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Thank you all so much for your reviews and letting me know you're still interested. I've been enjoying writing this story so far and decided to continue. I appreciate the encouragement and would love suggestions if you have any ideas. I have a few 😉
This chapter ended up being much longer than I anticipated. I apologize for that; my mind just wouldn't shut up. lol.
Again, please note, Merle is not gentle. He is a rough character with many flaws you may not agree with, if this bothers you, I would advise you not to read.
WARNING: This chapter contains SPANKING (Corporal Punishment/Domestic Discipline) of an adult female by an adult male. There is swearing, Christian religious references, and hints at past abuse. Don't like, don't read please.
The twenty-minute ride back to the trailer did little to calm Merle's temper. He was still undeniably pissed at the woman for not only disobeying and sneaking out at night doing things her little ass had no business doing, but having the nerve to sass him on top of everything in front of everyone like she was the shit. This woman had some balls that's for sure. The woman's audacity was astounding and he was determined to set her straight and nock her down a few pegs till she learned who was the man around here.
Once the truck came to an abrupt halt, Addy knew they had made it back to the trailer. Addy's body swarmed with dreadful anticipation. The young woman could feel Merle's piercing eyes stabbing right through her like daggers as the intensity of the daunting silence dragged on. However, Addy did not dare remove her hands from her face, staying in her crouched position, not ready to face the angry man again. She just wanted to disappear into nothing and rid herself of all the intense and undesirable emotions she was feeling. However, that was not the reality and Merle was going to force her to face them weather she liked it or not.
The impatient man snarled baring his teeth feeling a sharp annoyance bite at his nerves at Addy's pitiful body language acting like her very spirit was shattered from a little ass whopping that she was practically begging for. Hiding her face in her hands like some wounded little puppy was not commendable in Merle's eyes and he found himself hating seeing her succumb to the pressure of facing consequences. Merle saw it as a weakness and vulnerability that someone could exploit and use against her. However, underneath it all, Merle knew, it bothered him on a personal level to see her in such a destressing state. He did not like it, not one bit. And what frustrated him even more was the fact that he not only cared about the little woman's emotions, but he cared far too much for his comfort level, to the point of frustration and confusion making him feeling weak minded and downright foolish. Merle immediately pushed his unwelcomed feelings down allowing his frustration to lead his emotions.
Without a word, Merle flung open his door and climbed out of the truck and Daryl followed suit getting out from the passenger side. Merle stood in the doorway his keen blue eyes locked on the woeful woman.
"Git out." He ordered curtly his tone deep and irritated.
"Please don't. I don't want to be spanked again. Please." Addy whined miserably into her hands wanting to avoid the inevitable as much as possible. Addy knew she was acting like a feeble little child, something she was trying to avoid at all cost tonight, but Merle had severely humbled her to the point where she could help but feel immensely younger than her twenty years. He treated her like a naughty disobedient little girl and that's exactly how she felt at the moment; the bravado had all but disappeared leaving her with not an ounce of boldness to spare. Merle had utterly and completely spanked it right out of her.
A rush of frustration built up against Merle's tight chest as he reached over and grab a hold of the young woman's bicep yanking her out of the truck.
"Well, ain't that just too damn bad." Merle rasped out coldly, in a tone that expressed anything, but sympathy.
As soon as Addy's boots hit the dirt, Merle began marching her towards the trailer in long determined strides making Addy shuffle her feet desperately trying to keep up so she wouldn't trip and fall on her face.
"Please Merle. I…" Addy began, but was instantly cut off when Merle suddenly halted his stride making Addy ram into his stiff solid frame with a grunt. Merle turned briskly leaning down until he's heated eyes were level with her. A deep scowl chiseled against his stiff features as he leaned forward only inches from Addy's face glaring at her forcefully. Addy's face paled as she instinctually pulled away.
"Don't ya 'please Merle' me, little girl, cause I'm just mad 'nough ta jerk ya bald. So, if ya know what's good fer ya you'll keep that little gripin' mouth of yers shut." Merle spat tightly making Addy's face scrunch up into a dismayed grimace leaning even further away from the sullen man. Merle eyes lingered on her for beat longer before he turned and continued to jerk Addy along laying his heavy boots hard into the ground.
"Did ya really think I wouldn't notice ya slidin' yer little narrow ass out the back winda? I'll tell ya one thing, little girl, that's the last time I let ya do any thinkin' on yer own. Cause yer little college educated ass don't got 'nough sense ta pour piss out of a boot. Do ya?" Merle's voice was laced with frustration as he continued to march the anxious young woman towards the trailer. Addy cringed and grimaced at the man's insults and couldn't help but feel offended at being basically regarded as stupid. However, Addy couldn't really deny the implications as she was undoubtably foolish to think the crime was worth Merle's wrath and punishment. It most certainly wasn't. The man had effectively and completely made her regret her decision as soon as his palm smack against her backside in front of the whole bonfire.
"Ya really think I was gonna let ya git away with that disrespectful bullshit back there? Huh? Ya really think I wouldn't spank yer little ass?" Merle asked roughly jerking his head to the side to glare at the top of the woman's head never breaking his stride.
Addy had her head downcast allowing her chestnut wavy locks to curtain her downtrodden face feeling her cheeks blush with the recalled humiliation.
"That was cruel. You didn't have to embarrass me like that." Addy found herself muttering sullenly in her defense, resentment clear in her tone, feeling her raw eyes sting with tears of shame.
"Ha! Ya think that was embarassin'? Next time maybe I should flip up yer dress and pull them panties of yers down and spank yer naked ass in front of everybody. Hum? How 'bout that?" Merle challenged darkly playing off the woman's clear mortification of being spanked in front of her friends. Although, Merle had no intention of ever doing so, he wanted the woman to squirm and think about it, finding a misplaced satisfaction in forcing her to think of him in the way she should which was mean asshole not to be tested.
Addy blanched feeling her eyes grow wide in horror at the prospect of such humiliation. Addy snapped her head up to look at Merle with a terror written all over her expression. He wouldn't do that? Would he? That would be crossing a very harmful line in Addy's mind. And what was most unnerving about his daunting threat was the fact that she was unsure the ill-tempered man was not bluffing.
Merle did not spare the woman a glance as he fixed his hard blue eyes on the thick wooden door of the trailer. A firm scowl of resolve plastered on his stiff face seeming to be intensely unyielding in his decision as he stomped up the wooden steps onto the small porch dragging the panicky woman behind him. Merle boots brusquely halted, pausing just in front of the trailer door.
"I have a mind ta make ya cut a switch." Merle expressed tightly in a rough tone, more to himself then to Addy like he was contemplating his decision. There was a brief awkward moment of pause, that seemed to drag on longer than it did, making Addy hold her breath in oblivious apprehension. What the hell was a switch? All Addy knew was that it wasn't anything good and she hope to remain blissfully ignorant at the moment.
The gruff man shook his head scoffing roughly in his throat before snatching the brass nob and yanking open the trailer door.
"Git yer ass in there." Merle ordered forcefully giving Addy a firm shove against her shoulder blades making her stumble and trip over her feet clumsily.
Daryl leaned his back casually against the tuck's steal frame placing the butt of his cigarette to his mouth for another drag exhaling the smoke slowly through his nostrils as he stared at the dirt below his boots. Daryl tilted his head up for a brief moment peering under his long bangs as he watched Merle slammed the trailer door behind him. Daryl sighed heavily turning his attention toward the back tree line shaking his head at Addy's stupid and reckless decisions. What the hell did she expect? She was going to get it good and Daryl found himself having not much sympathy for the rebellious young woman at the moment feeling frustration build up against his chest as his own palm was began to itch.
Addy whirled around immediately backing her body against the wall opposite the door attempting to keep her sore backside far away from Merle's hard hands.
