Warning: This chapter contains a descriptive scene of spanking/discipline.

CHAPTER FOUR

Noah woke up to find the bed beside him empty. He was concerned at first, but then he heard the noises from the kitchen. He recognized it as Wade's usual grumbling and cursing as he tried to prepare breakfast by himself.

Rubbing his eyes, he slowly followed the obscenities. He came just in time to see Wade nursing a burnt finger and he secretly hoped nothing was broken.

"I'm sorry, babe, did I wake you?" Wade asked as he hurriedly tried to clean up some of the mess. "I wanted you to sleep in."

"I slept enough," Noah assured. Wade pulled out a chair for him and he instantly sat down. He didn't know what he did to deserve a homemade breakfast, but he wasn't about to argue. Anything was better than the dreaded silent treatment that he should have had coming.

"Where's your breakfast?" Noah asked instead of dwelling on it.

"I got some work to finish up," Wade explained simply. "You go on and eat and then you can get dressed."

Noah crinkled his face in confusion, but Wade retreated before he could ask any questions. So, Noah tried to enjoy his eggs and toast as best he could without any company. When he was done, he piled the dishes in the sink and went to find Wade.

"No, you go get dressed," Wade ordered when Noah tried to join him in the living room. "Then we talk."

Noah's expression withered. "Oh."

The younger man instantly felt his stomach wobble. They had gone to bed so pleasantly that Noah naturally assumed that Wade had already moved past the events of last night. Obviously, Wade was serious when he promised they would talk later. Dreading that discussion, Noah nervously went through his entire morning bathroom routine as slowly as he could and then got dressed.

Noah stepped before Wade in the living room. His boots nervously clicked against the hardwood floors. He and Wade have never gone through a serious discussion that didn't end with shouting, but this time Noah knew he was in no position to yell. He deserved to hear everything his husband had to say.

So, Noah lowered his eyes shamefully. "I don't think I can say I'm sorry enough," he admitted softly, but it was clear that he was willing to apologize infinitely.

"I know," Wade agreed and took a couple of slow steps towards Noah. "We just need to get a few things sorted out."

"I never want to make you unhappy."

"Noah…" Wade sighed. "I would only be unhappy if you were dishonest with me."

Noah sucked in his breath and cringed. He could hardly look his husband in the eyes now, but Wade suddenly grabbed his hands.

"Despite what you think, I am over Malik," Wade promised while squeezing Noah's hands a little tighter. "I don't want to seem like I'm constantly holding that over your head or constantly punishing you for some mistake you made in the past, but… I don't ever want you visiting any sex clubs neither. Even if it's research. That's not cool with me even though I do trust you."

"It was a one time thing—"

"That's not too much to ask for, is it, Noah?" Wade interrupted quickly so his husband would know he wasn't interested in hearing anymore excuses.

"No, it isn't," Noah agreed and felt his eyes glisten. "I know you don't want to hear another apology for that. The only way I can prove I'm truly sorry is through my actions. I should have never gone to Pain Etc. It doesn't matter why I went there. I knew it was wrong and I will never make that mistake again."

"Thank you, baby."

Noah smiled as Wade rubbed the top of his hands with his thumbs. This discussion wasn't quite the ordeal he thought it would be. They seemed to be understanding each other.

Unfortunately, Wade took a deep breath and Noah knew he was preparing himself for a statement of great importance.

"You lied to me last night," Wade stated firmly and Noah wriggled disgracefully in his hands. "You snuck around behind my back. You thought it was okay because you laughed about it with your friends. I know you like hanging with these guys, but I'm the one who's constantly knocked around."

"I didn't mean—"

"Noah," Wade shook the smaller man's hands to maintain focus. "A part of me died when I saw you lying in that hospital bed. I'm your husband. That means I will always love you and protect you and take care of you, but dammit, Noah, sometimes you make it so dang difficult."

"Wade—"

"No," he scolded. "You cannot lie about where you go. Not ever. If you were ever in trouble, I wouldn't even know where to look. I only know those clubs you introduced me to and Pain Etc sure as hell wasn't one of them."

