Page 87 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

But instead, I let my body slump onto the mattress. I let myself just feel as Aleksander wants me to.

He’s relentless with his hand. Every smack stings and brings my mind right back to the moment. It’s impossible to think about anything else.

I arch my back, raising my ass closer to his hand. I’m not even sure why I do it. Pure instinct.

“Tell me you like this,” Aleksander commands.

I can’t. If I say it, all of this becomes real. I need to keep this in a secret compartment—one I only allow myself to open when it’s just Aleksander and me.

“Tell me.” He spanks me harder.

The cry that escapes me is loud and quick. “I can’t,” I practically sob.

“Tell me you like this, Viktoriya. I won’t stop until you do.”

“Please,” I beg. “I can’t.”

“Tell me.” Spank. “I know you like this.” Spank. “I know you need this.” Spank. “So, tell me you like it.”

“Alek, please.”

“I’m showing you what you need, Viktoriya. Give in to me.Now.”

“I like it!” I shout.

He pulls his hand away. It’s so sudden I let out a breath of relief and sink into the mattress. “I’m proud of you.”

The tears come before I can stop them. I curl into a ball and cry for everything and nothing.

Aleksander stares down at me, a hardness in his eyes.

“How could you do that to me?” I sob. “How?”

“Because you needed it. And look at you now. You’re releasing it all.”

I stand up and shove my dress back down, wincing at how much it stings. “I hate you.”

“Why do you hate me?”

His question draws me up short. “What?”

“You claim you hate me so much. So … why?” He crosses his arms, staring me down with his piercing blue eyes.

I wipe my tears away. “Because you’re full of yourself. You think you can control me.”

“That’s not the reason. Next.”

I huff. “Because you spanked me.”

“Nope. Try again.”

My breath comes out ragged. “Because I hate how you make me feel!”

“Better. You’re so close.”

“I hate you because—” I stop short, realizing the full truth.

“Tell me,” he urges softly.

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