Page 33 of Hidden Heart

Uncomfortable with the new sensation, she shifted from foot to foot. He continued to watch her with a willingness to wait for her to work it all out in her mind. He hadn’t been taking over her personal life. He’d been generous. It was a new concept for her. A man giving without ulterior motives. She’d let him down. She’d been a spoiled brat, and that was new for her too.

“I-I’m sorry,” she said, moving her gaze from his to his bare chest. “I’m—I’ve never had—” She shut her mouth and looked him in the eye. Straightening her shoulders and thrusting out her chin, she gave a curt nod. “Thank you for dinner.”

The corners of his lips curled slightly. “You’re welcome.” Silence lingered thick in the air. “Would you like to do this over? Your entrance?” She noted the levity in his tone and felt a little lighter for it.

“I wasn’t very gracious,” she breathed out. A sense of guilt sat in her chest.

“No, you weren’t,” he said slowly. “What are you thinking?”

She did not want to answer that question. Wishing she’d simply gotten into position when she’d arrived, she shuffled her feet again. He would wait her out. “I don’t like feeling like this. Like—” She really didn’t want to put her thoughts into words—especially words he would hear.

“Like what?”

“Like…a naughty child.” She clamped her eyes shut after blurting it out. “I don’t like it when you look at me with those eyes…all disapproving.” She was suddenly very aware of her hands swinging at her sides, and she wanted to shove them into her pockets, but she’d worn leggings.

“Hmm.” He sounded pleased with her reaction to the situation. “You prefer it when I’m pleased with you. When I can call you my good girl.” He wasn’t clarifying at all; he was helping put words to her feelings. The damn mind reading again. “Would a spanking help?”

Her gaze shot to his, and fresh heat crept up her face. Is that what she was asking for? Did she need his punishment to clear this up?

“Do you want to spank me?” she asked instead.

“I always want to spank you.” He grinned. “Turn around and face the door. Pull your pants and panties down to just below your ass.” His hand went to the buckle of his belt, and the twisting in her stomach began. So did the swelling of her clit.

Once facing away from him, she slid her leggings and panties down where he wanted them. Lifting her sweater, she imagined what she looked like to him, with her bare ass perfectly framed by her clothing. “Put your hands on the door and stick your ass out. Offer it to me for your punishment.” She took a deep breath and leaned forward, bracing herself on the door and arching her back. “Good.” Her clit clenched at the sound of his belt being pulled from his jeans.

“The neighbors…” she whispered, suddenly aware she was leaning against the front door where anyone walking past his apartment might have overheard.

“Not your concern,” he stated flatly. “Five.” And with that, the first strike landed. A blazing line across her cheeks took her by surprise. The second landed directly below the first, setting fire to the lower portion of her ass. She rose on tiptoe but did not break position. She’d asked for this. The memory of relief she’d felt after her last punishment kept her in place as the third lash shook her. Her fingers curled, and she bit hard into her lower lip, not wanting anyone to hear her cry out from her punishment. “Ass out, Jessica. Almost done,” he corrected her when she leaned inward toward the door.

“Sorry.” She glanced over her shoulder as she arched her back again, offering herself to him. The expression on his face wasn’t angry, but determined. He gave her a soft nod, and she faced the door. The last two strokes of the belt came fast and hard. No time to get her bearings between them, she hopped onto her toes again and rested her forehead against the door, letting the throbbing in her ass subside. Her breathing was heavy.

She listened as he slid his belt back through the loops, wondering if he would leave her there for much longer. Her answer came in the form of a hug. He pulled her by her shoulders to face him before he embraced her. She looked up at him through wet lashes, though she hadn’t cried through the short spanking.

“Feel better?” he asked, rubbing her back.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered, reaching down to pick up her leggings. His hands swatted hers away.

“Understand what?” he asked.

“What just happened? Why do I feel so relieved now?” She shook her head.

“You feel better because we’ve put the issue behind us.” He stepped away. “Are you ready to begin again? Would you like to start over?”

The burn in her ass had already begun to fade into a warm haze. “Just like that?”

“Yes. Just like that. Now, I’m going to get some water. I’ll expect you in position in five minutes.” He winked at her and walked away, leaving her to her task.

It was just that smooth with him. One moment a punishment, the next they were headed to the playground. She knew he wouldn’t hold her attitude against her, and she knew the punishment being her idea, wasn’t really her idea. He had a way about him. He knew exactly how to push her to where she wanted to go without her even realizing she wanted to get there. It was both intoxicating and infuriating.

Chapter 12

Royce downed a glass of water and placed the empty cup in the sink. He’d given her enough time to get ready. Her behavior when she first arrived had surprised him but at the same time pleased him. She had quickly moved from the point of petty anger to submissive acceptance.

The belting hadn’t been at full strength; hell, he wouldn’t even really call it a belting. But it was enough for her. She’d calmed down quickly, and he wouldn’t have seen a reason to punish her other than knowing it was what she needed.

The longer he pondered her, the more drawn he was to her. He wondered if any of her friends knew how easily she could be undone. A look. A touch. A well phrased whisper. Had anyone taken the time to see the real her, or were they all too dense to see past her facade?

His breath caught in his throat when he stepped into his bedroom. Damn, she was perfect. Her hair lay in large curls down her back as she knelt for him. Waiting.

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