After the initial awkwardness of the interview, Sara quickly settled into her new job and role as caretaker to Carter. He was a sweet little boy, though he knew how to manipulate his father already. She worked hard to be consistent yet loving, but it rarely felt like work. Seeing Carter’s little face every day brought her more joy than she’d felt in years. Knowing he was her family made caring for him completely different than watching a stranger’s child at daycare. There was a connection there that was absent at her old job. It made her wonder just what it would feel like to have her own children. Probably like the best thing in the world.

Her classes at the university started a few weeks after the job, and at first she worried that it would be overwhelming. Luckily, Keith had no problem with her studying in the afternoon while Carter napped and after he went to bed, so she managed to stay on top of her schoolwork.

One month turned into two and everything was going perfectly. She went to school in the morning, stopped at home to grab lunch and arrived at Keith’s house about ten minutes before he left for work. She played with Carter, then he napped while she made dinner from whatever Keith had in the fridge. After the first week when she forgot to bring food three days in a row, he insisted that she help herself, calling it part of her salary. Sara didn’t feel right just eating his groceries so she decided that she’d make them both dinner every night.

The first few times he’d come home to a covered plate sitting on the stove he’d been shocked, and overly appreciative, but when she explained that she felt like she was taking advantage of his generosity he told her to make a list every week of things she’d like from the store and they’d just include cooking and eating dinner as part of their agreement.

Other than the meal issue, they got along really well during the short time they spent together. Better than she ever expected, even though she came into this bound and determined to make him like her. And sometimes, lately, they ended up talking for a half hour or more after he came home from work. She always felt bad, knowing he needed his rest so he could wake up early with Carter, but he never seemed to mind. In fact, some nights it felt like he didn’t want her to leave! But that was crazy. Probably just her projecting her hopes onto him, when he’d been nothing but friendly and polite.

She couldn’t help it that she found him wildly attractive and that his kindness and gentleness with his son made her heart beat faster than it should. Seeing him tickle Carter until he laughed his little baby laugh out loud, or give him a tight hug before he left for work, made her ache for things she’d never experienced before. She wanted to know what it was like to snuggle up close to Keith in bed every night and feel his strong arms wrapped around her, to the point where she almost slipped a few times and tried to give him a hug goodnight.

Luckily, she managed to stop herself before he noticed. She hoped. She couldn’t help how she felt and she was beyond the point of being able to control her feelings for Keith, but she could definitely make sure he never knew.

Grandma always told her she thought with her heart first and her brain second, and that never failed to get her into trouble. She wasn’t going to risk losing this job because of her wanton hormones. For once she’d listen to Grandma’s advice and use her head.

During their nightly discussions, the one thing Keith refused to talk about was Molly. Sara had brought her up once and received a firm instruction from Keith that he never wanted to hear about her again. He had very strong feelings about Molly, and they were all negative. Sara didn’t blame him, but she hoped eventually he’d change his mind if Molly cleaned up her act. Since she hadn’t done that yet, Sara was trying to push the whole situation out of her mind and be a substitute mother for Carter. Though she knew, having lost her own parents at a young age, that nothing could replace a mother’s love. When she’d vaguely suggested to Keith that Molly could, maybe, become a good mother, he informed Sara in no uncertain terms that he disagreed and wouldn’t discuss it further.

Sara knew all of these things, in fact, she remembered like yesterday the cold, hard look in Keith’s eye when they’d had that discussion even though it was weeks ago. Despite all of that, when her crazy cousin called looking for money after months and months of silence, the first thing Sara did was invite her over to Keith’s house.

When she made the invitation, she hoped that seeing Carter again would prompt Molly to want to be a better person. Maybe she’d been scared when he was born premature? Or maybe she felt guilty for not taking better care of herself while pregnant? Sara knew that deep down Molly was a good person. She just needed someone to believe in her.

The first inkling that perhaps Sara was thinking with the wrong organ again came after Sara gave her the address and suggested that Molly could visit with Carter while she was there. Molly didn’t seem too excited, giving her a distracted ‘yeah sure’ in response after passing on Keith’s address to someone in the background, but Sara pushed on.

