Page 51 of City of Wind and Lies

“Wren,” he murmurs in a low, gravelly tone as he shakes my shoulder.

“Hmm?” I grunt, reaching my arms out above my head and blinking my eyes open. “Oh shit, what time is it?

Bowie’s hazel eyes flicker with a warmth that seems to be reserved for me as his knuckles graze my cheek. “Just after two-”

“Fuck,” I groan, swinging my legs over the edge of the couch and pushing to my feet. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I wanted to get through the next training section before you got home. Now I won’t have enough time to complete it and take a shower before the doctor gets here.” I huff out a sigh. “Actually,” I say, pacing the floor and talking with my hands. “Maybe if I read the material instead of watching the videos I can get to the-”

Bowie’s hand darts out to catch my wrist and he yanks me into his chest, his lips slamming down on mine and abruptly ending my spiral. My own lips part with a gasp and his tongue tangles with mine for a moment before it retreats and he breaks the kiss.

“I can talk to your boss,” he whispers in my ear, his warm breath sending chills down my spine. “He seems like a reasonable man. I’m sure he’ll let you make up for it tomorrow.”

I roll my bottom lip between my teeth. “Oh yeah? I don’t know… he’s kinda a hard ass, I’ll probably get in trouble.”

“Hmm,” he muses, leaning back to face me. “Would you prefer it if he punished you?”

Heat pools between my thighs at his insinuation and I nod up at him demurely.

“Well then, Miss James,” he says, his voice turning serious, face schooled. “It’s come to my attention that you didn’t make it through your assigned coursework today. Is that true?”

“Yes,” I say, stepping back and dropping my head, playing my part to a tee.

His fingers grip my chin, tilting it up to meet his gaze. “Yes, what?”

My heart pounds with excitement. “Yes, Mr. Sorrentino,” I breathe.

Bowie folds his arms across his chest. “I really don’t like giving extensions…”

“Please sir,” I beg, clasping my hands together in front of me. “I promise to make it up to you.”

“I guess I could let it slide, but I’m still going to have to punish you.”

My stomach knots in nervous anticipation as he guides me toward the sofa, instructing me to kneel facing the back of it and grip the edge. I do as he says, my heart slamming against my ribcage, palms starting to sweat as I curl my fingers around the back of the suede sofa.

He rests his hands on my hips, the heat of his palms singeing through the material of my leggings as he leans forward and murmurs, “Good Girl,” in my ear.

Fuck, I love it when he says that. The praise sends a ripple of adrenaline through me and the ache between my thighs grows more intense by the second. It’s almost twisted how powerful I feel when I surrender control to Bowie. No matter how rough he gets, he always makes it good for me.

I trust him.

Huh, maybe that’s why it’s so easy to explore my sexual boundaries with him.

Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of my leggings, he slowly drags them down, stopping when he gets to the crease below my cheeks. I shiver as the cool air passes over my exposed skin.

“Cazzo,” he growls. “This ass is gorgeous.”

I hinge at the hips, sticking it back further, begging him to touch me. He doesn’t say anything, and my stomach flutters as I sink my teeth into my lower lip and brace myself. The seconds creep by feeling like hours, the tension growing stronger as I wait.

“Mr. Sorren-”

THWACK! His palm lands on my right ass cheek, stinging the flesh.

“AH!” I cry out, flinching forward.

He rubs his hand over the offended skin as he scolds, “Don’t try to hide from me. You’re going to get four more, a total of five. One for each video lesson you missed today. I’m going to count them and I want you to thank me for each one, understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Two.” His voice rumbles as he makes contact.

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