Page 12 of Suspicion

“I am doing this.” His palm reached her ass, hovering a few inches over it as he stalked on. He waited a second, reveling in the thrilling power he held over her before it landed hard against her curved backside. “It’s time you learned your place.”

Chapter Five

Chastened

Ella

“So, that’s it?” Her head was ready to implode with frustrated fear. “You’re just going to take me, and damn what I think?”

Glaring at him, it was all so clear. How had she ever hoped for an alternative outcome when a man as strong and capable as Tucker now seemed to hold all the cards in his hands?

She had no chance.

No chance…

The evaluation resonated deep within her. She could try to fight all she liked, but ultimately, Tucker would do as he wished.

And get whatever he wants…

“Pretty much.” His brow rose fleetingly before his other hand settled on her left hip.

“Take your hands off me.” She pushed her bound hands into his abdomen but noticed how he didn’t even flinch at the pressure.

The swilling emotions inside her shifted like quicksand. His presence had once been overwhelming, then terrifying, but as she stared at his arrogant expression, she was furious. How dare he behave this way? How dare he touch her? She couldn’t abide this, couldn’t let there be any way he thought this was okay.

“No.” His tone was even as his gaze speared her. “I need to get you home, and you can’t walk with your ankles bound.”

“Then release me!” Christ! Wasn’t the answer obvious?

“Again, no.” His tone was clipped. “We do things my way.”

He pounced in a flash, grabbing both of her hips and hoisting her from the sleeping bag and up over his shoulder. She screeched as she went, ludicrously vulnerable as he balanced her in position and turned from the tree.

“Put me down!” She hoped her rage was obvious but assumed the way she pounded her fists against his back conveyed her true feelings.

“Stop that.” His arm tightened around her thighs, holding her in place as he stalked away. Her new position was dizzying. All she could see as he marched on was the back of his dull plaid shirt and, if she cast her eyes to the ground, the passing roots of the latest tree.

Briefly, she was grateful that she’d been wearing joggers when her father had arranged for her to be taken to the woods. The attire at least meant that she wasn’t exposed to the elements as he stalked to who knew where.

“No. Bloody. Way!” She punctuated each word with a fresh smack to his back. “You can’t do this.”

From over his shoulder, she viewed the passing landscape of dried leaves and earth, her stomach twisting as she realized just how high up she was. How much would it hurt if she slipped out of his grasp, and would that fate be worse than whatever he had in store for her? As the blood rushed to her head, she couldn’t make up her mind which outcome she dreaded the most.

“I am doing this.” His free hand swatted her upturned backside, eliciting another yelp from her lips. “It’s time you learned your place.”

“Don’t strike me!” Lips stretched wide, she couldn’t believe the indignity. The man had just spanked her—in broad daylight! What sort of person thought that was acceptable? “How dare you do this!”

“Settle down.” His voice was deeper, reminding her of an animal’s growl. “This is your last chance, Ella, or I’ll make you regret it.”

Regret it?

The threat pinballed in her head, each of his pummeling footsteps jolting through her body and ratcheting up her alarm.

“Wh-what will you do?” She couldn’t believe she’d asked, but the question rebounding in her head had slipped past her lips before she’d had time to process the choice.

“Stop talking.” His large palm spanked her again, the swat harder this time and momentarily taking her breath away. “ No more questions.”

“Stop!” she hollered, incensed that he dared to act so brazenly, even after she’d told him to halt. “I was only asking you—”

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