Page 24 of Whiteout

What the fuck is wrong with me that I'm turned on by this?

I'm all alone in the woods with a man I barely know, a man who might have impulses darker than I even imagined.

I scramble to my feet, ignoring the pain. I need to put some distance between us. I force myself to walk, gritting my teeth against the pain.

I know I can't outrun Kris now, and I start to panic. I limp forward, my ankle sending shooting pains up my leg with every step. I know I don't have much time. I have to find a hiding place. I know I can't keep this up for much longer.

Up ahead, a jagged alcove in the rocks catches my eye. I dart toward it, tucking myself inside just as I hear Kris’s voice echoing through the trees. “Cherry! Come out and play.”

A thrill runs through me at the thought of him prowling these woods like a predator hunting his prey.

I crouch down low, pressing my back against the cool rock feeling the chill seep thought my clothes. There’s hardly anysnow in here; it’s almost dry. My heart pounds in my chest as I hold my breath, straining to listen. He won’t find me if I stay quiet.

A moment stretches into eternity as silence envelops me, broken only by the whisper of wind outside. My heart is in my throat as I hold my breath, cowering in my hiding spot.

Then, a hand shoots out, grabbing my ankle and yanking my leg out from under me. I cry out, falling forward and catching myself on my hands. Before I can scramble away, Kris is on me, his body pressing me into the hard, cold ground.

"This wasn't a bad hiding spot, Cherry. It could've been better if your tracks didn't lead right to it and your red hair wasn't waving like a flag in the wind from behind the rock."

"Kris," I wiggle, testing his grip, but he doesn't budge. Instead, he leans closer, his breath tickling my ear.

"Scared, Cherry? Or excited?" His hand slides up my leg, and I suppress a gasp. I shouldn't like this. I should be pushing him away, fighting this, but my body betrays me, wanting more.

Without warning, he flips me over, onto my back.

"I owe you a punishment, Cherry. Do you understandwhy?"

I nod, biting my lip.

"I need to hear it. Tell me why I have to punish you." His eyes bore into mine, demanding an answer.

"Because… because I ran from you and didn't let you explain," I stammer, feeling a mix of shame and arousal.

He pulls out a whip from inside his jacket, and my breath catches in my throat. "Since you came out on your own earlier, I'll only give you five strikes instead of ten. Do you understand?"

My mouth goes dry as I nod wordlessly. I contemplate the sting of the whip against my skin. Part of me craves the release that comes with the pain.

"Pull your pants down to your knees and get on all fours," he commands, his voice leaving no room for negotiation

I do as he says, my fingers trembling as I unbutton my jeans. I lower my pants, exposing my bare skin to the cold air. I feel vulnerable and exposed, positioning myself on the ground, but a part of me likes it.

With a swift motion, Kris brings the whip down across my ass. The crack of the leather fills the air, and I cry out, my body instinctively tensing at the sting. I feel the heat of the blow spreading across my skin, and I know the markof the whip will be there for days to come.

"Count, Cherry," Kris prompts me, his voice steady.

"One," I whisper, steeling myself for the next strike.

I hear Kris move behind me, the crunch of leaves and sticks under his boots breaking the stillness of the moment. He steps into my line of sight, holding an icicle that glimmers in the dim light.

“Stick out your tongue." He brings the icy stick to my mouth, moving it slowly across my tongue.

"Make sure it's smooth,” he says, his eyes locked on mine.

Then, he moves behind me again, and I feel the chill of the ice slide across my skin, tracing the same path that the whip took across my ass. The icy cold against my hot skin feels amazing, and I can't help but let out a moan.

He brings the whip down again, and I cry out, my body jerking at the impact.

"Two," I choke out, my eyes squeezed shut as I surrender to the pain.

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