Fantasy Friday - Fate, II

Happy Friday! I'm off tomorrow to meet a blogging friend tomorrow. And I'm very happy and excited by the prospect. I'll tell you all about it soon. Today is a repost of a great story. I hope you like it, it's by one of my very favorite writers. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Please enjoy ...

FATE

Cal Warner walked into the rental office of his new apartment complex tired and hot. After three days on the road he wanted to get the truck unloaded, find clean clothes and drink a cold beer. All of the arrangements had been made over the phone by the personnel office, he just had to load and unload the truck at both ends. It was a lot of work but he had found that he was more efficient with his own equipment, and he felt more at home with his own furniture. He wasn't exceptionally tall, just under six feet, but he was so large it made him seem taller. His massive shoulders required custom tailoring for everything beyond t-shirts, and furnished rooms just didn't cut it.

"Excuse me, Miss?"

She didn't even look up, just waved to indicate she would be with him in a minute, and continued a chattering into the phone. A conversation that seemed to be about a rather disappointing date the previous night rather than work related.

"Miss, I am in a hurry, if you could just get my keys for me you can get on with your personal life."

"I will be with you as soon as I am finished."

Cal counted to ten, struggling to keep from ripping the phone out of her hand. She was a pretty girl, didn't look as snotty as she acted. Deep into her conversation she seemed oblivious to his anger. Cal leaned forward, looming over her desk, and pushed the button on her phone, ending the call.

"Now that you are finished with your call, perhaps you would be so kind as to get the keys to unit 608?"

Josie Hayes jumped to her feet, eyes flashing.

"How dare you hang up on an important call? I don't know who you think you are, mister, but you can apologize now."

Cal looked at her, damn she was a looker, especially with her face flushed and her chest heaving. Most women were too skinny for his tastes; he liked his women to look like women. Plenty of curves for a man to sink his hands into. Miss Hayes, according to the nameplate on the desk, was a perfect example. Tall, at least 5'9", full figured with dark hair pulled back from a lovely heart shaped face. No wedding band, that was a good sign, he could take care of her attitude later. Just the thought of those full, soft lips made him stop and start over, just in case they might get to be friends.

"Good afternoon, Miss Hayes, I am Cal Warner." Engulfing her hand in one of his, he held on firmly. "I am sorry to disturb you, but I am the new tenant in 608, and I need the key so I can unload that big truck that is blocking your drive." Still holding her hand, he smiled sincerely into those big brown eyes.

Taken aback by his sudden change Josie found herself drowning in the bluest eyes she had ever seen. He wasn't her type; she liked smooth, polished professional men, not big hulks in sweats. With his crew cut and deep tan he looked like a construction worker, not someone she would date. His hand was like a rock, it completely engulfed hers, and there was a disturbing current running between them. He may not be her usual type, but there was no denying the attraction.

"Ah, Mr. Warner. We were not expecting you until tomorrow."

"I drove most of the night so I could get settled in and get to know the area before I start this job. Are there any good restaurants close by? I'll be famished by the time I get unloaded. In fact, maybe you could join me for dinner? Consider it your good deed for the day, helping a stranger get a decent meal."

Josie was confused to find that she very much wanted to spend time with this man, who still held her hand captive. Her automatic no, came out yes.

"Grab that key and let me get started then. I'll come by here for you at 6, pick someplace casual in case I can't find time to unpack."

She picked up the key only to find he had snatched it from her and run out the door. He may be a construction worker but he sure did look good. What could it hurt to have dinner, after all, she and Jason were over and there was no one waiting to take over her dance card. He might not be the man of her dreams, but he could make a very nice man of the moment. She couldn't wait to call Donna back and tell her all about the guy in 608.

Cal unloaded the truck with the ease of long practice, set up his computer equipment, showered and changed with time to spare. At promptly 6:00 he walked into the rental office more than ready for a good meal. Josie had to look twice to recognize the construction worker from earlier. Dressed in a sport coat and tie he looked much more presentable. Revising her original plan for a quick bite at the diner she decided to take him to Bella's. The food was always good, Bella was sure to be there to help break the ice, and it was Saturday so Jason would likely be there as well. A nice dinner and a chance to rub her "date" in. She was just glad she had worn a dress to work, it made it look like they had planned a nice night out.

Bella's was crowded, as usual, but there was always a table for the owner's favorite niece.
Over a glass of wine they discussed the menu, she steered him toward the special, always a safe bet, and cautioned him to save room for the pastry tray. As they lingered over dessert Cal found her attention wandering.

"Is there someone in particular you are looking for?"

Josie blushed, caught in the act of searching the room for Jason.

"No, just looking around, a lot of my friends come here."

With her usual impeccable timing Bella breezed up to their table hugged Josie and demanded an introduction.

"This is a new tenant, Cal Warner. He just moved in today so I am showing him around this evening."

Bella turned an appraising eye on Cal as he shook her hand.

"Pleased to meet you, this is a beautiful place and your food is fantastic. Best Italian I've had since my grandmother passed away."

"Oh honey, this is great restaurant food, but home cooking is what you miss. Get Josie to bring you around Sunday afternoon. I'll dish up some family food."

Bella left the table chuckling to herself. Little Josie finally found a man worth looking twice at and he seemed like a no nonsense kind of guy. Not the type to put up with Josie's foolishness, exactly what she needed before she made the mistake of marrying one of those wimpy, self-centered idiots she normally dated. In fact, this one reminded her of her late husband. Just the thought of Josie in the hands of someone like her Anthony had her laughing all the way to the kitchen.

