Page 20 of Royal Pain

“Well, thank you for the compliment. What I’ve learned in my years on this earth is that a spanking can be an excellent deterrent for reducing infractions if not eliminating them. Now, I admit that being humiliated while being punished might be an excellent addition. I don’t know. What do you think?”

It was his way of telling me he had my limited future in his hands. Was he actually considering spanking me in front of others? I would be so embarrassed I couldn’t show my faceanywhere. Like ever. I think my only answer was an audible gulp.

“Granted,” he said as he walked closer, a stern but pleasant look on his face. “I’m not a fan of humiliation for everyone. Often, it’s a personal choice. “So.” He leaned against the edge of his desk. “What’s your decision? Either removal from the island and permanent banishment or a spanking?”

Was the bastard actually grinning? It took everything I had not to slap the smirk off his face, but I figured that would only add to the pain factor. What was I doing, considering agreeing to this? Shit. Shit. Shit. “I, um… I’m not certain.”

He dared to check his watch as if I was taking far too much of his precious time. “I really don’t have all night. This is a one-time offer good for another twenty seconds.”

I was tongue tied, my heart thudding in my chest. The stars still floating in front of my eyes were taking over. I could swear unicorns were floating by as well. I was losing it.

“Ten seconds.”

Why did his voice have to be so gruff yet so sexy? I mean, come on. Help a girl out here.

“Five. Four. Three. Two.”

“Fine!” My yelp was clearly too high pitched. I could tell that by his raised eyebrows.

He took a deep breath, once again standing. I’d been stupid enough not to ask a single detail, including whether he was dragging me to one of his dungeons. My mind had envisioned a terrifying place with gothic music, blood-red walls, cells like ajail would have, and leather-dressed men eager and waiting to issue punishments.

The lump in my throat was already threatening to take over. I didn’t need to feel like a bigger fool by asking.

He flat out told me.

“So, here’s how we’re going to handle your punishment. You’re going to remove your dress and thong and lean over the edge of my desk. While I know you believe I have some magnificent collection of toys and tools, which I do but not here, right now the best thing for you is me to use is my belt. That should provide a decent reminder that for every action taken, there are consequences. An added benefit is that you will find it very uncomfortable to sit down for an extended period of time.”

There was something particularly sexy about him explaining the rules.

“But I will tell you this. If a single member of your party ignores the rules again, I will have no choice but to toss you all off the island. And I assure you, I have people who will help ensure your departure and babysit you along the way. Are we ready?” He clapped his hands together and I jumped.

“Fully naked?” I asked. God damn, I sounded like a little girl.

“The best way to ensure a lesson will be learned. I’ll turn around and give you some privacy.”

I watched in horror as he unbuckled his belt. I would never be able to get over the level of humiliation, people watching or not. I didn’t know this man, not really. Sharing a kiss didn’t make us intimate.

He did as he promised, turning away from me and providing some privacy. A huge part of me wanted to race out of there, never to be seen again, but I wasn’t a quitter, not by a long shot. And even worse? I’d known I was going against the rules, yet I’d done so anyway. In truth, I deserved the spanking.

As I started to remove my dress, I questioned why I felt like saying ‘yes, sir.’ Or promising to be a good girl.

You can do this. Get on with it.

And so, I did. I only hoped I wouldn’t regret this one day in the near future.

CHAPTER 6

Gage

Corporal punishment.

Who the hell was I kidding?

Other than in a BDSM setting, I’d never used a belt, a tawse, a paddle, or anything else to spank anyone for discipline purposes. Sure, I’d heard my two brothers talk about the benefits within a household, but I’d shut both of them down when they’re dared talk about their private lives. The subject was one of those TMI moments. And my brothers and I shared everything.

As I pulled the leather belt into my hand, I heard the rustle of clothing and sighed. Either I would get sued for this or the method would be spot on. I kind of liked having her around. Sending her away would defeat the purpose of getting to know her. In fact, just thinking about blemishing her rounded bottom kept my balls tight and aching.

Being hard while spanking her wasn’t a gentlemanly thing to do. Yet she was the most attractive woman I’d ever met. It would beimpossible not to be aroused around her. Any man would be. I wanted to laugh. The hit of jealousy from thinking of her with another man was hysterical.

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