Page 28 of Sacred Vow

My eyes go wide, my insides collide into my spine.

“But I apologized,” I point out in haste.

“No, you said what you thought would get you out of being in trouble, but it’s good that you know why you’re about to get punished.”

“What are you doing?” I ask, my eyes glued to his hands working the leather through the metal buckle and then pulling it free from the loops of his trousers in one single tug. The damn thing looks like a black snake dangling from his hand as he holds it up.

“I can’t use it if it’s still on,” he says, doubling it over and tucking the buckle into his palm.

I yank harder, which only makes the tie tighten. My fingers are burning, but I don’t care. My ass will burn worse if he gets to use that demon on me. I turn my hips when he gets too close.

“Wait. Wait!” I twist as much as I’m able with my wrists bound to the damn post.

“For what?” He turns his head, like he can’t wait to see what I have to say.

That makes two of us.

“You can’t spank me again. You already did yesterday.” It’s a weak argument. Even I have to admit that.

“Maybe you should have considered that before you climbed down your fire escape and took off to that donut shop when I already said you weren’t to go out.” His jaw locks again and his eyes are practically black. “Do you really have work today?” he asks, and I wonder if he tried finding me at the diner first.

“I do.”

His glare gets hot.

“I did.” I swallow. Probably not best to push it right now about work. “I’ll call it off.”

“You’re not going back there at all. I’ll handle it. After I finish with you.”

My nerves twist into knots tighter than the one holding me against the post.

I close my eyes, willing my brain to stop whirling.

“I didn’t do anything wrong!” I stomp my foot again as he starts to take a step toward me. His jaw moves from side to side.

“And we’re back to that.”

Not the right answer.

Shit.

“I left my apartment. It’s my apartment. I’m an adult!” I lift up my elbow and look at him from beneath it while still trying to squirm away.

He watches me intently, just letting me spin myself into a knot.

“I’ll scream. I’ll scream so loud your neighbors will call the police.” Even with all his money and power, he’s still a man. He’s not going to want to deal with the cops.

He stares at me for a long minute, then runs the tip of his thumb over his bottom lip. I think he’s considering the ramifications, but then he drops his hand and exposes his grin.

“We’re on the second floor of the penthouse. There are no neighbors to hear you. And even if they could.” He grabs my hips, pulling me back to my starting place. My ass right in front of him. “No one would come help you.”

A whimper escapes as he stands behind me, grasping my hips. The feel of the leather against my skin drives fear through my body. This isn’t going to be a spanking. This is going to be a full-on lashing.

Tears threaten, but I take a steadying breath. I will not cry. Not for him. He will not get that satisfaction from me.

His warm hand slides around my hip to my stomach, where he trails fire down my skin as he lowers his touch between my legs. I try to squeeze them together, but it is too late. He’s reached my wetness.

“I haven’t even started, and already your body reacts.” He raises his touch to my stomach and pulls me back, sticking my ass out more for him.

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