Disclaimer: All characters and situations are the sole property and responsibility of the author.

Each two years apart, David, Timothy, Hal and Shaun Cunningham were known through school as the four musketeers. After college, one by one, they'd all tramped down the bridal path into the bonds of matrimony until Shaun was the only one left free. Since misery loves company, and older brothers know what's best for you; the family plotted to catch him in the white satin web, both siblings and their spouses, a sort of double tag-team matchmaking . . . Shaun knew it was only a matter of time. He was doomed.

Though doomed, didn't the condemned man deserve a last meal? And what better place than at one of the family's shindigs. They gave them all the time. This one was a black tie, formal affair in honor of Tim's latest promotion. The invitation delivered personally by Tina, his teeny, tiny, ex-cheerleader wife. Shaun had almost turned her down, sensing a trap, but it was always hard saying no to Tina. Damn, when she turned those enormous, doe-brown eyes on you, your brain stopped functioning. She had Tim roped, hog-tied and branded, and Shaun felt his head targeted for a similar lasso. So he tried to scramble for safe ground, especially when she mentioned, in passing, that her sister, Carly, had been invited, too.

Three years his junior, Carly Wright was single, available and even itty-bittier than teeny, tiny Tina. Although, childlike in size, the comparison ended there. Big, Bambi-brown eyes accented a heart-stoppingly beautiful face, surrounded by a wild mane of dark hair, atop a body designed to incite hot, lurid fantasies in even the coldest man. Firm, high, man-hand-sized breasts; a trim waist that flared out into a full, round butt that graced smooth, sleek legs. Yeah, Carly was like a dream come true . . .

. . .until she opened her mouth and flayed flesh to bone with the acid of her tongue. The gods of creation had a morbid sense of humor to wrap a bitch in a body like that.

Those were the thoughts going through Shaun's head as he leaned against a pillar in the hotel's banquet hall, drinking a vodka/tonic with a twist, and watching as she used that blazing tongue to sear her date, a not-to-bad looking fellow, who didn't seem to have a clue of what was going on. The guy appeared to grow smaller with each word as Shaun watched the delicious rise and fall of her chest against the silky material of the pristine-white, sheath dress she wore.

Yeah, he was at the party, brought to his knees by the only person in the world with the power - his mom. All her sons would do anything in the world for her. Firm, but fair, the size of a termite and a heart as big as the universe, she had shaped their ideals of women. If he could find someone like that he'd get married in a minute.

"Glad to see you, runt."

Shaun turned at the familiar voice to find Tim standing behind him. "I'll get you for this." He growled as he took another gulp from his glass.

"Talk to mom?" Tim asked in feigned innocence.

He promised. "Yeah, I'm gonna get you big."

"I had to get you here, Shaun. Tina asked."

"Tina's your wife, I don't have to please her."

"Ah, come on, Shaun. You know when you give Tina's things a chance you enjoy yourself."

"Backyard barbecues, birthday parties, not fancy social affairs." He tugged at his clothes. "You know I hate dress-up."

Tim patted him on the back and smiled. "You look good in a tux."

"If this is a setup, and I know it is, you'll look good with the lip I'm gonna give you."

His hands dropped to his sides. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Mind your own business, Tim! You, all of you, stop trying to rope and hog-tie your youngest brother into the bonds of wedlock."

"Who've I asked you to marry?"

"Oh, I don't know, seems the house money's on Carly."

"Just because I've tried to introduce you . . . "

"Bull!"

"An innocent introduction . . . "

"We'd met, thanks."

"The two of you've never said more than ten words to each other."

"By design."

Just then, Dave joined the circle. "Something going on?"

"Tim's setting a trap with Carly as bait."

Dave shook his head. "Bad idea, Tim. If you ask me, you can't give the witch away."

Shaun gave his brother a smug look. "See."

"You two don't know what you're talking about, she's just a bit spirited, that's all."

"She's got the mouth of a sailor."

"Colorful!"

"And the temperament of a two-year old."

"Expressive!"

"Spoiled rotten!"

"She just needs guidance."

"What she needs is a hard, bareass spanking."

Both his brothers turned to stare at Shaun, shocked speechless.

