Jackson could see that Cindy was waiting for him to call her into the office and irritation surged through him. Why the hell couldn't the fool woman just obey orders?
There hadn't been anything sexist about the rule he had put out saying the female lifeguards couldn't patrol the beach alone, but had to have a male lifeguard with them. It was just common sense.
The men were big enough and fit enough to make would be bullies think twice, even if they had had a few too many. Generally it was a simple job to make them behave. A woman lifeguard, however, was just a challenge for them.
Jackson had deliberately waited until the station was closed and the rest of the lifeguards were heading elsewhere before he confronted Cindy. Her equal opportunity women's lib attitude could get a bit noisy at times, to the point that he'd banned people from debating it in the office. As far as Jackson was concerned she was entitled to her opinions, but he didn't have to listen to them while at work.
Swearing to himself, Jackson invited Cindy into his office.
"Couldn't this have been done earlier," groused Cindy as soon as she entered the office, "or waited until tomorrow? I'm going to be late home now."
"You're not going home directly from here, but to the club to enjoy some drinks with some friends," Jackson observed. "I assumed that you'd prefer some privacy while I tell you that you're an idiot and if you can't follow the rules I'll terminate your employment."
Cindy stiffened, angry. How dare he?
"I'm perfectly capable of doing my job," she snapped. "I'm just as efficient as any of the men around here and you know it. That rule about having to have a male escort is sexist and demeaning and you know it."
"You are just as good as any of the men in the water," came the cold reply, "and better than most. Patrolling the beach, however, is a different matter, which you would realise if you would look at the facts logically instead of through your politically correct glasses.
The rule is in place not just to protect the female lifeguards, but also for the protection of the public. You screwed up and you damn well know it."
"It's not my fault that the man was drunk and wouldn't listen to reason," protest Cindy indignantly. "He should have recognised my authority and just calmed down a bit."
"What he recognised was a chit of a girl was trying to tell a man what to do and he resented it. You're lucky Mike rolled up when he did or you could have got hurt. As it is, Mike will be lucky if he doesn't have a black eye and we have to charge an idiot with assault.
And it's all your fault for not following the bloody rules."
Cindy and Jackson glared at each other, Jackson irritated and Cindy defiant.
"It's getting a bit old, you know, with you waving the banner of equal rights and women's lib, while at the same time claiming special privileges because you're a woman. Has it ever occurred to you what a hypocrite you are?"
"What are you talking about?" flared Cindy. "When have I ever traded at being a woman?"
"How about when you decide that a rule that is there for, among other things, your protection, can be flouted because you're a woman and it shouldn't apply to you? How about right now, when instead of listening to what I'm trying to tell you, you're ready to argue every little point?
Ha! If you were one of the boys I was having a go at and he argued the way you do I'd threaten to clout him, and they know it. You I can't clout, but I can just imagine your reaction if I threatened to spank you. You'd be all up in arms about male brutality, equal rights and all your other self-serving bullshit."
A picture formed in Cindy's mind of Jackson bending her over the desk, slowly pulling down her panties and his big hand spanking her bottom. Or would he bend her over his knee, she wondered? She felt vaguely excited at the thought, and was slightly shocked at herself. What was she thinking?
"Cindy!" snapped Jackson. "What the hell is wrong with you? I'm trying to get you to understand the seriousness of what happened and all of a sudden you're just staring into space. Did you even hear what I just said?"
"Of course," said Cindy hurriedly. "You said you wanted to spank me."
Jackson looked at her. "I didn't precisely say that. I was also asking if you heard what I said after that. Apparently not. Anyone would think you wanted your bottom smacked the way you're behaving?"
Cindy's errant mind went wandering again. Would he make her pull her panties down first or would he want to do it himself? If she had to he'd see everything. Heat pooled low under her tummy as she wondered for a moment if he had a paddle he used.
"Cindy, damn it, are you listening to me?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed, snapping back to reality. "Honest I am. If you insist I suppose I'll have to let you spank me."
