Taming His Brat Read online

  He found himself studying her actions, taking in her lovely hourglass figure, the same long legs that he’d remembered. She’d filled out, her features more mature, but she had the same fiery red hair framing her ivory skin. The way her body moved was more like a seductress, hunting her prey. He envisioned her naked, writhing underneath him. Instead of tattered jeans and a tight tee shirt, her usual high school attire, she was dressed in a sexy dress, clingy in all the right places. “Tasty.”

  “Still a little vixen. Trust me,” Denton said, shaking his head.

  Rex couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her, the same reaction as a solid eighty percent of the men in the place. She’d always had a way about her, performing with a dramatic flair, all the while maintaining her cock tease attitude. Tonight appeared to be nothing different as she flitted through the crowd, blowing kisses in a tantalizing fashion. He leaned forward, amused as hell. She was a handful. That was certain. At the time, he’d called her a princess, even torturing her by decorating her locker with various hot pink items. She’d been pissed, hunting him down and he’d forced her against the bleachers, taking absolute control.

  She’d craved full domination.

  He’d hungered for her to submit.

  And he’d made certain she knew who was in charge.

  Now, his cock was really aching, his balls so swollen he had difficulty breathing.

  “Look at her go. She has every male on high alert,” Johnny said under his breath.

  “She does know how to take over a room,” Denton added.

  Rex watched in amusement as she grabbed a shot out of some poor dude’s hand, throwing it back and moving on. “A real handful,” he said under his breath. It was as if time had ceased to exist, the same hunger roaring into his system. He’d never felt about a woman the way he had Cooper and doubted he ever could. She just did something to every inch of him, body and soul.

  Within two minutes of her arrival, Cooper managed to cause a commotion, pushing her hand against a man’s shoulder before giving another an evil eye. And all the while she swaggered in a manner few women could accomplish.

  “See? What did I tell you? Same old Cooper.” Denton swallowed another shot of tequila.

  “One big brat,” Johnny said, laughing.

  Brat indeed and all naughty girls needed a firm hand. Grinning, Rex crossed his legs, watching the floor show with interest. The girls who followed behind Cooper had the same haughty attitude as they sashayed their way through the sea of hungry cowboys. He followed her with his eyes, sipping on his beer, his curiosity piqued. Maybe this was kismet seeing her again. He rolled his eyes at the thought, but he was forced to admit, he was damn attracted to her.

  Only when they disappeared through the crowd, heading toward the back, did he turn around, leaning over the bar.

  Denton crowded in. “You should go talk to her. You know, put the old Rex the Stud mark on her. You’re back in town. She’s back in town. Could be a marriage made in heaven. Granted, you’ll have to corral that little filly, but I have no doubt you can.”

  “Not a chance,” Rex answered, giving his buddy an evil eye. The last thing he needed was any complications. He had enough to contend with.

  “Chicken,” Johnny said as he made clucking noises.

  Rex gave him the finger before lifting his beer. “Another round for these not so fine assholes, please, bartender.”

  “Assholes?” Denton growled. “We are fine upstanding gentlemen.”

  Snickering, Rex turned his attention to the game being played on the television over the bar. The debilitating depression was biting at his heels, fighting to derail his homecoming. The extra two months of therapy seemed to be wearing off. Being home was comforting, but he wanted more. Hell, much more.

  “Hey! Bartender. We need drinks over here. You know, cold beverages.”

  The voice wasn’t shrill, but melodic even though the volume could reach the rafters. Rex tipped his head, able to catch a glimpse of Cooper as she wiggled in her chair to the music, waving to the lead singer. The other two girls had already followed her lead, flirting with any man who dared come close to their table. Too bad Cooper had an affinity for games.

  “Once a bitch...” Denton led the words roll.

  “Now, now,” Rex chastised. “She’s just in a good mood.”

  “Right,” Denton huffed. “And I’m in the mood to whup her ass.”

  “A perfect match for our man of the hour here,” Johnny encouraged. “Imagine the wedding. High school hero turned all-American hero and local prima donna. News at eleven.”