Dave recovered first, chuckling mischievously, "Now that's a picture." He blew through pursed lips. "Good thing I'm a happily married man!" He paused. "That's an image divorces are built on."

Tim looked even more stunned. "I don't believe you guys sometimes."

"Tell me you and Tina don't . . . "

Tim blushed bright red.

"Don't make him mad, Shaun." Dave warned, touching his brother's arm gently with his fingertips.

Shaun shrugged him off impatiently. "As smart as her mouth is, you've never had Tina over your knee?"

"Stay out of my business, kid!"

"A minute ago, I was old enough, now I'm a kid? Tell you what, I'll stay out of your business if you stay out of mine!"

"Boys, boys." Tina appeared at her husband's elbow. "Play nice or I won't let you play at all." She pulled Tim's head down by his ears and kissed him soundly. "You guys talking dirty again?"

"Why'd you ask?"

"Anytime your brother's face is this red, and I'm not around, you all are talking dirty."

"We were taking about Carly."

She smiled like a cat. "Good, now I don't have to ease her into the conversation."

"I'd rather not talk about her at all."

"She's here."

"I know."

"So why don't you go ask her to dance then?"

"Give it a rest, teenie, your sister's a pain."

Tina smiled. "Guess it comes from being the baby." She leaned forward. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Shaun?"

Now it was Shaun's turn to blush. He turned to Tim. "If you don't spank her, you should. Seems like they both need it."

Now Tina's smile got bigger. "Oooo, recreational activities. Sounds like fun!"

"Tina!" Tim reached for her.

She avoided his grasp by ducking behind Shaun. "Oh, hush! You know Carly's a brat! Besides, who said nothing like a hot seat to melt an attitude?"

"And does he practice what he preaches?"

"Tina." Came a soft whine from over their shoulder.

Everyone turned to find Carly standing behind them.

"I'm bored." She pouted prettily.

"But you just got here."

"There's nothing to do, nobody interesting to talk to . . . "

"Where's Art?"

"I said interesting!" She snapped peevishly.

"He's your date."

"I was desperate. Everybody else had something to do."

"Why'd you wait 'til the last minute, Carl, I told you about the party weeks ago."

"I was waiting for something better to come up, but everything else fell through. I was bored just sitting at home. This was better than nothing." She said haughtily.

"Does he know that?" Shaun asked, getting angrier by the minute at her cavalier attitude.

Carly focused hostile eyes on him. "Who are you?"

"Carly, you know Tim's brother, Shaun."

Shaun was getting steamed. "Nobody. I just asked a question."

"Oh, yeah, I met you at Tina's last barbecue didn't I?"

"Right."

"I told you to fuck off then too, didn't I?" she said hostilely as she turned and stormed off.

"Seems like the poor schlemiel deserves a better deal than he's getting with you, Wright!" He threw an 'I told you so' look at his brothers and stalked off in the opposite direction.

"My," Tina said, sunnily, "I think that went rather well!" She flounced away with the two remaining Cunningham's staring after her as if she'd lost her mind.

Outside on the patio, Shaun fumed . . . seethed . . . burned . . . Arrogant bitch! He angrily flicked the unsmoked cigarette into the surrounding shrubbery. He'd quit weeks ago, now she'd almost made him lapse back in the nasty habit! Damn! He couldn't forget the icy-aloofness on her face when she talked about Art. Shaun knew he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize Tina's dinner, but somebody needed to put the brat in her place. BAD! And his hand ached to do it.

Visions of naked, round lobes glowing cherry-red flashed tantalizingly before his eyes. With a final sound of disgust, Shaun tramped off the patio and deep into the surrounding gardens. He needed to cool off or explode.

The sky was like an endless black velvet canvas shimmering with diamond-like stars. There was a stone pathway, faintly outlined in the moonlight. Shaun followed it to a small alcove hidden by high, dense shrubbery, the scent of flowers perfumed the air.

He sat on a small stone bench by a shallow pool and fountain. The wind carried faint snatches of music from the party. Shaun inhaled deeply counting backward from one hundred and felt the tension seeping away.

