Chapter 3 – "Hope"
Part 3 Posted! Yayyy! Thank you to everyone who took the time to review and follow this story, I appreciate your support. It's such a motivation to keep on writing.
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WARNING: This chapter contains/talks of disciplinary SPANKING (Domestic Discipline/ Corporal Punishment) of an adult female by an adult male. There is also swearing. If this offends you, please don't read.
After her shower Addy rinsed out her mudded clothes and hung them over the curtain rod before rummaging through the disorganized mess of clean clothes in the corner of the messy bed room. Addy grumbled in frustration as she tripped over miscellaneous things, empty beer bottles and shell casings. Addy slipped on one of Merle's black t-shirts that practically swallowed her petite frame.
When Addy was rescued by Merle, all she had on her was the clothes on her back, which consisted of the pair of jeans, that now hung wet over the curtain rod, and a black tang top that had been ripped and tattered to the point of unwearable, by a man she wished to forget. Therefore, she had to borrow their clothes and with her small figure it was very difficult to find anything that wouldn't slip off of her. Addy growled in irritation as the men owned nothing, but jeans that were far too big for her slender hips and short stature, not to mention uncomfortable as hell on her blazing backside. They owned no short, except for their boxers and there was no way in hell Addy was going to wear their drawers around. After looking for a good long while, Addy found an old thin pair of grey sweatpants. Addy breathed a sigh of relief as she slipped them on feeling the thin fabric hang off of her loosely. Addy rolled up the cuffs and tied the string tightly before walking into the kitchen.
Addy glowered deeply as she narrowed her eyes in on the clock on the stove, as it was almost past four and the brothers should be getting back soon. Addy turned her attention to fridge scowling at it for a good long while contemplating the conflicting battle inside of her. Addy finally scoffed at herself before opening the fridge with an angry huff as she began to prepare dinner. She had a mind to let Merle and Daryl make their own damn dinner, but she had nothing to do and found herself unable to stand idly and do nothing. She feared if she did not do something she would break down in tears again and she had no intention of crying any more. She wanted to regain control over herself and felt Merle was not worth her tears. Also, not to mention, the fear of Merle's irritation drove her to the task far more than she cared to admit. Her backside ache and burned reminding her constantly of Merle's authority.
Addy made a simple stew out of venison, potatoes and onions making the most out of what was available. Addy was building up all the things she wished to express to the man in her mind making her blood boil as her backside twinged and ached at her jerking moments of frustration and discontentment. Addy thought about hiding herself in the bedroom and avoiding the man like the plague, but dismissed the idea as she knew she could not escape his big irritating mouth that would most certainly carry all the way into the bedroom. Besides, she was almost certain that he would make her come out and face him. Addy sucked in a heated breath puffing out her chest slightly as she built up her courage to stay and face the man head on. She wasn't going to hide and cower like a scared little child; she was going to show him that he did not break her nor was she submitting fully to him.
However, as soon as the trailer door swung open and the heavy foots step of the Dixon brothers entered, Addy's bravado dissipated annoyingly quickly. Her bottom clenching involuntarily as her limbs grew tense and ridged. Her breath caught in her throat feeling a rush of unwanted anxiety consume her making her feel jittery and uneasy. Addy couldn't even look at them as she stirred the stew mindlessly.
"Mmhm. Smells good, girl." Merle complimented lightheartedly which set Addy's teeth on edge. Addy was utterly convinced that she made dinner just for her sake and it was just a shame that Merle would benefit from it.
Merle plopped himself down in the recliner letting out a raspy sigh as he sank his body into the tattered cushions.
"Git me a beer, darlin'." Merle ordered lazily as he leaned back further into his recliner.
Addy's back visibly stiffened as she lifted her head up, her jaw clenched so hard it began to ache. The words 'get it your damn self' was on the tip of her tongue, but reluctantly swallowed them as she ripped open the refrigerator door with a hard jerk snatching a can of bud light. Without turning around or looking at the man, Addy extended her arm back offering the beer to him with bitter reluctance. Addy knew that if she turned around, she would explode or better yet chuck the can at his head. She had nothing but contempt for him at the moment and simple favors were turning into momentous tasks for the young woman, grinding her nerves.
There was a beat of awkward silence before Merle leaned forward in his recliner and accepted the beer from the woman's extended hand. As soon as the beer left her grip, she went back to stirring the stew needlessly, her body boiling with suppressed emotions.
Merle scooted his body to the edge of the recliner spreading his legs out wide as he rested his forearms on his thighs leaning his body forward slightly. A grim irritated expression crossed over his hard chiseled features as glared at the woman's stiffened back.
"Ya best not be poutin', little Addy." Merle's voice rumbled with warning, his tone holding an edge of aggravation.
Addy felt her teeth grind together as she stubbornly ignored the man showing no indication that she heard him.
"Hey, I'm talkin' ta ya, girl." Merle snapped in annoyance extending his arm out giving her left cheek a hard flick with his middle finger firmly.
