(This story is available for your listening pleasure through Anchor at https://anchor.fm/anarie-brady/episodes/Follow-your-Rules-e1c3oke

Casey looked down at the growing puddle of tears . Joseph loved her tears. Normally, she wasn’t a fan, but tonight was different. Tonight she needed to cry. She had not only agreed to the rules she broke, she was the one who suggested them in the first place. Having knowingly and willfully broken them, she felt terribly ashamed. So ashamed that only the cathartic release of tears could redeem her soul.

COUNT

“ten,” she squeaked out. “Thank you, Joseph.”

He paused, allowing her a moment to breathe.

“Tell me again what you did and why.”

“I didn’t tell you I was going out last night even though I promised I would always tell you when I wouldn’t be home by 10:30. I know you worry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“You still need to tell me why.”

Casey gulped, sniffled, then answered honestly. “I forgot.”

Silence. Casey shifted her feet. Joseph was angry – or had been last night. Today, he was calm. He never punished her in the heat of his anger. This was, though, the third time this month she had not told him she’d be late getting home. Joseph did not micromanage her time, but worried about her if he didn’t know she’d be late. All she had to do was shoot him a quick text letting him know she’d be late and he didn’t worry. Three times, though, she’d caused him unnecessary concern.

COUNT

“eleven.”

Casey knotted her fists, gritted her teeth, and felt more tears slid down her face to join the others. Nothing. Absolutely nothing stung like the Tawse.

“twelve. thirteen. fourteen. fifteen. Thank you, Joseph.”

“Good. Now for part two,” Joseph said as he stepped around her.

Casey was bent over a sturdy kitchen stool, her breasts dangling over the edge. Joseph pulled down on her nipples, twisting and pinching them until she whimpered. He’d warned her that if she broke position, he’d begin the count over, no matter how far along they were. She didn’t doubt him.

He pulled out the clips he’d put in the refrigerator an hour before and without preamble, attached the cold, cruel clips to her nipples. Casey sobbed.

Fifteen more times he paddled her ass and the back of her thighs. Then, he stopped again. He had made her prepare the peeled ginger fig earlier so that it would be ready. Silently, he spread her stinging cheeks and inserted the unusually large piece of ginger. A moment later, Casey’s body collapsed on the stool and she shrieked.

“Joseph! I’m so, so sorry. I PROMISE this will never happen again.” Snot dripped from her nose. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

“Good, sweetheart. I believe you. Still, Let’s make sure you remember that promise. Fifteen more. You didn’t expect mercy just because you’re hurting did you?”

“no,” she whimpered.

“Good. Because you know me better than that. You hurt me, Casey. Maybe you’ll remember this the next time you go out.”