  Rex was tired of everyone thinking of his high school days, the glory he’d secured the entire town during his tenure on the football team. Even the hero’s welcome on various posters around town the day he’d arrived remained a thorn in his side. If they only knew the truth.

  Cooper whistled in the background, her antics increasing.

  Determined to ignore her, Rex kept his attention on the television, blinking several times as he lost track of who was playing or the score. When he heard the sound of her voice again, closer this time, nastier this time, he flinched, shooting her a look over his shoulder.

  “You okay, man?” Denton asked, nudging Rex’s shoulder.

  “I’m fine. Just been a long few days.”

  “What does a girl have to do around here to get some drinks?” One hand was on Cooper’s hip, the other wagging her finger. “I mean, come on. Do I need to have a chat with your boss?”

  “Really?” Denton mumbled under his breath.

  Rex bristled, the commanding side of him ready to take over. He’d seen her soft underbelly a few times, the sweet girl inside much more alluring, but that had been years ago. People changed. He sure as hell had.

  “What will you have?” the bartender asked her between clenched teeth.

  Cooper shouted out a series of drinks, ending with, “And I’ll expect they’ll be brought to our table. Pronto.” When she turned on her heel, swishing her hips as she walked back to her entourage, the bartender tossed the towel in his hand, the thudding sound mixing with the crackle of glasses banging together.

  “I think she could use that spanking you were talking about,” Denton suggested.

  Rex polished off his beer, waiting until the bartender lined a tray with the three drinks before pushing away from the bar. Something spurred within him, thoughts and desires that could no longer be denied. “I think you might be right.”

  “Whoa, are you kidding?” Johnny asked, coughing several times.

  “You know when I’m serious,” Rex stated.

  “Don’t mess with this man!” Denton chortled.

  He took long strides to the other side of the bar, tapping on the top seconds before the bartender walked from behind, drinks in hand. “How about I take care of that for you?”

  The bartender gave him a once-over before grinning. “Sure thing, buddy. Have a good time. She’s a pistol.” The words were said with extreme sarcasm.

  Oh, he planned on it. While he was no waiter, he steadied the tray in the middle of his hand, walking quietly in her direction. The girls paid him zero attention as he bent at the waist, plopping the drinks down with just enough force, all three sloshed over the side.

  “Hey!” Cooper snapped, jerking back in her chair. “Watch out, asshole.”

  “Yeah, jerk,” one of the other girls said.

  Several of the other customers groaned.

  Rex took his time placing the tray on the next table, giving the wide-eyed couple sitting on the other side a mischievous smile.

  “I swear. You can’t get good help around here,” Cooper muttered as she grabbed a cocktail napkin, pretending to wipe invisible drops off her dress. “My father should purchase this bar and fire every last one of you.”

  He’d heard the same bullshit time and time again.

  After a significant pause, he planted his hands on the girls’ table, sticking his face only two inches from hers. “I beg your pardon. Wh
at did you say to me?”

  She didn’t even flinch or bother to look in his direction.

  “You heard what I said, asshole.”

  Rex wasn’t angry in the least, only amused and he knew exactly what he needed to do. Right here. Right now. In front of everyone. “You know, in these parts, people are courteous, nice to one another.”

  “What?” she asked without bothering to look in his direction.

  “Ever heard the term, ‘You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar’?”

  She didn’t react, other than calling him a series of horrible names.

  Rex inhaled, his heart rate increasing. Even though her perfume was intoxicating, filling his nostrils with an exotic scent, he knew he couldn’t stand for her bratty behavior. No one else should either. “You are one bad girl, and do you know what naughty girls deserve?” He didn’t wait for her answer, merely yanked out the fourth chair at the table, plopping down and within two seconds, pulled her over his lap.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Cooper demanded, pushing hard against him, flailing her arms and legs. “Let me go, you bastard.”

  “Bastard. Another reason for a hard spanking.” Rex exhaled, easily taking her wrist into one hand. She was certainly no match for his brawn.