Addy yelped as the concentrated burn bit against her tender flesh like an intense wasp sting making the woman jump up on the balls of her feet. Addy flew her hand back protectively covering her assaulted cheek. Addy turned to look over her shoulder at him for the first time, a murderous seething scowl plastered on her face as her jaw muscles twitched with undeinable anger.
Daryl's head tilted up from his task of cleaning the rife, directing his attention at the sulking woman. The young teens body stiffened against dinette cushions studying her scornful scowl critically. Despite the spike of apprehension he felt, the young boy rolled his eyes scoffing inwardly.
Stupid girl. I warned her.
"Ooooo." Merle cooed taking in her scornful expression before shaking his head at her clicking his tongue arrogantly.
"Best wipe that look off yer face, missy. Ya keep it up and I'll really give ya somethin' ta pout about." Merle warned sternly narrowing his blue eyes just a tad.
Addy pressed her lips into a hard line before jerking her attention back at the simmer pot unable to change her face in the slightest. The anger she was feeling towards the man was hot and bitter burning and spreading like an untamable fire.
Merle's eyes bore into the back of her head for just a moment longer before leaning back in his recliner popping the can open taking a long swig feeling his tired limbs sink into the chair.
"We gonna skin and gut them squirrels 'fore the night it out, Darylina, so don't ya go wanderin' off, boy. I catch ya near my bike again, I'm gonna put ya in a world of hurt." Merle ordered pointing a finger of warning in his brother's direction wanting to nip Daryl's desire to sneak away to the garage in the bud.
"I didn't do nothin'." Daryl grumbled as he continued to disassemble the weapon.
"Well, you just keep on doin' nothin' little brother." Merle advised sternly his tone laced with warning.
Merle practically chugged the rest of his beer slamming the can down on the small side table next to him letting out a loud blench making Addy cringe in disgust effectively increasing her rising detest for the man by every passing second. Little annoyances that she used to shrug off were seeming to grind on her nerves immensely. It seemed like every word, every moment, the man made aggravated her to some extent.
Merle slipped out a pack of camels and a single match from his jean pocket. The man pulled out a cigarette from the crushed pack before bringing the match up to his mouth placing the tip behind his two front teeth. Merle pressed the match hard behind his teeth before flicking upwards crudely igniting it. The small flame flickered as Merle slipped the butt of the cigarette between his lips cupping a hand over the flame as he lite his cancer stick. Merle shook out the match until it extinguished tossing it carelessly onto the table taking a long drag letting the smoke release through his nostrils slowly.
Addy crinkled her nose as gun oil and tobacco filled the space of the small trailer. The minutes dragged on long as the Merle and Daryl went about their business effectively ignoring the sulking young woman.
The passing minutes did little to suppress Addy's raising aggravation. Their casual calm demeanors set the woman into a whirlwind of annoyance as they were going about the evening like nothing ever happened and that was irrefutably exasperating to the woman whose backside was aching and throbbing fiercely. Unable to take it anymore, Addy smacked the spoon into the simmer pot aggressively not caring that bits of hot broth flew out onto the stove. Addy abruptly whirled her body around to look at the man directly for the first time since he entered the trailer. Anger drove her boldness as she glared at Merle, her round green eyes piercing into the man sparking with contemptuous fire.
"You spanked me!" Addy accused boldly her voice rising high above her comfort level making her heart beat wildly in her chest.
"How can you just sit there and act like nothing happened?! You hit me! Hard! And it really hurt. You were horrible and cruel and just…mean! How could you do that to me?! How could you beat me like that?!" Addy words were lined with anger but there was a clear hurt behind her tone as her voice became unsteady. Addy pressed her lips together as unwanted tears sprung up in her eyes.
Merle sat unmoved as he leaned back in his recliner, appearing to be unaffected by her outburst, but his muscles tensed making his body go ridged. His eyes locked onto her with a critical expression as he rested his forearm on the arm rest letting his cigarette hang loosely between his rough fingers.
"Beat you? Ha! If I beat ya, you'd be spittin' out blood, sportin' a fat bloody lip while pukin' yer little guts out." He declared way to casually disregarding her statement as overrating.
Addy's lips part as if she was about to rebut, but found her breath catching in her throat.
Merle's blue eyes narrowed a touch as he pointed a stern finger at her.
"You got yer little ass tanned for bein' a misbeivin' little brat, runnin' off like a damn fool into them woods when I told ya to git yer little hide back in the trailer. Ya got exactly what was comin' to ya. So quit yer gripin' and feelin' sorry fer yerself. A spanked ass ain't nothin'." Merle tone was edge with annoyance as he gestured dismissively with his hand clearly aggravated by her dramatics.
"It's not nothing! It hurts so bad; I can't even sit down." Addy complained desperately trying to get the man to understand that he spanked her too hard and it was definitely something that shouldn't be disregarded as nothing.
