“You know,” said Bertie to no one in particular, “ever since we’ve decided to be openly kinky, I’ve had to do a lot more driving.”

Rachel snored in the seat beside him. He’d clocked her nodding off since before they’d left Toronto. The app had told them to expect a three-hour drive, but he’d run that estimate almost a week ago. He hadn’t calibrated it for a Friday preceding a long weekend, nor had he expected the snowfall that started shortly after they’d left.

The car shook as it rolled onto the shoulder again, the edge of the road hidden beneath a blanket of white. The plows hadn’t made it out this far yet.

Six hours into the drive, he debated turning around and heading back. He hadn’t even caught sight of a Timmies since – Peterborough, was it? – and his caffeine reserves were running on empty.

And all for what? To spend a couple of days with Mika’s parents?

He and Rachel hadn’t seen the young woman in over a year. She’d graduated university and gone back home, breaking up with her much older boyfriend on the way out. They’d met her as an enthusiastic member of the local fetish community – some, including Bertie, might have said too enthusiastic – but somehow, he didn’t imagine that was the story that she'd told to her mom and dad. Bertie still wasn’t sure what he was going to be walking into, and he’d have declined Mika’s offer if Rachel hadn’t been so eager to see her again.

Given the choice, he’d have preferred to have the weekend to himself and his girlfriend. Between work demands and irreconcilable schedules, they hadn’t had a lot of time together.

“In five hundred meters, turn left.”

The voice of the GPS brought Bertie back to reality. The road was becoming more defined up ahead, and he could see the outline of road signs jutting out from the stark landscape. He had to be getting close.

***

Exhausted as she’d been throughout the drive, Rachel immediately perked up when she saw Mika coming down the stairs to greet them. She rushed out of the car and into an embrace with the younger woman, their mutual enthusiasm nearly sending them both tumbling into the snow.

Bertie still couldn’t wrap his head around their continued friendship. To say nothing of the sixteen-year age gap, Mika came across as overbearing and immature even for her young age. Most of it was an act, he knew, but it was one she played with relish. The first time they’d met, she’d introduced herself by flirting openly with Bertie and needling Rachel about her age, a ruse to goad the couple into spanking her – and spanked she was. Bertie had never been the one to deliver punishment, though, worried in equal part that he was encouraging her obnoxious behaviour… and that he might enjoy himself a little too much.

A missed opportunity, for sure. Abrasive as she could be, Bertie couldn’t deny she was a pretty young woman, if too slim for his tastes. She wore her dark hair long, and her ever-mischievous smile gave way to charmingly crooked teeth. Her skin had lost some of its glow from when he’d seen her last, her natural tan no doubt having faded with the season.

“Come on up! And watch the steps, I haven’t shoveled yet.”

He followed Mika’s lead up the snow-encrusted cement walkway toward the townhouse behind her. He was happy that their host had stayed awake waiting for their arrival – the white-brick home looked exactly the same as the three properties beside it, and he’d have been hard-pressed to identify hers without help.

The wind pushed the front door open with a bang. Bertie cringed, but Mika seemed unconcerned with the noise.

“Aren’t you worried about waking your parents?” he whispered.

Mika froze in place for a moment, and then turned with a pasted-on grin.

“Your coats can go in the closet behind you. I know you’re tired from the trip, so I’ll show you to your room once you’re dusted off, okay?”

She scampered up the stairs before he could say anything in response, the carpeted steps muffling her footsteps as she vanished into the darkened house.

Bertie turned to Rachel. “She’s up to something.”

“It’s Mika, of course she’s up to something,” said Rachel, cracking her neck. “I feel like sleeping for a week. That nap in the car did nothing for me.”

“Ah. So no cuddling tonight?”

“Bertie!” she whispered with mock indignation, “we’re in someone else’s house!”

It was probably too much to hope for anyway, he told himself.

Having doffed their coat and shoes, they followed where Mika had disappeared. Family photos dotted the wall alongside the staircase – even in the dark, he could spot images of a younger Mika, along with two older brothers, and the odd couple that must have been her parents. Reminded of their presence, Bertie tread as carefully as he could manage to the top of the landing. He could see a light at the end of the hall.

