MissBEHAVED

“So what did Raquel want to talk to you about?” Grace asked as soon as we pulled out of Kenny’s driveway.

“Grace, don’t be nosey,” Charlotte admonished. “It’s none of your business.”

“Sure it is, Charlie,” Grace responded, her words running together slightly from the wine she’d drank while overseeing the decorating from a stool in the corner of the room. She’d been a little off all night and bound and determined to get tipsy as quickly as possible while the rest of did the heavy lifting. “We’re all best friends, the three of us, so there should be no secrets.”

Charlotte tried to shush Grace again, but I jumped in, clearly not thinking straight. “She just wanted to make sure I knew Dixon was into spanking and being in charge. Did you know that half the town of Walker’s Grove believes in it?”

“Shut up,” Charlotte gasped. “And you’re in agreement with that?”

“Yeah, it’s all good. If I break a rule, he spanks me.” I shrugged my shoulders like it was no big deal, but Charlotte’s mouth was so far open I thought she was going to have a heart attack.

“Are you sure, Mellie? I mean, I know we read about stuff like that, but you want to actually live like that?”

My hackles rose at her judgmental tone.

“Yes,” I replied, full of attitude. “I do actually like it, Charlotte. It’s nice to know he cares about keeping me safe and happy.”

“Hey, ladies. No arguing.” Grace wasn’t usually the peacekeeper, but Charlotte usually wasn’t so mean, either. “We should be happy for Mellie, Charlie. She’s got a big, strong man who makes her happy.”

Charlotte sighed and was silent for a moment.

“Fine. I may not understand it, but as long as you’re not being forced to do something you don’t want to, I guess it’s none of my business.”

“That’s what Raquel was asking me about. She wanted to make sure that Dixon had told me about his expectations and that I understood what that meant.” Charlotte pulled into my driveway and parked in front of the garage. “I appreciate everyone’s concern but I know what I’m signing up for and I’ve consented. He didn’t try to hide what he wants at all. Even from the very beginning he told me he wanted to be in charge. So, there’s no need to worry.”

Charlotte turned around in her seat and faced me.

“I’m glad to hear you say that. Now. But if anything changes you better tell us so we can kick his ass.”

I grinned at the normally quiet and shy Charlotte looking so fierce and protective.

“I promise I will, but you know me. I have quite the temper, so I’m sure you’ll know if things go bad because I’ll have kicked him to the curb.”

“That’s right, Charlie. Our Mellie won’t let anybody walk all over her, but she will let old Dixy-poo bend her over and smack her ass when she’s a bad girl. Won’t you, dirty girl?”

Grace turned and wagged her finger in my face as she was speaking, making me giggle at her drunken ridiculousness. Before long Charlotte joined in, followed by Grace, until all three of us were in hysterics.

“I can’t believe you let him spank you,” Charlotte said as we walked into my house after we’d calmed down and gotten out of the car. “Is it hot? Or does it hurt?”

“Both. It’s hot, it hurts, it’s embarrassing, and it’s comforting, all at the same time.” I kicked off my boots and hung my coat and hat on a hook. “It’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it for yourself.”

My phone dinged as I walked into the kitchen.

“Is that Mr. Bossman?” Grace asked, as she clumsily took off her outerwear. She’d no doubt be asleep in fifteen minutes.

I looked down and found a text from Dixon asking if I was home.

“Yep. He likes to make sure I’m home safely,” I replied as I typed a response.

Just walked in the door.

Did you have fun?

I did. We decorated Kenny’s yoga room.

Okay. Get some rest, babe. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

You too.

I looked up to find Grace gone and Charlotte watching me.

“Did Grace go to bed?” I asked.

“Yep. She stumbled downstairs while you were texting your man.”

“I know you’re worried, Charlie, but I’m not doing anything I don’t want to do. We talk a lot about the discipline aspect of our relationship and Dixon has been very clear and addressed all my concerns. He compromised on a few things and is very fair. It’s really all good.” I grabbed two bottles of water out of the fridge and handed her one.

She took it then handed it back. “Give me a beer, please. I think I need it after tonight. Between Grace doing her best to get sloshed and you admitting you let your boyfriend spank you, my head is spinning.” I put both waters back and grabbed two beers. I opened both and handed one to Charlotte, who promptly took a long guzzle. And then another. “I suppose if you’re safe and agreeing to everything he wants, it’s fine. I just never expected anything like that would happen in real life. And Raquel told you half the town is into the same thing?”

I sipped my own beer while Charlie worked through everything.

“Yep.” I nodded. “And that her, Layla, and Kenny all grew up in families like that. That’s how she knew about Dixon. Apparently, it’s an open secret.”

“Wow. I think I need some time to wrap my head around all this.” She took another slug of beer. “Let’s go watch something funny and then go to bed. Maybe tomorrow this will all make sense to me.”

I knew that once she slept on this new information, Charlotte wouldn’t judge me for my choices. It was a shock to learn what Dixon and I, and half of Walker’s Grove, did behind closed doors.

“That sounds good to me.”