"Please, no. You spanked me already. You embarrassed me! In front of everyone! Isn't that enough?!" Addy pleaded sounding far younger than she cared to sound, but Addy couldn't bring herself to care as protecting her backside was her top priority at the moment. Merle did not spank light by any stretch of the imagination and Addy's bottom was still throbbing from Merle's reprimand at the bonfire.
"I spanked ya fer givin' me lip. Now I'm gonna spank ya fer misbehavin' and defyin' me like a dumbass." Merle declared sternly with not an ounce of sympathy. She did wrong and now she was going to pay and it was as simple as that in Merle's way of thinking. You fuck up, you reap the consequences of your choices. That's life.
"But that ain't fair. You're not being fair!" Addy protested with a whine as she pressed her body further against the wall missing the fact that 'ain't' had just left her lips. Addy found herself at a loss for her intellectual reasoning and powerful words as the simple fear of impending punishment was driving her into a state of panic and desperation. Her ability to articulate her reasoning or find clever ways to talk herself out of it was clouded. It was like her rational brain decided to take a vacation at the worst possible time. Not that Addy thought Merle would suddenly up and change his mind due to her words, but still, the last spanking made her want to try, not to mention it would give her a sense of pride and propriety which she was sorely lacking at the moment. Addy's heart was racing out of her chest as she stressfully racked her brain for something, anything that she could say to get her out of this punishment that she was sure was going to royal suck on a whole other level. She did not underestimate Merle's ability to making this horrible night worse.
"Fair? Ha! I don't gotta be fair, missy. You ain't callin' nothin' 'round here. This is my house and you are my responsibility. I give ya the food ya eat and the clothes on yer back and yer damn well gonna respect that one way or 'nother. By rights I should've takin' my belt off and stripped yer little hide right then and there." Merle's voice was loud and edged with frustration as he leaned his body forward in a confrontational manner.
"Ya think yer so high and mighty that yer privileged ass is free from consequences? Well, I'll tell ya one thing, little Addy May, you ain't. Not 'round here and not under my roof. Yer shit stinks like everybody else and ya ain't exempt from an ass whoppin's just cause ya think yer uppity ass is too good fer 'em. Ya might not be used ta it, but believe me, darlin', yer gonna git used to it." Merle declared adamantly sounding disconcertingly determined to set her straight as he pointed a firm accusing finger in her direction.
"And I ain't rollin' out no red carpet when ya fuck up neither. Flashin' that pretty little innocent face of yers 'round might work on snobby little shitheads, but it ain't gonna work on me. So, you just bring yer little misbehavin' ass over here so I can smack it and learn ya how ta behave." Merle's words were harsh and demanding, his tone laced with angry frustration as he pointed a stiff finger to the ground in front of him looking far too anxious to dish out the punishment.
Addy was shocked speechless as she stared at him, her mouth gaped opened and her green eyes wide taking in his rough critical words. Learn her how to behave? What he really meant was spank her into submission. Yield to his authority.
Addy would be lying if she said she wasn't greatly offended at him pining her as snobbish just because she didn't think spanking an adult was an appropriate way to express one's displeasure. This wasn't caveman times. It was 1997 for Pete Sake. However, as much as Addy didn't want to admit it, there was a part of Merle's crude explanation that was hurtfully true. Addy didn't fully realize she was putting on an innocent front, but now that she thought about it, she did notice that people often gave into her and she was more times than not, very lucky in life when it came to getting off Scott free and having her way. Having a cute naive face certainly didn't hinder her from getting away with things that others often got penalized for. Her passive and somewhat neglectful mother certainly didn't hold her accountable and her absent father held no ground in her life whatsoever. And Eric, well, he did care what she did, as long as it didn't affect him negatively.
And here was Merle expressing his chosen duty to taking her under his wing as her provider and protector suggesting that she needed to obey him and respect his position as the leading man of the house. This was a very different concept to Addy who really didn't know how to react to it. She never had anyone care so much about what she did or pushed back so strongly in opposition to what she wanted. Part of her, in a way, oddly, marveled at the idea of the stability it brought and having someone watch out for her and care for her was a very appealing thought as Addy never really had that in life. However, on the other hand, submitting to the gruff man and trusting him to take the lead on everything was troublesome to the independent woman. The thought of Merle making decisions and ordering her around was a very unpleasant and rather scary notion as it meant trusting and giving up control. Something the self-reliant woman had a very hard time doing. It was dangerous to her shielded heart that had been burned too many times than she cared to count. Not to mention he spanks her for "misbehaving" a concept of which Addy could not accept as appropriate or tolerable in any way. It was just…wrong no matter how she squared it.
Addy's mind was whirling with confusing and conflicting thoughts that were complex and baffling making her want to just shake her head wildly and scream in frustration.
Without giving Addy much time to ponder over his words and make a decision to accept her punishment or make a run for it, Merle made the decision for her. The impatient man was on her in two brisk strides snatching a hold of her bicep in tight constricting grip that felt like an iron clasp. The man was so abrupt and so swift, it caught the poor woman completely off guard. Addy gasped feeling her body jolt stiffly at the unexpected calloused grip of Merle's hand feeling her breath rise up and stop in her throat as her body surged with frantic anxiety.
Merle jerked her behind him before dropping himself down on the edge of his recliner spreading his legs wide.
"W-Wait!" Addy protest with a gasp as Merle jerked Addy about and yanked her roughly over his left thigh. Addy shot her hands out in front of her just barely catching herself before she rammed head first into the shabby carpet. An unladylike grunt left the young woman's lips as her stomach crashed into Merle's flexed thigh muscles; her body completely bent over his one leg. Addy pressed the tips of her boots into the carpet attempting to gain stability as she balanced on her finger tips teetering uncomfortably over his stiff thigh. The position was horribly awkward and gave the woman no amount of support, stability or comfort. Not that she expected Merle to do her any favors at this point, but it seemed like the man was annoyingly determined to remind her that her situation could and would get worse, not giving her one ounce of reprieve.
Fear started to set in as Addy wiggled stiffly over Merle's leg letting a whine of fear escape her trembling lips. She hung draped over him like a towel over a clothesline, her sore backside lifted high in the air exposing all of her vulnerable flesh to his itching palm. Addy attempted to reach back to cover her displayed bottom, but was unable to reach her goal due to the horrible strain it was putting on her body from the troublesome position. Panic started to flood the young woman's nerves as she recalled just how painful the last punishment the man gave her was when she was draped over his knee. Even though Merle did not have his belt off, it did not make Addy any less terrified of the outcome. She felt Merle's calloused palm smack her backside tonight and it felt like a solid piece of unbendable wood and with her backside now high in the air and Merle's temper not settled in the slightest she knew it was bond to (for lack of a better word) suck. Her bottom was still terribly sore and it ached something fierce and the very thought of Merle spanking her again was utterly horrifying.
"No, please, Merle. I'm sorry, I won't ever ever do it again. I promise. I understand, you-you don't need to spank me. I'll listen, I will." Addy found herself sputtering out in pitiful desperation. Addy immediately grimaced as she ran her tongue over her teeth. What was wrong with her? Resorting to begging and pleading with the man, made Addy want to spit as her desperate words made her sound weak and immature like a young adolescent promising to be a 'good little girl' and mind. She was a woman, goddam it, not a child. And what was worse, was it made her seem like she was validating his right by apologizing and saying she understood. Well, that was just a load of BS. Why all of sudden was she acting so…childish and young? Where was her pride, dignity and courage? Oh, that's right, Merle spanked it away in front of the whole Goddamn bonfire!
Merle chuckled deeply, his raspy vocals vibrating against his chest. "Is that right, little girl? Ya all of a sudden sorry now that I have ya over my knee?" Merle mocked, his voice sickly patronizing and arrogant. He rested his heavy forearm on the base of her lower back applying mild, but purposeful pressure of warning, practically daring her to move as he leaning over her in a relaxed manner raising a sharp derisive eyebrow at the back of her head.
