Stacey's pov

It was obvious Mike was in an even pissier mood when we left the department store. The awkward silence in the car was stifling, to say the least. I poked Lisa in the side, hoping to get a rise out of her. It worked.

"Ow, Stacey. What was that for?" Lisa yelled.

"What are you talking about? What was what for?" I was bored so I decided to egg her on.

"You poked me!" Lisa was raising her voice. Clearly I was annoying her.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Just shut up, Lisa." I was starting to enjoy this game.

"How do you like it?" Lisa sneered, after poking me back.

"Knock it off, Lisa!" I yelled, slapping the hand that poked me.

"No, you knock it off!" Lisa smacked me back.

"If both of you don't knock it off in the next five seconds, I swear I will pull this car over and blister your behinds," Mike threatened, in an eerily calm yet frightening tone. "If you think I'm kidding, try me."

"Geez, we were just goofin' around. Who peed in your Cheerios?" I said, a little too loudly under my breath.

Mike put his turn signal on and pulled the car over onto the shoulder. He turned on the hazards, slowly unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car without saying a word.

Fuck! What have I done? I thought. I was scared shitless of what Mike was goin' to do right now. My cheeks flushed, turning hot and pink. My pulse quickened. As Mike walked around to my door, I instinctively pushed myself back against the seat, trying to increase the distance between us, me and my executioner.

Mike opened my door and sternly said, "Get out of the car, Stacey." He was so calm, yet so livid. A truly terrifying combination.

I was paralyzed by fear. Mike didn't say a word as he unbuckled my seatbelt. I could literally feel the waves of anger pulsating off his skin. He backed up, holding the door open for my exit from the vehicle. It was as if this movie was playing in slow motion. Afraid to take my eyes off him, I got out of the car slowly, without breaking my gaze.

In one quick motion, Mike slammed my door shut and grabbed me around the waist, pinning me against the inside of his right hip. He quickly delivered five sharp smacks to my behind. I don't know if it was the severity of the smacks or my fear of this icy cold man standing next to me that brought tears to my eyes.

He leaned in close, whispering harshly in my ear, "Do not give me reason to reprimand you again today."

Wow. No chill.

I swallowed my rapidly beating heart back down into my chest and let out the breath I had been unconsciously holding since we pulled over. You could have heard a pin drop in that car for the remainder of the drive to the grocery store.

Mike's pov

I've had it with these girls today. Julie's disobedience at the department store. Stacey's disrespect in the car. Lisa's attitude at the grocery store. Carrie's whining at the post office. My patience has truly worn thin. The thought of sitting down to a tall glass of Guinness at Sheffield Pub is the only thing keeping me sane right now.

As we pull into the parking lot at the Center, I realize there's only one thing standing between me and that glass of Guinness. Julie's punishment. I spanked the other three on the spot for their misbehavior. Julie just got one swat at the department store and the promise of more when we got home. Why didn't I just finish her spanking there? Oh yeah, now I remember. I was too angry at the time. That girl sure has a way of pushing my buttons.

Walking into the center, I send Stacey, Lisa, and Carrie to their room until dinner.

I grab Julie by the arm and say, "You're coming with me," as I lead her to my room. "You and I need to have a talk about your behavior at the department store today, Julie. Take a seat."

Julie rolls her eyes and sighs before sitting on my bed. I hear her mumble, "Whatever," under her breath.

That 'whatever' is the straw that just broke this camel's back. I reach for my belt, ready to put an end to her disrespectful attitude. I see Julie's eyes widen and her mouth opens in shock. I take off my belt, double it over, and snap it in front of Julie's face.

"Is this what it's going to take to correct your attitude and put an end to your disobedience?" I threaten sternly.

I hear Julie gulp. This brown strip of leather is clearly already making an impression.

"No sir," she says, quite respectfully.

"I'm tired of having this same conversation about your poor attitude every week, Julie."

"Then don't," she sasses.

I feel myself becoming enraged due to her continued disrespect. I take a deep breath but it does nothing to quell my fury. I raise the belt high above my head, ready to strike, until I see Julie cower in fear while shielding her face with her arms. A sobering sight indeed. I quickly drop my belt on the floor as if it's burning my hand.

"Julie, look at me."

She cautiously lowers her arms but still shrinks back in fear.

I reach for her to help her stand up but she flinches, clearly terrified of me. Dr Evans is right, I have to learn to manage my temper. It breaks my heart to see Julie thinks I'm capable of hurting or abusing her.

I give her some space and repeat calmly, "Julie, look at me." When she does, I say, "Come here and stand in front of me please." She slowly complies. I take her hands in mine. "I'm sorry I scared you. I hope you know I would never hurt or abuse you. I am, however, going to spank you for deliberately disobeying me at the department store today and for your disrespectful attitude. You're old enough and smart enough to know the difference between the pain of a disciplinary spanking versus abuse. Am I right?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, now get over my knee please." I rest my right hand on the small of her back. "Tell me why you're getting this spanking, Julie."

"Because I didn't listen at the store today when I went off by myself."

"And..." I prompt her to continue.

"And I disrespected you."

Now that I'm satisfied she knows she earned this punishment with her misbehavior, I can begin.

I spank her ten times before lowering her pants, then I raise my left leg a little to position her bottom higher so I can focus on her upper thighs. With each hard spank, I can see her bottom reddening below her underwear line on each leg. I continue spanking hard and fast until she squirms uncomfortably. I can hear and feel her sharp intakes of air as a means to tolerate the pain each spank delivers to her sore, inflamed bottom.

When I hear her sniffling, I know we're almost done. Five more to each cheek, plus five more to each thigh, and two very hard smacks across the middle of her butt. I stand her up and pull her pants back up over her sore bottom. When she winces at the touch of the rough fabric, I know I've done a thorough job. She turns and starts to walk away but I grab her wrist and pull her back in front of me.

"Not so fast. What do you have to say to me?"

She huffs in annoyance, so I reach back and smack her right thigh.

"Lose the attitude, missy, or I'll start this spanking from the beginning. Am I clear?"

"Yes."

I smack her bottom again, harder this time.

"Ow!" she whines, rubbing the sting away.

"Yes what?" This girl's going to learn respect, if it's the last thing I do.

"Yes sir." She bites her tongue to refrain from earning another smack due to attitude.

"If I have to wait another minute for your apology, Julie, you'll find yourself right back over my knee."

Knowing my threat isn't an idle one, Julie quickly speaks up, "I'm sorry for disobeying you and having a bad attitude."

I know she hates having to swallow her pride and apologize but that's why it's so important she does it. She gets one more swat as I stand, pull her close, and tell her I love her before sending her off to her room.