Merle let out a raspy chuckle apparently finding her statement amusing. "Course ya can't sit down, I'd 've done a piss poor job if ya could." Merle blustered before taking another drag of his cigarette never taking his eyes off the woman.
Addy felt her chest swell with hurt and frustration.
"It's not funny! Nothing about this is funny, Merle! My ass is bruised and…cut and it's awful!" Addy's words came out in a pitiful whine as she desperately tried to express to him how she was feeling.
Merle brows frowned deep as he slowly leaned forward in his recliner his cigarette hanging loosely in his lips before taking it out between his calloused fingers. Merle lifted his hand hooking a finger at her beckoning her to come over to him, a firm grave expression etched in his ridged features.
Addy's green eyes widened as her face paled in terror shaking her head slowly as her feet automatically crept backwards until her sore bottom connected with the oven handle.
Merle's chin dipped down as his face darkened into a deep threatening scowl clearly angered by her lack of compliance. Merle snapped his calloused fingers sharply before pointing a commanding finger to the space in front of him.
"Git yer ass over here, now, girl, I ain't gonna ask ya again." Merle's voice was deep rumbling in his chest like a rising storm.
Addy licked her lips nervously staring at the space where Merle pointed not wanting to move towards the man who spanked her so harshly only hours ago. However, fear of the man's temper fueled her legs into motion. Addy's muscles strained in protest as she forced her feet to shuffle over to the imposing man stopping just a few inches away from the spot he ordered, unable to move any closer.
Without looking up at the woman, Merle placed the cigarette back between his lips before snatching his arm out grabbing a hold of Addy's wrist pulling her towards him until she was between his outstretched thighs, way too close for Addy's comfort. Without a word Merle spun her around roughly so she was facing the opposite direction, her sore ass directly in front of the man. As soon as Merle tucked his fingers into her waistband, Addy panicked jerking wildly away fearing the worst.
"No, no, don't!" Addy begged desperately as she tried to jerk away feeling the warm air rush down the back of the loose sweat pants as it gaped open widely in Merle tight grip.
Merle simply tugged her back towards him halting her escape attempt.
"No, please, don't." Addy pleaded reaching behind her covering her vulnerable backside with her hands expecting Merle's rough palm to come swiftly. Addy's head turned over to look at Daryl who was watching them intently under his straggly bangs. The young woman's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she cast her eyes away knowing she would receive no sympathy or aid from the callous teenager. Merle apparently seeing her discomfort simply scoffed at her.
"He already saw yer naked ass, so it don't make no difference now, quit yer squirmin' and be still 'fore I decide ta take ya over my knee again." Merle declared gruffly; his tone edged with rising irritation as he disregarded her embarrassment as inconsequential.
Addy stilled her body immediately at the very mention of another spanking. She knew her sore ass could not take any more punishment and she did not dare to risk it. Merle tugged the back half of her sweatpants down just enough to reveal her naked bottom fully holding up the back of her t-shirt. Addy's body stiffened as she held her breath, her cheeks burning crimson red as the man inspected her naked flesh.
Merle cocked his head to the side as he raked his hard eyes over the punished skin studying it for only a brief moment. Merle scoffed loudly shaking his head.
"Awh hell." Merle bantered dismissively.
"Cut? My ass. Yer barely even bruised, girl." Merle declared loudly grave irritation lining his tone, not appreciating the girl's exaggeration in the slightest. Although, he knew he gave it to her good and her ass was undoubtably sore, she was clearly not 'cut' or damaged in such a way that a day wouldn't cure. Her bottom was splotched with a deep red hue, riddled with darker shades of red that outlined the belt's width, mild bruising barely forming on the surface under the skin. To the rough man, it looked like a well spanked rear end and that was nothing fret over, as that was exactly his intent. In his mind, the stripes that crossed over her ass were nothing more than discomfort, a fitting punishment for the inexperienced woman who put herself at risk by blatantly disobeying him.
The rush of exasperation drove him as he smacked his palm against her bare heated flesh not pleased with her lying to him in the slightest. The force of the smack was mild, but it burned against Addy's sore skin making her cry out. Addy's legs collapsed slightly before straightening up and reaching a hand back to protect herself from any further smacks. Addy shuffled her feet away quickly pulling up her sweat pants whirling around as fresh tears lined her eyes, a look of pitiful betrayal.
Merle level his stern blue eyes her, his expression ridged with disapproval and annoyance.
"Don't ya go pissin' on my back and tell me it's rainin', girl. Yer ass may be raw, but it ain't cut and it sure as hell nothin' ta bitch about."
Addy's brows frowned deep as her bottom lip trembled casting her eyes down at the dingy brown carpet looking dejectedly defeated. Perhaps she did exaggerate about being cut, but it certainly felt like it. For a girl that's never felt anything more than a slap on the wrist, it was catastrophic to her sheltered heart and backside. Her mild manner was incomparable to the Dixon's hard gruff temperaments. They've known far more pain than she has, but she found it of little consequence and no excuse to disregard her feelings.