“I’m sure he’ll be really happy to see you,” she said, hoping Carter would give his mother one of his adorable gummy smiles.

“Who?” Molly asked, finally paying attention.

“Carter.”

“Who’s that? I don’t know anyone named Carter.”

Sara’s mouth gaped in disbelief. “I just explained to you that I was a nanny for Keith.”

“Keith who?”

Sara was about to tell Molly not to bother when her cousin spoke. “Sara, we’ll be there in a few minutes. I gotta go.”

A feeling of dread crept into Sara’s stomach once Molly hung up. She knew she’d made a terrible mistake by inviting her over. Even though Keith hadn’t told her specifically that Molly wasn’t welcome, Sara didn’t doubt that he would be angry. Especially since Molly was bringing people with her. In a horrible rush, Sara remembered the last time Molly had shown up at her house with friends in tow, if they could even be called that. More like drinking and trouble making buddies. They’d barged in the front door, raided the fridge and eaten all Sara’s groceries for the week, tromped all over the house in muddy boots and refused to leave when Sara asked. At least Grandma had already been in the assisted living facility and hadn’t seen how trashy Molly looked, practically having sex with two guys on the couch in the living room where they had played as children.

Another couple went and screwed on Grandma’s old bed, and when Sara had thrown a fit, Molly claimed it was partly her house too since they both had the same Grandma.

That wasn’t true at all. That Molly would use Grandma to try to get her way when she had never visited or done anything to help Sara after their grandmother’s stroke had been the last straw for Sara.

It took picking up the phone and starting to call the police before Molly herded her friends out the front door, yelling obscenities at Sara the entire time.

After spending hours cleaning the house, Sara vowed never to let Molly do that to her again. And now Molly was on her way over with who knew how many people, and Sara had invited her!

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she imagined various scenarios that all ended with Keith’s beautiful house trashed, and her back working at the mall. She grabbed her phone to call Molly back and tell she couldn’t come over, but the sound of a car stereo told Sara she was too late.

She grabbed her purse and ran to the front door, hoping she could just shove some money at Molly and they’d leave. Before she could make it to the door, it opened and in walked Molly with a man and a woman.

All three looked bedraggled, like they’d just rolled out of bed even though it was five o’clock at night. They reeked of beer and stale cigarette smoke, and who knew what else. Sara stopped them in the front hall and tried to block the way in, but Molly pushed right past her and headed into the kitchen.

“Hey this is nice, Sara bear,” she said, slurring her words slightly. Sara cringed at the nickname Molly and her friends had given her in high school. It sounded sweet, like a term of affection, but the reason why they called her a bear was much uglier.

“How much money do you need, Molly?” Sara asked, following the other couple when they trailed after Molly. She didn’t want to leave any of them unsupervised for even a second.

Molly turned from her inspection of the fridge with a plate of leftover pizza in her hand.

“Whatever you’ve got, cuz. I need to pay my electric bill.”

Sara knew it was a lie, but didn’t bother to call Molly on it. Just like she didn’t say anything as Molly handed slices of pizza to her buddies. The quicker Sara could get them out of there, the better.

“Here, I’ve got a hundred bucks,” Sara said, handing the money over to Molly. “You just take that and go.”

“Hey now, Sara bear, I haven’t seen you in forever,” Molly drawled, stepping closer. Her eyes were completely glassy and her breath stank. Why had Sara ever thought this person would want to spend time with her child? Right now, she was praying Carter stayed asleep in his crib until she could get rid of the smelly trio. “Where’s this Carter guy you were saying wanted to meet me? Is he hot?”

Molly lurched towards the living room, a beer Sara hadn’t seen her take in her hand. Sara could only watch her go, shock at Molly’s question rooting her to the kitchen floor. She could not believe that Molly had no clue who Carter even was. Although it was probably better this way.

“He left,” she lied. “And you should, too.”

“I just opened a beer, Sara. Chill out.” Molly had the nerve to look at Sara with annoyance, like she had every right to plop her butt down on Keith’s couch and turn on the television. Her friends joined her, also with open beers.