  “Don’t you dare try to spank me! I’m an adult,” Cooper huffed.

  “If you’d act like an adult then you’ll be treated like one. You’re acting like a child and bad children receive punishment,” he countered.

  “What... the...” one of the other girls exclaimed, the other bursting into laughter.

  “I think he has your number, Cooper,” the third girl finally said.

  “You aren’t going to ever treat people this way again. Am I clear?” Rex smacked her bottom several times, moving from one ass cheek to the other. The heat surrounding him was oppressive, adding gasoline to the embers buried deep inside. He wanted this girl, just like he had all those years ago. Everything about her burned a fire in his belly, his cock twitching hard against his way too tight jeans.

  And he wasn’t into taking ‘no’ for an answer.

  “Ouch!” Cooper kicked out, struggling to release her arm. “I’ll have you arrested.”

  “Go ahead and try.”

  She was a wily one in his arms, whining and pitching a fit.

  He pushed her arm aside, spanking her again. And again. “No, you don’t. You’re going to learn to be a little lady when you’re out in public.” A series of mumbles from other tables could be heard. Obviously, they had no idea whether or not this was an act.

  “You’re crazy!” Cooper yelled.

  “I am that, but everyone in this bar knows exactly what you need and that’s what I’m giving to you.” Rex peppered her ass with hard spanks, taking his time as she continued to wiggle. When she issued a litany of cuss words, he’d reached his limit. “That’s it. You’re getting a bare-assed spanking.”

  “You. Fucking. Wouldn’t. Dare!”

  “Like hell, I would. And no cursing!” Yanking up her dress and exposing her G-string, he wrangled one leg over hers, keeping her in position as he moved from one butt cheek to the other, savoring the stinging in his hand as he spanked her. Her bottom quickly took on a warm blush. “You’re a mouthy brat and you should have your mouth washed out with soap.”

  “No!” She continued to struggle, whimpering as she jerked her head up and down. “Someone help me!”

  “No one is going to help you, young lady. Your behavior is uncalled for.” Rex could tell every head in the bar was turned in their direction. Even the band had stopped playing, preferring to watch the action at hand. He fell into a rhythm, spanking her long and hard and after her bottom was crimson in color, only then did he notice that she’d stopped struggling, her palms on the floor, her head hung low. He could hear the few cuss words she still muttered and knew her punishment would only do but so much good.

  Cooper took several deep breaths, her soft whimpers turning into soft sobs. “Stop. It hurts.”

  “Spankings are supposed to hurt,” Rex stated, loud enough for the customers in close proximity to hear.

  “Spank her harder,” a gruff voice said from the crowd.

  “She deserves it,” another male voice stated, calling out over the others.

  “Are you going to be a very good girl?” Rex asked as he rubbed her ass cheeks, his fingers tingling from the slightest touch of her heated skin.

  “Yes...” she snapped, huffing under her breath.

  Smack! Crack!

  “Yes?” he asked, hesitating.

  “Yes. Sir,” she stated through gritted teeth, wiggling until she was grinding back and forth across his groin.

  Breathless, a series of electric sensations shot through him, stalling his efforts. Beads of sweat trickled down the back of his neck from the raging current alone. He blinked, attempting to focus on the task at hand. But this woman, Jesus, this woman was getting to him. He was ready to drag her outside, impale her with every inch of his hard, throbbing cock. “Six more,” he managed to say.

  “Yes, sir.” Her tone remained snarky, but at least more subdued.

  Rex made certain she would feel the last strikes for some time to come. And he could swear the crowd was counting them off, one by one, enjoying the spectacle. Hell, so was he. When he was finished, he pulled down her dress, a flash of embarrassment crowding against the desire burning into his body. He’d had the same reaction to her years before. “You did very well. Hopefully you’ve learned that bad behavior won’t be tolerated.” He helped her to stand, keeping his hands placed on her shaking arms.