"I…" Addy began but found herself swallowing her tongue instead.
Merle clicked his tongue at her condescendingly with a tisk-tisk sound shaking his head smugly. "Now, now, little Addy, that right there is called lyin' and over my knee for an ass whoppin' is a mighty horrible time ta be tellin' stretchers. Don't ya think?" Merle sneered haughtily knowing very well all her apologizing and insistence on understanding was all just code for 'I don't want to be punished'. Even if she was truly sorry, it wouldn't make a difference to the gruff man. She fucked up and that was all there was to it.
With that Merle flipped up the hem of Addy's dress revealing the perky red mounds of flesh underneath that were not nearly red enough for Merle's liking. He determinedly set his mind to turn her flesh into a dark angry maroon making her feel the heat of his punishing hand long after he was through with her. Addy sucked in a breath of apprehension feeling her body stiffen like a bord and anxiety blossom from her chest as the dense air swooshed over her nearly naked backside.
Merle looked down at the taut round cheeks and pressed his lips into a hard line feeling his face muscles tighten into a deeper scowl. The man had a mind to rip the dark blue panties down so there would be nothing between him and his itching palm, but bare vulnerable flesh. Merle snarled making his decision, slipping his thick calloused fingers under the top of her waist band. The man snagged the fabric in a tight grip tugging the panties upward roughly in one effective yank allowing the material to seep in between the toned little cheeks of her crack exposing her bare skin to him while keeping her lady parts hidden. Addy jerked her head up as her eyes bugged out of their sockets in pure horror feeling the fabric wedge and pull uncomfortably between her bottom like a thong. What in the actual fuck?! She most definitely wasn't expecting that.
Addy gasped loudly in utter shock and horror. "Merle!" Addy reproached, her voice lined with panic and unease.
Without a moment's hesitation, Merle rained down his hard palm mercilessly onto the sore red target in front of him. Addy's breath clogged in her throat. Holy shit!
Merle was spanking astoundingly vigorous and rapid, not allowing Addy a second to catch her breath. He was laying his palm into her like there was a time limit and the goal was to see how many swats he could get in before his internal buzzer sounded. The swiftness and solidness of the blows made the sting concentrated, immediate and intense shocking the woman into a state of instant distress.
Addy squeezed her eyes shut at the penetrating burn and practically bellowed crying out at every harsh spank she was being given. Addy wiggled and jerked squirming incessantly over Merle's hard thighs desperate to gain relief from the horrid burn that was spreading across her naked cheeks like wild fire. However, her efforts were futile as the woman was utterly defenseless against Merle's unyielding grip. Merle leaned his weight into his grasp applying firm pressure to her lower back while simultaneously tugging her cotton panties up the slit between her cheeks making it all the more uncomfortable and painful. Although Merle was not purposefully trying give the woman an abrasive wedgy, Addy's jerky frantic movements along with Merle's enthusiastic spanking made it occur.
All the helpless woman could do was wail, vocalizing her discomfort at every unforgiving blow to her bottom. Now that they were alone in the confines of the trailer, Addy didn't feel the need to keep stubbornly silent or even attempt to act brave. In fact, the poor woman simply couldn't, feeling her untamed emotions heighten along with the agonizing sting, it was damn near impossible to keep her mouth shut, let alone attempt to show any amount of fortitude. If it was Merle's intention to swiftly break her of any stoicism and pride, he had reached his goal in thirty seconds flat.
"Ow, ow, ow. P-Please, please, stop! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Addy found herself urgently pleading again.
Addy would probably promise her left leg and to blow bubbles out of her ass if it would stop Merle's swinging palm that was not letting up in the slightest. In fact, it almost seemed like Merle was gaining traction, picking up his speed and precision as he laid into the area where she was going to be sitting (or more likely not sitting) with vigorous enthusiasm. Curse the man's stamina and strength! Addy assumed, or more likely hoped, that the man would at least feel tired or get a cramp or be feeling the goddamn sting on his hand to ease up even a little bit, but it seemed the man's hand was as hard as his head. The man would probably run a marathon on a broken leg out of pure stubborn pride just to prove he could do it, Addy concluded bitterly. Does the man even feel pain?
Addy moaned and gasped trying desperately to catch her breath feeling her muscles stiffen as she braced herself for the seemingly endless impact of Merle's merciless palm. Addy's hips jutted forward after each blow making her stomach cut harshly into his flexed thigh making it difficult to breathe. Addy's underwear wedged painfully deeper into her cheeks as Merle kept a firm hold on the waistband twisting the thin cotton fabric in his solid fist. Addy found herself gripping onto Merle's denim pants leg for much needed comfort and support as unmistakable tears spring up into her eyes. At each blistering swat, her vision became more and more blurred as she was quickly succumbing to the intense pain, along with her amplified emotions.
"Ahowww! P-Please, please, I-I won't do-do it again, I p-promise!" Addy implored urgently wanting her misery to end, not caring anymore that she was sounding like a ten-year-old little girl promising to be good and mind him like a spineless wimp. Her ass was practically being burned off and relief was the only thing she wanted at the moment. Her pride was gone along with her ability to sit.
"Damn straight ya won't." Merle labored adamantly grim as he continued to spank the toned bright red bottom. "Cause if ya do, I'll make damn sure ya won't be sittin' comfortable-like for a fuckin' month." Merle punctuated his words with sharp brisk pops to the backs of her thighs making sure the sting would cut deep into her tender flesh that was turning into a deep crimson hue.
"AHHHOWWWW! GODDAMN, OW! P-Please, no more. NO MORE." Addy's skin was a blazing hellfire. If Addy thought that Merle's hand would not compare to his belt, she was sadly mistaken. The man's hand was proving to be severely painful as he smacked his strength into her sore cheeks like he was searing handprints into her flesh. To Addy, he seemed to be overcompensating for his lack of implement, almost like he was trying to convince her that the belt was unnecessary and, boy, did he show it.
"No more? What? Ya startin' ta regret misbehavin' and not mindin' me?" Merle asked in a cocky condescending tone as he finally rested his hot sting palm on the woman's sore cheeks waiting for a response. Addy flinched and twinged as Merle's heavy palm lay threatening against her immensely sore behind.
"Yes! P-please, I am, I'm sorry, really, really, really sorry." Addy insisted frantically her voice quivering with distress feeling her throat burn with rawness. Her emotions were flooding over her entire body whirling out of control as tears dripped from her eyes onto the carpet belong.
Merle hummed haughtily at her claim. "I think yer really, really, really sorry yer ass feels like the inside of Satan's asshole right now. I ain't sure yer sorry fer bein' a defiant little shit…yet." Merle words were cocky and said in a casual, almost matter-of-fact, tone like what he was dishing out was as normal as apple pie.
Addy whimpered miserably at his words feeling a horrible helplessness of defeat, shame and dread. Merle was going to dictate when her punishment ended and Addy had no control over her fate whatsoever, all Addy could do was suffer through it in defenseless despair until Merle decided to end his harsh sense of justice. Addy felt her chest crack open with vulnerability as all her intense emotions rose to the surface. Her insecurities and strong walls suddenly became brittle and fragile. It was a horrible feeling of exposure making her feel as bare as her uncovered red cheeks to Merle's critical and cynical eyes. And the worst part of it all was Merle forced that vulnerability from her, she did not give it on her own accord and it felt downright invasive and sinful. How dare he! Addy felt a heat of vexation surface within feeling her tears and cries become angry with resentment.
"Y-You're so mean." Addy hoped the words would come out spiteful and heated, but in all her torment, it came out more as a miserable whine, her voice cracking with vulnerability and hurt.
