Page 39 of Under His Command

“I warned you a sore bottom was in your future.” He stood up, his eyes scanning the room. “The window seat should do, I think. Hands flat on the cushion and wait for me.”

“You’re going to spank me before I’ve made a choice?”

“Yes, this is for running out of the club without concern for your safety. Jameson was furious, not to mention worried sick. You arrived in his care, and it was incredibly disrespectful of you to leave him the way you did. And your friend Jules was out of her mind.”

“I’ve apologized.” In writing. She still had to face them, which would be only slightly less awkward than with Flynn.

“As you should have. This spanking will reinforce the lesson. Head on over.” He extended his arm toward the window, as if an invitation, although it was nothing short of a command.

Their eyes met, an arc of electricity passing between them. She couldn’t deny she had dreamed of him taking charge of her. This would be a little taste of his dominance. She glanced at the wide bench seat with its thick padding and the view of the garden beyond. It was the perfect place to curl up and read a book or snuggle in a lover’s arms to watch the rain, and the height was just right for a spanking. She’d prefer he take her over his knee and hold her while he did it, but knew once she agreed to this, it wasn’t up to her.

“Do you have a safeword, Cassie?”

“I’ve always used red in the past.”

“Red it is. Now, do as I instructed and get to the window. Or use your safeword, and we end this and go to dinner.”

“You’d still—”

“Opting out doesn’t get rid of Flynn the man, and the friend who cares about you. Like work, that will not change.”

He was an unusual dominant if he could compartmentalize his feelings should she decline. And he seemed confident he could. For her, it wouldn’t be so easy—more like impossible.

“I won’t wait all day, Cassie, and I frown upon stalling. To be clear, I consider not using a safeword as good as consent. If I need to,I’ll put you there, but don’t recommend you push me that far.”

Okay, maybe not so unusual. Despite her doubts and fears, she wanted to move forward with Flynn, had craved it for months.

Decision made—good or bad—she stood, conscious of his watchful eyes. As she walked to the window, she cursed her choice of a pencil skirt that morning and tried to remember what underwear she had selected while dressing in an anxiety-induced haze.

At the window, she bent forward, hands on the cushion as she faced the glass. Through it, she saw his backyard, also private with a thick, high hedge. It was lush and well-tended. Adjacent to the deck off the back of the house, with its cushioned wicker furniture, she saw a gorgeous gazebo with clematis in full bloom, the big star-shaped purple blossoms climbing up the rails and posts.

When he touched her, she jumped, unaware he’d followed her over.

“This is a spanking, baby. Not a firing squad.”

She nodded, murmuring, “I’m just nervous because it’s been a while. And, for a big guy, you’re silent when you move; you startled me.”

“It’s a skill ingrained over the years.” His hand between her shoulder blades pressed her down until her bottom tilted up, reminding her why she was at the window gazing at the beautiful sight in the first place.

“I’ll be careful with you, Cassie.”

“I trust you, Flynn. Even if I haven’t shown it.” She glanced back at him, meeting his eyes before she said quietly, “I’m sorry.”

His smile was gentle, and to her relief, reached his blue-gray eyes, and the little white tan lines at his temples crinkled a bit. He was the most handsome man.

“Let’s get this done. Palms flat on the cushions, feet apart,” he repeated.

When she was in position, his hand slid along her back, over the curves of her bottom and down her thighs to her hem, which hit just above the knee when standing. An appropriate length for work, in this pose, it had risen to mid-thigh. He tugged it upward, over her behind to her waist. His hand slid over her panties.

“Pink lace, very nice,” was his barely audible murmur, which made her wonder if he meant to say it aloud.

She had no question his next action was deliberate. Hooking his fingers into the waistband, he peeled her panties over the curves of her bottom, baring everything. He lowered them to just above her knees, which was as far as they would go with her legs spread.

Warm and light, his fingers trailed over her cheeks, the barest touch making her skin tingle and sending a jolt of arousal straight to her clit. Too soon, it was gone only to return, swift and sure, as the flat of his hand connected with her right cheek. Just as quick, another landed sharply on her left side. In a staccato rhythm, he laid down a good, even dozen. Moving from side to side, up and down, and all around, his big hand covered considerable territory in every swat. Flynn spanked hard, heating her skin to a low burn.

Abruptly,he paused, gently rubbing the areas he’d just set on fire. “You have beautiful skin, imp. Flawless and petal soft, like the roses out front. It blooms to a pretty pink under my hand, which is even more stunning.” He squeezed, massaging her deeply on both sides and across her upper thighs. “You took that well. It seems spanking is like riding a bike.”

“Easier, sir. I haven’t been on a bike in years, and the last time wiped out in a nasty fall.”

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