Noah nodded miserably. "Yeah, that's one of Ricky's."

"I know," Wade acknowledged. "But then again, I don't know. I would never know if you were hurt or wounded until I get that dreadful phone call again. And I can't ever get another phone call like that, Noah. I can't hear a bunch of strangers telling me my husband is lying beat up in some emergency room. You cannot lie about where you're kickin' it or who you're kickin' it with. You got that?"

Noah closed his watering eyes and very gently nodded his head in agreement. "Chance already lectured me about that. I shouldn't have tried pressuring you and I certainly shouldn't have tried using it as ammunition against you. Even when you said no, that was a time for communication. Not sneaking behind your back. For that, I am sorry. I'm so very sorry."

"Apology accepted, Noah. I didn't know you were that conflicted over the script. Starting now, I'm gonna give you all the help you deserve. Exactly what you deserve in fact. I just need to know how much time we got left. When's the deadline?"

Noah cringed back a step and started to nibble on his lower lip.

Wade's eyebrows pinched together. "Noah?"

With all the stealth he could muster, Noah tried to slip his hands out from Wade's.

"I don't think so," Wade cautioned and pulled Noah back in front of him. "Quite fooling around and tell me when it's due."

Noah offered Wade a very innocent, yet very nervous, smile. "Wednesday?"

"In two days?!" Wade barked. Out of shock, he dropped Noah's hands and the smaller man retreated back several paces. "How do you expect to write a hundred and twenty pages in two days?!"

Noah laughed timidly. "I've done it before."

"No, you prepared a pitch before! And that was with my help!"

"And lucky me!" Noah grinned, but still shivered with unease. "You just offered to give me some help again…!"

"Oh, I'm gonna help you," Wade promised dangerously. "In fact, I'm gonna give you what you need right now. It's what I should have given you all along."

Without hesitating, Wade charged towards Noah and swung him into his arms. The smaller man was too startled to fight off the manhandling. Wade bent him over and held him beneath his arm and proceeded to spank his backside with heavy, precise swats. Noah's jaw dropped and he wiggled underneath the tight grasp.

"Wade!" he shrieked and kicked. The toes of his boots drummed against the floor.

Wade shifted and wrapped his arm entirely around Noah's waist. He easily hoisted the smaller man off the ground, leaving him to kick his legs in the air as his backside was heated up with rapid blows.

"Ow!" Noah cried at the awkward position, but Wade didn't let go. "Ow, ow, ow, ow…!"

Noah suddenly felt himself planted on his two feet. He was dizzy and the sting in his backside was tingly and persistent. He rocked on his heels as he tried to compose himself.

"Drop your pants," Wade ordered.

Noah gasped and his hands flew to protect his delicate posterior. He stumbled clumsily on heels.

"Now, Noah," Wade cautioned.

"Wade!" Noah whined. He wasn't too embarrassed to pout, but sulky facial expressions were no defense against Wade's brutal strength. His husband snagged his wrist and pulled him several steps closer.

"Get your ass over here," Wade demanded as he took a seat on an armless chair. "Are you gonna drop those pants now?"

Noah whimpered and tested the strength of Wade's grip on his wrist. His husband didn't look very angry, but his face was set in lines of foreboding intent. His grip showed no sign of wavering either.

"Oh, Wade…" he continued to complain and tried to twist out of his hand once more.

Wade's eyebrows rose. That's all it took. Noah recognized the warning. He stomped his feet and petulantly unfastened his jeans as he sulked.

Noah squeaked as he was effortlessly tipped over Wade's knees. He suddenly found himself staring at the floor and his stomach was pressed horribly tight against Wade's thighs. Noah placed both his hands flat on the ground to steady himself while his legs dangled gracelessly in the air. Several gentle, yet extremely alarming, pats were applied to his upturn bottom and he found his face blushing fiercely.

"Now, after our discussion, I don't think we need to talk about why I'm doing this, do I?" Wade asked somberly as he patted Noah's backside a little harder.

Noah cringed at the promise behind each pat. His poor bottom was stingy already. He was thankful that Wade at least allowed him the thin protection of his briefs.