"Seems I can't get away from you, can I?," purred a silky voice from somewhere to his right.

"Damn," Shaun growled. The peaceful feeling of only moments ago fading like smoke. "Are you following me?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Cunningham!"

Damn, why'd she have to be so beautiful?, he thought angrily as she glided toward him, a drink in her hand and an evil smile on her face.

"I saw you watching me at the party."

"Then you were seeing things."

She ran a well-manicured nail down his lapel. "You weren't watching me?"

"I was checking out the room."

"Coward," she taunted as she laughed at him.

"Brat," he bit back.

"Too much woman for you? Not up to the challenge?"

"Woman? You're no woman! You're just a spoiled rich kid playing at being grown. Go back to Art, he'd appreciate you more."

Shaun honestly didn't see the blow coming until her hand connected with his cheek in a resounding crack, nearly staggering him back a step. She drew back a second time but he was ready. He caught her wrist and shook her sharply. Her drink shattered on the stones at their feet.

"Don't try that again," he warned, his voice dangerous and low.

Carly pulled against his grip and found she couldn't break it.

The tension in the air was shattered by a male voice. "Carly?" He was coming closer. "Carly, where are you? This isn't funny!"

Shaun released her.

"Art!" She called out just as he stepped into view. She absently rubbed at the sting in her wrist.

"I shouldn't have to chase after you, Carly. It isn't safe out here alone." Then he saw Shaun. "Oh."

That one word spoke volumes.

Carly's look turned malevolent. "He hurt me, Art." She whined.

Art glanced from Carly to Shaun then back again.

Damn, thought Shaun, I'm a few inches taller than Art and outweigh him at least twenty pounds. Even if they'd been evenly matched, he didn't want to fight, not for this bitch's nonexistent honor.

"And what did you do?" Art asked calmly.

"Nothing! He came on to me."

"What were you doing out here in the first place?"

"I came out for some air, he followed me!"

"I saw him come out first, Carly." He shook his head sadly. "Oh, never mind, it doesn't matter anymore." He held up his hands in submission. "I've had enough! You've suckered me for the last time, go play your games with somebody else." He turned to leave. "Take my advice, friend: Run while you can! She uses hearts like footballs." With that he disappeared into the foliage.

"Art! Art, don't you dare walk away from me! You son of a bitch, come back here!" She was screeching like a banshee. "AART!"

Suddenly, she turned, drew back her leg and kicked Shaun squarely in the shin. Satisfied, she watched as he gave a startled cry of pain and hopped on one leg, soothing his injured shin with both hands.

Her triumph was short-lived when he suddenly stopped dancing and caught her by the upper arm.

"That's it!," he said as he dragged her close. "You've been begging for this."

"Let me go, you son of a bitch!" She screamed.

Shaun sat on the stone bench behind him as he gave her a yank that sent her sprawling across his lap. He anchored her by wrapping a forearm securely around her waist. "You don't know my mother." He said calmly as his hand connected with her firm backside. "Or you wouldn't talk about her that way." Another smack.

"BASTARD!"

The hand descended again, harder this time. "Nope, wrong again. My parents had been married years before I came along."

"How DARE you!"

Another sharp blow. "Just this easily." His hand hit dead center and she leaped like a startled gazelle.

"Shit!" She frantically kicked her legs as he hit her three times in succession. "Goddamn!"

"This is for your filthy mouth!" He landed four more smacks, rapid fire.

She flailed her legs so hard she sent both shoes flying off into the surrounding darkness.

"Asshole! Let me go!"

"I don't think you're taking me seriously." Shaun stopped long enough to push the material of her dress up to her waist. What he found beneath was straight from the back pages of Victoria's Secrets.

The black, French lace and satin garter belt held up the sheerest black silk stockings. Hugging her rump was matching black lace panties sheer enough to see through.

"Getting an eyeful, pervert?!"

"Exquisite," he whispered reverently, then unceremoniously yanked them down to her knees.

"NO!," she wailed.

"Keep screaming like that and we'll soon have an audience." He said calmly as he began spanking her again.

After six or seven blows connected, she scrambled to get away from the fires he'd ignited on her hindquarters. Hauling herself forward a little, she bit him on the calf.