Something was off, though. As he passed each of the other rooms in turn, he saw the doors were open, and the beds inside were empty.

“Where is everybody?” murmured Rachel.

Bertie had a suspicion. And he confirmed it the moment he stepped into the master bedroom.

Mika was airing out the comforter on the bed, switching to fluffing the closest pillow as Bertie and Rachel emerged from the doorway. At some point she’d hurriedly changed into an oversized T-shirt that fit like a sheet, with her skinny legs poking out from underneath. She bit her lip guiltily.

“Your parents aren’t here, are they?” Bertie folded his arms. Tired as Rachel was, she was in no mood for any chicanery from Mika either.

Mika didn’t last long under their combined gaze. “They’re visiting family in Manila,” she confessed. “I’m here on my own.”

“Mika…“

“It’s been lonely, okay? They got me an internship here, but Papa and Nanay don’t know what to do with me when I’m at home. The job keeps me busy, but it’s sooo boring, and… I didn’t want to be alone all weekend.”

Bertie pinched the bridge of his nose. Six and a half hours he’d been driving, all so that a spoiled young woman could have some company. And going home was no longer a realistic option.

But there was another choice available to him, and it was a compelling one.

“Mika, how long has it been since you’ve had a spanking?”

She blushed. “A year and a half, maybe longer?”

He glanced back at Rachel. Once upon a time, he’d thought that she’d approve of his reluctance to turn Mika over his knee, but instead she’d judged him for taking the coward’s way out. He wasn’t going to make that mistake again.

He sat down at the edge of the bed. He considered rolling up the sleeves on his wool sweater before deciding to take the cumbersome article off entirely. Mika watched him, curling her toes nervously in the carpet.

“Young lady, you dragged us here, in a snowstorm, under false pretenses. And because we made the trip all this way, we will take you up on your invitation to stay.” She perked up, but he wasn’t done yet. “But I don’t appreciate being lied to, and I don’t imagine that Rachel does, either.”

“No, I do not,” added Rachel. She’d found herself an armchair in the corner of the room and was making herself comfortable.

Bertie turned back to Mika. “In fact, I think that you deserve a good spanking."

She raised her hands to her mouth in a gesture that he might have read as horror – if he couldn’t see her grinning excitedly behind them. “Yes, Daddy.”

He’d never been called ‘Daddy’ before, and he didn’t care to be. Still, it fit the scene, and he wasn’t about to quibble over details. He saw Rachel raise an eyebrow, and resolved to have that discussion at a later time. At the moment, his focus was entirely on the brat in front of him.

The bed was high enough off the ground that it wouldn’t be too awkward for Mika to lie in his lap, even if she was all arms and legs. That same gamine figure likely meant that she was lighter than Rachel, even if she stood a head taller than his girlfriend. The big question was going to be power – Bertie had the impression that for all her provocation, Mika didn’t have much of a pain tolerance…

“Daddy? Didn't you say you were going to spank me?”

He was overthinking. Mika had wanted this spanking for a long time, and it didn’t need to be perfect to satisfy both of them.

“Yes, Mika, and I suspect you’ll be more honest with us after sleeping on a sore bottom.” He pointed. “Over my knee, young lady.”

She all but bounded into his lap. The wide expanse of her shirt settled as she lay in position, outlining the curve of her narrow butt. With a silent prayer to whichever god had afforded him this second chance, Bertie took aim and struck.

“Yeow!”

Her shriek came so suddenly and loud that he nearly dropped her on the floor. He managed to grip her by the waist before she went over.

“Are you—?“ he started, and stopped when he heard her laughing.

“Sorry, Daddy. I guess it’s been awhile.”

He’d been right about her pain tolerance, then – not that it was going to stop her from teasing him. This, he thought, this sort of thing was why he’d always found Mika to be more annoying than cute.

He switched up his approach, delivering quick but light swats across her backside, enjoying her tiny squeaks and shudders with every impact. He’d have to take his time, but this would still be a spanking she wouldn’t soon forget.

“Are you going to be a good girl now, Mika? You’re not going to tell us any more stories to get what you want?”

“Owie! Yes, Daddy, I’ll be good, I promise!”

Rachel had been quiet all this time. Bertie wondered how best he could check in with her without breaking character, but Mika made the decision for him.

