The door to the empty house swung open at Joeys push from the outside and he stepped inside, welcoming the opportunity to be alone. The day from Hell was over and he simply wanted to be by himself for a little while. His guilty conscience had poked and prodded him all day, having actually started during the night causing him to sleep fitfully.
Using the household bills as an excuse, Joey had worked from the computer the night before to submit a payment of $2000 to an investment company against his partners wishes. Since Joey handled all the bills, he knew he could pull off the transaction with Doug none the wiser. His head was aching with the memory of clicking the "submit" button to complete the transaction. It didnt feel dirty when he did it, but it felt downright filthy in the light of day.
And in that light, he replayed what he had done over and over. It made him feel grouchy resulting in more than one snap at his co-workers. He found himself apologizing at every turn knowing it was Doug who was due his most sincere regret. But, to do that, he had to confess first and he just wasnt sure he had it in him. He fixed something to drink to wash the Advil down before settling on the sofa.
He stared alternately into his glass and out into the space of the room, looking through, rather than at, anything in particular. It started out such a lovely evening when he met Doug for dinner the previous night at the Texas Roadhouse Grill. Joey had spent the day at a motivational seminar and was pumped. He couldnt wait to tell Doug all about it, especially the investment opportunity. He thought back to Dougs comments.
"HOW much?" Doug had asked in surprise.
"Two thousand dollars. But, well get it all back."
"Did you get that in writing?" Doug asked.
"Doug, come on. Its this website with all these tools for tracking stocks. It looked so easy. But you cant have access unless you pay the $2000. We would make a LOT of money."
Joey remembered the skepticism in Dougs voice when he responded. "I dont know about that, sweetheart. If it seems to be too good to be true, it typically is. This feels too good to be true in my opinion."
Joey had vehemently disagreed, "You werent there. You should trust me on this. You know Im good with this sort of thing."
"It has absolutely nothing to do with trusting you. It has everything to do with not trusting THEM."
Trust. Joeys stomach began to ache in unison with his pounding head at the memory. He might have destroyed that trust forever once Doug found out. He not only went against Dougs wishes, he took money from their emergency fund to do it. It felt like stealing. Stealing from them.
"Its called an emergency fund for a reason," Doug had said the night before. "I dont see this at all as an emergency."
"But this guy is SO rich. You wouldnt believe how easy it will be."
"My guess is hes rich off people like us. I dont want us to add to his wealth. Im sorry we dont agree on this, but Ill have to say no."
Joey had valiantly continued to argue his point but had finally been vetoed once and for all by Doug. It was on the way home he decided to disobey and pay the money to the investment company. His intentions had been good. Doug just didnt understand how it worked and he hadnt been able to explain it to him properly. Once the money started to roll in, he had planned to spill all. That was yesterday.
If only he could turn back the clock. His head snapped up from the back of the sofa as he thought there might be hope. He quickly headed to the office and booted up the computer. The whole transaction had taken place online so Joey hoped desperately he could cancel the money transfer. He quickly clicked through the screens, reading the links to find what he wanted. He pulled up the account and his heart sank as he saw "Transaction Completed" with todays date. It was too late.
He stared at the dollar amount in the transaction summary and heard Dougs voice ringing in his head.
"Two THOUSAND dollars? Not two hundred?" Doug had exclaimed at dinner incredulously.
A whole two thousand. Joey knew his only hope of redemption was to make it work and hopefully get the money back through careful investments. He wasnt nearly so optimistic with the motivational speakers boost quickly becoming a fading memory. Joey sighed deeply and shut down the computer and went to the kitchen with all intentions of starting dinner as usual.
He pulled the roast out of the refrigerator then put it back before he even had a chance to close the door. He had to tell Doug. No need to get dinner started only to have it ruined. There was no way he could eat and wait to confess. He would have to jump right in and do it before he lost his nerve as soon as Doug got home. He shuffled over to the kitchen table and slumped into a chair, resting his aching head in his hands.
Memories from the last 24 hours were replaced with visions of the future. There was something somewhat comforting to know this would be out in the open and over soon, one way or the other. He could imagine Dougs reaction, calm but firm. He never lost his temper, never raised his voice, but that didnt mean he was at all too soft to punish and punish properly. He wondered if this act would be the thing to send Doug over the edge. Would he lose it? Would he ever trust him again? Joey could envision the disappointment that would show on Dougs face. The thought of hurting Doug was more than he could stand.
The garage door opening announced Dougs arrival home. The time had come for a full confession. His stomach churned with anticipation and reaction to his nerves. His perfectly unknowing partner entered the kitchen and smiled when he saw his lover. The smile quickly turned to concern.
"Joey? Whats wrong, baby? Have a bad day?" Dougs hands went to the top of Joeys head and caressed down his hair to his neck, giving a gentle squeeze. "Youre tense."
