Summary: Newlywed Adam enjoys an evening out with his wife, followed by pleasurable adult activities at home.

Rating: MA/R (sexual content)

Word Count: 4728

 

 

 

This work includes consensual spanking between two adults. Please do not read if this does not appeal to you.

A Banquet of Consequences

Alta stood in front of her full-length mirror, hairbrush in hand, making last minute adjustments to her hair. She wanted to be sure it was styled exactly right before putting in the turtle shell comb or the adornment wouldn’t be shown to its best advantage. The way the ornament glistened in her locks earlier as she’d played with it made her smile. Adam told her he saw it in a shop window and immediately thought of the way it would glisten in her golden curls. He wasn’t wrong.

A heavy sigh drew her attention to the man in question, and Alta beamed at Adam as he leaned against the doorway. His hands tucked into his armpits, her husband of just a few months looked handsome in his evening clothes. Handsome, and exasperated.

“How are you not ready yet?” Adam questioned with a shake of his head.

“Being a man, you have not noticed how fiddly women’s clothing is. I need someone to help me finish dressing. I can’t reach all these buttons,” Alta explained, turning her back towards him briefly. “Come help me, will you? And be gentle with the buttons, they’re very delicate.”

Adam smirked slightly as he walked towards her. “Are you accusing me of something, wife?”

“Well, I certainly wasn’t the one who tore three buttons off my wedding gown in their haste to remove it, was I?” she challenged.

He favored her with a dimpled grin. “Guilty as charged. Though I maintain you’re equally at fault. Were there no dresses with less buttons available? And you could have made it easier for me by being ugly.” Carefully, Adam began the tedious task of buttoning her gown. He’d rather be unbuttoning it and might consider doing so if they didn’t have reservations for dinner and tickets for the ballet.

Alta laughed, smiling at her reflection in the mirror. Marriage agreed with her; with them both. “I did it just to annoy you,” she whispered.

“I suspected as much.” Adam kissed the back of her neck tenderly. “You’re buttoned. Our hackney is already waiting,” he added. “You ought to be ready by now. No one infuriates me like you do.”

“Now was I the one who surprised me with this pretty hair comb today?” Alta queried. “No; that was you. And now you complain as I try to show it to its best advantage. Men are never happy. But since you’re being such a helpful boy, will you put my necklace on me, too?” She looked over her shoulder, batting her eyelashes coquettishly.

Adam favored her with a stern look. “In five minutes, you will either walk to the hackney on your own power or I’ll carry you out and dump you in it, regardless of what state you may be in,” he threatened. Adam punctuated his words with a playful swat to her bottom before turning to get the necklace she’d indicated. As he picked it up from her dressing table something smacked his bottom, causing Adam to jump.

“Ow!” Adam complained, rubbing the stinging spot. He looked over at Alta with a scowl, only to find her smirking. “I was playful! That hurt.”

Alta only smiled, holding her hairbrush. “Sooner or later, everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences, darling,” she teased.

Muttering about incorrigible brats under his breath, Adam did the clasp of her necklace and turned to leave the room. “Five minutes. I meant what I said,” he warned firmly.

Alta’s sing-song voice followed him out of the room, “Promises, promises.”

He smiled to himself, already counting the minutes, half-hoping Alta wouldn’t make the deadline. Watching the clock with anticipation, the minutes slowly ticked away.

*****

Alta sat on their bed, playing with her shoe hook when Adam threw open the bedroom door.

“I warned you.” Adam’s tone was serious, his look menacing as he approached her, but his eyes were full of mischief.

“Adam, do stop,” Alta responded, rolling her eyes. “I just need—” She let out a yelp as Adam scooped her off the bed and began carrying her out the door.

“I said whatever state you were in,” he reminded her. “Whatever you don’t have, you won’t need it for the night.”

“Be careful on the stairs!” Alta shouted, clinging tightly to him. “You’re a madman, you know that?”

“Maybe you shouldn’t push me, woman.” Adam stopped long enough to kiss her before continuing downstairs, every step confident and sure.

