Taming Ashley Read online

  But somewhere inside herself she knew that the questions were just a pretense, just an excuse for her indignation. She'd been partying for a long time. All over the world and at her father's expense. She should have known he would have grown tired of it eventually. Her grades were terrible, her time having been spent in bars and clubs rather than at the library. But why couldn't her father have just called her himself? Why couldn't he have been the one that got on a plane and helped her with her passport? Why did he have to send some guy she barely remembered, handsome as he was, to spank her? The thought made her blush.

  Her thoughts caught on the memory of Morgan, the man she was now meant to call 'sir.' Despite his strict demeanour and stiff hand, there was something about him that cut through all of that. There was something Ashley knew but couldn't quite admit to herself. She'd never met a man like Morgan. The guys she'd dated always ended up being soft, not knowing how to deal with her personality, or her tantrums.

  He was the kind of man she'd never met but always wanted to. The kind of man who knew what he wanted and didn't apologize for it. The kind of man who knew what to do with a woman like her.

  So, after sitting there and thinking things through for a while, Ashley had realized the best thing to do was to just put the maid uniform on, swallow her pride, and do as he said.

  Now, as she stood there examining herself. The heels she was wearing accentuating her already curvy ass, the short black skirt barely covering her cheeks. She thought of Morgan's hand on her still burning bottom and the thought sent a flush of excitement through her.

  "What is wrong with me," Ashley muttered to herself, wondering why the older man's discipline made her body react the way it did.

  A knock at the door shook her out of her daydreams and into the moment. She sucked in her stomach and glanced up and down the length of her body in the mirror one last time.

  "Come in," she said, to whoever was behind the door. It opened quickly and Morgan Kennings stepped inside. Ashley saw his eyes brighten as he took in the first sight of her in her new maid's uniform. It sent a thrill through her, that she could have that kind of effect on the man. But the look quickly faded, replaced by his usual stern gaze.

  "I see you've changed. That's a good start," Morgan remarked dryly. "Come with me and I'll show you where to start." Ashley rolled her eyes as he turned his back, but followed him out of the room and down the hall. At the end of the hall, Morgan opened one of two massive double doors. The musty scent of old books flooded through the door as Ashley stepped inside. "This is my library. You are not to touch any of the books. Many of them are invaluable. Your job is to dust the edges of each shelf."

  Ashley's jaw dropped as her eyes took in row upon row of bookshelves, all looking like they hadn't been touched in decades.

  "You want me to dust all of these?" she asked, unable to believe that such a task was even possible.

  "Yes. Now get started so you finish in time to make dinner." Morgan's words were dry and final. Stepping out, he closed the door behind him and left Ashley staring up at the massive mountains of literature. The corners of her mouth turned down into a pout and her lip quivered slightly. Thick, hot, salty tears began to roll down her cheeks. She'd promised herself that she would try her best, that she would abide by the contract she'd signed, that she would show Morgan Kennings that she could take the worst that he could throw at her. But here she was, standing in front of the first assignment he'd given her, already breaking down.

  The years of partying had come to an end and now this was going to be her new life? The thought sent a shiver of rage through her body. She didn't deserve this. Her father was Richard Aston, one of the richest men in the world! She was practically royalty! There was no way she was going to spend any amount of time doing the work of a maid!

  Wiping the tears off her cheeks, Ashley threw the duster onto the floor, turned on her heel and opened the door. Standing on the other side was Morgan Kennings, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze cold and hard. Ashley's cheeks burned with fiery rage.

  "What do you think you're doing?" Morgan growled. Ashley fumed.

  "If you think for one second that I'm going to spend any amount of time dusting shitty books in some stuffy room..."

  Morgan didn't wait for Ashley to finish her sentence. Reaching out with his massive hand, he grabbed her by the shoulder, turned her around and bent her over. The spanks were firm this time, a sternness in them that Ashley hadn't felt before. But with each one, deep inside Ashley felt some small part of her start to melt. After fifteen of them, Morgan stopped and stood her up again.

  "Now listen," Morgan said, his tone softened, "we're gonna make this work, you and me, but you've gotta do your part."

  Ashley turned her head, shocked at the sudden warmth in his voice. The sting of hot tears began to burn in her eyes and her vision clouded slightly before they began to roll off her cheek. She felt Morgan pull her towards himself, felt his arms wrap around her, the strength of his body pressed against hers. She felt her body relax as she gave in to the comfort of his embrace and sniffled as the tears kept flowing. Morgan stood there with her, holding her until she stopped crying.

  When she looked up, he was looking back down at her and she could almost see the tiniest hint of a smile playing at his lips. Ashley felt a comfortable warmth settle inside her body.

  "This isn't just about punishing you Ashley. Do you know that?" Morgan asked. Ashley nodded softly. She wasn't sure exactly what else it was about, but something inside her told her there was more to it than she understood. "Are you ready to try again?" Morgan's voice was still low as he asked the question. She looked back up at him and nodded again, giving a final sniffle. When he let her go, she turned and picked up the duster and walked into the library filled with books.