“That’s not your beer, Molly,” Sara ground out. “You need to leave. I gave you the money you came here for. You took food out of the fridge that wasn’t yours. Now get out of here.”

“It’s just some pizza, Sara. Whose house is this anyway?”

Molly was so out of it she didn’t even remember their conversation from fifteen minutes ago. Normally, Sara would be worried about them driving around in that state, but now she just wanted them gone. Hopefully they were all so drunk or high they wouldn’t remember the address or how to get there. She’d made a huge mistake in telling Molly where Keith lived. She might show up here at any time looking for a hand out from Sara, and if she did that when Keith was home there’d be hell to pay.

“It’s just a friend of mine’s,” Sara lied again, though really she and Keith were friends. “I’m house sitting tonight while they’re away, but I’m not usually here.” If Molly even remembered today maybe she’d forget their earlier conversation and remember this one. Maybe?

An hour later Sara finally shoved the front door shut behind them and turned the deadbolt. It took using up every piece of lunchmeat in the house making them sandwiches for the road to get them to finally leave. And another beer each. Which the guy promptly spilled all over the rug.

Carter slept through it all, but that wouldn’t last much longer. Sara needed to get the mess cleaned up quickly, though she knew there was no way to hide her visitors from Keith. He’d have to go to the store to buy more food to make his lunch with, and he’d never believe she drank six beers on her own after she’d told him several times when he’d offered her one that she wasn’t much of drinker. Two glasses of wine was pretty much her limit.

Nope, she’d have to confess and beg him to give her another chance. Explain what her motivations were and hope that he saw, however misguided it may have been, that she really thought it was in Carter’s best interest. After today, she’d never again even consider that Molly would ever play a role in Carter’s life. Keith and Carter were fine on their own, and Molly didn’t deserve to be a part of that unless she cleaned up her act. And if she did, it would be up to Keith. Carter was his son and Sara had no business involving herself in their family.

If only Keith would forgive her, Sara promised herself she would never meddle again.

* * *

Keith walked in the front door a little after eleven and immediately knew something was wrong. A quick look around revealed that everything appeared to be in its place, but there was a strange vibe in the air. And the whole house smelled like rug cleaner. He’d cleaned up so many of Carter’s spills that the scent was burned into his brain.

Carter had probably just spit up on the floor, a frequent occurrence, but still. Something wasn’t right. Usually Sara met him at the door, ready to head out. Especially on a school night. Maybe she wanted to hang out with him for a while? He definitely wouldn’t turn her down. They’d been dancing around each other for weeks now and Keith couldn’t figure out how to let her know he wanted to start dating. The fear that he’d misread her and she’d quit if he asked her out had him holding back, even though he was sure he saw interest in her eyes a few times when he’d caught her staring. He’d come to the conclusion that if he wanted her, he was just going to have to be blunt and accept the consequences if she didn’t want him back. Tonight would be a good night to ask her out on a date. He could see if Angie or his brother would watch Carter this coming Saturday.

Plan set, Keith headed into the kitchen, leaving his bag and boots by the front door. Sara was sitting at the kitchen table studying a giant textbook, and apparently so into it she hadn’t heard him arrive home.

“Hey there,” he said, opening the fridge for a beer. “You’re really deep in thought. Is it interesting stuff?” He did a double take when he saw there were only three beers left out of a twelve pack he’d purchased the day before. He only had two beers the night before. How in the hell could that have happened?

Sara hadn’t answered him yet, which was odd. Usually she was very chatty, even when he knew she was tired after a long day of dealing with a teething baby. He turned and found her watching him with a strange look on her face. Somewhere between guilt and dread. He glanced back into the fridge, then back to Sara and saw her throat swallow nervously. Her hands were on her lap, but he could see her twisting her fingers together underneath the table.

“Sara, what’s going on here?” he asked, a sick feeling swirling in the pit of his stomach. “Is Carter okay?”

“Carter is fine,” she assured him a little too quickly. “I’d never, ever let anything happen to Carter.” The last was said with extreme vehemence, like she needed badly for him to believe her.