The hands slid to Joeys shoulders and began to knead the tight muscles. Joeys own hand went to cover Dougs.
"I guess you could say I had a bad day."
"Anything I can do?" Doug said, bending down and kissing the top of Joeys chestnut head.
"I....I need to talk to you." Joey stammered, steeling his nerve. His stomach was in knots as he heard his mouths proclamation. "Can we go in the living room?"
Dougs brow furrowed in a frown as his curiosity was peaked. "Sure, baby. Come on," he said, taking Joeys hand that was covering his own. Joey slipped from the chair and loosely held his partners hand as he led him to the living room sofa.
Doug took a deep breath, anticipating the worst. Joey was clearly upset and he was about to find out why. Before he let his imagination run away, he quickly asked, "Now, whats going on that has you so upset?"
Joeys eyes found his hands and he stared hard at them to avoid his partners eyes. He cleared his throat to loosen the restriction he felt there and started talking.
"I did something. Something horrible. I feel so bad...."
Doug squeezed the hand in his and said, "Baby, what is it? It cant be all that bad. You know you can tell me anything."
"I....I paid for that investing thing after you told me not to," Joey said and stole a quick look into his lovers eyes. "I really thought it was the right thing to do. Last night, at least."
Doug let the comments sink in before he spoke. "Is there anything we can do to get the money back?"
"I couldnt find a way. I tried to make it right. I swear I did," Joey said, voice starting to crack.
"Think, sweetheart. Is there anyone we can contact?"
Joey hadnt thought to email the company. Maybe there was hope after all. "They probably have an email address." He couldnt believe it didnt cross his mind. "I guess I just didnt think of it. Ive been so upset all day. Im SO sorry, Doug. Can you ever forgive me?" he asked, breaking down into full tears.
Doug pulled his lover into his arms and held him tightly while he sobbed. Doug couldnt talk to him because he was so upset; he doubted he would even hear him if he did. He simply held him and stroked his shaking body to try to calm him.
"Shhhh. Its all right. Well be fine. Shhhh," Doug said gently rocking his lover.
"Are you mad? Do you haaaatttteee meeee?" Joey wailed.
Doug pulled away and took Joeys chin in his hands. "Look at me. No, LOOK at me," he said when Joey tried to look away. Doug spoke slowly and firmly, "I. Love. You. Do you understand? Do you?"
"But, I...."
"I dont care. I still love you. I dont think you made a wise choice, but that doesnt in any way change how I feel about you."
Joey stared back into his lovers eyes and they told him that Doug spoke the truth. He saw no hate or malice in their warmth. No anger, no disappointment, just love, plain and simple.
His tears slowed at that and he drew himself close to his partner again, hugging him tightly and the firm embrace was returned. He spoke into Dougs shoulder, his words slightly muffled in Dougs shirt. "Im SO sorry. I felt horrible about this all day. I wish I could make it right, but I dont know how."
"Well try contacting them through email and see if we can get the money back. If we cant, well survive. Okay?"
Joey nodded against his lovers shoulder calming considerably. He relaxed as Dougs hands massaged up and down his back. He spoke again into Dougs shoulder, "I really thought I was doing a good thing, that you just didnt understand. I was going to surprise you when the money started coming in. I wasnt going to hide it from you forever."
"And, what if the money didnt come in, had you planned to tell me that as well?"
Joey was silent as he was thinking. He realized he had never considered the fact they might actually not make money on the program when he was signing up for it. "I didnt think about that. I really think it will work and thats all I cared about at the time."
"Obviously. I know you well enough to know you would have never done it if you thought for one minute it would fail."
"I was pretty sure when I did it. But, I started to have my doubts today."
"I had my doubts last night. I wasnt at the seminar with you but I know how they work. They get everyone all excited and could probably sell a snowball to an Eskimo."
"I know you didnt believe it would work. I just didnt think you were right," Joey said.
Doug continued to hold him but his hands stopped working so there would be no distractions when he spoke again. "And, when we disagree, who has the last word in our relationship?"
Joeys stomach started to twist at the turn in the conversation. He knew when he decided to confess he would ultimately end up at this point. Of this, he was certain. "You do."
Doug pulled Joey away from his shoulder so he could see his wet eyes. "I dont like the fact that you pulled $2000 from our joint account against my wishes. But, if we lose the money, it isnt the end of the world." Joeys eyes dropped and the tears threatened to return. Dougs finger found the underside of Joeys chin and tipped it up again and to find his eyes. "What bothers me most is that you did it against my express direction not to."
Joeys chin started to quiver as the threatening tears accumulated to the point of blurring his vision. One tear escaped down his cheek and Doug gently brushed it away. "I have to spank you for this, you know that."
Joey nodded against the finger holding his chin in place and his focus was directed away from Dougs eyes. "I know. Im sorry."