Shaun yowled, dragged her back in position and renewed his efforts with a vengeance.

WHACK! WHACK!

The sound of his palm connecting with flesh was like a gunshot.

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

Each harder, sharper, more brutal than the last. Soon he found a rhythm and lost himself in what he was doing.

"Enough!," she wailed, not quite as loudly as before. "Stop!"

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

"What? No expletive?"

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

"Let me goooo!" Her voice had lost its haughtiness.

Shaun's blows were hard and steady. No inch of that luscious orb went unattended. In the darkness he could see, but it must be fiery-red by now.

"Ppppleeease!"

"What?" Three more smacks. "Did I hear correctly? Was that a 'please'?"

"Yes, dammit!" She snapped.

Four smacks, harder still. Carly's bottom danced in quick staccato.

"Wrong answer."

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

"Try again."

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Pleeeeaaassse!"

He paused, his hand resting on her butt. "You have my undivided attention."

"Let me up, Cunningham! This is ridiculous! You can't do this to me! I'll have you arrested! I'll . . . "

"You'll never learn, will you?" Then he went on to apply even more effort to the lesson.

Now the pain he ignited took her power of speech away. Before she could catch her breath from one blow, another landed, and another and another. Soon her rear was jumping and dancing frantically to the rhythm of his hand.

"Damn, I wish I had a paddle, maybe you aren't feeling this at all."

"NO! NO!" The tears had started now.

"A good paddling once or twice a week would turn you into something human." He said
conversationally, never missing a beat.

From the feel of his hand, her butt should be glowing by now. He stopped a moment to shake the numbness away.

"Damn, maybe I could find a stick . . . "

"Oh, no!," Carly cried, clearly alarmed. "Don't! Please! You were right! I was awful! I'm sorry!" Her plea ended in a sob.

"What? Could you repeat that?" He leaned down closer.

Carly was crying hysterically now. One hand reached back to rub her abused posterior. Shaun pulled it to the small of her back and smacked her again.

"I didn't hear you." He leaned closer again.

"I was awful tonight . . . " Her whole body was shaking with her sobs. "Please . . . I'm sorry . . . don't spank . . . me, anymore!"

"Are you asking or telling?" He waited a second for her answer, then, receiving none, whacked her again.

"Asking! Asking!" She screamed quickly and began sobbing again.

"And you learned your lesson?"

"Yes! Yes!"

"And that was?"

No answer.

WHACK! WHACK!

"To behave like a human being!"

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

"A well-mannered human being. What else?"

No answer.

WHACK! WHACK!

"To treat people better!"

WHACK!

"With more respect. Good answer. What else?"

She hesitated just a second, then wailed. "I don't know what else!"

WHACK! WHACK!

"You should, it's the most important!"

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

"Watch that sewer mouth of yours!"

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

Shaun paused, gently rubbing the soft mound beneath his hand. He could feel the heat
radiating out from it. She flinched away from his touch, then lay still.

"So, I can trust you to be a good girl?"

"Yes! Yes!"

"And you'll remember your lessons?"

"Yes!"

"For how long?"

"Forever!"

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

"Don't lie! Your memory'll last until your butt cools off."

"No! No, I've learned! I'll remember! Really!"

"Prove it! Go back and apologize to the poor sap that brought you."

She hiccuped. "To Art?" She said his name with distaste.

And was rewarded with five solid whacks to the center, most tender part of her rump. Her response was several earsplitting yelps. "Yes! Yes! No more, Shaun! Please!"

Her pleadings were heart-rendering, and, Shaun was certain, in earnest. He lifted the weeping woman from his lap and stood her before him. She turned liquid-filled Bambi-brown eyes on him and his anger melted.

The moonlight shone off her profile as Shaun turned her face to his. Her makeup was gone. Her hair in disarray. Her dress bunched up about her waist as she tried to extinguish the fire in her butt by massaging it away. Her feet were bare and her panties in a black pool at her feet.

He handed her his handkerchief, she took it gingerly, releasing her dress. As it slithered back into place, she mopped her face.

"We'd better get back before they send a search party."