“What happened then? Did you spill something?” She couldn’t possibly be this upset over a spill on the rug. “I could smell the rug cleaner when I came in. If that’s all, you don’t have to look so worried.”

“Something spilled,” she said, lowering her eyes to her lap. “But there’s more I have to tell you.”

She didn’t speak for several seconds and continued to avoid looking at him. He was about to ask again when she finally opened her mouth and dealt him a blow he wasn’t expecting.

“Molly called me today looking for money.” He braced, while at the same time telling himself that she wouldn’t have let Molly anywhere near Carter. Right? “I thought that maybe she would like to see Carter, and if she did it might make her want to be a mother to him. Clean up her act maybe.”

“What did you do, Sara?” he growled at her, not caring how harsh it sounded even to his own ears.

“I told her to come over and get money from me,” she sobbed, tears flowing down her cheeks, her words running together until he barely understood her. “I told Molly that Carter would be happy to see her and she didn’t even know who he was! Then I remembered the last time she came over to my house, how she brought these strange people with her and trashed everything. I knew it was a bad idea, but it was too late. All of sudden they were here.”

Keith fought to keep his anger under control. He could see that Sara was torn up over her cousin’s apathy and felt guilty for letting her come over, but he really wanted to punch a hole in the wall. Before he could let loose and do that, he needed to get the whole story.

“What happened?” he prompted when she lapsed into silence. Probably waiting to see if he was going to explode.

“I tried to stop them from coming in, but they just opened the front door and waltzed past me, straight to the refrigerator. They ate the leftover pizza and drank your beer and the stupid guy that came with Molly spilled beer all over the rug in the living room.”

“Was Carter up when they were here? Did Molly see him?” As angry as he was, he couldn’t help but be curious as to what her reaction had been.

The question made Sara cry even harder. “No, he was asleep the whole time. She actually thought I was talking about some guy who wanted to meet her. She asked me if he was hot!”

As sad as that was, Keith fought a grin. Even though he was still angry he couldn’t stop himself from picturing Sara’s face when confronted with just how much of a jerk Molly was, and all he could imagine was cuteness. Still, she shouldn’t have had her here in the first place.

“Sara, I know you know how I feel about Molly,” he started lecturing. “I haven’t come out and said I didn’t want her at my house, but I thought you understood that she wouldn’t be welcome.”

“I know. I knew that. I just thought if she could see him, how cute and lovable he is, that she’d want to become a better person.” She sounded so forlorn and looked so miserable, sitting in the chair and staring at the floor, that he almost relented, but he couldn’t. He needed to make this point.

“I understand that you want to help her, but I don’t want her anywhere near my son,” Keith said.

“He’s her son, too,” she whispered making all Keith’s rage from a minute ago return.

“Actually, no he’s not,” he said, opening the drawer in the built-in desk where he kept his important papers. “I didn’t tell you this before because it really wasn’t any of your business, but since you’re determined to make Molly into some sort of wounded bird figure, I’ll show it to you.” He shoved a paper into her hands and watched as she read it and understanding dawned.

“She gave up her parental rights?” She looked up at him and he saw the shock and disbelief that mirrored his own when Molly first agreed. He’d hoped that by asking her to sign the paperwork that would give him sole and complete custody of Carter forever it would prompt her to clean up her act, much like Sara hoped. Instead she’d just signed and walked away.

“Yes, she did,” he confirmed. “Without even a little bit of argument.”

“I can’t believe this. I’m so sorry, Keith.”

“I really didn’t want her to know where I lived, Sara. I’m not real happy that she does now. I don’t want her coming here and asking me, or you, for money all the time. Disrupting our lives with her bullshit. She doesn’t hang out with the greatest people, as I’m sure you’re aware. What if they try to rob us? Now that she’s been in here, she knows what kind of stuff I own.” He waved his hand toward the living room and the big screen television and other expensive electronics he had in there. Before Carter came along he had plenty of money to spend on toys, and he bought a lot of them. “Now I’m going to have to get a security system installed in here, and I’ll expect you to use it.”