"R-right, Wade," he answered shakily.

"You understand why you deserve this spanking then?" Wade reiterated firmer.

Noah squeaked again at the word 'spanking.' It was a loaded word that instantly brought heat to his face. He felt so helpless over Wade's thighs. "Oohhh, yes, Wade… OW!"

Noah didn't anticipate Wade to initiate the spanking so abruptly. His backside was instantly set ablaze with fresh, fiery swats. Wade smacked him with such feverish resolve that Noah could not catch his breath. Wade's hand covered every inch of his backside. With Noah's small frame, he couldn't even attempt to wiggle away. He had to remain draped across Wade's thighs as his tender bottom was subjected to more painful blows. Noah felt the tears pool in his eyes and eventually stream down his cheeks.

"Owww!" Noah gasped and gulped. "OW! St- OP! Wade!"

Sadly, Wade was too devoted to Noah to let any pleading stop him now. This punishment was childish already, so Noah refused to add to his disgrace with anymore fretful pleas or cries. He bit his bottom lip to hold back all those embarrassing reactions. But as his backside was endlessly covered in stinging swats, Noah soon surrendered to squealing and twisting over Wade's knees. His backside throbbed between every well placed spank.

Noah yelped and shrieked underneath Wade's awfully firm hand. Every heated spank ignited a new spark in his sore backside. Noah screeched and howled and soon his hand shot behind himself as he desperately tried to save his aching bottom.

"No-oo more," Noah sobbed.

For a moment, the swift and stingy blows stopped. Noah was finally able to swallow mouthfuls of breaths. After a while, he sobbed out a couple more apologies and then he felt Wade's hand on his back, caressing him fondly.

"Hands on the ground," Wade directed softly.

Noah choked. "No… ple-ee-ease! Wade…!"

"On the ground," Wade repeated. "Baby, please don't make me get the bath brush."

Noah sniffled back his shock. Apparently, this situation was able to get much more mortifying. Deserving a spanking was embarrassing enough, but the thought of disappointing Wade even further was much more distressing. Noah had already accepted he deserved this, so now the only thing left to do was submit to it.

"I l-love you, Wade," Noah shivered as he placed his hands back on the ground. He knew it was going to take all his effort to keep himself steady.

"I love you, too," Wade assured and patted Noah's back once more. "Lift up for me, okay, baby?"

Noah moaned woefully, but found just enough resolve to lift up his hips. Wade easily tugged his underwear down to his knees and Noah shuddered at this new vulnerability. His backside trembled as he awaited the next well-earned smacks.

"O-OW! Wa-ADE!" Noah continued to squeal as the spanking resumed just as abruptly as it began. He found it much harder to keep his hands in place. Wade's palm landed with frightful diligence and Noah's cheeks clenched beneath every blow.

Noah continued to cry out small apologies. Every swat still managed to take him by surprise. He was yelping and gulping for each one. Despite his all twisting and his all pleas, Wade proceeded to spank the rounded bottom on his lap.

"You're doing great, baby," Wade praised. "We're almost done."

Noah gritted his teeth and nodded his head. His backside throbbed unbearably.

The swats were more random this time. Noah could feel no discernible pattern. As Wade resumed his stinging rounds, there was no place to target besides already chastised skin. His hand singed Noah's bottom continuously, creating a burn that left the smaller man sobbing and pleading and feeling very, very sorry.

Nevertheless, Wade's hand came crashing down on bare cheeks through all of the tears. Noah's legs kicked wildly in the air. He could no longer keep his hands planted on the floor. They flailed through the air and Noah eventually found himself pushing against Wade's thigh. He choked and bawled as he involuntarily tried to jerk away from every punishing swat.

"Just two more," Wade promised, but Noah could barely comprehend him now.

A fierce swat landed on Noah's right cheek and he shook. Then a matching swat landed on his left and he cried. Finally, Noah collapsed over Wade's lap and buried his face into his hands and wept.

Noah's vision was blurry with tears, but he could feel Wade pulling his underwear back into place and lifting him into his arms. He felt himself carried away and soon he was huddled against his husband on the bed. With great care, Wade unzipped his boots and freed him of his shoes and jeans.