"I know you are. I appreciate the fact that you came to me with this. Im sure it was hard because you knew what would happen, but it was for the best." Doug released Joeys chin and he stood taking his hand as he did so.
Doug approached the hallway leading to their bedroom and Joey followed without protest, but with tears trickling. Doug didnt release his hand as he went to the dresser and pulled a drawer free. He heard Joeys throat elicit a whimper as Doug slipped his hand inside the drawer to retrieve the paddle they kept there. Doug squeezed Joeys hand reassuring him all would be fine. It wasnt often that Doug had to paddle Joey, but this was one offense that warranted it without a doubt.
Doug let go of Joeys hand long enough to pull the straight-backed chair out into the middle of the room and take a seat. Joey watched his progress and shifted miserably.
"Come here, please," Doug said, laying the paddle on the floor beside him. He watched Joey swallow hard then tentatively take a step toward him. He waited patiently for his lover to bring himself to him.
Joey was finally where he knew from experience he was supposed to be - on Dougs right side. He waited nervously for further instructions, not knowing if Doug would bare him or ask him to do it himself.
"Pull your pants down for me, please," Doug instructed.
Joey hesitated and looked at his lover. Seeing the firmness in his eyes, he didnt object, but began to work his zipper and button. He noticed his fingers were shaking as he pushed his pants and underwear out of the way.
Once that was done, Doug patted his lap and said, "Right here."
Joey squeezed his eyes shut and wiped at them once more before he leaned down and placed himself across Dougs knees.
He listened as Doug spoke above him. "When I say no, I mean no. There are no two ways about it. We discussed it and disagreed. My final decision was no and I was clear about that."
"I know, Im soorrryy," Joey said as the tears began to fall again.
"Do you have anything else to add before we get started?" Doug asked conversationally.
"Just that Im sorry and it wont happen again. I SWEAR!" Joey wailed.
"I appreciate that," Doug said just before he set to work. He brought his hand down against his partners well-defined bottom presented before him, turning the skin to pink, then red. Joey involuntarily started to wiggle against the spanks as his body tried to protect itself against the onslaught of smacks against his backside. Doug held him firmly in place and concentrated on delivering smart swats to his lovers behind. Joeys cries increased as his bottom continued to warm, his focus now there rather than on the guilt he felt. The spanks stopped falling long enough for Doug to gather the paddle from the floor beside him and he felt his partner tense under his arm with anticipation of feeling the smooth wood across his searing bottom.
Doug paused just a moment then snapped down the paddle against Joeys scarlet behind. Joey jerked in response and cried out. He lost his breath as Doug swung the paddle again, solidly connecting with his intended target. He continued to bring it down repeatedly, efficiently covering Joeys bottom until he had sufficiently gone over the entire area at least twice. Joeys legs flailed at the swats and spiraled against his pants as they crumpled and twisted around his feet and ankles. He continued to squirm even after the paddle stopped falling, his voice ragged in his ears with his wracking tears. Doug tried to pull him to his feet but he slipped to the floor, burying his face in Dougs lap. He felt the reassuring touch of his lovers hand against the back of his head, stroking gently as he waited for the worst of the crying to subside. Finally, Doug rose to his feet and pulled Joey into a standing position. He bent down and helped him out of his pants and underwear before steering him to the corner of the bedroom.
Doug kissed Joeys head before leaving him to calm down and rethink what he had done. Now that the worst was over, Joey felt sweet release from the guilt that had plagued him all day. He cried for his throbbing bottom but knew it was deserved. Doug never spanked him without good reason, and he had plenty of reason in this case. He laid his head against the cool wall and began to settle down.
Doug listened intently for his partners cries to die away before he returned to their bedroom. When he could hear them no more, he went back to his lover and gathered him in his arms. He knew after a spanking Joey always needed reassurance that all was well between them.
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" Doug whispered to his lover. "Hmm? Have I?" He felt Joey nod against him. "This is over now, okay? No more tormenting yourself over it. If we cant get the money back, well chalk it up as a lesson learned."
Joey hugged his partner tightly, "How do you put up with me?"
"Easy. I dont put up with you. You dont put up with someone you love. You made a mistake, plain and simple. Weve dealt with that," Doug said.
"Im so sorry, Doug."
"Thats enough," Doug replied sternly. "Youve apologized, Ive forgiven and youve been punished. Got it?"
Joey nodded and ran his hands down his face trying to rub the remaining tears away. Doug kissed his forehead and said, "Get a robe. Im guessing you dont want to put your pants back on." Joey shook his head hard and his eyes widened at the thought. "Lets order takeout, hmm? Cuddle instead of cook. Sound okay to you?"
Joey nodded, "Sounds good."
Only letting go of his lover long enough for him to put on a robe, Doug led them back to the living room where Joey snuggled deep within his partners unwavering love and embrace.
The end.