  Morgan watched as she walked slowly into the room. As he closed the door quietly, the smile Ashley had seen flickering at his lips blossomed and he lowered his eyes towards the ground. Maybe this wouldn't be as difficult as he thought.

  ***

  Chapter 4

  "Good morning," Morgan said over his paper as Ashley shuffled into the kitchen, her hair a mess and her eyes bleary.

  "Coffee?" she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and barely looking at her host. Morgan put his paper down and levelled his gaze at Ashley.

  Ashley stopped and looked at him, unsure of what was about to happen next.

  "Let's try that again. Good morning," Morgan said. Ashley eyed him carefully. She'd come to know that despite his friendly expression, he would have no problem disciplining her right there in the kitchen. Her cheeks were still sore from the spankings she'd endured the last few days and she didn't really want to feel his hand on them again. She looked down at the ground.

  "Good morning..." she muttered, her voice trailing off, unsure if her response was what he wanted. When she looked back up, his eyebrows were turned up, expectant. "Good morning...sir?" she asked. The smile that curved up one side of his mouth sent a warm feeling of relief and satisfaction through her. Seemed like she'd managed to get it right this time. And it hadn't felt too bad.

  "That's better. Much better," Morgan said standing up. "We'll have to talk about your appearance, but that can wait till later. You said you wanted coffee?"

  Ashley felt the heat of her fury start to rise at the mention of her appearance but she took a deep breath and calmed herself down. She'd finally managed to say something right, now if she could keep her mouth shut, maybe she wouldn't spoil it.

  "Yes, a coffee would be lovely. Please." Ashley spoke through half-clenched teeth, stifling the urge to scream at the giant man. Who was he to be talking about what she looked like in the morning anyways? She didn't even have any clothes here which is why she was wearing the stupid t-shirt that was too big for her.

  "You'll find the mugs in that cupboard up there," Morgan said, pointing, "coffee's in the pot on the counter. Your clothes arrived this morning." Ashley scratched her head and looked around
the giant kitchen. Now that she wasn't quite as sleepy, she began to take in the beautiful marble counter tops, the stainless steel appliances and most of all the massive window that looked out over the pasture and onto the mountains beyond.

  A shiver once again ran down her back at the sheer beauty of the place. She looked over at morning who was looking at her and smiling. "You like it?" he asked, nodding towards the view. Ashley nodded and looked out the window once again and took a deep breath. It was another almost cloudless day and the mountains looked amazing against the blued sky. When she looked back, Morgan was holding a steaming cup of coffee. He handed her the mug.

  "Thanks," Ashley said, blushing slightly at the kind gesture. Somehow the man looked even more handsome today in the kitchen than he had yesterday.

  "You're welcome. Now I've got some work to do outside. There's a plate with some eggs on it in the oven. Should still be warm. I didn't expect you to get up so late, but I wanted you to get a good rest. We've got a big day ahead of us."

  "We do?" Ashley asked, somewhat surprised.

  "We do. There's work to be done in the stalls and if there's time, I want to ride up past the ridge and see where the cattle are out on the other side. Don't suppose you know how to ride a horse?" Morgan asked. Ashley's eyes went wide. Morgan glance at her petite hands, the long fingernails painted a bright red. "No. Didn't think you did. You'll learn." He turned around and walked towards the door. "Your clothes are in a box right here. I'll see you out on the porch when you're dressed."

  Ashley stared after him, the cup of coffee steaming in her hand. Riding a horse? Uh, no. That was not going to happen. She felt the tremors of her temper start to get the better of her again. This was going to be a long day.

  ***

  Chapter 5

  Morgan was walking up the hill towards the house when Ashley stepped out onto the porch. He paused for a second and the same smile that had curved his lip when Ashley had finally called him 'sir' now cracked his mouth into a full grin.

  "What's so funny?" Ashley asked, scowling at the now rugged looking man. He looked completely different now in cowboy boots and jeans than he had when they'd first met.

  "That's a pretty little outfit," Morgan said, nodding at Ashley. She looked down at herself, a little bit pleased that the short skirt and tank top she'd decided to wear got his favourable attention. "But I don't think it's what you want to be wearing for what we're going to be doing today."

  Ashley scowled again.

  "So you're the fashion police now too?" she asked sarcastically, eyeing the worn jeans and plaid shirt Morgan was wearing. The smile faded from Morgan's face as he walked up the steps of the porch.

  "Not exactly. You can run around naked for all I care, I just think you're going to be more comfortable in some jeans."

  Ashley stared into Morgan's deep blue eyes for a moment, until the thought of running around naked on his ranch sent a blush to her cheeks. It brought with it the same indignation and rumbling rage that Ashley felt in response to almost everyone that had an opinion about what she was doing.

  "Look," she said, looking Morgan squarely in the eye and putting her hands on her hips, "I'll play your little game and call you sir and let you...let you...spank me if that's you're thing or whatever but I'll be damned if I'm going to take fashion advice from you. I'll wear whatever the hell I want!"

  Morgan pursed his lips and exhaled, his patience wearing thin again at the sassy girl's antics.

  "You'll wear what I tell you," he rumbled, turning back around and stepping off the porch, "but for now you can have your way. One thing at a time. Let's go. There's work to be done."