She nodded, her sobs now subsiding into little hiccups and catches of breath. "My shoes." She turned, took a step and tripped on her panties.

Shaun caught her before she fell and settled her back on her feet. He then reached down and picked up the scrap of lace, stuffing it in his jacket pocket.

Carly blushed bright red, but said nothing.

After a lengthy search by feel and pale light, they found her shoes in the bushes.

He escorted the subdued young woman back to the banquet hall where he immediately sent her to the restrooms.

Shaun returned to the bar to find his brother, Hal, mixing drinks.

"There you are. Tina wondered where you'd gotten to." He put a vodka/tonic on the bar in front of him.

Shaun took a sip. "No doubt."

"Carly seems to have disappeared too."

Shaun only grunted.

Hal tugged on his brother's coat sleeve. "You look a little creased."

"Damp night air." Shaun turned around to scan the room. Art was at the far end of the bar looking sullen and angry. There was a young woman at his elbow trying to engage him in conversation.

"Looking for someone?"

"Yeah."

Just then Carly reappeared in the entryway. She hesitated, seeming unsure, then caught Shaun watching her. Her full, red lips drew into a pout as a look of defiance darkened her eyes.

Oh, well, so much for promises.

She was testing him. Okay. He cocked an eyebrow at her and sent her a look to say he'd call her bluff and to ask her if she were sure she wanted to play this game. She must have gotten the message because the look faded rapidly and she made her way toward Art.

Shaun watched as they spoke briefly. Art, silent and thoughtful, refused to look at her while his companion threw daggers with her eyes. The entire conversation only lasted a few moments and ended with a curt nod from Art before he took his lady-friend by the arm and walked away leaving Carly to stare helplessly at their retreating backs.

Carly's lips tightened into a thin line and she took a step toward the couple. Then she stopped suddenly, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Just then Tina approached her.

"What happened to your dress?"

"I fell, okay?"

"Say, wasn't that Gale with Art?"

Carly sighed. "Uh-huh."

"You two have a fight?"

"Not much of a fight, he won by a knock out."

"What?"

"He dumped me."

"I didn't think you'd never get Art to let go. So what happened?" She asked as she took advantage of her sister's preoccupation with watching Art's departure to start steering her toward the bar.

"I don't want to talk about it, Tina."

"Okay, so we won't talk about Art. You look like you could use a drink. I got Hal Cunningham to tend bar. He makes a mean frozen daiquiri."

They stopped in front of Shaun. Tina didn't miss the look that passed between the two.

"Well! Dinner's going to start soon. You two are sitting together." She waited for their reaction.

Carly jumped slightly and turned pale. The last thing she could do right now was sit.

Shaun leaned close to her ear. "Go get your coat." He whispered, giving her a little push with his hand on her rump.

She fled.

"No, teenie, I think we'll pass on the dinner."

"Pass?" She watched her sister bolt from the room. Then she turned back to her brother in-law. "What's going on?"

"Your sister's not feeling well. I'm going to take her home."

"Carly's never sick."

"This came on unexpectedly." He paused. "A migraine."

She looked back the way Carly had fled. "She did seem a bit subdued."

"Nothing too serious. It'll pass."

Carly was standing in the entryway, her coat and Shaun's in her arms, waiting patiently. Shaun leaned over and kissed Tina lightly on the lips.

"Gotta go, teenie." He nodded in passing to his brother. "Hal."

"Sure, Shaun, call me later, okay?"

"Yeah." He started to walk away.

"And, Shaun, you're about to loose your fancy handkerchief." Tina said, a bright smile on her face.

Shaun looked down. A scrap of black lace dangling from his coat pocket. He hastily stuffed it back in, smiling at them sheepishly.

"Thanks."

"Sure. Wouldn't want anything to happen to them. I gave them to her for her birthday. She likes things like that and those are her favorites."

Shaun nodded. "I'll remember that." He waved, turned and walked to Carly and then walked out into the fragrant evening air.

His first thought as she slipped her arm through his, looked up into his face with those Bambi-eyes and smiled her radiant smile, was that if this relationship was going to succeed first thing tomorrow morning he was going to have to go out and buy a paddle.