Page 6 of His to Hold

“Panic leads to mistakes. You need to learn to keep a cool head.” He removes his watch and sets it down on the desk. My heart thuds. “A spanking will remind you to remain calm under pressure.”

He’s basically suggesting he can train me to react to situations the way he wants me to through fear of being punished. I’m sure he is capable of programming a person’s behavior, but I’m equally certain I can prevent it from happening.

“And if I refuse?”

He spreads his arms wide. “Then you know where the door is.”

Surprise forces a gasp from my lungs. “I can leave?”

After a year of captivity, that seems too good to be true.

“Of course. Nobody’s forcing you to stay here.” He smiles darkly. “But you may want to consider what lies outside of these four walls.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you leave, you will no longer enjoy the protection my name offers. The Mancini family will come looking for answers. I hope you’re ready for them.”

It’s shitty of him to hold that over me, but I don’t bother to tell him that. Men like Antonio operate in a murky world. He’s used to coercing people into doing whatever he wants. He won’t give a damn if I call him out for being a bastard.

“You know I’m not.” I sigh resignedly. “You really want to spank me?”

Antonio nods. “It will help establish how things are going to be from now on.”

“How will things be from now on?”

Antonio bares his teeth in a feral grin. “You will assume all of your duties as my wife, but you will not be permitted to leave the house or have guests without my approval. You will obey my instructions without question, accept any disciplinary measures I impose, and share my bed. Of course if you ever cross me again, I will not be merciful.” He pauses, giving me a moment to absorb what he’s just said. “So, are you going to do as I asked, or should I call you a cab?”

I can’t prevent myself from releasing a sound of disbelief. He’ll call me a cab? It’s Antonio’s way of letting me know if I reject his terms, I’m truly on my own. He’s not even offering to have me driven somewhere, which is kind of brutal. It’s not as if I have a place to go. My parents haven’t contacted me at all in the past year, so I doubt they’d be waiting with open arms if I left Antonio.

Going out into the world alone isn’t an attractive option, but I’m not sure the prospect of living here with Antonio is any less frightening. Though he said my exile was punishment for betraying him, I can’t believe he would let go of that so easily. Whether he intends to or not, he’ll probably continue to make my life hell for the stupid mistake I made when I let Joey Gallo and his cousin into the house. Yet a part of me wants to resume our marriage. I need to put things right between us without revealing why I opened the door to his enemies that night. It’s a secret I promised to keep and I intend to honor that vow.

“Okay,” I say before I can slip into a spiral of indecision. “I’ll do as you ask.”

A smug smile curves Antonio’s lips. “Good girl.”

He steps to the side to give me room to move. I get up from my seat and slip off my lacy blue panties. A cool breeze whispers across my skin as I bend over the desk, the t-shirt riding up to expose my bare butt. I assume what I think is an appropriate position, with my palms on the desk. Antonio moves behind me and tuts disapprovingly.

“This won’t do, Isabella. Lay your upper body on the desk and stretch your arms up over your head.”

He taps the insides of my ankles with his foot. “And spread your legs wider.”

Ugh! I should have known he would demand a show of supplication. I arrange myself as he asked and try to get comfortable. With my body draped over the desk and my ass presented for punishment, I’m intensely aware of how vulnerable I am right now. I’m putting myself in the hands of a man who has every reason to hate me. But somehow, I’m sure he’s not going to harm me.

“Brace yourself, Bella. This is going to hurt.”

I’m so surprised by him addressing me with a degree of tenderness, I don’t register his warning. His palm cracks down on my bare ass and my mouth falls open. I expected that to hurt. Instead, what I feel is a pleasant warmth spreading across my butt and winding its way between my legs.

Just as the thought enters my head that this is going to be a walk in the park, Antonio dispels that foolish notion. He delivers several sharp smacks, alternating between my left and right buttocks. I have no idea how many times he’s spanked me so far, but each blow is more intense than the last. My flesh warms, and the discomfort builds in tandem with an unexpected surge of arousal. I have to work hard to keep my breathing steady.

Antonio delivers another slap to my already tender flesh, and this time I can’t help but react. I gasp loudly and clench my fists. I want to squeeze my thighs together, but my eagle-eyed husband would notice any movement. It’s better if he doesn’t know the effect he’s having on me. Realizing I’m getting turned on by being spanked might give him ideas.

“How do you feel?” Antonio asks.

“Sore.” I don’t tell him about the internal ache that needs to be soothed.

“Already?” he scoffs. “Such a pity because you’re going to take ten with my belt.”

“What?”

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