"Good Lord, girl, ya actin' like I killed ya." Merle observed mildly, a hit of dissatisfaction in his voice as he studied her woeful expression with his critical blue orbs feeling annoyance creep into his chest once again.
The young woman tilted her head up to look at the man, her earthy green eyes clouded with offense.
"You hurt me." Addy accused her voice soft, just rising above a whisper, a clear underlining hurt to her timid tone.
Merle narrowed his eyes, his face void of sympathy, as he fixed her with a serious expression
"Spankin's are supposed hurt. If they didn't, wouldn't be much of a punishment, now, would it?" Merle asked firmly his tone condescending and gruff as he cocked his head to the side.
"I'm twenty years old, Merle. I'm not a child. You have no right to punish me at all!" Addy declared woefully not appreciating Merle's indifference towards something that was dreadfully painful for the young woman.
"Yer age don't make ya immune to ass whoppin's. Not in my book, darlin'. If ya go on misbehavin', gettin' too big for your britches then I ain't gonna hesitate ta take ya over my knee. Hell, Daryl's only…what? Like two years younger than ya, he still remindin' ever now and again, ain't that right little brother?" Merle prompted casually turning his attention toward the teenager. Although, his tone was lighthearted there was firmness behind his voice suggesting he expected a response from the boy.
Daryl halted his hand from running the red greasy rag down the rifle's barrel. His limbs stiffened for brief moment as he stared at the brown worn carpet below his feet, his shaggy brown locks hiding his flushed cheeks. There was a beat of silence before Daryl nodded once in conformation before continuing to wipe down the rife as if he was not affected by his brother's embarrassing question.
"See." Merle declared snapping his attention back to the woman, like everything was explained suggesting that she should gain some kind of comfort in the fact that she wasn't alone in getting her ass beat. However, that did little to console or ease the young woman's mind. Just because Daryl experienced the same thing from time to time did not mean it was acceptable or right. In Addy's mind, she should not be subjected to such unorthodox treatment regardless of what she does or doesn't do to upset the man. It was just wrong.
Addy's jaw dropped slightly giving the man a look of digested disbelief feeling her body fill with raising aggravation and distress as it was appearing Merle had every intention of punishing as he saw fit regardless of her opinion on matter. It was destressing, not to mention terrifying as hell. She had no desire to be spanked by the man ever again and she was going to fight for the right to sit and do whatever she damn well pleased.
"No. Nothing about this is okay. This is all wrong. You had no right to punish me like that. It was a cruel, sick, twist, evil thing to do. You pulled down my pants too. Why would you do that!? I trusted you. Why did I trust you? You're just like Eric." Addy buried face in her hands hiding her despair and sorrow, feeling wet tears spill from her cheeks as she sobbed dejectedly.
Merle's eyes flashed with unsuppressed rage and offence, his rough features hardening into a deep gruff scowl as he jerked forward in his recliner. The loud gruff voice made the young woman flinch hard, pulling her hands away from her face taking in Merle's intimidating demeanor.
"Oh now hold on, don't ya go comparin' me to that little fucking shack of shit. I may be a mean son of a bitch, but I ain't ever gonna treat ya like that. You got yer little ass spanked and that's all. And I'll do it again if ya even think about runnin' off in them damn woods." Merle was pointing his cigarette firmly at her, his voice accusing and remarkably stern taking on a dark rather scary tone.
Addy felt her body swarm with uncontrollable anxiety making her heart race in her tightened chest as she regarded the man with a shocked timid expression.
"And yer damn right I pulled yer britches down. If I tan yer hide you can bet yer ass yer gonna feel it with yer britches around yer ankles. You gonna feel every lick, Addy May." His rough raspy vocals echoed off the thin walls of the small trailer making Addy flinch.
There was a beat of silence as Merle's blue eyes narrowed dangerously at her before letting out a gruff sigh forcing his stiff body to lean back in his tattered chair. Merle shifted in his seat slightly rolling his shoulders back willing his limbs to relax and release tension.
"And besides, I gotta see what I'm doin', if I didn't I might just 'cut' ya, you don't want that, now, do ya, darlin'?" Merle asked in a condescending rather mocking tone, an obvious jab towards her exaggeration about being cut early that got her nothing, but firm spank for her troubles.
Addy's lips parted, but found herself shocked into silence feeling overwhelmingly unsatisfied and hurt as it was clear nothing she said would change Merle's unyielding ability to be nothing more than a controlling asshole.
"Well do ya?" Merle snapped impatiently fixing her a fierce look that all but told her he expected an answer from her.
"No." Addy mumbled tightly feeling herself go numb in despair.
"Ya missin' something in that sentence there, girl?" Merle prompted sneering at the woman sharply.
