you, like I’m doin’ now, and what was it for?”

  “February, right before Valentines,” she muttered. “You caught me going through your closet trying to find what you’d bought me.”

  “But, that wasn’t very hard, was it?”

  “I guess not, not like you’re spanking me now.”

  “I have a sneakin’ suspicion I’ve not spanked you as hard or as often as I should,” he remarked. “Come to think of it, there have been several times I’ve let things slide. I didn’t spank you when you and Hannah came home an hour late from shoppin’ recently. You gals didn’t even bother to call in and let us know you’d be late. Seem to remember that Hannah got her butt roasted for that. Is my memory servin’ me right?”

  “Um, you did give me a few swats,” she bleated.

  “But I didn’t spank like I should have,” he grimaced, “and wasn’t there somethin’ about losin’ your wallet and not tellin’ me?”

  “Uh-huh,” she mewed.

  “I think I know exactly why you’ve been feelin’ restless. I’m sorry, Cassie, I’m partly to blame. I love you so dang much I’ve let you get away way too much. From now on the rules will be the rules, you break ‘em, you get your bottom spanked,” he exclaimed, “just the way things were when we first met, and when I say spanked, I mean spanked.”

  “But-”

  “Hey, rule number one, none of your sass,” he said firmly. “I’m gonna wallop you good and hard for bein’ so irresponsible the other night. I think you did it on purpose, not consciously maybe, but you did it ‘cos you need me to do exactly what I’m doin’ right now.”

  Reaching for the paddle he brought it down with a hard swat on her right cheek, then her left, then directly in the center of her bottom.

  “OWWWW,” she wailed. “That really hurts!”

  “Yep,” he agreed, “as it damn well sho
uld.”

  He continued the delivery of the three swats, right cheek, left cheek, then the middle, landing each with the same degree of force. When she kicked out he placed his leg over hers and continued the punishment without pause, determined to deliver his message loud and clear. As he dispatched the last whack with the spoon, making it a total of twelve swats, he dropped it beside her and reigned a series of rapid slaps with his hand. She squirmed and howled and protested, and by the time he’d finished her bottom was hot pink.

  “There,” he exclaimed, rubbing her fondly, “that should see you right.”

  “Oooh, Sir, you spanked me so hard,” she wailed.

  “Yes, I did, and you can expect more of the same if you break the rules,” he promised.

  “Owwww,” she whimpered, “okay, I’ll be better.”

  “Come on up here and get your cuddle,” he sighed, pulling her into his lap.

  “Sorry, Chad, I was such an idiot,” she mumbled.

  “Just remember what I said; I meant it,” he said firmly, stroking her hair. “You might wanna read the list of rules again, so you have them fresh in that head of yours.”

  “Thank you,” she sighed, “maybe you’re right, maybe I did need to find my place with you again.”

  “And did you?”

  “Hell, yeah,” she groaned, “I can’t think about being restless, all I can think about is how much my butt hurts.”

  “As it should,” he remarked. “I’m gonna hold you for a bit, then you’re gonna stay in here and think about things. If there’s anythin’ else you need to talk about, somethin’ that’s not quite right for you here, you’re gonna tell me. Don’t you come outta this room until I come back.”

  “How long?” she asked, lifting her large eyes and gazing up at him.