"That's right, little Addy May. I'm a mean son of bitch and don't ya forget it." Merle expressed disdainfully nodding his head arrogantly in agreement. "Next time ya think I won't embarrass ya and set yer little ass on fire in front of everybody, you just remember that."
Without hesitation Merle sent a volley of blistering heated smacks just below the under curve of her taut cheeks down to the backs of her thighs watching her flesh bounce, giggle and tremble in response.
The dame broke and Addy wailed openly sobbing as tears dripped from her reddened eyes feeling her chest heave harshly as she gulped and panted for air. The pain was sharp and rigorous shooting spasms of intense heat radiating all throughout her tender posterior. Merle's eyes snapped to the back of the woman's head, his ears focusing in on her broken cries of torment and misery. The man's blue eyes squinted gravely, frustration spreading through his hard chest as the annoying feeling of pity began to fight against his rough heart.
"Ya gonna be a good girl from now on and start mindin' me?" Merle inquired sternly never halting his punishing palm smacking against her exposed cheeks.
"YYYeesss." Addy whimper out dejectedly with defeat and submission in her voice.
"Ya gonna talk with respect and start actin' right?" Merle questioned firmly holding onto his condescending tone, but the angry edge to his raspy voice had softened a touch giving Addy hope that perhaps he would finally end her misery.
"Y-yes, yes, p-please, M-Merle." Addy pleaded desperately not sure she could take much more.
Merle popped her twice more in the center of her raised backside and before he changed his mind, the man abruptly released his hold on her panties and firmly shoved the sobbing woman off his leg dumping her onto the floor at his boots. Merle had a mind to continue the punishment, but if he was being honest with himself her insistent sobbing tugged at his stiff heart strings far too much then he desired to feel. Merle glared down at the pitiful woman and scoffed inwardly at his gentleness towards her. He was frustrated at the weakness the woman was bring out in him, it was confusing and irritating pushing against his rough upbringing of burying such undesirable emotions. Although Merle was somewhat unsatisfied leaving a lingering frustration in the back of his mind, he validated his decision based on Addy's softness rather than his own. The fact that she was a sheltered little woman who probably didn't even get a slap on the wrist for any wrongdoing and was coddled under any pressure or strain, made her crack and break easy. Her ass was burning like hell, that much was certain. He got his message across and there was no need to continue. His reason for stopping wasn't pity, it was logic.
Addy fell to the floor with a thud, barely catching herself on her trembling hands and knees, her hair draping around her face protecting her from Merle's judging and mocking eyes. Her dress still laid flipped up over her back, her underwear wedged between the crack of her exposed rearend. Sobbing dejectedly, Addy slowly and shakily straightened her body onto her knees allowing the fabric of the back of her dress fall over her red naked cheeks. Addy reached back to cup her hands around her throbbing posterior feeling the heat radiate off her searing flesh. The pain sunk deep into her butt muscles making it ache dreadfully. She knew she would be undoubtably sleeping on her stomach tonight and most likely not sitting comfortable tomorrow either which was grim and unpleasant thought.
"Ow." Addy whined miserably as she tried to gain control of her continual weeping attempting to choke back her tears swallowing hard, struggling to level out her breaths.
Merle leaned forward resting his forearms on his spread thighs in lazily casual manner as he watched Addy with a strong solemn expression. His hard blue eyes regarded her intently as he watched every little movement the woman made with interest.
Addy could feel his gaze penetrating her, but she didn't dare look at him. Part of her was ashamed for disobeying him so blatantly and so stupidly. If Addy was being honest with herself, she knew it was immature and wrong of her to disregard him in that way. His controlling attitude and lack of reasoning was not a good enough excuse to defy him like a child. However, that didn't mean Addy did not hold onto a strong bitterness towards the man who punished her so harshly…twice. How could he be so mean and merciless? Was what she did really that bad?
As much as Addy didn't want to admit it, she knew Merle was right about her having the privilege of getting away with certain things in life. Now that Merle had pointed it out that observation, it made her feel somewhat embarrassed in away. It seemed like a flaw in her character and a hinderance, rather than an advantage. A flash of a smile, a batting of her round innocent green eyes was not going to get her anywhere with this hard man and, although Addy resented him for his unorthodox discipline methods, there was this conflicting odd feeling of being cared for in a way as no one ever bothered to hold her accountable for actions so intensely before. It was both a scary and pleasing thought. This made Addy frustrated and confused as her mind whirled with turmoil of opposing thoughts and intense emotions. What the hell was wrong with her? Why was this man making her feel so much?
Addy sniffled running her fingers under her eyes swiping away the lingering tears. Merle gritted his teeth as he felt his chest twinge at the woman's pitiful manner hating himself for feeling for her when she deserved every damn smack he gave her. Merle reached out and snatch a hold of her wrist pulling her towards him. Addy's arm stiffened feeling her breath stop in her throat before shuffling nervously on her knee allowing Merle to drag her between his spread thighs which was way too close for Addy's comfort, but she sure as hell wasn't go to antagonize the man by pulling away. Besides, she was just simply too tired and too humbled to resist. The young woman kept her head down wanting to hide her tear-stained face from the man who often proclaimed crying as weak and unnecessary. However, Merle did not give her the opportunity to hide as he grabbed a hold of her jaw and lifted it to face him directly. Merle's disgruntled face, unbeknownst to him, visibly soften a touch at seeing the woman's flushed dejected face.
"Cryin' and carryin' on ain't gonna make yer ass feel any better so you just stop them tears now." Merle ordered in a calm, but raspy voice that rumbled soothingly against his chest. Oddly, there was no real heat to his command sounding almost…gentle and encouraging? Merle's intense blue eyes lingered on her earthly green emeralds taking in the mesmerizing color becoming unknowingly lost in them for a brief moment before spotting a small missed tear droplet just on the corner of her eye. Merle instinctively swiped it away briskly with his calloused thumb ridding the woman of any evidence of her crying. Addy's lips parted a touch feeling her breath suddenly stop for a moment as she studied Merle's serious, yet smooth expression. Addy was surprised at just how soft his hard features were appearing to her. His steal blue eyes regarded her intensely, but his usual stiff face seemed relaxed, not spiteful or judgmental. Addy's brows frowned, there was something hidden behind his unreadable masked expression that Addy couldn't quite put her finger on. Was he not still mad at her? To Addy, it felt like he was almost forgiving her in a way, but there was something more too it. There was almost a fondness or a warmth that was shining behind his stiff sharp features that Addy had not seen before.
Almost too soon, his eyes hardened and narrowed.
"Yer with us now, girl and I ain't gonna have ya stoned and shit-faced and fuckin' 'round with them pansy ass bastards. We're yer family now, girl, and mindin' me is just somethin' ya'll have ta git used ta. I ain't puttin' up with any of yer disrespectful bullshit and I certainly ain't gonna put up with ya disobeyin' me like some spoiled little shit. Ya start actin' like ya got some sense. Ya understand me, girl?" Merle asked sternly leaning forward a bit closing some distance between them until Addy could feel his hot breath laced with nicotine waft against her flushed face.
Addy felt her shallow breath stopped in her throat as she nodded slowly taking in Merle's words. Her heart immediately grasping onto one word – 'family'. Was he was telling her that she was a part of their family? Merle wasn't saying it directly, but it seemed, to Addy, that Merle had a desire to take care of her. The fact that Merle practically expressed his acceptance of her into their small pack made Addy's heart fill with undeniable and inescapable warmth. Merle maybe had a poor way with words and his crude vocabulary wasn't sophisticated by any means, but he was expressing his desire for her to be with them none the less and that made Addy's heart swell with comfort, reassurance and hope. It appeared that it didn't matter that she had disobeyed him and sassed him. He still wanted her to be with them. That surprised Addy with a delightful gratitude in her aching heart. Although her bottom was throbbing painfully from the horrid spankings he had just given her, Addy couldn't help but feel wanted and valued to an extent.