Addy felt her face muscles twitch in annoyance as she ran her teeth over her bottom lip forcing her pride to be swallowed harshly down her raw throat.
"No, sir." Addy declared tightly.
"Good." Merle declared his voice changing significantly to light casual tone that set Addy's teeth on edge. "Then get supper on the table."
"It's on the stove." Addy announced in a clipped tone before turning on her heals to leave the trailer for much need space and alone time.
"Ah ah ah, where do ya think yer goin', girl?" Merle called after her irritation lining his gruff tone as he leaned forward in his recliner yet again.
When Addy did not turn around or acknowledge that she even heard him. Merle shot up from his chair smacking his heavy steal toed boots against the floor with a loud ominous thud.
"I know ya ain't walkin' away from me, Addy May." Merle's voice was dangerously low and foreboding making Addy's feet come to an abrupt halt in front of the door feeling her breath stop in her throat. Anxiety swarming in the pit of her stomach as her limbs stiffened in fearful apprehension.
"I ain't hungry." Addy gritted out, cringing at her use of 'ain't', hating the fact that Merle's language was creeping into her mouth where it did not belong.
Merle cocked his head to the side slightly placing his hands on his hips fixing the woman with a firm unyielding glare.
"I don't give a damn if yer hungry or not, yer gonna eat." Merle declared harshly stern knowing very well that the woman had not eaten since yesterday morning and had doubts about her eating after he spanked her. A rush of irritation and unyielding determination set firmly with his being as he was going to make sure she was properly fed weather she liked it or not. She was far too small and skinny for Merle's comfort and often wondered how the hell she survived before she came to live with them.
"Git back over here, now, little Addy May, I ain't gonna ask ya again." Merle voice was fiercely stern with a tone full of intense warning.
Addy, ever mindful of the pain in her rear end, opted to obey the man with severe reluctance. Despite her pride was burning intensely with every timid obedient bite she forced down her throat, she chocked down every bite in the large bowl that Merle personal fixed for her.
Merle made it painfully and abundantly clear to that he would be obeyed and Addy did not doubt his threats anymore as he made it a horrifying reality. Addy felt her bottom lip tremble and her body shake with a mixture of utter frustration and fear as the reality began to hit her like a ton of bricks. Merle's unorthodox discipline methods worked on her. In Addy's mind, there was nothing worse than submitting to a man like Merle Dixon, but the fact remained that she did and she hated herself for it. However, the worst part of it all was she was ultimately stuck with nowhere to go and no one else to go too. She had nothing left to hold onto and to her unfortunate dismay she found herself wanting and needing to be a part of a family. Addy nearly slapped herself at the stupid thought of wanting Merle and Daryl as a family. She was appalled at herself, even after he nearly stripped the hide right off of her backside, she still had an odd desire to be with them. Perhaps it was because she had nothing else or it was simply because she was a desperate idiot. Whatever the reason, the feeling was powerful and unavoidable to the young woman's tender heart.
0000
The flickering light of the fire cast over Addy's sullen face as she stared into the glimmering flames with a woeful expression on her weary face. The young woman's body was stretched on an old tattered blanket in front of the fire pit. Addy's rolled up onto her knee, ever mindful of her sore bottom, as she kept her eyes fixed upon the dancing flames purposefully not looking over at Merle who sat on lawn chair a few feet next to her.
Merle sat on the edge of his chair leaning forward slightly, his thick muscular legs spread wide, resting his forearms on his thighs as he scrapped the blade of his buck knife down the rough surface of the sharpening block. The rough methodical scrapping of the blade against stone echoed in contrast to the bustling sounds of night.
As Addy stared into the mesmerizing flicker of the flames, her weary limbs went slack feeling her sore bottom connect with the heal of her boot. The young woman sucked in an audible breath letting a small groan pass over her lips scrunching her face up into a sour grimace. Addy immediately, turned her body on to its side keeping her tender flesh off the pressure of ground. Addy felt her bottom lip tremble as she swallowed the tears that were threatening to appear once again as she could not find comfort in just about anything she attempted.
Merle tilted his head up slightly, his hard critical eyes casting over to the sullen woman for just a brief moment. Merle inwardly scoffed as he continued to scrap the blade of his buck knife down the rough surface of sharpening block forcefully, feeling a rising irritation build up in the man's gut over the woman's moping and pitiful attitude. The gruff man attempted to ignore her sulking and sniffling, but it was proving to be annoyingly difficult as a pressure began to weigh heavily on the man's chest. The truth was that her dejected demeanor was having an effect on the callous man making his hard heart twinge slightly making him feel infuriatingly weak. Merle gritted his teeth snarling slightly at his softness before abruptly flinging his sharpened knife into the ground imbedding the blade into the soft dirt tossing the sharpening tool next to it.
The gruff man leaned back in his chair slouching down in a relaxed manner as he spread his legs out wide angling himself slightly in his seat towards the disheartened woman.
