Page 13 of Royal Flush

“Let me think,” he said, returning to the edge of his desk. Now he was the one who crossed his arms, peering at me like I was fresh meat. “First, a hard spanking. After that? Well, here’s the thing. Afterwards, you will belong to me for one. Entire. Night.”

“I’m sorry?” There was no way I’d heard the bastard currently.

“You heard me. You need a firm hand controlling you and I just happen to have one.”

Oh. My. God.

“A spanking?” I was concentrating on the harsh punishment aspect first, barely giving the second part to my penance a second thought. “What are you, a Neanderthal?”

“No, I believe you could call me sadistic in general. In case it bypassed you, Ms. Sinclair, this resort isn’t only about allowing wealthy people to gamble to their heart’s desire, it’s a kink resort catering to every dark, sadistic, and savage kink.”

Oh, shit. I’d totally ignored that part, my bestie not clueing me in either. A lump formed in my throat and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I had no quippy comeback.

Sadistic. As in causing pain with joy.

Purr-fect.

My mouth was dry and I was unable to say a thing, just listening to the horrible sound of my thumping heart echoing into my ears. When he concentrated on staring at his watch, I felt all the choices float into the ugly abyss.

The thought of a spanking was bad enough. The thought of spending all night long with the powerful, seductive man doing his bidding was reprehensible.

“I assure you that I’m no whore,” I finally spouted off.

“And I assure you that no one will ever mistake you for being one. That doesn’t negate the offer I made or the severity of your crimes.”

It wasn’t every day I was propositioned like some common tramp and my reaction when someone said something stupid was similar, and my next big mistake around the handsome, infuriating man.

I tried to slap him, as if that would soften the blow of receiving a spanking. But the hunk of a man was too quick for me, snapping my hand almost entirely back. The pain was blinding, but when he jerked me between his legs, the force causing me to slap my other palm against his sculpted chest, I knew I’d met my match.

“Not very nice, my little koala bear. That will cost you. Now, a deal is a deal. Time to make your choice.”

He wasn’t going to make this easy, dipping his head so low I was instantly intoxicated by his rugged scent and the desire for him to kiss me with wild abandon.

Would spending one night being his sex slave be that bad?

The debate wasn’t that tough. At least my father wouldn’t discover what I’d done. The secret could be safe with me.

“Fine. I’ll accept your deal but no repulsive kink or I’ll kill you and cut off your balls as a souvenir.”

His grin made me want to go ahead and show him how I handled business. “Excellent. Then let’s get started.”

CHAPTER 5

Braxton

One tough as well as beautiful lady.

Far more attractive than most women I’d met.

And way too mischievous for her own good. It also seemed as if she truly had no clue who I was or what I was capable of. Why did that ignite the sadistic side of me? She wasn’t a toy. No, she was a criminal who’d attempted to make the lives of my guests and in turn me miserable. I couldn’t allow that to stand without some form of punishment.

There was something mysterious about her. Obviously, she wasn’t interested in providing me with the absolute truth. That was fine as long as she obeyed me.

Our lips were mere centimeters away and I had an overwhelming desire to kiss her passionately. And I wasn’t certain anyone could ever call me a passionate man. I was rough, taking what I wanted, which lately hadn’t been much.

Her perfume was as intoxicating as the woman herself, her defiance tearing through me like ragged jolts of wildfire.

Her name sounded familiar but until I checked it out, for all I knew she could have provided me with yet another bogus answer.

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