Addy had never had someone so blatantly tell her she was family nor was she ever told that she was going to be held accountable for doing harmful things or making stupid decisions. With this realization, also sparked an indisputable shame within her knowing that being part of a family meant your actions didn't just affect you, but they affected the family as a whole. She wasn't alone anymore and she began to feel this newfound responsibility and commitment to uphold. Addy for the first time was beginning to feel a true accountability weigh heavily on her chest. She shouldn't have defied him nor should she have sassed him. Addy strongly disagreed with being spanked publicly, hell she strongly disagreed with being spanked period, but part of her blamed herself for being such a hothead in the moment. She knew he was pissed and she had put pride before her common sense. Why did she have to disobey him? To show she was not to be push around? For foolish pride and stubbornness? Now it was seeming like a very immature and childish thing to do not worth the price of her backside nor her heart.
"Ya gonna answer me or do I need ta take ya over my knee fer some more?" Merle prompted impatiently not appreciating the head nodding as a good enough response to his serious question. The woman was not a mute that was for damn sure. Her hollering and screaming probably scare all the game away for fucking miles.
Addy felt her chest swell with anxiety and her green eyes widened at the mention of being pull over his God-awful knee again. Spanking her twice was bullshit in Addy's mind, spanking her three times would be catastrophic and Addy knew her ass just wouldn't survive.
"No, sir. I understand." Addy expressed urgently in meek voice that sounded unrecognizably obedient and that 'sir' rolled off her tongue like honey. Addy cringed slightly wanting to crinkle her nose in disgust at her timid voice, but a spanked ass just seemed to bring out the compliance within her.
Merle inhaled deeply through his nose straightening his back as he released her jaw.
"Good. Now git yer little red ass in that bedroom and git ready fer bed." Merle ordered firmly gesturing swiftly to the backend of the trailer.
Addy parted her lips slightly feeling her chest tighten at his stern command. An unusual hurt began to spread within her at his abrupt dismissal of her. Addy found herself feeling a rush of disappointment at not receiving an embrace from the man leaving her gravely unsatisfied. But what did she expect? Merle was not the touchy feely type. Despite that, Addy couldn't help, but desire closeness and comfort from the man, even though he spanked her like the energizer bunny on steroids. In fact, Addy wondered if he even thought about such things as comfort or anything that had to do with emotional needs.
"Go on. Git." Merle expressed firmly jerking his chin up gesturing for her to move.
Addy blinked her big green eyes at him with a sober disappointment crossing over her features. The young woman sighed lightly in defeat and placed her palm on Merle's knee using him for a support as she slowly and stiffly pulled herself up to a standing position. Addy scrunched up her face as she felt her bottom twinge feeling her wedged underwear chafe and shift uncomfortably between her aching cheeks. Addy felt a rush of heat spread over her flushed face once again. Did Merle have to pull her underwear up her crack so damn hard? At least he didn't pull them down exposing her completely. Not that it gave Merle any brownie points for not doing so, spanking her in front of the whole damn bonfire mortified her enough to not look favorably upon the man by any stretch as far as sparing her dignity was concerned. Addy was very tempted to righten them, but didn't dare to it in front of Merle.
Merle felt his body stiffen slightly at the woman's touch, but did not move an inch as he watched her with a ridged unreadable expression waiting for her to do as he asked.
Without a word, Addy walked stiffly down the hallway toward the bedroom to change into her night attire. As soon as Addy shut the door, she immediately brought her hands back to her stinging backside giving it a long comforting rub with her palms. Addy found her eyes glancing over at the window which still had the screen off of it feeling her guilt push harder into her chest.
Stupid.
Addy walked over to the mirror and turned around lifting her dress up to inspect the damage done to her stinging flesh. A dark maroon hue covered her backside from the top of her bottom to the backs of her thighs with some small raised welts where Merle's large palm overlapped her skin. And the man did that with just his hand? Goddamn.
Looking over her shoulder at her bottom, Addy scrunched her face into a grimace feeling a bitter confusion rise within her. Although Merle had not used his belt and the spanking wasn't nearly as harsh as the last one he delivered for her running off into the woods, it still hurt like hell. Addy couldn't help but wonder why Merle chose not to use his belt on her. Not that she was complaining by any stretch of the imagination, but she just simply didn't understand the man's way of thinking. Was running off to go to a bonfire not as bad as running off into the woods and getting lost? Was he softening and showing her leniency? Addy scoffed humorlessly in her throat at the thought. She somehow doubted the gruff man was softening, with her red perky cheeks flashing at her in her reflection; as far as her bottom was concerned, there was no way in hell.
Although Addy felt guilty, she did not, however, think spanking her publicly and embarrassing her to an astronomical degree and THAN spanking her again when they got back to the trailer was justified in the slightest. Her rational mind opposed it in every way and yet, there was another part of her that grasped onto the feeling of being looked out for. Going to the bonfire and drinking and smoking was not the most responsible thing to do Addy had to admit. Not to mention she was still considered a minor in the eyes of the law when it came to alcohol and she knew very well smoking dope was illegal in Georgia. It was not her finest hour by any stretch and the fact that Merle cared about her stupid decisions meant more to Addy then she realized.
Addy carefully pealed her underwear out from between her cheeks and changed into her grey sweatpants that she cut off at mid-thigh and a lose navy-blue t-shirt. Addy sighed heavily looking at the closed bedroom door, her heart was heavy and her head was whirling with dejected thoughts and turmoil. There was no way Addy could to go to sleep immediately with her head spinning like a top. She needed some relief and distraction to calm her mind down. She knew she had to get out of the stuffy lonely bedroom or she would most certainly break down into pitiful tears. Addy felt her body swarm with anxiety as she emerged from the bedroom cautiously, wondering if Merle would be upset that she wasn't in bed. The man didn't exactly tell her to go to sleep right away. He just said get ready for bed and she did. Holding onto to that loophole, Addy warily walked down the hall to find the bathroom light illuminating from under the door. In her bare feet, Addy tip toed past the door and walked outside onto the small deck shutting the trailer door behind her quietly. She desperately needed some air and time to regain some dignity and solace.
The humid night air rushed over Addy's bare legs and arms as she walked over to the edge of the wooden railing to the left of the stairs breathing in a deep breath of the sweet Georgia pines that surrounded the clearing. The woman rested her palms on the worn railing leaning her body forward looking out at the tall mature trees finding comfort in their beauty. Her heated backside was now feeling a deep vexing ache making Addy moan scrunching up her face into a grimace as she shifted her weight slightly at the persistent discomfort. Without her permission unexpected and unwanted tears started to well up in her eyes. Frustrated Addy reached up and swiped at them with her fingers. She refused succumb to her troubles and keep crying over it. As much as Addy did not want to admit it, the rough man was right, tears won't make her ass feel any better.
Feeling herself grow desperate to gain control of emotions, Addy found herself humming a calming mellow tune of one of her favorite hymns. Feeling a small warmth grow in her chest, Addy's lips parted and soon the words rolled off her tongue in a beautifully soothing delicate tone.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art, Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Addy sang quietly allowing the tune of her voice and the lyrics to comfort her aching heart. Addy gradually began to feel better as she connected herself with the Lord through song. Something she had not done in a long time. Eric didn't believe in that 'religious crap' and often ridiculed her for it, saying it was stupid and needless which, in hindsight, hurt her more than she realized at the time. However, that did not keep Addy from holding onto her faith privately.
Suddenly, without warning, the tailer door creaked opened behind her. Addy's heart lurched in her chest as she immediately ceased her singing and whirled around. The woman's breath caught in her throat and her body went ridged with apprehension as Merle walked onto the deck flinging the door shut behind him. Addy watching him with closely as he trudged over to the railing on the other side of the wooden steps not even glancing in her direction making Addy foolishly wonder if he even saw her. Merle's posture was ridged like always, but his demeanor was casual as he bent his body forward resting his forearms lazily onto the top of the railing rocking his weight back a bit. The man looked down at his half-smoked cigarette in his hands rolling it in between his rough fingers.