“My wrap! Adam, at least get my wrap!” Alta laughed as he shifted to throw her over his shoulder and grabbed the shawl with one hand. “You’re not really going to take me outside like this? Adam, put me down!” She tried desperately to make her words stern, but giggles defused the effort.

“Oh, yes, I am,” Adam promised, his voice all too cheery. With his wife hanging over his shoulder, each of them dressed to the nines, he exited the house and took the time to lock the door behind them.

“What will the neighbors think?” Alta hissed. She swatted at Adam as he took his time locking the door.

Adam shrugged one shoulder. “Who knows? Who cares? You brought this on yourself, Mrs. Cartwright. Off we go.” Grinning widely, he carried her to the hackney and unceremoniously dropped her inside of it, then threw her shawl in after her. Standing outside the conveyance, hands on his hips, Adam watched as Alta laughed so hard she could barely get up and onto the seat. Once Alta righted herself, he climbed in to sit beside her.

After catching her breath, Alta put her arms around Adam. “Can I tell you a secret?” she whispered.

Adam hummed a response as he pulled her close, kissing her cheek.

“I had four minutes to spare.” Her eyes sparkled with impish delight. “I just wanted to see if you’d really do it.”

For a moment, Adam could only stare at her. Then, he laughed loudly as the cab continued down the block. When he got himself under control, he leaned close to Alta’s ear. “Let me tell you a secret,” he murmured. “You have a banquet of consequences coming when we get home that you’ll be standing up for. And we’ll see just how much you like that hairbrush of yours by the time it’s over.”

Rather than reply heatedly, Alta smiled and whispered, “Promise?”

Adam simply winked.

********

Dinner was the usual affair; Alta teased him mercilessly as Adam tried to eat his meal in peace. The same thing happened every time, and she’d been that way since he started courting her. When it wasn’t verbally sparring, it was light kicks to his shins for a variety of reasons or even stealing bites of his meal. Alta was never subtle about it either; she used her fork to help herself to an oversized morsel in front of his face, smirking while doing so.

Tonight, Adam had the pleasure of being treated to all three of her antics. He played the put upon husband well, but in truth enjoyed the routine. “Keep digging that hole, little girl,” he warned.

“That’s Mrs. Cartwright to you,” Alta shot back sassily. She moved to take a forkful of his dessert, smirking when Adam allowed it.

“You need a lesson in manners. Next time you try that, I’m going to smack your hand.” A smile played on his lips.

“Well, when you put it like that…” Alta reached for his dish with both hands, giggling at the startled look on Adam’s face.

Despite catching him off guard, Adam managed to keep hold of his plate. “I don’t know why I bother taking you anywhere nice.” He reached for Alta’s hand but didn’t follow through with the promised smack. Instead, he drew it to his lips and kissed her palm. “I do love you.”

“I know,” Alta winked. “I love you, too.”

*****

The couple were ensconced in a hackney on the way home, Adam’s arm around his wife as she snuggled up to his side. “Enjoy tonight?”

Alta nodded. “I’m so drawn to the ballet. The fluidity of movement, the way dance tells the story along with music. It’s like magic. I’ve always loved it. Thank you for taking me.” She kissed him softly.

Her response made Adam smile tenderly. “You’re welcome. I feel lucky to have a wife that enjoys culture as much as I do. Something told me that first night I saw you that we’d share many interests.”

“You mean my intellect attracted you, rather than my great beauty?” Adam could hear the raised eyebrow in Alta’s tone, rather than see it. “I do believe I should feel insulted.”

“I appreciate both in great measure,” Adam countered. “Though I do wonder what effect my spoiling has on you. Dinners in fine places, nights at the ballet, the gifts I bring you.” He made a tsk sound.

Alta turned her head to look at him, a wide grin on her face. “I’m perfect and you know it,” she asserted.

“Perfect for me? Without a doubt,” Adam conceded. “Perfectly behaved?” An eyebrow quirked. “Far from it. I seem to remember promising you consequences when we got home. Nearly there.” He smiled wryly.

