Southern Exposure

Chapter One Sean McDonough’s office was on the second floor of the Biology annex—an old house that sits just off Campus Drive. The heating system pounds as the house wakes up each winter morning, the floors creak with even the lightest footfall, and every door in the ancient old building squeaks when it’s opened or closed. Rather than be a bother for the Professor, the distractions were a sign of home—much like the one where he grew up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood of Boston. He could sit back, close his eyes and think of those delightful days, miles and years from his California office, to the quaint, aging brownstones wedged side by side. The annex also gave him a way to stay clear of the inane banter in the Winfield Natural Sciences Building where the rest of his department was located. His specialty being Marine Biology rarely required him to be part of the department’s regular hoopla, politics and gossip. His desk sat beside a large window in the front of the house. Looking down on the street below he could easily see who was coming or going—making it a good way to avoid students and other callers he didn’t particularly want to meet. It wasn’t hard to lose oneself in the old house, if being lost was more convenient than some drawn out and useless conference. But on this particular day, seeing the sprite looking shape of a young woman approach the building and mount the stairs, he was initially interested. From above, he could see her curly brown hair and lithe form as she took the steps with a gentle grace. Long before he had a chance to see if she had an attractive face or ample chest, he noted her ass encased in a pair of tight blue jeans. By the time he had the opportunity to make a more thorough examination, she’d disappeared inside. Sean McDonough had many reasons to admire a female derriere, not the least of which was to imagine what it might look like when it was naked and freshly spanked. Sean McDonough was a replica of a man long since gone the way of the dinosaur, who believed women needed to be quiet, subservient, put in their place, and spanked if they got out of line. He had a long and very arbitrary list of grievances that would warrant punishment by such antiquated means. But the bottom line, so to speak, was the fact that he could never entertain a relationship with a woman unless she agreed to his strict rules for appropriate female demeanor—and the discipline that was certain to follow when his rules were violated. By this description Sean should have been in his sixties or seventies, but instead, he was just thirty-eight and considered to be one of the most eligible males on the University faculty. Once the lovely woman with the nice round bottom vanished from sight, Sean forgot her, assuming she was in the building to see one of the other faculty members. He certainly wasn’t expecting anyone. He returned to a senior thesis he was reviewing, startled by the sudden knock on the door. “Yes,” he answered immediately. “Professor McDonough?” The door opened a crack. “Yes, ma’am.” He peered over his reading glasses and raised his eyebrows seeing the woman on the stairs looking as delicious from the front as she had been from the rear. She stood at the edge of the doorway where he could see her clearly. Underneath the ribbed-knit sweater tucked inside her jeans, he could see two full breasts, and above that, a vibrant and engaging face. Her eyes were widespread and beautifully blue, with long black lashes and an inquisitive look. There was a natural glow to her tawny skin, and full lips brushed with pale rose lipstick. She kept her hand on the doorknob as she gazed inside waiting for an invitation to enter. “May I come in?” “Please do.” She held out her hand for him to shake as she approached his desk and he rose slightly in his seat to take it. Motioning to the chair in front of him, he indicated she sit. “I’m Lauren Elliot, the botanist that’s scheduled for your trip to the Pearl Islands.” “Oh, yes.” He wasn’t pleased, and the smile that followed was plastered on just to be congenial. But his displeasure was too obvious for her not to note. He was quite good-looking, about five feet ten, trim, broad-shouldered with closely trimmed sandy-red hair, and rather profound green eyes. Between his name and his features, she guessed Irish Catholic. “I thought,” she began, “since the gossip in the department suggests you’re not happy with my being part of your team—that we should get acquainted. Maybe avert any misunderstandings or potential conflicts? I’m really quite easy to get along with.” “I’m sure you think so, but that’s not the gossip I hear,” he said bluntly. “Frankly, Ms. Elliot, you could avert any trouble by giving up your plans to come. Nothing personal of course.” The comment set her on edge, “Absolutely not!” she exclaimed. I have no intention of changing my plans.” She tried to remain calm, but in face of the man’s imperious tone, it was tough. She cleared her throat and tried again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound shrill. But I’ve been dying for the opportunity to research the indigenous plants of the Pacific Isles since I first became a botanist. It is my specialty, and your expedition is a perfect research venue. I will be there, Professor McDonough.” Yes, Lauren Elliot was exactly as had been described—though pleasant to look at, she was headstrong and obstinate. His associates in the department had also mentioned her temper. He could already see the sparks flying. Certainly, they were heading for a confrontation even now. “If this expedition is so perfect, then perhaps you should have arranged a project of your own?” he commented. “You know that’s not possible. Money for projects like these is hard to come by.” “Yes, I know, that’s why I resent the fact that you’ve taken up precious research dollars with a project I have no interest in. If it weren’t for your uncle on the board of this college, I’d have another Marine Biologist going along. Something I could definitely use.” Lauren struggled with the professor’s antagonism—this was something she hadn’t earned and was not accustomed to. Normally, people found her charming. Especially men. A little eyelash batting and she had them charmed. But