"Don't ya stop on my account, you go on with yer singin'." Merle rumbled out soothingly as he lifted his head looking out towards the woods, never glancing over at the woman, almost like he was giving her some privacy from his eyes.
"Coming out here to make sure I don't run off?" Addy asked accusingly bold which made her body swarmed with untamable anxiety. Addy what the hell are you doing?! He just spanked the shit out of you and you can't bring yourself to keep a civil tone? This is why you're an idiot. She didn't want to start a confrontation, but it seemed she just couldn't keep her bitterness toward the man completely at bay. Afterall, he did give her one hell of a spanking.
Merle tilted his head up turning it to the side just above his toned bare shoulder to look at Addy, his steal blue eyes fixed on her sharply, the ghost of a smug smirk playing over his hard features which left an unnerving feeling in the pit of her stomach. Addy fidgeted with her hands casting her eyes downward slightly as she began to chew on her bottom lip nervously.
"Naaah." Merle declared sluggishly sounding very certain and surprisingly calm. "Yer too sore ta run." Merle noted in an unconcerned tone. Although, his words were casual, they were said with the upmost seriousness, his eyes twinkling at her mischievously. Almost like he found arrogant pleasure or pride in taunting her about her current predicament.
Addy's eyes widened ever so slightly before turning back to rest her palms on the old worn railing feeling heat rush to her flushed cheeks as she shifted and squirmed awkwardly staring out into the woods.
Merle's mouth slipped into a small side smirk feeling a snort sitting at the back of his throat at the woman's embarrassment finding satisfaction in it. Merle placed his half-smoked cigarette in his mouth and in hailed a sharp puff of smoke. The small embers of ash lite the end of his cigarette lighting up his face just a touch before pressing his lips together and exhaling the smoke through his mouth. Merle shifted his weight slightly feeling an odd pinch of rare awkwardness which he immediately pushed down. He didn't waste his time on foolish emotions like that. He looked out into the woods, concentrating on the enjoying the crispness of the night air twisting his cigarette between his calloused fingers (something he unknowingly did when he felt fidgety, anxious, or uneasy).
"Go on, finish yer singin'." Merle encouraged strongly sounding just shy of an order. Merle discerned that Addy must have found solace in being outside. He sure as hell did which he noted was something they had in common. There was something about the fresh air and being in the woods that did you good. He supposed her singing was her way of deal with whatever shit she needed to deal with. Merle knew coming outside must have been a strong urge or he was sure she wouldn't have dared risk his disapproval. Afterall, he did just light her ass on fire. Merle found Addy's bravery conflictingly alluring and bothersome. He prized how her fiery spirit did not diminish, but her boldness often crossed the line of being disrespectful and defiant in his eyes. She needed to walk that line and not get too big for her britches or else she knew what to expect. Disrespect, recklessness and defiance were not going to fly by him.
Addy swallowed now suddenly feeling awkward and embarrassed. She had not sung in front of anyone in a long while. Let alone someone like Merle who she gathered was not the gospel hymn type. However, Addy recognized that he was not forcing her to go to bed nor did he seem upset that she was outside without his permission. She guessed she should count her blessings over that.
Addy cleared her throat softly looking out onto the tree line before opening her mouth and singing out the lyrics smoothly and gently.
High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun, Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Merle listened intently at the woman's angelic voice finding himself rather captivated by the rich and soothing sound of her vocals that echoed slightly in the open space of clearing pleasingly. His ears honed in on her crisp clear voice that vibrated delicately against her vocal cords. Who knew the little woman had such an alluring and attractive talent. Merle felt an odd sense of pride in the woman's abilities and relished in the idea of hearing her singing more. Merle did not often have the pleasure of hearing women sing, but when he did, he noted that it was not nearly as beautiful or gratifying.
Once Addy finished, she cleared her throat softly to indicate that she had finished keeping her gaze fixed on the trees. Addy didn't know if Merle dislike her voice or her choice in song, but Addy secretly hoped it gave him some sort of pleasure. Addy didn't know why she wished for Merle's approval on her singing abilities, but she had this odd desire to share it with him regardless. Addy nearly scoff at her preposterous wishes due to the fact that Merle had set a blazing fire under her rearend not but fifteen minutes ago, but it didn't change the fact that the longing was there.
There was an awkward silence that left Addy uncomfortable making her fidget. Before Addy could stop herself, she found her mouth opening to impulsively ask him something she was itching to know.
"Merle..." Addy started hesitatingly breaking the silence. "What's a-a switch?"
Merle dipped his head down to look at the railing pressing his lips together forcing away a smile that was threatening to appear at her innocent question. That was not what he was expecting, but it made sense since the sheltered little woman had never had her backside tanned before she met him. Part of Merle was satisfied at her question feeling pleased that she was at least paying attention to the things he said, even if it was just about spanking her hind quarters.
Merle tilted his head upwards a bit turning it to the side so he was looking directly at Addy once again.
"A switch, little darlin', is small branch of tree used ta whop little misbehavin' asses like yers." Merle expressed firmly, but calm, fixing her with a serious somewhat unreadable expression as he took another drag of his cigarette never taking his hard eyes off her wanting to catch every bit of her reaction.
Addy blanched. "Oh." She expressed lamely suddenly sorry she asked. A tree branch? That sounded…horrible.
Merle cracked a small smile, letting out a raspy snicker at seeing Addy's face pale like he had just described drowning puppies.
"You just be a good little girl and mind me, don't go on misbehavin' and ya won't have ta find out what it feels like." Merle suggested logically and far to casually for Addy's liking on such a troubling topic.
"Well, uh, thanks for not, um, using your belt or that switch thing." Addy could hardly believe her ears. She was thanking him for not spanking her worse? She should be scolding him, not suggesting that it was okay by showing appreciation. What the hell was wrong with her? She needed to see a shrink or take up drinking or maybe just learn to keep her trap shut.
"Don't ya go thankin' me." Merle reproached his voice lined with irritation as pushed off the trailing straightening his body to his full height squaring his shoulders to face her directly.
"If I thought yer ass needed a switch or a belt I woulda used it." Merle declared forcefully, sounding almost insulted at her appreciation as he gestured to her with his cigarette between his fingers.
"Ya think yer ass ain't sore 'nough?" Merle challenged threateningly his voice rough and sharp feeling the frustration of going easy on her rise to the surface. He did not want her thinking she got off easy or got a reprieve from him going soft all of a sudden. He was utterly convinced that he did not do her any favors, but if she wasn't convinced, he would gladly give her a few licks of either to prove otherwise.
"What? No!" Addy exclaimed adamantly completely baffled at his extreme response to something as simple as expressing gratitude. What does he think? That there is something else behind that other than a 'thank you'? Unbelievable!
"My ass hurts plenty, thank-you-very-much. I'm not going to be able to sit down tomorrow. And you spanked me twice, remember?" Addy countered tightly unable to keep the bitterness out of her tone. Addy compressed her lips into a hard line snapping her attention away from the contemptable man feeling resentment rise to the forefront of her emotions.
"And you didn't have to spank me in front of everyone." Addy added in a grumbling accusing tone as she looked out into the clearing.
"All I'm gonna be known for in this town now is the girl who got spanked in front of the entire bonfire." Addy complained glumly feeling her cheeks flush red remembering the humiliating spectacle she was forced to endure. That this man forced her to endure. Addy didn't know why she brought up the horrible demonstration of Merle's testosterone driven impulse. Perhaps she was looking for some sympathy or comfort or a simple apology. Why she thought she would receive any from Merle was beyond her.
