Page 41 of Savage Warrior

She squeals and jerks violently when the first stroke lands.

“Keep still,” I command, though I know the movement was involuntary.

Somehow, she manages to do just that, and I deliver the next five strokes in rapid succession. Her screams grow in volume with each new stripe painted across her rather lovely arse.

I pause, briefly, to assess how she’s doing. Her bottom is glowing beautifully, but her skin shows no sign of splitting. There will be bruises, but no scarring.

“Arina?”

She turns her face towards me. Her eyes are red and swollen with her sobbing. She sniffles piteously. “Can I get up now?”

I smirk. If she’s asking, she’s clearly not quite ready yet. True contrition is more accepting of punishment, in my opinion.

“No,” I reply.

I deliver five further strokes. Her screams have become muted now, and she seems to be absorbing the pain more readily. She lies still under the onslaught. The only movement is the jerking of her body created by the force of the blows. I’m not holding back—well, not much. This needs to be memorable.

This time when I pause, she doesn’t look up. I reach for her jaw and gently turn her face towards me. Her eyes are closed, and her lip trembles, but she stays silent.

“Arina, open your eyes.”

Her eyelids flicker, then open. Her lips part, and she manages one word. “Please…”

Enough, I decide. “You can get up now.”

She makes no attempt to do so, preferring to lie still, just where she is.

“Do you need me to help you?”

She shakes her head.

“I think you do.” I slide my hands beneath her shoulders and ease her up onto all fours, then onto her knees. I lift her in my arms and sit on the bed with her in my lap.

“Leave me alone,” she mutters, though she shows no sign of moving or trying to escape my attentions.

I wrap my arms around her and kiss her hair. “It’s done now. Over. You’re safe here.”

Gulping sobs have subsided to gentle weeping. She remains where she is, her face buried against my chest while I murmur reassurance. I stroke large, leisurely circles between her shoulder blades. Her breathing steadies and slows, and I begin to wonder if she’s fallen asleep. Or worse, lost consciousness. Did I punish her too severely?

“Arina?” I whisper. “Talk to me?”

She shifts slightly and mumbles something unintelligible. I take that as reassurance that she’s hearing me.

“Do you want to sleep?”

She answers with a slight nod.

“I’ll help you to get into bed.”

“No.” She curls her fingers in my shirt and clings on. “I want to stay here. With you.”

“Fair enough.” I ease myself further onto the bed and make myself comfortable. We might be a while.

Arina has been asleep for about an hour when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I check the caller ID. It’s Jack.

I hit the ‘accept’ key. “Hey.”

“Casey found something for you,” he informs me, without preamble.

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