Page 41 of Nikolai (Kansas City Reapers)

“Click.”

The sudden twinge of tension in her shoulders told me that our new disciplinary guidelines were already having the intended effect.

Perfect.

Chapter 11

Maddy

Anticipation slitheredover my skin like a whispering flame, igniting goosebumps that yearned for contact as I stepped into Niko’s room late in the evening. It had been two days since our intimate discussion about kinks and the depths of our shared desires. Two very long, completely insufferable days as I counted down the minutes — no, the seconds — until we would make good on that discussion.

Niko had required that we take two days to reflect on our conversation and fully think through our decision so that we could renegotiate if the need arose. It was fucking laughable if you asked me. Rethinking this whole thing? Fuck no! What his two days of reflection amounted to for me was an eternity of suffering — in the form of unreleased sexual tension.

Nico walked into the room behind me, and I could feel the tension rising in the deafening silence.

“I’ve been unable to think about anything but you allday,” he sighed heavily, and for once, I echoed his sentiments completely. My thoughts had not strayed far from him and his evocative touch all day long.

“You and me both,” I chuckled lightly. The moment of honesty provided much-needed levity to the tension that flooded the room.

“Do you have any questions before we begin?” he asked, walking into his closet and pulling out a large, black canvas bag that sounded as heavy as it looked.

“Nope,” I replied, tucking my thumbs into my jeans pockets as I rocked back on my heels.

“Questions are a good thing, you know?” I looked up just long enough to see a smile cross his face.

“I don’t have any more questions, Niko. We’ve talked about this from every direction either of us can think of. When does the questioning end and the fun begin?” I whined petulantly.

With a sigh, he dropped the bag beside the bed, walking back to me slowly. His hands rested on my shoulders as his eyes searched mine.

“I just want to make sure I’m being smart and safe, Maddy. I promise you, this is something I do not take lightly.”

“Oh, I’ve picked up on that, for fucking sure,” I scoffed with a roll of my eyes.

“I want to remind you, I love the attitude. I love the bratting. But I also demand obedience, even if it’s hard-earned obedience.”

“I think I can handle that,” I teased, biting my lip as my eyes slid down his face to his broad chest. He was a handsome man, sexy as fuck, and with one hell of arocking body. And I, for one, could notwaitto get my hands on him again.

“I want to be clear about our negotiations. I know I told you that obedience is important. That respect is required. But bratting is just as required. Just stay within the guidelines we set. Sound good?” he asked.

“I remember. All that funishment versus punishment stuff,” I replied, waving his words off.

“So why don’t you explain it to me, then?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest and giving me a challenging, expectant look.

Well, challenge fucking accepted, buddy.

“Well, punishment is not fun. And funishment, obviously, is. It’s playing. And it feels good. It’s fun. Punishment is to correct a behavior or teach a lesson,” I recited easily.

“Very good.” I didn’t miss the smile that played at the corners of his lips. “Any further questions?”

I shook my head, too excited to speak.

“Kneel for me.” His voice, deep and resounding, gave little room for argument, but that didn’t mean I was about to give in without a fight. After all, wasn’t that the fun of it all?

“Hmm…” I trailed off, touching my finger to my chin as I feigned contemplation. “How about you make me?” My eyes narrowed at him, offering the challenge I hoped he would meet with considerable gusto.

His answering grin was all the proof I needed that the two of us were cut from the same kinky-ass cloth. Slowly, his hand reached out, cupping my cheek with a tenderness that belied our previous encounters. His lipshovered over mine only for a moment as he leaned in, his sigh of contentment almost rendering me speechless as he tenderly claimed my lips with his own. There was none of the previous heat; the fire that had ignited us both in our last encounter was currently a smoldering ember of passion yet to be stoked back into true flame.

I lost myself in the subtlety of his kiss, lips touching lips, his tongue seeking slow and explorative entry. I was swept away. His hand shifted, moving over the curve of my jaw to my neck. Fingertips tickled and teased their way into the tresses of my loose, wavy hair, goosebumps erupting over my skin at his gentle touch.

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