Merle's lips tugged up to one side in a tight haughty smirk finding a mischievous pleasure in the woman's embarrassment. Merle knew very well it was embarrassing for the young woman, but there were worst things in life than getting a little humbled with good licking in front of her friends. Maybe next time she'll think twice about defying him and sassing him in front of her peers like a spoiled little brat. It might have been a distressing experience for the little tenderfoot, but Merle was not remorseful about what he had done. Call him callous, but Merle owned his actions and words. He felt the woman got exactly what she was asking for and he was only too obliged to give it at the time. And around these parts of Georgia, getting one's ass whopped in public was not an unfamiliar notion. Although, it wasn't necessarily common past a certain age, it was not altogether foreign. And Dixons ran by a code of their own and everyone around this little town respected their right to live as they deemed fit.
"Nah." Merle dismissed coolly. "Ya'll more likely be known as the little woman not ta fuck with. I told them bastards yer with us now and they all know what that means." Keeping his blue eyes fixed on the blushing woman Merle took another puff of his cigarette regarding her keenly.
"What-What does it mean?" Addy asked with an optimistic curiousness feeling her chest tighten with hopeful anticipation.
"Means yer ours." Merle said simply nodding towards her once before allowing the smoke to escape from his nostrils. To Merle, it meant she was family. Plain and simple, thus making her his responsibility. Something he took very seriously, ever since he rescued her from being assaulted by her good for nothing ex, who was merely shit on the bottom of his boot that he had to scraped off. And it was now his job, as a man, to protect and provide for her. He didn't quite understand the strong draw he had towards the defenseless young woman as he did not experience that with other women, but the desire to keep her close was there nonetheless. He had undoubtably gotten used to her company and despite, their enormous differences in temperament and upbringing, she fit well within their little pack. She did her part taking on the role of her responsibilities within the family with ease. He valued her as a human being and as far as Merle was concerned her place was with them.
"Oh." Addy expressed with uncertainty. She didn't exactly understand what his simple statement entailed. Addy gathered that it meant she was apart of the Dixon clan. But what did that mean exactly? Addy didn't entirely know, but she took the statement for what it was worth which was a lot to the young woman burdened heart.
Addy pressed her lips together hesitantly before blinking her green eyes tentatively back up at him.
"Merle, why…why is are people scared of you?" Addy asked cautiously hoping not to overstep herself by asking a rather invasive question so directly. Addy bit her lip timidly suddenly feeling rude and embarrassed for inquiring.
Merle inhaled a deep breath allowing his chest to rise as he straightened his posture feeling his muscles flex and his body go ridged in response. There was a beat of silence that lingered on as he regarded her with stern expression, his keen eyes narrowing just a touch before turning away from her to rest his forearms back on the railing forcing his body into a casual manner.
"I have a reputation." Merle expressed casually nodding his head once looking out into the woods. "Some of its rumor, some of its true. Why? They all say somethin' 'bout me?" Merle inquired calmly, but there was an edge of urgency to his tone that did not go unnoticed. Merle turned his head to look over at Addy, his blue eyes holding a sharp firmness. Merle did not want Addy to hear certain things her soft little ears had no business hearing. He was alight with chicken shit lies, but the truth he did not necessarily want the woman to know.
"They don't know what they're talking about." Addy expressed dismissing people's judgmental comments. In all honesty, it offended Addy greatly, more than she thought it would, to hear insults and spiteful backhanded compliments about the two men who she lived with.
"Ohhh, but they do, little darlin'." Merle admitted in an unsettling tone that was hard and somewhat cold, taking Addy by surprised feeling an unsuspecting shiver trickled down her spine.
"But that ain't fer yer ears." Merle expressed sternly; his tone hard as he pointed a lazy finger towards her. "So don't ya go worryin' yer pretty little head 'bout nothin'." Merle voice firm, commanding and serious expressing that his order was no suggestion. However, that was very difficult for Addy who was now more curious then ever as it seemed, to her, there was a lot, she did not know about the Dixon brothers. Addy couldn't help, but wonder what rumors and truths Merle was talking about. All Addy had heard were insults and the simple 'they ain't no good' and 'they weren't raised right'. But it seemed by the way Merle was expressed it, it gave Addy an inkling that it was something else entirely and not pleasant by any stretch of the imagination which made Addy uneasy.
"Yer my responsibility, girl, and that means ya stick by me and mind me. I ain't sayin' we got much and I ain't gonna say were real pretty folk, but we take care of our own. So, you just stick by us and yer own. Ya hear?" Merle asked sternly his brows frowning deep into a serious expression as his blue eye pierced her intensely.
Addy was taken back by the serious deep tone of Merle's voice and although his words were not entirely clear to her, she understood that he was expressing, yet again, that she was essentially theirs. That she was a part of their family and that was an encouraging thought that spread an undeinable warmth through her chest.
"Yes, sir." Addy said politely feeling her lips twitch upward casting her eyes down in a shy manner. Despite the unsophisticated way Merle was expressing himself, Addy relished in hearing it every time as it was music to her ears.
Merle chuckled in a raspy tone. "Goddamn, see what a little spankin' can do. Ya all of a sudden found yer p's and q's, little Addy?" Merle teased rising a mocking eye brow in her direction referring to her lack of southern manner of express 'sir' and 'ma'am' to her elders.
This sparked an annoyance in Addy. She highly disagreed that spanking brought out manners in her. She already had manners to begin with. All the spankings did was make her ass her hurt like a burning inferno. And Merle, the man who belched and farted openly, cussed like a sailor and never added 'please' to any sentence, was suggesting that she was unmannerly and that spanking was the cure all for improper etiquette was annoyingly way off the mark. In fact, it was utter bullshit. Just because she doesn't use 'sir' all the time, didn't mean she was impolite, at least not in Virginia where she was from.
"If you want, I can stop being polite." Addy challenged boldly with a bit of undeinable sass in her tone.
"If ya want, I can take ya back over my knee?" Merle suggested mockingly giving her a very serious glower with full intent written on his features. Apparently, he did not appreciate her back-talking him.
Addy instinctually shot her hands back to cover her sore bottom her eyes wide with fearful realization. Merle had to fight the urge to crack a smile at her deer in headlights expression, but he managed as he continued to glower at her, making her squirm and fidget under his steal blue eyes. At least she had the good sense to worry about getting pulled over his knee because the rough man was certainly not above tossing the sassy woman over his knee for a third time tonight. Merle took the last long drag of his cigarette never taking his eyes off the woman allowing the smoke waft around his ridged face eerily before finally turning his attention to the tree line and flicking the butt over the railing onto the ground below. Addy let out the breath she was holding slowly as it was clear Merle had no intention of spanking her for her mouth. Thank God.
Merle pulled out another cigarette from his jean pocket flicking his match along the railing before place the butt end in his mouth and lighting the tip.
"You smoke too much." Addy scolded mildly surprising herself that she even cared to comment.
"Ya gripe and bitch too much." Merle countered gruffly not appreciating the woman's inability to just put a sock in it.
Addy's jaw dropped slightly in offense and before she could stop herself, she felt her tongue slip out quickly between her lips, sticking it straight out in a childish gesture of mockery before immediately slipping it back behind her teeth. She did not know what possessed her to do something so immature, but since she couldn't think of anything to say without severely putting her backside in the line of fire, she acted on impulse, opting to display her displeasure rather just simply leave it alone or let it go.
Merle scowled deeply pointing a ridged finger in her direction.
"Ya stick that tongue out at me again, little Addy May, and I'll pop yer ass good." Merle declared darkly in a deep serious tone that was eerily foreboding.
Addy dipped her head contritely feeling a rush of anxiety flood her chest at his threat. After she had done it, she immediately regretted giving into her whim. The gesture was rude and uncalled for. She was trying to convince Merle that she wasn't a child and here she was sticking her tongue out at him like she was an unruly preteen. Gosh, what the hell was wrong with her? She never acted like this before.