“Mommy, he’s hurting me!” she whined.

“You’re lucky that Daddy got to you first,” Rachel replied, her voice low. “We’re your friends, and you didn’t have to manipulate us into visiting. As far as I’m concerned, this is the least that you deserve.”

Bertie could feel Mika shrink into his lap, even as she flinched and wriggled from the spanking, and he got the feeling that she would be enjoying herself a lot less if she were over Rachel’s knee. And while he shared his girlfriend’s irritation, as far as Bertie was concerned the damage was already done and the proper response was exactly what he was doing now.

He held back his hand. “You’re going to be a lot more considerate of other people’s efforts after this. Am I right, young lady?”

“Yes, Daddy. You’re not…?” She trailed off.

“Go on.”

“You’re not going to spank me on my bare bum, are you?”

He made a show of mulling over her question, but his answer was never in doubt. “After the stunt you pulled, I think a bare-bottom spanking is just what you need. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She groaned. “Yes, Daddy.” Despite her apparent despondency, Bertie could feel her weight shift as she raised her hips to give him easy access. He took the hem of her nightshirt and yanked it away like a tablecloth.

He wasn’t surprised to discover she was buck naked underneath, though he was impressed that she’d managed to strip off so many layers in the time it took Rachel and himself to mount the stairs. Or had she been commando ever since they’d arrived?

“One might think you’d prepared for this,” he observed.

“One might.”

For all her carrying on, there was barely more than a splotch of pink on her pale brown behind. Clearly Mika was ready for a firmer hand.

He redoubled his efforts and was rewarded with a loud gasp from the girl on his lap.

“You should be careful what you wish for.”

He put his palm to work again. Mika yelped and squirmed with each swat, but she couldn’t help but giggle in between. The little brat was having the time of her life.

Having set his pace, Bertie’s gaze turned to Rachel. She was fixated on the scene in front of her, her breath slowed, her cheeks flushed. She noticed him watching her, and she reflexively coughed and sat up straight.

Interesting, he thought.

A dull ache sapped at the strength in his arm, and Bertie was reminded how long he’d been sitting in that car. It was time to wrap up.

“Do you think you’ve learned your lesson, young lady?” he asked, his elbow resting on the small of her bare back.

“Mmm… yes, Daddy.”

“I’m happy to hear that. Because do you know what’s going to happen if you lie to us like that again?”

“You’re going to give me another spanking?” she asked, a bit too hopefully.

“No, we’re just going to send you to your room, and you won’t get to play with Daddy or Mommy for the rest of the weekend.” He was getting the hang of this. “Somehow I don’t think you’d like that.”

He meant it, though, and Mika’s silence indicated that she understood.

His point made, he lifted his arm and gave her a quick kiss on the head to let her know that her ‘punishment’ was over. Mika shot out of his lap, grabbing at her butt while stamping her little feet on the floor.

“Ooh!” she muttered, “I forgot how much that stings!”

“Then I’m happy to remind you,” said Bertie with a smirk. “Sleep tight, Mika.”

She gave him a disappointed look. “Do I have to sleep in my bed? There’s enough room for three of us here… if you want.”

He wasn’t prepared for that, and he should have been. The last time all of them were together in a room, Mika was determined that they should have a three-way. And if she hadn’t been half-drunk and despondent after a breakup, then maybe something might have happened.

Something might still happen.

A slight gesture from Rachel interrupted the memory. She shook her head.

“Not tonight,” he replied. “We’ve got all weekend, don’t we?”

Mika’s eyes twinkled, and she danced out the door. He waited until she’d crossed the hallway and he heard her door click shut.

He stepped over to where Rachel sat in her chair. Her eyes were closed, but she sighed appreciatively as he began to rub her shoulders.

“You had fun, didn’t, you?” she said.

“I wasn’t the only one. She’s right, though – that bed does look pretty spacious.”

“What are you getting at?”

Thoughts long since forgotten began to take shape in his head. “I think we can make room for three, can’t we?”

She swatted away his wandering hands. “I’m too sore for this right now. Talk to me in the morning.”

Well, that hadn’t been encouraging. But she hadn’t said no, either.

It would make for a very interesting vacation.