Noah squirmed adorably in Wade's arms as he tried to comprehend the soreness in his backside. With Wade holding him tight and whispering all the sugary affections he needed in his ear, he never felt more loved or more secure. Wade usually ran away from an argument, but this morning he was firm and unrelenting. Noah had never experienced anything like this in his life. He had all sorts of emotions that he didn't know how to describe, but he was determined to put a name to it. Immediately.

Eventually, Noah's tears tapered off and Wade continued to rock him. Even after a mortifying experience such as a first spanking, Noah and Wade still seemed like the same people they always were. Of course, Noah's backside was still very sore, but he had no trouble shifting in Wade's arms and looking him in the eyes. Wade brushed away the lingering tears on Noah's cheeks as he waited for him to speak.

"Why did you make me get dressed?" Noah grumbled and pouted up at his husband. "I still ended up without pants."

Wade grinned endearingly and rubbed his hand down Noah's spin. He savored the shivers that followed. "So you can feel the shame of being undressed," he answered. Then he teased, "Didn't you read the book?"

Noah over-exaggerated his pout this time before he yielded to some giggles. He soon regretted it as his tender backside accidently hit Wade's knee and he hissed.

"Owww…" he whispered pathetically and looked back up at Wade with a halfhearted smile.

"Poor baby," Wade consoled, but grinned even harder when Noah blushed. "You deserved it though. The book just happened to give me the idea."

"Look at you," Noah giggled again and poked Wade several times in the ribs. "That's so cute the way you're being so stern and strict for me!"

Wade caught Noah's wrists with a dangerous smile. "I see that spanking wore off easy. I'll fix that real soon."

"Nooo!" Noah squealed and instantly tried to fight off Wade's advances. Soon he was drawn into Wade's arms and he couldn't escape. He gasped at Wade's nerve to land a couple of playful swats on his still very sore bottom. He was eventually carried away and soon he was plopped in front of the desktop computer. Noah's mouth dropped as his backside hit the chair.

"Wade!" he complained, but his husband simply shook his head.

"Type," Wade ordered. Then he went to shrug on his jacket. "I'm gonna get some supplies."

Noah looked horrified. "Supplies? Supplies for what, Wade?"

"Food, Noah. We won't be leaving this house until you finish that script. I want to see at least twenty pages when I get back."

"Twenty!"

"Noah," Wade sighed. "You have two days to write an entire script. After those twenty pages, you're gonna need a hundred more."

Noah frowned and turned back towards the computer screen. But instead of settling in to type, he began fiddling with his cell phone.

Wade was almost out the door when he saw him. "What do you think you're doing?"

Noah preoccupied himself with his cell. "I'm gonna call the fellas."

"Noah!"

Noah nearly dropped his phone. He looked up at Wade with wide eyes. "What? They're gonna want to hear how this played out."

Wade stumbled for words for a moment. His expression was one of complete disbelief. "Absolutely not!"

"Alright," Noah agreed, but he proceeded to play with his phone nonetheless. "I'll just tell Chance then."

Wade looked outraged. "He has the biggest mouth of them all!"

"But—"

"Oh, that is it!" Wade instantly charged back into the house and towards Noah. He ripped the cell phone from his hands and quickly buried it deep inside his jacket pocket. "You just lost phone privileges for the rest of the day."

Noah's jaw dropped. "You can't do that," he stated incredulously.

"Yes, I can," Wade corrected. "Unless you want to find yourself over my knee again?"

Noah blushed at the threat. His tender backside was sore enough against the cushioned seat. He squirmed his embarrassment. "But… I need my cell. What if Brandy calls?"

Wade shut his eyes and muttered tiredly to himself. "Fine!" he gave in and handed the phone back to Noah. "But you better promise to keep this between you and me."

Noah smiled and glanced over the computer screen. "Well, it's between you, me, and I guess whoever reads this script."

"That I can deal with," Wade smiled back. He paused to kiss the tip of Noah's nose before he headed out the door.