She nodded her head meekly as he ranted, but Keith didn’t care. “I will. I promise,” she said, lifting her tear-streaked face to him. “I feel so guilty about all of this. I should never have told her where you lived.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” he agreed, making her cry harder. “I really don’t know what to do with you right now.” She needed to be punished for her behavior tonight, but the obvious solution made him cringe. Keith couldn’t bring himself to fire her though he had every right to do so. Carter loved her and their situation was working out so well up until today. He didn’t want to lose her.

“I don’t want to fire you, Sara, but I have to make sure this never happens again.”

If Angie pulled a stunt like this, he knew exactly how his brother would handle it, but Keith didn’t think that solution would be appropriate.

“You could spank me,” she suggested, shocking the shit out of him.

It was as if she’d pulled the thought right out his mind. He must have looked as stunned as he felt because she quickly started to back track.

“I know that’s weird. Forget I said it.”

“No,” he cut her off before she could say anything else. “I don’t think it’s weird, but why would you suggest that?”

“Well, my Grandma was a big believer in discipline and she spanked me until she literally couldn’t anymore because she had the stroke.” She paused a second before adding. “And Angie told me that your brother spanks her and I thought maybe you would feel the same way.”

Without even thinking, Keith responded. “I do feel the same way as him.” It was the first time he’d ever voiced that truth, but since he’d been hanging out with Kevin and his friends he’d learned a lot about their relationships. All of which involved some sort of discipline. “I was actually going to ask you out on a date tonight. I’d like to have a relationship with you, beyond friends.”

Sara’s face lit up beneath her tears and he could tell before she said anything that she wanted the same thing. “I would have said yes if you asked me out.”

“Do you want to have the kind of relationship that Angie and my brother have? Where I’m in charge and punish you if I feel that you deserve it?” It wouldn’t be a deal breaker if she said no, but now that it was out there, Keith realized that he did want that with her. After dealing with Molly’s antics, he needed to be in control of his life, and that meant being in control of his relationship, too.

“I think we’d have to talk some more about it, but yes, I’d like that with you. I always felt so much better after Grandma punished me. Like I was forgiven and whatever I did was behind us.”

“Do you feel like you deserve a spanking for what happened tonight?” he asked, holding his breath. This was not at all how he expected tonight to go, but he wasn’t about to slow down now.

She took a deep shuddering breath, and a moment to compose herself. After a full minute of silence, she finally whispered, “I do deserve a spanking.”

The words were almost too quiet to hear, but they blasted into Keith’s brain and flipped a switch he didn’t know he possessed. Now that she’d given him permission, he needed to follow through. Needed to punish her for her reckless behavior so they could move past tonight.

He reached his hand out towards where she sat in the chair. “Stand up.”

Keith thought she might back out when faced with the reality of an imminent spanking, but she didn’t. Her warm hand gripped his and he pulled her out of the chair, swinging her around so he could take her seat and pull her between his legs.

“Come here,” he said, pulling her towards him. She looked adorably confused when he directed her straight down, so her face was level with his. “Before we do that, I want to do this.” Her warm breath came out in small puffs, hitting his cheek. She licked her lips nervously and he couldn’t hold out any longer. He closed the last few inches between them and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, taking it deeper when she immediately softened and welcomed him in. He swept forward, putting every bit of pent up lust he’d been holding onto for the last few months into this, their first kiss. She matched his enthusiasm, gripping his shoulders to steady herself as they explored each other with lips, and teeth and tongue.

Keith finally had to pull back when the urge to toss her over his shoulder and run to the bedroom almost overwhelmed him. Oh, he planned to do that at some point, but first they had unfinished business to resolve.

“Wow,” Sara breathed. “That was the best kiss I’ve ever had.”

Keith chuckled, but agreed. “Me too, sweetheart, and there will be more where that came from, but first we have to take care of our earlier problem.” Even though he’d had absolutely no intention of taking their relationship in this direction, now that they were on this path he wasn’t about to waver. It just felt right. Like this was the way it was meant to be between them.

