Page 24 of Red Velvet

I come to a halt in front of the bench, unsure what to do next.

Luckily he doesn't make me wait and ponder long.

"Give me the flogger," he demands, stretching out his hand. "And bend over the bench."

I swallow hard as I follow his command. My hand appears to move on its own as I pass him the flogger, followed by a robotic motion as I turn back to the bench, moving so close that the leathery edge comes in contact with my belly. He didn't say anything about climbing on top of the bench, so I keep my feet on the ground and bend at the waist, supporting myself on the upholstered bars at the sides.

Bending forward like this, with absolutely nothing covering my ass while he shifts behind me, sends shocks through my body. Shame and arousal take turns ruling over my mind. I want to focus on the latter, but it's apparent that, in this particular scenario, one cannot exist without the other.

"Arch for me. Show me that pretty ass."

Oh my God.

My fingers curl, trying to dig into the hard leather as if I needed something to hold on to, something to ease the humiliation that blossoms deep within my chest as I hollow my back for him, exposing my bare center even more. My obedience is a natural response to his dominant imperative, despite the shame that comes with it.

"Perfect."

His whispered assessment not only enhances both of the rivaling emotions within me, but also adds a third one: pride.

Does he think I'm pretty? A man like him?He's so far out of my league that it doesn't seem right for me to believe that, but the adoration was obvious in his voice.

And it's just as palpable in his touch when his palm connects with my left ass cheek, moving in circles as he caresses my skin.

"Are you ready?"

It's a simple question, allowing for only one of two possible replies, and I know which one I'm leaning to. But I struggle to say it, even though I know he's waiting.

A squeeze, not strong enough to hurt but vigorous enough to help me find my voice.

"Yes!" I blurt out. "Yes, sir."

"Good girl."

His hand retreats and I hear him move behind me as he positions himself, seemingly getting ready for the first blow. I squeeze my eyes shut and tense up, bracing myself for an assault that doesn't come. Taut silence stretches between us, only my erratic breathing disturbing the quiet as I wait for the leather to cut into my skin.

Just when I'm beginning to think I'm doing something wrong, I can feel the tails prickling over the curves of my ass. But he's not whipping me. The touch is gentle, nothing more than careful fondling.

A sigh escapes my lips as the exertion from waiting for the first strike finds a temporary relief. My body melts into the leather, my heartbeat calms and my breathing normalizes while he continues to drape the thin tails over my ass. It feels so good, so relaxing and soothing. I’m dizzy but calm, drunk with anticipation that wasn’t met with the harsh infliction I expected. Instead, it’s an affectionate kiss, easing my tension as the leather strings trail across my skin.

A kiss that turns into a bite a moment later.

Chapter 13

Kade

Her reaction to the first blow is everything. It’s beauty, innocence, shock, fear, pleasure, desperation—desperation to run away, and desperation for more.

Her body coils under the flogger, losing its beautiful arch for just a moment before she catches herself. She's panting, sucking in a sharp breath when I let the flogger meet her ass for a second time.

I'm gentle with her. These whips are nothing but a taste of what I'm capable of, but she's already heaving as if I was giving her a true spanking.

I alternate, letting the thin leathery straps trail along her pretty ass in a slow and steady motion that’s closer to a lascivious caress than an actual flogging.

So far.

It's not pain that caused her strong reaction in the beginning, I know that. No one is that sensitive. And it shows in the way she eases into the lashes as they keep coming. They increase in intensity, thus coming closer to inflicting pain, but her response to it doesn't grow stronger in the same manner. Instead, she's calming with every strike, regulating her erratic breathing until it’s almost back to normal. She’s relaxing, apparently finding solace in the blows on her skin.

Getting used to it. That's all she needed. Now that the first shock is receding, she's giving in to this new sensation almost too quickly. Her gasps turn into feeble moans while the skin on her ass changes color.

---