Addy tilted her despondent gaze up towards the man feeling his eyes lock onto her.
Merle smacked his palms against his thighs before stretching his arms out towards her indicating for her to come into his arms and sit on his lap.
Addy's mouth part stunned at the gesture before scoffing humorlessly at his attempt to gain any warmth from her bitter self.
He must be joking.
Merle was the last person she wanted affection from. It was hard enough just to be in the man's presence, let alone be in his arms. The man essentially killed her ability to sit and found herself fight hard against any affection he desired to give, not to mention lacked the skills to be kind and affectionate. Addy's brows frown deep as she shot him a mild look of disgust before shaking her head slowly jerking her attention back to the dancing flames.
Merle's eyes narrowed a touch as rush of irritation swarmed in his veins making his limbs stiffen slightly.
"Git over here, girl, this ain't a suggestion." Merle ordered sternly annoyance laced in his irked tone as glared at her warningly.
Addy's head snapped back towards him feeling her own annoyance build up against her hurt heart. The young woman pressed her lips into a firm pout as she regarded him with a look of frustration and abhorrence. He punished her in the most humiliating fashion bruising her pride and her bottom, while not only forcing her to be in his presence afterwards, but forcing her to act like it never even happened. Now he wants to hold her? Addy was confused, frustrated and appalled and it was all just too much for her hurt heart to take.
"I don't want to sit on your lap." Addy declared in a frustrated and surprisingly whiny tone that made cringe slightly.
Merle lips curled slightly feeling his teeth grit at her whining.
"Well, that's just too damn bad, I don't care what ya want." Merle snapped sharply rolling his shoulders slightly. "Git yer ass over here, I ain't gonna have ya cryin' all night over some ass whoppin'."
Addy bit her lip at Merle's temper flaring up feeling her chest tighten with apprehension. Without her permission she felt her straining body slowly comply with his demand as she stood up. She did not want to go over to him feeling the bitter sting of his punishment he inflicted on her; resentment still holding strong onto her aching heart. Although, Addy was not fully aware of it, fear of the man's temper was not the only that drove her reluctant limbs into motion. Part of her subconsciously craved comfort at the moment as her heart was burden heavy with turmoil, confusion and the simple need to be reassured.
Addy slowly trudged over to the gruff man cautiously keeping her eyes cast down to the ground as she fidgeted nervously with her hands by her sides. Addy stopped just a few feet away from Merle's spread thighs unable to bring herself any closer. Merle simply leaned forward snatching her wrist pulling her in between his legs tugging her downward to guide her into his lap. Addy scrunched her face up in reluctance as she awkwardly turned her body to the side and lowered herself on the man's thick muscular thighs. The young woman's body stiffened letting out a loud hiss as her bottom connected with the ridged muscles of Merle's legs.
"Hush." Merle graveled out somewhat soothingly as he adjected her bottom to hang in between his thighs spread relieving the pressure instantly.
Merle shifted in his seat slightly leaning back as he wrapped a firm arm around the woman's shoulder pushing her head to rest on his upper chest, just below his chin. Merle leaned his head back to rest his neck across the top of the old chair tilting his chin upwards. Merle adjusted his stiff fingers around her shoulder keep a firm, but gentle pressure against her tense muscles while he rested his other arm idly against the arm rest. The man closed his weary eyes letting a raspy sigh release though his nose forcing his ridged limbs to slacken against the sturdy old chair.
Addy's muscles were flexed and tense as she laid there feeling awkward and uncomfortable. Despite this being the second time Merle held her in his arms, it was difficult to accept comfort from the rough man who was responsible for her aching backside. However, surprisingly, after only a few minutes of silence, Addy found her tired body relax and sink against his strong muscular frame. Even feeling an odd confusing sense of security under Merle's sturdy, yet gentle hold which baffled the young woman to no end.
"You hate me, don't you?" Addy found herself boldly mumble out dejectedly, surprising herself greatly that she was even opening her mouth, throwing her desire to keep quiet completely out the window.
"What the hell ya talkin' 'bout, girl?" Merle snapped annoyed at the peace and quiet being interrupted by a stupid question.
"You spanked me so hard." Addy mumbled grimly and accusingly, obviously not over Merle's punishment methods towards her.
Merle sighed gruffly and deeply before leaning his neck to rest back against the top of the chair. Merle closed his eyes yet again seeming unbothered by the woman's distress.
"Yep I did, and I ain't sorry fer doin' it." Merle declared curtly, but his tone was firm and tight.
"Ya need ta learn who wears the britches around here, darlin'. Runin' off into the wood like that ain't gonna fly with me. You were damn lucky - yer stupid inexperienced ass wouldn't survive a day in them woods, you'd be lyin' in some ditch hungry, cold, and pissin' yer pants. And I'll tell ya one thing girl, ya ever scare me like that again, I promise ya, yer really gonna hate me." His words were gruff and crude against his raspy vocals. Despite the casual deliverance of the words, there was an edge of warning to his tone that made Addy's chest tighten.