  She panted, her head remaining lowered, her shimmering eyes locked onto his. A light seemed to dawn in them, as if she recognized him from all the years before.

  Suddenly uncomfortable, he wanted this particular session to be over, but damn if he didn’t crave more—much more from this enticing brat. “Now, if I ever see or hear of you acting this way in front of anyone again, I will use my thick leather belt next time. By all rights, you should be standing in the corner with your dress raised for at least thirty minutes, so you can think about your ridiculous actions, but I’ll spare you that tonight. Do you understand?”

  Her defiance had returned ten-fold, her mouth pursing, but she issued the words, just as if she knew what would happen if she didn’t. “Oh, yes. Sir.”

  “Good.” He stood, towering over her, the sweat now sliding against the collar of his shirt. What in the hell had possessed him to do this kind of thing? His heart was racing as he held his head high, grabbing the tray as he walked away from the table and back to his friends. Why did he have the distinct feeling he’d slammed himself smack in the middle of a hornet’s nest?

  The clapping was loud, uncontrolled and he couldn’t help but smile. As he passed by the bartender, dropping off the drink tray, the bartender grinned.

  “Buddy, just for that, drinks are on the house for the entire night,” the bartender quipped, slapping his hand on top of the bar.

  “Wow,” Denton whispered when he returned.

  “That was fantastic,” Johnny added.

  Rex stole another look in her direction, grinning given the way her friends remained wide-eyed and unmoving and he knew... Oh, you bet he knew that they would tangle again. And one day, he was going to have to tame his brat once and for all.

  Chapter Two

  You need a hard spanking every day.

  The scathing little voice whispering the wretched thought lingered in Cooper’s mind, making her crazy with desire as well as vexed from his audacious actions. The dichotomy was driving her insane. While her behavior at the bar wasn’t necessarily uncharacteristic, she’d gone way over the top. Perhaps the two shots of tequila prior to entering the honky-tonk joint hadn’t been the best idea.

  “He did what?” Angie’s face was scrunched, her brow wrinkled but she was unable to suppress a giggle.

  “Don’t you dare laugh at me, Angie,” Cooper snapped as
the ache in her backside continued, a constant reminder that she’d been disciplined in front of a crowd of people. She certainly hadn’t deserved that kind of reaction, no matter how bad her behavior had been. How dare the man? Who did he think he was? Telling Angie the story was horribly embarrassing, but the words had just slipped out.

  She’d recently connected with her best friend after returning home and was damn glad the girl hadn’t been at the bar to see her humiliation. She refused to rub her ass, even though the stinging had kept her awake half the night. Who was she kidding? She’d grabbed her vibrator, longing to have his mouth sucking on her cunt, swirling his tongue around her clit. The second she’d plunged the thick, hot pink rubber into her channel, she’d come almost instantly, burying her face into her pillow. She was so ashamed, mortified that the incident had occurred.

  Bad girl. Bad girl.

  Okay, fine. The night hadn’t been her finest.

  And all she could think about was the sound of his husky voice and the feel of his powerful hands as he’d yanked her across his knees—his very masculine knees. Huffing, she realized she was tingling all over, her mouth cotton dry. Why was she having this reaction? The man was a jerk, an asshole, a... No, she was going to shut the entire thing out of her mind.

  “I’m not laughing, but I wish I’d been there. Seeing you being spanked in a crowded bar. Did he really do this awful deed bare-assed?”

  Yes, he did. The sexy, roughhewn man whipped me like a bad little girl. The thoughts made her cringe yet her pussy quivered, sensations of molten lava making her pinch her legs together. She cursed under her breath as she walked into the bathroom, lifting her cotton dress and twisting so she could see in the mirror. The red marks remained. She could even swear she could see his handprint, smack in the middle of both ass cheeks. The thought made her angry, enough so bile formed in her throat. “Asshole. The man is an asshole.”

  “Ah, darlin’. He’s just a cowboy and you know how they like to take matters into their large, rugged hands.” Angie was in a fit of giggles, toppling over on the bed.