Page 39 of The Councilor

I couldn’t react any more than I had before, fighting anger and hatred for the entire world. I knew I’d tempted fate with him, teasing him to the point few men could tolerate my actions. I’d been a fool to think he wouldn’t respond this way.

While my pussy still throbbed much like my core, I continued to try to remind myself the deal made with my father had been signed in blood. Sounds drew me from my hypnotic state, bringing back fear and anger at the same time.

When he ripped open one of his kitchen drawers, I finally let out a moan. He was finding a goddamn implement to spank me with. Was he kidding me?

“No. Don’t,” I said so meekly I wasn’t certain who this woman was at all.

“You can’t have it both ways, Raphaella. You can’t expect me to alter my ways of doing business because you’re not happy. I will do everything in my power to give you a happy life, but you will be punished when you behave this way.” When he found awooden implement that I didn’t recognize, I was ready to beg him not to do this.

Was I really about to tell him I’d be a good little girl?

I couldn’t believe or understand my reaction to him. Yes, I knew the score in the world I’d been born into. I’d been a fool to think I could escape my destiny but for so long. My father had done nothing more than indulge me.

Being stunned was also unlike me but as he brought down the wooden piece, I couldn’t move or yell out. Granted, I wasn’t certain what it would accomplish other than releasing frustration. Still, the thought of being forced to experience this with a man I didn’t even know was…

Unnerving.

Exciting.

Rage releasing.

Yet even as he cracked the implement from one side of my bottom to the other, the pain was more comforting than anything. How was that possible?

Finally, the discomfort turned into something else altogether, forcing me to drive my palms into the countertop. Where it had been the backdrop of something evocative before, it would be impossible to come back to this kitchen without images of this horrible moment popping into my mind.

He was gleeful with what he was doing. I could feel it, the air full of his testosterone. The hard crack of his wrist was as startling as every time he brought down the wooden piece. For a few insane seconds, I was trying to process what kind of implement he was using.

“I have two main goals here, princess. One is keeping you safe. The other is keeping this city safe.”

“You really think this battle would destroy the city, if we’re not married?” I threw my head over my shoulder, incredulous he thought so highly of himself. Well, Vadim thought highly of himself as well, which was nothing different than how my father had acted for as long as I could remember. While the mischievous side of me wanted to spout off most powerful men had itty-bitty dicks, I knew better.

“Without a doubt.”

I’d dared stroke him twice, marveling at how huge he was.

But the ugliness of what I’d been from the day I was born won out over the pleasure or the pain.

I was nothing but a pawn.

Just an expensive asset my father had been forced to pay money on.

A pretty little doll to dress up while I matured.

Dance lessons.

Piano lessons.

Even some aspects of female etiquette.

I’d been such a fucking fool.

I closed my eyes as the spanking continued, doing my best not to sob like a baby. That wouldn’t do me any good. Although the release was something I needed desperately. My bottom was already heating up, the slow processing of what he was doing starting to kick into higher gear.

Everything about the word princess disgusted me, including the way my future husband issued the two syllables. But it was time to face the music.

That’s exactly what I was doing.

As Aleksander brushed the tips of his fingers down the crack of my ass, slowly caressing my already aching skin, the conflict continued deep inside of me. The man radiated power and sexual prowess, but I had to fight the connection I’d felt from day one. Could I manage to somehow get away from him? Even if I did, where would I go and with what money?

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