  It was Ashley's turn to smile. She stepped off the porch and followed the tall cowboy, having to break into a run every now and again to keep up with his long stride. It seemed like she had found a weak spot with Morgan and she had every intention of clinging to her little victory and rubbing it in his face. When they reached the barn Ashley turned up her nose at the smell of old straw and manure and stepped gingerly around piles of the stuff, trying to be careful not to let it touch the cute little sneakers she was wearing.

  Morgan grabbed a pitchfork and passed it to Ashley who took it in between two fingers, cringing at the thought of what it might be covered with.

  "Ever mucked out a stall?" Morgan asked calmly. Ashley's face widened into the now familiar expression she got whenever she was asked yet another question which she considered absolutely ridiculous. "Thought not." Morgan said, swinging one of the stall doors open. "Horse is already out. All you have to do is clean up." Ashley craned her neck and peered into the stall, the floor of which was covered in the old straw and manure she'd smelled on the way into the barn.

  "Ummm, I don't think so," she said finally, turning back to look at Morgan and propping the pitchfork up against the door. Morgan looked at her calmly and folded his arms across his chest. Ashley did the same. The two of them stared at each other like for a moment until Morgan shrugged, put one of his large hands on her shoulder, sat down on the stool beside the stall door and put her over his knee.

  Ashley gasped. The skirt she was wearing was short enough that as soon as he had her bent over, it slid up just enough to reveal the thin white cotton panties underneath. As usual, her body's reaction to the possibility of discipline was immediate and she felt the familiar warmth rush through her and end between her legs. She blushed again as she realized that the sensation caused a certain amount of wetness in between her thighs, wetness that was now soaking into the exposed cotton, wetness that Morgan could see.

  Morgan could see it. For a split second before his hand came down on the Ashley's exposed, round bottom, his eyes roved up and down the 'V' shape her panties made before they disappeared between her full cheeks. He saw the wetness there first, then soon smelled the scent of her desire. He couldn't help his body's reaction at the sight as his manhood moved inside his jeans.

  Ashley felt it too but tried not to react. The thought that Morgan felt something other than sternness at her exposed flesh was a confusing one, but one that sent another pulse of fluid from her sex. She didn't have much time to think about it though. Morgan's palm began not just swatting at her now, the slaps came hard, harder than they had before, and quickly as if he were spanking an errant child.

  Soon the sting of tears began to cloud Ashley's vision and her lips curved downward as the lower one began to quiver. Each slap sent a rush of pain through her body, the tender skin reddening almost instantly at his touch. But curiously enough, each slap also brought with it a strange sort of pleasure. In fact, in some sort of way, Ashley was enjoying the older man's discipline.

  The spanking continued, the sound of the weathered palm hitting the fleshy cheeks of her ass echoing through the barn. Just when she thought she couldn't take any more, Morgan's stroke changed, lightened slightly, and he moved the point of impact from his palm on her ass to his fingers which were now just fractions of an inch from the lips of her sex.

  Ashley's core tightened as the tips of Morgan's fingers swatted at the tender skin on the inside of her cheeks, so close to where the wetness was. Even though she didn't want to show it, she couldn't help that her body reacted favourably to this change in attention. She could feel that her panties were now thoroughly soaked and if there had been any hiding the fact before, there certainly wasn't now.

  With the last few swats, Morgan moved the position of his hand by just another hair, letting his fingers glide over the full and swollen lips beneath the moist underwear. Ashley sucked in her breath at his touch, but her body quivered and there was no hiding her reaction from him, being over his knee as she was. When the spanking stopped and Morgan helped her to stand, she bit her lower lip and looked down at the ground, her face burning in a confusing mix of pain and desire. Morgan stood up and put a hand on her shoulder. Ashley looked up at him again. He had that same soft, almost tender expression she'd seen before.

  "Now," he began in a low, soothing voice, "you want to
go get changed?"

  Ashley, sniffling again, nodded her head. As she walked out of the barn and back towards the house, Morgan couldn't help but look after her, watching the way her curvy body swayed as she walked. He felt himself stiffen again at the sight, but shook the thought out of his head. There was no sense letting that get in the way of what his friend had asked him to do. He was here to discipline the girl, to correct her behaviour and that was all. Even what had just happened when she was over his knee had gone...too far.

  Morgan ran a hand over his stubbled jaw, swung around and grabbed the pitchfork. Nothing was better at clearing the mind like a little hard work.

  ***

  Chapter 6

  The sight of Ashley Aston walking up the hill from the barn, beads of sweat still clinging to her forehead, her damp shirt clinging to her curves and her hair in a tight pony tail sent a shiver of adrenaline through Morgan Kennings' body. A memory, one that had been well buried for some time now, flooded into his mind. Dammit if this girl didn't look just like Samantha when she was younger. When she was still...here. His gaze lingered on Ashley, watching her now easy stride, a little bit of the stiffness gone from her walk. He stared at her like that, his mouth slightly open, the smell of grass in warm sunshine and the noonday sun blazing across the pasture mingling with the memory of a past life.