Cal watched Bella stroll off, hips swaying, laughing and waving to customers. He hadn't seen Josie's mother yet, but if the aunt was any indication she would mature into a fine looking woman in her later years. He glanced up just in time to see a young man headed for their table and he looked like trouble. Walking with the deliberation of someone who's had one too many he marched up and demanded an explanation.

"Just what are you doing here? And who is this man? We decided last night to see other people and here you are, not twenty-four hours later with someone else? No wonder you were okay with my decision to date around, you had already started."

"Cal Warner, pleased to meet you. I didn't catch your name."

Standing up and taking the young man's hand Cal gently steered him away from the table and out the front door. Jason looked somewhat bewildered, not sure how he arrived in the parking lot.

"I am Jason, and I am Josie's boyfriend."

"Well, Jason, I thought you said you wanted to date other people. Guess that means you used to be Josie's boyfriend. Now, tonight she is here with me. If you two have unfinished business that is between you and Josie, but you'll need to discuss it another time."

His voice low, Cal tightened his grip until Jason mumbled his agreement, no point in making a scene his first night in town. He stood outside until Jason stumbled off then returned to the table to find Bella sitting with her niece.

"Did he try to cause trouble? He can be really nasty when he's drinking."

"No trouble at all. I just explained things to him and he went on home. Which is where I need to be going. It was a pleasure Bella."

"The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Warner. Don't forget about Sunday dinner. Night, Josie."

The drive back to the apartment was silent. Josie figured he must be mad about the way Jason acted. Oh well, he wasn't her type after all.

"Just drop me at the office."

"I'll see you to your door, it's late and I don't want you walking through the dark lot."

"I just live in the building behind the office, silly. I'll be fine."

"Then I'll park at my building and walk you home."

Josie shrugged, no point in arguing. It was a beautiful night for a stroll and they took their time. At her door she turned her face up for a goodnight kiss only to have him take her hand and thank her for an "interesting" evening. Stomping her foot, she jerked her hand free.

"Of all of the rude, obnoxious things to do. I save you from a lonely dinner in a strange town and you act like you are too good to kiss me?"

Grabbing her arm he cut off her tirade by pulling her into her apartment and closing the door.

"First of all, do not ever yell at me in public. If you have something to say show me the courtesy of doing so in private. Second, I was showing respect. You don't know me well enough to kiss me, but I had hoped maybe you would be interested in getting to know me. Now I'm not sure I want to know you. You have been rude, selfish and thoughtless the entire time I have been with you. You didn't go to be with me, you drug me in there to show off like a trophy to get your boyfriend riled up. Last, you should count yourself very lucky that I don't have a personal interest in your life. Goodbye, Miss Hayes."

He walked out, just turned around and left. Josie was livid. She waited over thirty minutes for him to come back and apologize, pacing back and forth. Finally, determined to tell him exactly what she thought of him she marched herself to his door and laid on the doorbell. As the door was opening she started.

"How dare you walk away from me? I will not be treated that way and I'm not leaving until you apologize. In fact…"

In the middle of her speech she realized he was standing in the doorway, hair tousled with sleep, wearing a pair of faded jeans unbuttoned at the top, his wide chest bare.

"I am giving you one chance to go home and we'll pretend this never happened. Take it, or I will give you everything I think you've got coming to you."

The thought of those arms around her stopped any smart retort. Maybe she should give him a chance to "get to know her" after all. He looked like some kind of fantasy leaning on the door jam, half dressed.

"Just what did you have in mind?" She purred.

"You asked. Just remember that."

Taking her arm he drew her into the living room and seated her on the deep leather couch.

"I don't expect you to understand, somebody should have done this a long time ago."

Leaning forward for the kiss she deserved she was shocked to find herself thrown over his lap, her struggles useless as his arm circled her waist. Shrieking with indignation she flailed helplessly as he raised her skirt and brought his hard hand crashing down on her tender bottom so hard she could feel the imprint of heat it left behind. No one had ever treated her this way. Soon the fire in her bottom made it impossible to shout and she hung, sobbing as he spanked long and hard. Finally, he stopped.

"Do you know why you are being punished?"

"NOOOOOO." She wailed, as the spanking continued. Every few minutes he stopped, and asked again, until he got the answer he wanted.

"I'm sorry, I was rude, please stop. I'll be good, I promise."

"Now that we both understand why we are here I'll get on with your punishment."

Sobbing loudly at the thought of more Josie endured a good five minutes of steady spanking that left her entire bottom red as beefsteak. His hands were huge and hard as oak, she never imagined something could hurt so badly. Finally it was over. Cal gathered her up into his arms and held her while she cried. Stroking her hair and whispering in her ear. Cradling her gently against his chest, the same hand that tormented her now cupping her hot bottom gently. When she finally stopped sobbing and he had dried her tears he tipped her chin up forcing her to look him in the eye.

"I do not tolerate rudeness. I do not expect to be treated with disrespect. When you misbehave, you will be punished. Now, we know each other well enough to kiss."

Josie surprised herself by melting into his arms. She didn't like the spanking one bit, but after, she felt safer and more content than ever before.

~~oo0oo~~

I loved this one! And as I said, of my favorite authors - my anonymous friend who has written so many great stories for us. My thanks to her and if you liked this weeks story you will be happy to know that there is a chapter 2 to this story and you can read it here next week.

I really, really appreciate those of you who have shared new stories with us lately. I hope more of you are considering it. Keep thinking and if you are willing to share one, please send it to elisspeaks@yahoo.com