Alta’s pupils dilated and a growing sense of anticipation built up inside her. They playfully smacked one another frequently, and he often threatened to spank her, but it had always been in jest. Tonight, something in his look told her he meant to follow through. “Are you going to carry me into the house over your shoulder again?” she wondered, rubbing her hand on his thigh.

Adam laughed softly, flashing an appreciative grin. “Do you want me to?”

A slight flush crept up her face. “Will anyone see?”

“Oh, now you’re concerned about your reputation?” Adam could only shake his head. “Earlier you wanted to test me and didn’t spare a thought for it. We might give the neighbors another show,” he shrugged.

“I can blame you for earlier. You and your uncouth Western ways, not knowing how to treat a lady,” Alta teased. “If I allow you to do it, and people see my cooperation…”

He nodded, understanding her reluctance now. “After the door’s closed then,” Adam decided with a wink.

****************

Alta shivered while hanging up her wrap. It wasn’t a chill, but the thrill of anticipation. She waited restlessly for him to place his hat on its peg and lit some lamps, ensuring they weren’t wandering around in the dark. He even went upstairs and lit one in their bedroom before returning to where Alta grew increasingly impatient, tapping her foot on the floor.

“A bit eager, are we?” he teased.

Alta promptly stuck her tongue out at Adam.

“You’re most definitely overdue for a spanking.” He looked into Alta’s eyes, searching for unspoken agreement. When he saw it there, Adam lifted her up and carefully tossed her over his shoulder. “Comfy?” A swat to her behind accentuated the question.

“Ow!” Alta whined plaintively.

Adam rolled his eyes. “Please. With all the layers of fabric between my hand and your backside, I’d be surprised if you felt a thing.” He started for the stairs, emboldened by Alta’s infectious giggles.

“You’d be disappointed if I didn’t put up a fuss. Admit it,” she rebutted. Though he only hummed in response, Alta could hear his smile.

When they entered their bedroom, Adam gently set Alta down on her feet. “You can take care of your shoes and let your hair down. I’ll take handle everything else.”

His authoritative tone made her knees weak. Alta quickly sat on the bed to unhook her shoes, but her attention was on Adam. She watched him take off his jacket and toss it carelessly over a chair, then undo his cufflinks.

Her rapt attention didn’t go unnoticed. Adam smiled as she made a careful study of his movements. Her scrutiny only increased when he began rolling up his sleeves. Then it was his turn to watch as Alta gently removed the turtle shell comb and various pins from her hair. Each section she released fell in a wave of gold down to her shoulders until all her tresses were free.

“Lovely,” he murmured. “Stand up and turn around.” When Alta had her back towards him, Adam reached for the buttons on her gown.

“Don’t you—”

“I’m the one giving directions right now,” Adam chided, cutting her off. He wasn’t surprised when Alta stomped her foot irritably, though he couldn’t be sure if it was done playfully or sincerely. “Look at that, yet another bad habit we need to address,” he teased. “If you’re worried that I’ll harm your dress or loosen one of these multitudes of infernal buttons…” His annoyance with the number of them crept into his tone. “I’ll be careful. Meanwhile, you focus on curbing that temper of yours and doing a better job of listening.”

Alta could hear the smirk in his voice as he spoke. “Or I could really show you some temper and slap your face the first chance I get.” She didn’t mean a word of it, of course.

Adam chuckled. “Brave words for someone about to have her bare bottom across my knee.”

“You have to get my clothing off first,” Alta pointed out.

He inclined his head, though she couldn’t see it. “Touché.” Adam kissed the curve of her neck, smiling against her skin as Alta relaxed into his touch. Further kisses brushed against her exposed shoulder. Her skin was soft and creamy, warm beneath his caress. Adam heard her breath catch and abruptly stopped. It wouldn’t do to rush things.