His words wiped the sweet, but sultry look the kiss had left off her face, replacing it with one of pure contrition. “I’m sorry, Keith. I made a really bad decision.”

“Yes, you did, Sara, and I’m going to spank you for it now.” He hardened his voice enough to let her know he meant business, but not so much that he came off sounding harsh. “Come and get over my lap.”

Keith gently pushed her back a foot and slid the chair away from the table so they had enough room. He didn’t need to guide her down to his lap. She took her spot gracefully on her own, though he did keep a hand on her elbow to make sure she didn’t fall.

When her gorgeous round behind was in place he took in a sharp breath. None of his conversations with his brother had prepared him for the feeling he had right now. Her complete trust and position of vulnerability made him feel ten feet tall, while at the same time humbling any ego he might have gained. That she willingly agreed to this when they really weren’t officially more than friends up until a few minutes ago made it even more staggering. This beautiful, kind woman wanted to have a relationship with him, and was allowing him to lead.

“Keith?” Her voice sounded far away and he realized he’d fallen into silence, absorbed by his thoughts.

“I’m here, Sara. Just thinking.” He took another deep breath and focused. There’d be plenty of time later to think. “Are you ready?”

She took a deep breath of her own and wiggled a bit to get situated. “Yes.”

He raised his hand and brought it down on her denim-covered behind, watching her body intently for a reaction. When she barely moved, he did it again, a little harder. Thud. The sound of his hand meeting denim was muted, but the extra force earned him a small gasp. Another one on the other side got him the same response.

Confident he’d achieved the right balance, he started a steady rhythm. Left, right. Thud, thud. Her gasps soon turned into grunts when his hand made contact, then small squeaks when he added just a little more force. Thinking of all the things that could have happened tonight, and what the repercussions might be in the future, had him picking up the pace, until Sara let out a loud yelp when he moved lower.

“I’m very disappointed that you invited Molly over here, Sara,” he said, keeping up the punishment. She may have suggested this, but now that they’d started he found he needed to vent his frustration and worry so they could move forward. “I know you want to believe that she’ll change her ways, but right now she’s too dangerous to be around my son. Or you.” He punctuated the last word with a firm swat to the middle of her behind.

“I’m sorry,” she cried, sniffling a little.

“I know you’re sorry, but I want to make sure this never happens again.” He brought his hand down three more times. One on each side and one dead center, harder than any of the previous smacks.

She let out a garbled cry and he pulled her up and cradled her in his lap. When she lifted her face, he was surprised to see she was crying and immediately worried that he’d overdone it.

“Was that too hard? Did I hurt you?” he asked, feeling like shit. He should’ve waited and done some research on how to give a proper spanking before jumping in like that.

To his relief, and astonishment, she smiled. “Of course it hurt, you were spanking me. But it wasn’t too much,” she assured him.

“Why are you crying then?”

“Because I felt so guilty and it makes me feel better afterward to just get it all out,” she explained. “It’s a good thing, don’t worry.”

That made sense, he guessed. Spanking her certainly made him feel better. He wasn’t angry or upset anymore.

“What about you?” she asked, a bit shyly. “Have you ever done that before?”

“No, I haven’t,” he answered honestly. No sense starting their relationship with a lie. “Kevin’s told me about how things work in his relationship, nothing too personal though, but it wasn’t what I imagined.” Her face fell and he rushed to explain himself. “I liked it. It made me feel like we dealt with the issue and now it’s over. Too many people sweep things under the rug and then bring them out later to hurt the other person. I don’t think either of us will do that. It happened, I was upset, you were punished and now it’s done.”

Sara’s smile was back, and even prettier than before. “That’s exactly how I feel, too.”

Keith wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled into his chest like she’d done it a hundred times before.

“So I know this is kind of backwards,” he started, breaking the comfortable silence. “But do you want to go out for dinner on Saturday night?”

He heard her giggle at the ridiculousness of the situation, but whatever. Who cared if they were doing things out of order? It was nobody’s business but theirs. He knew Sara agreed when she answered.

“I’d love to go to dinner on Saturday.”