Page 16 of His Captive Pet

If he’d been enraged, she may have been able to tune out his words, but anger didn’t drive him. It wasn’t temper ruling the force of the strap.

Quiet loomed over her. Her own heavy breaths and sniffles the only sound. She clenched her eyes and pressed her forehead into her arm. So hot, her ass burned so damn hot.

A soft clank came from the wall, and she opened her eyes to see him rehang the strap. He walked around her, his jaw still set, his eyes still determined.

Blake dragged the edges of his fingertips over her ass and she hissed, taking a small step forward. “That’s enough for now.” He removed his touch and damn her to hell, she wanted it back.

He made quick work of yanking up her jeans and re-buttoning them before letting her down from the hook. The fabric trapped the heat and rubbed into her tender flesh.

She stared at his chest as he stood in front of her undoing the rope. Only a day ago she would have leaned into him, welcomed his strength and warmth. Now, she stood sore, swollen, and confused.

“I have to make a quick call then we can head out. I don’t have to warn you about what will happen if you step outside, do I?”

She wiped her nose. “No.”

He sighed. A sound weighed down with regret, though she doubted the strapping caused him such dilemma.

“I did promise to hog-tie you for kicking my seat.” He smiled as he wound the rope around and around, weaving it into a manageable bundle.

“I won’t let you,” she whispered, finding another flare of rebellion inside of her. A tiny spark really. He could strap her again, but he wouldn’t break her.

He chuckled, clearly amused by her words. “We’ll see.” He took the rope with him outside. The door clicked behind him.

She wondered if locking him out would be worth another round with the strap.

Chapter Seven

Blake stood on the narrow porch of the hunting cabin and took a deep breath, letting his chest expand until the internal burn stopped him.

He’d strapped her. He had promised to, and her behavior had more than warranted it, but fuck, he’d promised himself he’d go slow with Aubree.

She may have a little experience with spanking, but a full-on strapping was completely different.

Everything he had told her was the truth. He was an ex-cop, but he still had friends on the force. Aubree didn’t understand the danger, she only saw the dogs. He wouldn’t fault her for wanting to save the animals, but he could and did blame her for her dishonesty. Blake had known John from his years in the Marines. It had only taken one call to ask him to keep an ear out for anything to do with those fights. When John had reached out to him to warn him about the raid, Blake’s heart had sunk. She had stood right in front of him and had lied.

He could have stopped her, confronted her with what John had told him while she was in the shower, but he needed to let her do her thing. Let her either trap herself, or—what he hoped she would do—come to her senses.

She didn’t know what she was dealing with. He’d been honest about that, too. If he had to tolerate her hatred in order to keep her safe, so be it.

He took another breath. First, he’d keep her safe, wait for John to give him the clear then he’d deal with figuring out what was between them. Because the fire between them wasn’t conjured up in his imagination. Aubree meant something to him; she wouldn’t be a quick fuck or a quick fling. He’d seen her, watched her at the bar, he knew her.

Blake grabbed his phone out of his pocket and sent a text. The main house was still being rebuilt. He would have to take her to the only other safe place in Michigan he knew of.

Need the cabin for a week. Be there in thirty.

Before a response came through, the phone rang.

“Greg,” he answered.

“Is our girl with you?”

Blake’s jaw tightened at the turn of phrase.

“She’s notourgirl, but yes, Aubree is withme. Why?” He leaned to the side to peer in through the window at her. She paced alongside the bed, her hands rubbing her ass, like that would help.

“I’m sending you some news links. The whole block is shut down, trying to contain the fire.”

“What fire?”

---