Isn’t alcohol supposed to give me courage? It’s doing the exact opposite. At least my hand feels better; small miracles, I suppose.
“Alright, I’m back. I think we were about to plan the sequel?” Lawson walks into his office, sits down, and reaches for a cigarette.
“I believe so.” I nod and instinctively reach for a cigarette of when I see him do it. This time, he lights it for me before I get a chance to grab my lighter.
“How is the cheerleader going to find Kryptonite?” Lawson tilts his head inquisitively. “I doubt there will be any laying around her high school.”
“No, probably not.” I ponder for a moment. “She’ll have other things to deal with first, especially if she isn’t really a zombie. I mean, she just got in trouble at school and suspended…”
“Ah, yes.” He nods in agreement. “She can’t really hunt for Kryptonite if she’s grounded.”
“Don’t you think she’d be in more trouble than that?” I lift my cigarette to my lips and exhale a stream of smoke.
“Perhaps…” He seems to be considering it.
“What would you do?” I feel my heart beating a little faster. “She’d have to be punished, right?”
I know exactly where I’m going with the question. The alcohol may be giving me a little boost of courage after all.
“Of course.” He narrows his eyes. “What do you think should happen to her?”
“She probably deserves a spanking.” I chew my bottom lip nervously.
“It sounds like the sequel might have to be kept behind the counter…” He looks down and laughs.
I could make a joke and play it off, but the opportunity is right in front of me. I can’t turn it down.
“I’m sure I deserve one after everything I did tonight.” I feel my body surge with electricity.
“Perhaps.” Lawson nods and takes another drag from his cigarette. “Luckily, you got off easy—all you had to do was clean up the mess you made.”
“That covers your office, but what about everything else?” I tilt my head inquisitively. “Isn’t the cheerleader in trouble for a few more things? I did all of that too…”
I notice a shift in Lawson’s demeanor. The hint of a smile on his face fades. It’s almost enough to make me uncomfortable. He levels his gaze on me, and I see what I previously assumed was a permanent scowl return.
“Is that what you want?” His eyes narrow, and he puts out his cigarette. “A spanking?”
“Maybe…” My pulse begins to race, and my body trembles.
“It’s a yes or no question.” He leans forward.
“The cheerleader would be in trouble…” I stammer over my words.
“I’m not talking to the cheerleader right now. I’m talking you, Ainsley Andrews.” His tone gets a little firmer. “You’re the one who brought it up.”
I’ve wanted someone to ask me that question for a really long time. I didn’t think anyone ever would. It’s exactly what I was hinting at. It wasn’t meant to be a bluff, but he’s called it anyway, and I can’t make the right words come out of my mouth.
But they do.
“Yes.” I nearly choke on my response, and it comes out more like a sigh.
“Say yes one more time, and I’m going to come over there and give you what you’re asking for.” He puts his hand on the edge of his desk.
My heart feels like it’s going to explode in my chest. It’s never beat this hard before. I’m at the point of no return, and I don’t know how to say anything other than what I’ve already said.
“Yes…” My lips tremble as soon as the answer leaves them.
Lawson stands, and I lock eyes with him as he approaches. It’s really going to happen. I have no idea if a spanking is all that I’m going to get, or if it will lead to more, but I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this to happen.