Despite his rude insults Addy could see through his persona. Merle was not saying it directly but it was clear to the observant woman that she had made him worry. This not only shocked the woman, but she felt an odd warmth spread through her chest feeling her breath catch in her throat at the realization.
"I don't hate you." Addy whispered surprising herself yet again by her words.
Merle let out a raspy chuckle finding her comment both humorous and shocking.
"Is that so?" Merle drawled out jeeringly feeling his lips tug upwards into a smirk as he shook his head utterly amazed at her forgiving nature. Merle expected Addy to loath him for what he did, but the soft young woman seemed just too ignorantly sweet.
Addy felt her body stiffen against his muscular frame scrunching her face up in annoyance at hearing him laugh at her simple statement which she personally didn't find funny.
"I hate what you did, but I don't hate you. Yet." Addy felt her chest tighten at her boldness feeling her body swarm with anxiety as it did not escape her notice that she was sitting on the lap of the man that spanked her.
Merle chuckled again finding her brashness oddly endearing and charming.
"If ya say so, darlin'." Merle drawled out not fully believing her change of heart. It was amazing what simply holding the woman did to calm her angry heart. Woman were soft and needed more comfort and reassurance, he told himself justifying his weak actions.
"Ya put something on that?" Merle graveled out stiffly without lifting his neck up nor opening his eyes.
Addy's brows frown in confusion as she had no clue what the man was referring to.
"On what?" Addy asked puzzled turning her head up slightly to look at him for the first time.
Merle lifted up his neck fling his eye open as a spark of irritation ignite within his chest. The man lifted his arm up giving her left shoulder a firm flick in the exact spot where she got cut showing her exactly what he meant.
"Ow." Addy gasped in shock as her nerves seared from the sore spot of contact shooting her hand up to rub the ache away.
"Asshole." Addy gritted out through her clenched teeth reproachfully, not appreciating her sore cut being flicked, finding his actions just plain mean.
"Oo, I'd watch that lip of yer. Yer in a mighty fine position ta be tossed over my knee." Merle warned sneering down at the woman around his arm. Addy darted her eyes away from the man feeling her body stiffen in trepidation.
"Why do you have to be so mean?" Addy inquired, disappointment and frustration lining her hurt tone.
"Cause that's what I am Addy May, I'm just a mean son of bitch. Now shut up." Merle snapped making it obviously clear he was done talking.
After awhile of watching the mesmerizing flame of the fire flicker and dances within her green emeralds, Addy's lids began to feel heavy as her head slowly droop against Merle hard chest. The emotional turmoil of the day and the tiring events of the previous night made Addy weary and long for some peaceful reprieve. The soothingness of Merle's steady heart beat along with the even relaxing breaths of rising and falling chest calmed the young woman's tired aching limbs. This peculiar overwhelming sense of protection and security she felt within Merle strong embrace confused her. Why did she feel this way? Although she did not condone or excuse his unorthodox treatment of her, there was this odd feeling of assurance and warmth that irrefutable and unavoidable as it was clear Merle cared. Granted he went about expressing it in a strange crazy unbelievable wrong way, but it was there nonetheless and that was a great comfort to the young woman.
After five long minutes of Addy's steady breathing, Merle slowly tilted his head up looking down at the pretty young woman who was sound asleep in his arms. Merle felt the side of lip twitch upwards as he studied her with a grave expression taking in her innocent docile frame feeling an odd warmth spread within his chest. Merle shook his head slowly scoffing at himself before sliding his free arm under her knees pushing himself up to a standing position with ease. Merle adjusted the slumbering woman in his arms slightly before tramping his heavy boots toward the trailer. Addy stirred slightly letting a small moan escape her lips as she blinked her tired eyes opening peering up at the man confused.
"What…what are you doing?" Addy asked feeling awkward and confused as to why the man was carrying her.
"Hush." Merle declared firmly sounding annoyed, not looking down at the woman.
Merle opened the solid wood door of the trailer with his hand that rested under her knee surprising easily. The man marched down the hallway towards his bedroom ignoring Daryl who was sitting on the dinette cushion watching them discreetly under his wispy bangs. Merle adjusted the woman in his arms as he plopped her down onto her stomach before snatching the sheet and jerking it over top of her carelessly. Without a word, Merle turned on his heals to leave. Addy quickly turned to her side propping her self up onto her palm lifting up her torso to look at the man's stiffened toned back.
"Wait. Merle, I-I can't sleep…" Addy protested before she was cut off curtly.
"I ain't gonna sleep in here ta night." Merle declared in a firm raspy tone as he glanced to the side over his shoulder. His broad muscular back was stiff as he hung his toned arms at his side.