not this one. He may be “hot” as her friend Betsy described him, but he seemed mighty cold to her. She took a deep breath to calm her anxiety and chanced to glance down at his desk where she saw what appeared to be some sort of paddle lying within a foot of her. She recoiled, at the same time trying to understand her unexpected and instantaneous physical response to the two-foot long implement. “What’s that?” she asked. The words came out involuntary, before she had a chance to consider what she was saying. “A spanking paddle,” Sean answered. Computing the possibilities of his reply, this was the one blunt and obvious one she hadn’t planned on. “And why would that be here now?” An unsettling agitation began grinding in her belly. “Because I intend to use it.” “Really? On whom?” “I’d say that’s a rather personal question.” “I suppose so. But you do intend to spank someone?” Her disbelief and fascination just wouldn’t let it go. “Yes, I do. A woman who’s asked me to paddle her,” he deliberately emphasized the ‘asked’. “You’ve got to be kidding. What woman in her right mind…” “A woman who accepts the fact that she not only needs a little corporal discipline, but enjoys the process.” “Women like that exist?” “Yes, Ms. Elliot, they do. Obviously, you’re not one.” “You’re damn right.” She squirmed in her seat, trying to absorb the shock and return to the matter at hand. “Perhaps that fact could dissuade you from the trip?” he asked hopefully. “What would it have to do with the trip? You’re certainly not going to spank me.” He chuckled. “No, I suppose not.” He eyed her with amused hostility. “I understand you’re fresh off a divorce. Maybe your marriage would have survived if your husband had been a little more forceful with you.” “I beg your pardon,” she retorted indignantly. Sean laughed again and Lauren was livid and struggling hard to contain her growing anger. “I’m sorry,” he backed off. “I’m sure your divorce was a painful experience.” “Yes. It was. And I don’t see that it has anything to do with you, me, or this expedition.” “Likely, it doesn’t,” he agreed. “But you need to remember that this is not a vacation, not a joy ride, and not an amusement park.” “Oh, you really are hitting below the belt here, McDonough,” her blue eyes flashing keenly. “Just making a point,” he quipped lightly. “I’m a very capable scientist,” she went on, “and this work is my life. I realize there is nothing frivolous about what I do, or the dangers involved going into that part of the world. But I’ve read extensively about the island area where we’ll be, I’ve been on many other field expeditions and I’m thoroughly prepared to do what’s necessary to set up camp, live on my own without hassling anyone, and run my own projects. You have no reason to be so condescending.” “Excuse me, Ms. Elliot, if that’s the way I sound. But, I’ve been on trips with women before, and it never worked out. I’m sure it’s just the male/female chemistry, but it’s not been an ideal research climate. We’ll be in the wilds for months, and well… I’m sure this will offend you too, but I don’t need a woman who’s getting homesick for love, romance or s*x. I’m sure it’s just my preconceived notion but I assume that a new divorcee needs a little social life, not isolation.” “For some, I’m sure that’s true. But let me be a judge of what I need.” She stared at the paddle again. “Frankly, if you’re using that as a means of communicating with a woman, I doubt you understand them at all. And, since you bring up the matter of relationships, I believe you’re also divorced.” “Yes, twice, in fact.” “Oh, two failed marriages? Maybe your grasp of male/female dynamics needs some work.” “And you can give me a better understanding of women?” “I’m sure I could.” She stared at the paddle again almost mesmerized by the implications. “What kind of solution is spanking them, anyway?” “One that works,” he replied earnestly. “Oh, and it worked in your marriages?” “In fact, it worked quite well. My marriages broke up for reasons other than the spanking. If anything, the corporal discipline kept them together for longer than they might have lasted.” “Really? I find that hard to believe.” “My first wife, Christina, and I married too young. She needed a lot of guidance, and still does. In fact, it’s Christina that the paddle is intended for today. When her behavior starts getting reckless, this curbs it. A few dozen brisk swats on her behind and she gets the message.” “I see. And your second wife? “Joellen relished having her bottom warmed. We might still be together except that she and I had such divergent interests we never could stay in town long enough to make the marriage mean something. She was always flying to Europe to buy antiques, and as you know, I’m off to study the deep seas every chance I get.” Lauren was totally dumbfounded by this man. The more he spoke the more agitated she became. “I suppose you enjoy dominating women?” “Yes, I do.” She shook her head, “you are a strange breed.” His revelations left her amazed and confused. If she didn’t care so much about getting on this research team, she’d forget it altogether, but his resistance only made her want to redouble her efforts, if nothing more than to teach the man what a miserable, misogynist boar he was. “But the fact remains, Sean McDonough, I am part of this venture whether you like it or not, and I have no intention of changing my mind.” “No, I suspect you don’t,” he said as his lips curled into a snicker, as though there were some private joke she wasn’t getting. “What is that supposed to mean?” she looked at him bewildered. He smiled more broadly. “Things change when you get to the Pearl Islands. They are a strange, mysterious climate, and there’s no way to exit its influence. The islands keep you captive, and don’t say I haven’t warned you.” “Are you trying to spook me?” He shrugged. “I’ve heard the stories, Professor. And I’m not swayed.” “Well, you can be sure, I’ll bring the paddle along just in case it becomes necessary.” Her eyes flared again knowing what he had in mind, but she kept her cool. She’d never met a man as virile, potentially charming, exasperating and challenging as this one. She had no idea what to say in response, and the silence that descended between them was deafening.