Removing her clothing was, in fact, a battle of wills: his patience versus the multiple layers. Adam refused to ask for her assistance or be goaded into hurrying, even if he might prefer to simply tear each item off. Alta had barely forgiven him for the loss of a few on her wedding gown; she was unlikely to appreciate the destruction of an entire ensemble, no matter what the result was. Though Adam watched her dress and undress daily, it somehow took him by surprise how long and involved the process was when he wanted to remove her garments for activities best done without them.

After assisting Alta out of the dress and hanging it in the closet, Adam growled in frustration when confronted with more delicate fastenings.

“Problems?” He could hear the taunting in her voice.

“I don’t understand how you’re able to move around with such grace and poise while loaded down with so much fabric. And what moron invented these stupid eye and hook closures?”

Alta sighed. “It’s as much a trial for us as you imagine it to be. Practice is what makes it look easy. Knowing you’re looking with appreciation makes it less of a burden.” She glanced over her shoulder, grinning at the look of determination on his face. “I could…” Alta reached for the closures to hurry things along.

“No.” Adam mildly pushed her hands away, never removing his eyes from the task before him. “Stop interfering, young lady.” Despite the irritation, Adam was careful in his efforts to unhook each fastening of her petticoat.

She scrunched up her nose and made a face at him.

“I saw that.”

Alta bristled, making an indignant noise. “Did not!”

“Did too.” Unlike the dress, meticulously hung, the petticoat was tossed in the direction of the closet. Alta’s bustle was next and that, at least, only tied around her waist. It, too, got thrown haphazardly to the side. “And more hook and eye closures,” Adam muttered. “Who designed these petticoats?”

Alta tried and failed to stifle her giggles as Adam complained to himself with each closure he undid. He acted the same each time he undressed her, as though the garments were made just to thwart his specific efforts to make love to her.

The final petticoat discarded, Adam began unlacing her corset. Impatience gone, he took his time undoing the laces. “I always feel as if I’m unwrapping you like a present when I do this,” he confessed.

“The best present of all, I should hope,” Alta mused.

Adam hummed his agreement and kissed her back, just above the neckline of her chemise. At last, the corset was undone and it, too, was pitched across the room. He gently spun her around, so they were face-to-face and openly admired his wife as she stood in just her chemise and drawers, hair spilling around her shoulders. Adam put a finger under Alta’s chin and tipped her head back slightly before capturing her lips with his own. The kiss was gentle at first, then slowly became more demanding. An arm went around her waist, pulling her tightly against him.

Alta broke the contact between them first, placing her palms flat against his chest and gently pushing him back. Eyes fixed on his, Alta inquired, “What about those consequences you promised me?” Her voice was soft, yet filled with eagerness, and there was an intensity in her eyes. What had begun as playful banter was something Alta clearly wished to dabble in, at the very least.

Though her obvious excitement dispelled any doubt Adam had about putting his wife over his knee, he thought briefly about ways to ensure her welfare and consent. She wasn’t a child, after all; this was meant to be pleasurable for each of them. “If you wish to stop, say my name,” Adam instructed. “My full name, that is. Anything else I’ll take as…”

“Playacting?” Alta supplied, sounding gleeful.

Adam nodded. “You just be careful with the way you play, young lady,” he warned. Though his words were stern, he gave her a dimpled smile. “Your backside will be in jeopardy, so choose your antics judiciously.” He patted his right knee and gave her an expectant look. An eyebrow quirked when Alta didn’t move.

Alta’s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized him. “How often have you done this?”

“Often enough,” Adam admitted, giving her a wry smile. “Not with any intimate partners, if that’s what you’re getting around to. And I’ve received more than I care to remember.” He looked pained at even the recollection of spankings past, but that look became a glower as Alta giggled. Adam lightly swatted the side of her leg, earning a pretty pout in return.

“I’m sure it won’t surprise you that I haven’t either. It’s not just any man I’d let make such threats and carry them out, after all,” she asserted. “I wasn’t a stranger to it as a child though.”

