Page 21 of Royal Pain

Possessive.

Her scent was already driving me nuts. The dress she was wearing could make a man go blind. Being allowed to see the prize underneath made me feel guilty. But I also felt in my element. Valerio had once told me when I fully embraced my darker side, I would become a happier man. I’d coughed at his suggestion, but he was onto something. However, my mind was going overboard. I wanted to taste her.

Fuck her.

Tame her.

Punish her.

Own her.

Shit. Zero to sixty. Yet there was no denying the electricity we shared. I kept my back to her, allowing her privacy while I removed my jacket, tossing it across the arm of one of my leather chairs. The bowtie was next, although I almost ripped at that. There was nothing worse than feeling like you were stuck in a penguin suit.

I took my time unbuttoning my shirt and sleeves after removing my cufflinks. They’d been a gift from my father when I’d graduated college. While they were special, they weren’t very personal since my two brothers had each received a pair. Granted, different jewels had been added, our birthstones so they were beautiful pieces of jewelry but still, our father hadn’t been the world’s best at gift giving.

I rolled up my sleeves past my elbows before grabbing the belt once again.

With the leather strap in my hand, I squeezed the thickness, even bringing the leather just under my nose. For a moment, I felt excited about cracking the belt across her naked skin. I guess that meant I was indeed a sadist. Whatever the case, I needed to remain as professional as possible.

I sensed she was leaning over the edge of my desk. I wasn’t certain I could ever look at the space again the same way. I’d never had a woman in my office, other than an employee of course, and their admittance was few and far between. The main reason was that I didn’t need any temptations. None.

Very slowly I turned around. Her face was already placed against the exotic wood, her back heaving from labored breathing. It was ridiculous to think she fully comprehended what was about to occur but at this point, who was I to judge?

What was I saying? I’d been judge and jury on this case. But I reminded myself it was necessary. She wanted to stay and not ruin her friend’s special event and I needed to maintain our rules. Sounded like a win-win.

When I allowed my eyes to drift down her lithe form back to her bottom, I was forced to suck in my breath. I’d thought her legs were long before, but they were perfect and shapely, her figure a flawless hourglass.

I had to get my head out of my ass, or this would never work. I was even sweating, which was something I never did when doling out verbal punishment or anything else.

“Can we get this over with? Please?” she asked, which was a far cry from her demands of earlier.

“Yes, we can, but there is something very powerful about the use of anticipation.” As I moved behind her, I realized I was having difficulty keeping my patience, which I’d been known for. I couldn’t help myself, rolling two fingers down her spine. I could swear I’d heard a moan slipping past her lips except she wouldn’t dare show me how nervous she was. She was determined to remain rebellious.

When I reached her bottom, it took everything I had not to violate her right now. I curled my fingers instead, taking a deep breath. “For tonight, I’ll issue twenty. But keep in mind, I do not think you want me to provide you with another reminder. Now, do you?”

“Why, no, sir,” Evangeline hissed as she lifted her head. There was the rebellious girl I’d met, the one I adored actually.

It was impossible not to grin, but I’d promised her a harsh punishment and that’s exactly what she was going to receive. With the belt folded, I took a few seconds to get into position, shifting her legs further apart.

When I delivered the first strike, it was impossible not to feel euphoric.

While she yelped, her body shaking, I was elated.

Maybe my brothers had been right. I’d never felt more in my element. Did that make me a terrible person? I wasn’t certain I cared.

Evangeline

Although my family was poor in comparison to the parents of just about everyone else in the elite school my father had insisted I attend, I’d still considered my father a very powerful man. Maybe I’d been wrong. Gage Royal was the epitome of power, the kind of man who when he entered a room you just knew he was somebody.

And it wasn’t just about his sophisticated good looks or his sexual prowess. He had an aura few men could achieve, or women for that matter, yet all wanted. In the world of corporate moguls, technical whizzes, influential politicians, and beautiful people, being plain wasn’t in fashion.

Or good for the pocketbook either.

I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until he brought the belt down. I’d yelped right away more from shock, but it took a solid thirty seconds before blinding pain kicked in. It was white-hot electricity that had rocketed through me. I was now panting like some animal, the stars turning into blocks of color.

I’d broken a toe when I was a kid and that had hurt. This was… indescribable. He wasted no time, bringing the thick strap down at least three more times. I knew at this point if I was already losing count, I was going to be nothing but mush when he’d finished.

“Fuck!” I hissed through gritted teeth. I wasn’t a potty mouth girl under normal circumstances, but this was anything but typical.

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