Heart Song Anthology by Carolyn Faulkner (summer reads txt) 📗

much in the way of maintenance to keep it looking nice. Once I was through in the bathroom, I flipped off the light and went straight for the telephone beside my bed. I knew what time it was, but I wasn’t going to put off the conversation I needed to have with my mom.

She answered the telephone right away, and I could tell she was wide-awake, probably watching a late night movie. “Is something wrong, Jenny?” she asked me, worry in her voice.

“No, Mom,” I answered. “I have something to tell you.” I told her that I’d lied, and why. “Mom, I don’t date because I am in love with someone. It might not ever amount to more than friendship, but I have no desire to date anyone else at this time. You need to stop trying to manage my life for me.” We talked longer, and when I finally hung up, I felt as though our relationship had moved to more of an adult level. I felt much better after talking to her, and decided that I was too wound up to go to bed. I shut off the bedroom light and headed for the living room, only to scream in fright when I saw a man standing there!

Chapter 3

“It’s all right, Jenny; it’s me!” Cody said, stepping into the light so that I could see him better. “Your door was unlocked, and I was afraid that someone had hurt you when you didn’t answer the doorbell.”

“I was in the shower.”

“Yes, I know. I checked on you, and once I was sure you were okay, I came out here to wait for you. I overheard you talking to your mother. I’m proud of you for telling her the truth.”

“Why are you here, Cody?” I asked. I wasn’t dressed, and frankly, I’d had about all I could take for one day. Maybe Cody wanted to fire me after my outburst. “Are you here to fire me?”

“No.” He looked shocked that I would ask such a thing.

“In that case, I quit!” Hah! I surprised him with that one!

“You are not going to quit, young lady, and you can stop trying to aggravate me. I’ve had about all I can take for one day. Do you really love me?” he asked, and it was my turn to be shocked.

“Does it really matter to you, Cody?” I felt absolutely naked, and it wasn’t a good feeling.

“It matters to me, Jenn. If you truly mean what you said, then I would surely like to know. Do you love me, Jenny?”

“I do.” I held my breath and waited for him to say something.

“I feel the same way about you, Jenny.” His words were music to my ears. “I have waited and waited for some sign from you, but you sure kept it hidden from me.” He spoke softly, smiling at me. “I know it’s late, but could we sit here and talk about this? I feel like I’ve been sucker punched.”

“I know what you mean.” I looked up at him and said, “Would you like some brandy?” I knew I could use a sip or two.

“Brandy would be fine,” Cody agreed. He followed me into the kitchen and watched as I got out two snifters and the bottle of brandy. It was nearly full since I wasn’t much of a drinker. I’d opened the bottle to try out a new recipe. Once I’d poured brandy into our glasses, I handed one to Cody, and we carried our drinks into my living room.

I tried to decide if I could actually sit on the sofa for any length of time and decided that standing would be more comfortable. Cody wasn’t having it. “Come and sit beside me, Jenny. We’ve both been standing all day and my feet hurt.”

“My bottom hurts, too; more than my feet do.” I didn’t mean to sound snippy, but it came out sounding that way. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to sound like a brat. I’ve just been on a roller coaster of emotions, Cody, and this is all surreal to me. I went from learning that you broke up with Princess Alyssa to a spanking that hurt beyond belief to hearing you tell me that you love me! I’m not sure I can control my wicked tongue right now, but it isn’t meant to sound so sharp, okay?”

“Princess Alyssa?” he asked, looking at me in surprise before he burst into gales of laughter.

“Oh God, I can’t believe I actually said that!” I closed my eyes and shook my head in disgust with myself. Cody was still laughing, and I put my free hand on my hip. “What is so darn funny?”

“You pegged Alyssa in one word, Jenny. She does think she is a princess.”

My eyes narrowed. “Did you ever spank her?” I demanded of him, seriously angry at the idea.

“No. It’s been a very long time since I cared enough about a woman to take her over my knee. To me it is a sacred trust to love someone enough to spank them, honey. It’s very intimate; the emotions are too real to share with just anyone. I was caught off guard today when I decided to spank you, and I knew I was going to spank you even before I hung up from talking to your mom. I knew then that I was sick and tired of trying to hide my feelings for you, but I would have preferred to make my feelings known before I had to turn you over my knee. I was afraid you’d walk out and tell me to go to hell.”

“I was afraid you would fire me.” I smiled at him. “I’ve done everything I could to subtly let you know I wouldn’t be averse to your attention. I certainly didn’t expect to get a spanking before you kissed me!”

He stood, put his brandy snifter on the end table, and then he took my glass and did the same with it. Next, oh wonder of