"If ya know what's good for ya, you'll mind me and go ta sleep. I catch ya out of the trailer 'fore mornin' and yer sorry little ass will be over my knee gettin' it good. I ain't playin' games with ya, girl so you just mind what I say." His voice was severe and it carry a dark tone of warning making Addy's body physically flinched and stiffen in response.
Without another word Merle stomped out of the room like couldn't wait to be out of her sight shutting the door behind him with firmly.
Addy's jaw dropped in utter amazement. One minute the man was carrying her to bed, the next he was threating to spank her again. He was exasperatingly chaotic and Addy had a hard time understanding the unhinged man leaving her confused and frustrated most of the time.
Addy plopped back done onto the pillow with an exasperated huff feeling utterly unsatisfied by Merle's ever-loving need to be complete unapologetic asshole. Addy laid there for a few long inpatient minutes, unable to relax as Merle ultimately destroy her calm state. With a growl of frustration, Addy got up out of bed flinging the sheet off of her as she stomped over to the door determinedly. Addy jerked her hand out to reach for the doorknob, but hesitated for a long beat letting her hand just hover over the brass knob feeling her muscles strain with apprehension. Addy shook her head before gritting her teeth stubbornly jerking the door open and walking down the short hallway into the living area.
Addy stopped to look at Daryl who was staring at her with serious expression hiding the twinkle of fondness in his eyes under his long bangs. The teenager took a long drag of his well-used cigarette before extinguishing it into the ashtray on the table.
"Best get back ta bed." Daryl warned in a low tone letting the smoke release through his mouth and his nose eyeing her gravely as he placed his forearms on his thighs.
"Merle just said not to leave the trailer and I'm not. I don't have to sleep." Addy declared quickly physically cringing into a grimace at her timid and childish explanation.
Daryl hummed lowly in his throat his face remaining unmoved.
"Fine, if that'll make ya feel better. Stay up." Daryl challenged stiffly. "But don't expect him ta be understandin'. He ain't the forgivin' type."
"Yeah, I noticed." Addy bit out bitterly uncrossing her arms over her chest giving her behind a quick rub of comfort.
Daryl felt his lips twitch upwards at her innocent gesture as he dipped his head down slightly to hid his amusement feeling a spread of warmth grow in his chest.
Unable to find anymore words, Addy huffed in frustration before turning to go back towards the bedroom where she could at least mope in solitude fear of punishment being the ultimate motivational factor in her decision.
"Wait." Daryl graveled out making Addy turn back to face him.
Daryl got up from his seated potion walking purposefully over to the small freezer opening it up with a firm jerk, he pulled out a bag of frozen hash brown.
"Here." He offered simply tossing it into her unsuspecting hands.
Without catching her reaction, Daryl immediately turned to sit back on the dinette cushion.
Addy stood their stunned, her brows creased together in confusion as she held the cold frozen bag of shredded potatoes in both her hands.
After Daryl sat down, he looked up at the woman with stiff unreadable features, but there was glimmer of humor that twinkled in his blue orbs as he studied her keenly.
"Fer yer ass, darlin'." Daryl declared, his southern drawl gaveling deep as he nodding his head towards her.
A rush of heat flushed cross Addy's cheeks as she looked down at the dingy brown carpet licking her lips as she fidgeted awkwardly feeling all but ten years old.
"Go on, now." Daryl encouraged dismissing her, jerking his chin in the direction of the hallway.
Addy bit her bottom lip glancing back up at him, a 'thank you' sitting on the tip of her tongue, but embarrassment seemed to be keeping the words locked behind her teeth.
"Git ta bed, 'fore Merle comes back and see ya up." Daryl warned dipping his head down leveling a stern glare in her direction that looked far too much like his older brother's for Addy's liking.
All Addy could do was nodded in embarrassment and appreciation before turning her heals and trudging down the hall towards the bedroom feeling much young than her age as she was sent to bed by an eighteen-year-old. Although, Daryl was different to say the least, then most teenagers his age, he was still young and Addy wondered if he thought of himself as older than he was.
Addy tugged her sweatpants off and climbed in the bed onto her stomach before gently place the old bag over top her sore exposed flesh, Addy flinched scrunching her face up into a grimace hissing slightly through her teeth. But the soothing cold against her heat flesh soon become a welcomed comfort to her achy posterior. Despite the ache and bitter hurt that still clung to her heart, Addy couldn't help but feel oddly cared for, something that she had not experienced so powerfully before. There was an intensity about the Dixon brothers that Addy knew was unhinged, burdened and battered which scared her in more ways than one. However, there was something else hidden behind their gruff exteriors that Addy couldn't quite put her finger on, but it suggested that they, perhaps, weren't just the mean assholes they claimed so strongly to be. Despite the hurt, there was a spark of hope that ignited in the woman that perhaps things could get better and that Merle Dixon's hard heart could soften just enough to make Addy feel wanted again.
Let me know your thoughts – this was just something I wanted to try. So, feedback is really appreciated.
Please review and comment.
Thank you all so much for reading.