Adam pursed his lips while giving her an appraising look. “No.” He shook his head. “I don’t think it took.” The stomp and outraged noise Alta made in response drew a devious smile from him. “May I submit exhibit A?”

Alta scrunched up her nose and stomped once more. “I’m the lawyer!”

He stood to his full height and looked down at her, his hazel eyes flashing. Without a word, Adam took her by the wrist, sat down on the bed, and pulled Alta across his knees. The movement was quick enough to catch her off guard but carefully controlled so that she wasn’t tossed carelessly. Once she was over his lap, Adam put his arm around her waist, drawing her closer, her bottom positioned over his right knee.

Alta wiggled over his lap, enjoying the feel of Adam’s muscular thighs beneath her. As he began rubbing her backside through the thin clothing that separated her bare skin from his hand, she stilled. Her body hummed at the touch, aching for more.

“Over the chemise, or under the chemise? That is the question,” Adam intoned in his best Shakespearean voice.

She let out a loud groan and slapped his leg. Any verbal complaint Alta intended to lodge was cut off by a smack across the center of her cheeks that caught her off guard. She realized the irony of that, given her current position, and made a face at the floor. It wasn’t hard, but the newness of it made the swat more impactful.

“No chemise then.” Adam lifted the garment up and laid it on her back. He chuckled as Alta wiggled and squirmed. “Aren’t you overdoing it a bit, darling? I haven’t even started yet. I’ll give you plenty of reason to writhe around,” he promised. Despite the implication of his words, the spanking began with light, teasing pats over her drawers. Adam wanted Alta to enjoy this, and he had a feeling she’d want to see how far they could go.

The light pats were almost disappointing, Alta thought to herself. She knew how strong he was, and, given her love of a good challenge, Alta expected Adam to put her through her paces Not that it didn’t feel nice. But that was all; nice. He barely raised a sting or warmth on her skin. Alta felt sure she could steer him in a different direction, away from his careful deference and care towards her and putting some effort into it.

Feigning a wide, loud yawn, Alta began tapping her toe on the floor impatiently. “Dearest, either please start or let me up. I’m growing bored.”

Adam’s eyebrow quirked. “Are you now?” He raised his hand higher this time, bringing it down smartly on her right cheek. The startled yelp Alta gave in response made him chuckle. “Do I have your attention now?” Adam grinned as he heard Alta muttering. “Sounds like backtalk to me.” A similarly sharp swat fell on her left cheek. “A ‘yes sir’ or ‘no sir’ would suffice.” He could well imagine the resentful look on her face, even if he couldn’t see it.

Several further swats fell, his hand moving back and forth between her cheeks as Alta stubbornly refused to answer him. “Well? Still bored?” Adam paused, rubbing her bottom to soothe some of the sting.

The smacks hurt, but not unpleasantly so. In fact, hurt wasn’t quite the right word for it. They stung a bit, spreading warmth across her skin that seemed to go directly to Alta’s core. Rather than complain, she was humming softly in appreciation of the sensations. Well, until Adam goaded her that was. That was one of the facets of their relationship she enjoyed most, their verbal sparring that often led to the bedroom now that they were married.

Never one to do as she was told simply because it was expected of her, Alta looked over her shoulder and gave Adam an impish grin. “I’m sorry dear, were you saying something?”

“Obviously nothing of importance to you,” Adam responded wryly. “Now that you are listening, raise your hips for me. Your drawers are coming down so I can see what kind of progress we’re making. And because I enjoy looking at your naked behind.” Adam gave her a wink.

“When you put it like that…” Alta smiled and lifted her hips as requested. She could feel Adam’s fingers at the small of her back as he untied the garment and slowly tugged it off her hips. He pulled the material down further and further until it was gone completely, pooling on the floor. Alta squealed as he began tickling the backs of her knees. “Play fair!” she demanded, trying to sound stern through her laughter. “I can’t retaliate from here!”

“That is rather the point.” Mere seconds later, chuckles were replaced by a heartfelt “Ow! Did you seriously just bite me?!” Adam demanded, outraged. He removed the hand from her waist and began rubbing his leg.

