Page 36 of Dominic

“I—I need…” She couldn’t get any further words out.

She didn’t have to.

“Lay on your stomach on the bed, legs together. Grip the headboard with your hands. Eight with the cane, Cassandra. You don’t need twelve. Eight will be enough to get you where you need to be.”

* * *

Her breath hissedout as she sat down two hours later, but her hands were steady and her skin wasn’t crawling.

“You bastard,” she said when he grinned at her. “Did you choose this dress knowing I’d be covered in welts?” Her red dress, although lovely, was a mermaid cut. It hugged her ass and thighs — providing a constant torturous friction right where he’d caned her — before flaring just above the knees.

And when the dress wasn’t rubbing her welts, his hand was. He took great delight in reminding her of the pain on her ass and thighs.

By the time she’d had five blows with the cane, two across the top of her ass, three across her thighs, she’d been screaming, having never felt a fiery pain like that. It took all her will to keep her hands locked on the headboard. He’d done the last three quickly and efficiently, right in her tender sits area.

As she’d attempted to compose herself, he’d brought in a cool wash cloth and laid it on her heated flesh. “Brave girl,” he’d whispered in her ear. “Hold on to the pain and let’s have fun tonight.”

He’d helped her get up, helped her wipe her face, helped her get dressed. And he’d been right. Holding on to the pain allowed her to relax. Gave her something else to focus on.

Even now, surrounded by people, expected to be able to tell which of the thirteen pieces of cutlery she was supposed to use for the appetizers, she wasn’t panicking. She looked over at Dominic.

“Thank you… Dom.”

His whiskey colored eyes heated at their secret code. “I want us to find another way — a different way — if we can, to work through situations like this. But until then, it’s my pleasure to hear you gasp in pain every time I touch your ass.”

Like the last gala, she stayed close by his side. After dinner there was dancing, which she survived thanks to his ability to lead. She found herself actually having fun.

After more dancing and dessert, Cassandra felt in control enough to excuse herself from him and go to the restroom.

“Sure you don’t need any help?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s going to hurt enough without you along to poke at your handiwork.”

He laughed and still patted her ass right where he knew it would sting as she left the table. Bastard.

She was out into the hallway and almost to the restroom when she heard her name called softly. She turned, wondering if Dominic really had followed her, to find her stepfather stepping out from behind one of the large potted plants that lined the hall.

Cassandra froze, every muscle in her body going stiff. “Gordon. What are you doing here?”

“Can’t a father check on his own daughter?”

“Not when that stepfather sold that daughter off to certain death.”

Gordon gestured at her dress. “And yet it looks like you’re doing very well for yourself. Ended up back with Rinaldi. Should’ve known.”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you, Gordon. Leave me alone.”

“Maybe I should have a little talk with Rinaldi. Just make sure he knows all the details about his wife.”

Cassandra felt the color drain from her face. Gordon was just trying to cause problems. But that didn’t mean Dominic wouldn’t agree with some of her stepfather’s points. “Dominic doesn’t trust you, Gordon. He doesn’t even trust me. So just stay away.”

Gordon grabbed her arm. “Well, you better make sure he trusts you. Because I’m going to be calling on you to do a few favors for the family.”

She yanked her arm, but he wouldn’t let it go. “I’m not part of the family anymore, remember? I’m too useless.”

“Then you do it because I tell you to.”

A woman walked by, giving them a concerned look. Gordon dropped Cassandra’s arm and years of conning had them both automatically smiling like nothing was wrong. The woman smiled back, obviously reassured, and went on her way.

“I’ll be in touch with some instructions soon,” Gordon said. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll follow them.”

Then he was gone.

Cassandra walked numbly back into the ballroom, the need to use the restroom completely forgotten. Dominic wrapped his arm around her, and even kept his hand high on her waist.

“You’re pale as a ghost. Restroom break must have been much more painful than you though it would be.”

More painful than she could’ve imagined.

---