"Sorry." Addy apologized sincerely her cheeks blushing slightly from embarrassment as she cast her eyes away from him.
"Don't 'sorry' me. You just act right." Merle demanded sternly.
Addy nodded once. "Yes, sir." Wait. What? Addy you whimp. Stop acting like a kicked puppy. What the hell is wrong with you? Stop submitting. On the other hand, did she want to risk another spanking? Nope.
Merle narrowed his blue eyes at her as he took a puff of his cigarette.
"Ya buy that pretty little dress of yers ta day?" Merle inquired already knowing the answer.
Addy bit her lip feeling a nervousness rise within her. "Yes." She said honestly with hesitation in her tone.
"What do you have against my dress?" Addy asked as innocently as she could her big green eyes blinking at him softly hiding the fact that she knew very well Merle's issue with her dress.
"It ain't piratical. Did't I tell ya not ta buy any of that fancy shit?" Merle challenged sharply jutting his chin out towards her.
"It's not fancy, it's just pretty." Addy argued logically keeping her tone casual despite her rising apprehension. In Addy's thinking, if she appeared calm and unbothered Merle might see it as no big issue because it wasn't.
"It don't matter if it's pretty, it's gonna git snagged on somethin' and yer legs will git cut by the brush." Merle countered firmly not wanting the woman's legs exposed to the unforgiving terrain of where they lived. A dress, in Merle's mind, was useless and unsuited for the woods.
"Not like I would wear it if I'm going in the woods or anything like that. Just in and around the trailer doing chores or going to town. It will keep me cool in this heat so in a way it is practical." Addy expressed reasonably in a somewhat pressing tone. Although Merle's tone was firm, it was not harsh or adamant making Addy think she could persuade him to see her side of things. She really liked the dress and didn't want her one thing that made her feel feminine and womanly discard. It was not useless to Addy.
"I just…want to feel pretty." Addy added softly feeling her cheeks blush with shyness at her insecure comment.
"Pretty don't come from a dress. Ya look just fine in jeans, missy." Merle said in an even tone his raspy vocals rumbling soothingly in his chest.
Addy was taken a back. Her round green eyes blinked and her mouth parted a touch. Since when did he get all philosophical? And did he just call her pretty?
"A'right, ya've been up long 'nough. Go on in and git ta bed." Merle commanded suddenly dipping his head to the side gesturing towards the door feeling she had sufficient time to collect herself enough to sleep. It was now well past midnight and the woman needed some rest. So did he.
Addy stood there shifting awkwardly from foot to foot casting her eyes down to her bare feet. Addy bit her lip nervously as she prepared herself to ask the man for something she was craving. Before she lost her nerve, Addy lift her head and unknowingly gave him a pleading apprehensive look.
"Um Merle…can you uh, maybe, um, hug…me?" Addy sputtered out awkwardly.
Merle's eyebrows shot up to his forehead. A hug? Merle found it immensely strange that the woman wanted any physical contact with him after he lit a blazing fire under her backside twice in one evening. The woman's willingness to forgive was astounding to him. However, the more he thought about it the more it made sense to him, she was a very sensitive and softhearted young woman. After he tanned with his belt, she was practically crying all day over it until he gave in and held her.
Merle sighed out a plume of air through his nostrils in surrender.
"Well come 'ere." Merle ordered placing his cigarette between his lips as he stretched out his arms.
Addy had mixed feelings about going over to the man who spanked her for comfort, but Addy knew she needed that physical touch of reassurance and Merle happened to be the only one around and she wasn't going to ask Daryl. For some reason she found it far stranger to ask Daryl for a hug than Merle. Daryl would often clam up considerably over emotional or sensitive stuff. Oddly Merle was more willing, seeming to force himself to face it or at least attempt to act indifferent toward it.
Addy chewed on her bottom lip and slowly shuffled her feet over to him feeling a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness. Once Addy was just a step away, Merle grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace. The smell of nicotine and cheap lime soap wafted around her. There was an edge of woody musk that rose to the surface. Merle practically lived outdoors and he smelled like the woods he lived in. It was a masculine odor, but it was not unpleasant. In fact, Addy felt herself unwittingly inhaled his scent finding a comfort in his familiar aroma that was distinctly his.
Addy's cheek was pressed against Merle's strong chest as his large bare arms enclosed around her stiffly. The man seemed detached from the hug, like it was awkward for him and he wasn't fully in tune with the embrace. Addy was aware that the man probably didn't partake in hugging people often, but Addy appreciated Merle's efforts nonetheless and took what she could get out of the closeness. Addy was about to wrap her arms around the man middle, but Merle quickly stopped her snatching up her arms swiftly.
Oh. It seemed Merle had a problem receiving hugs and Addy couldn't help, but wonder why. Was he that detached from receiving affection? Was it her? Despite Addy's confusion and concern, she respected Merle wishes and did not resist against his hold on her arms nor did she question his actions.
Merle firmly, but carefully pushed Addy away from him at arm's length. This was getting far too uncomfortable and awkward for the man who had a lot of trouble accepting heartfelt affection from anyone. He was taught rigorously to see it as weakness in character, 'pussy crap' as his Daddy would describe it, that it somehow hindering his manhood in some way. Although, he has received many embraces from woman as far sex was concerned, when it was just a physical drive, it was not an issue. However, once emotions came into play Merle found himself destined to resist, unknowingly and unavoidably putting up learned walls of defense. Don't feel and don't care, then it won't hurt. However, this little woman was making him feel and care far too much then he wished and with anyone else he might have allowed the embrace, but with Addy, for some reason or another, he found himself unable to accept it.
"A'right. 'Nough of this touchy-feely crap. Ya think ya can go ta bed without cryin' now?" Merle asked sounding somewhat eager for her to be out of his presence.
Addy blinked her green eyes up at him softly nodding.
"A'right then." Merle graveled out surprisingly soothingly as he released his firm hold on her arms.
"Go on." He encouraged gesturing towards the trailer door.
Addy nodded casting her gaze down at her feet before turning and walking towards the door feeling her eyes droop slightly. A sudden a wave of weary heaviness weigh against her body. Now that her mind had time to calm itself down with reassurance, she began to feel the effects of the spankings and the late hour. It had been a long night.
"Little Addy." Merle cooed in an unsettling tone, gaining her attention as she stopped and turned to look at him.
"Ya mind me, 'less ya gotta hankin' ta find out what a switch feels like on that sore little ass of yers. Ya stay in bed, ya hear?" Merle voice was eerily calm, but his tone was dangerously serious and Addy had no doubt the man meant every word.
Addy felt a jolt of anxiety surge against her chest. Her green eyes rounded and unwittingly reached behind her resting her palm on her warm aching bottom.
Addy nodded her understanding.
"Yes, sir." Addy found herself saying in automatic response. Perhaps it was her spanked bottom talking or her tired body, but in all loathing of the punishment she received, she couldn't help but desire Merle's approval and affection (what little he would give). He had declared her as family and Addy held onto that powerful gesture with all she had. The 'yes, sir' she gave was a declaration, not just in agreement to keep her ass in bed, but an acceptance to be a part of their little pack.
Pushing her pride aside, Addy gave him a tight, but honest smile that appeared soft against her delicate features.
"Goodnight, Merle." Addy said before turning to go back in the trailer with every intention of obeying the man and going to bed.
As soon as the trailer door shut behind Addy, Merle lips push up into a small genuine side smirk. Merle snorted shaking his head as he looked out into the dark woods in front of him feeling a wave of fondness blossom over his chest.
I'm gettin' too damn soft fer the likes of me.
TBC?
Well, what did you all think? Still interested?
I have a few ideas of where I could take this.
Please review and let me know your thoughts. It's a big help and it is very much appreciated.
Thank you for reading!