Alta cringed a bit. Perhaps that was slightly too much. “It was just a tiny bite. A teensy weensy insignificant little bite.” Looking over her shoulder she illustrated just how little, using her thumb and index figure to demonstrate.

He shook his head, giving her an exasperated look. “Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d have to say to my wife: there’s no biting when you’re over my knee. If you want a real spanking, I’d rather you just ask. But then I didn’t marry a simple, agreeable woman, did I?”

“No, you did not,” she smiled impishly. “I’m much more engaging and entertaining.”

Adam nodded in agreement. “A lot more trouble, too.” He rubbed his hand across her bare backside. “You’re hardly even pink,” he murmured. “Now I have to try and think of what else I need to forbid before you decide to try it.” Adam delivered a sharp swat to each of her sit spots, making Alta squirm in response.

Alta pouted and put her hand back to rub away the sting. “Now where’s the fun in forbidding things?”

He pushed her hand away with a dramatic sigh. “Too hard?”

“No. I merely enjoy annoying you.” She paused then asked, “Does it look nice?”

Adam laughed. “You never cease to amaze me. You have a very shapely bottom, you vain little minx. The pink is… lovely,” he decided. “Did you want to stand up and look in the mirror?” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

When she declined, Adam raised his hand and resumed the spanking. The swats fell quicker now and with more force behind them. Initially, each left a handprint behind but soon the color blended into a more uniform pink as Alta squirmed over his knees. As abruptly as the volley of spanks started, it ceased, for the moment at least. Adam’s hand dipped between her thighs for a moment. A smile spread across his face at the sounds Alta made in response to his touch. He certainly wasn’t unaffected by her wiggling and the sight of her increasingly pink backside and Adam knew she felt his arousal.

“Don’t stop,” Alta gasped. “Keep going, please.”

“Hmm. I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific. Which part are you asking me to continue? This…” He teased her sex with his fingers. “Or this?” Adam swatted her backside lightly.

“That.” As the spanking resumed, Alta unconsciously arched her back, raising her bottom to meet his hand. How he managed to make each swat sting deliciously in a way that went straight to her core without causing her undue pain, Alta had no idea. What she did know was that this would not be the last time they did this!

Adam’s hand moved back and forth between her cheeks, letting repetition rather than strength change the color of her skin from pink to red. Alta’s moans of pleasure and the way her body responded stirred his own arousal. With that in mind, he devoted a bit of attention to the undercurve of her bottom, bringing color to that sensitive area, before rubbing her reddened globes. He chuckled at the whine Alta gave when he stopped. “I don’t think either of us realized how much we’d enjoy this,” Adam confessed. “I’m not sure how much more of your squirming and wriggling I can take. I’m tempted to toss you on the bed and have my way with you, now.”

She laughed. “What about that hairbrush you threatened me with?”

“Next time,” he promised. Adam delivered a final swat across the center of her cheeks before helping Alta to her feet. Immediately their lips hungrily sought one another as Adam pulled her tightly to him. Before long, Adam was kissing her neck as Alta’s hands went for the buttons on his shirt. A nip to his ear brought a smile to his face.

“There you go with that biting again,” he growled playfully. Adam gave her a last, light smack. “No wonder you insisted on removing the word ‘obey’ from our vows. You’d have broken it within hours, if not minutes.” The alteration had been made with his full support. He wasn’t Alta’s keeper after all; he was her husband and partner.

Alta laughed softly, her breath tickling his chest. “Why are you still wearing so many clothes?” she complained. “When I want to have my way with you.” She grinned as her words drew a sound of wanting from Adam and together their hands made frenzied efforts to remove them. As soon as he was naked, Alta pushed his shoulders, grinning deviously as Adam fell back onto the bed. “I want you, now,” she stated, a hint of dominance in her tone. He made no effort at all to resist.

The End

Author’s note: This story began as a pinecone based on the prompt “Everyone, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences.” — Robert Louis Stevenson. A million thanks to my beta reader.