Lauren scampered off to the bathroom hissing after the last spank but she grinned too. That one had been affectionate she knew. After obeying nature’s call and vowing to drink a lot of water for the rest of the day, she washed her face and  finger combed her, by now impossible red curls. She stepped out of the bathroom and leaned against the kitchen door where she watched Frank pour them each a cup of coffee. “Sorry I was disagreeable just now,” she said quietly. “You bring out the worst in me, or wait maybe it’s getting kidnapped, gagged and tied up.” She tried to grin but yesterday’s memories of her terror came back and her smile faltered and vanished. “Thanks for the coffee.”<br/><br/>She took the cup and walked out to the porch. Let him freak out, she thought, and sat down on the porch steps. It was a beautiful morning and the sun hadn’t yet started to scorch everything.