Page 16 of Yours

And yet, I couldn’t stop the small, shaky breath that slipped from my lips as he pulled the car over on the side of the street. Alarm bells started to ring in my head, and I turned my head to face him.

His gaze turned to mine and the darkness I saw within them made my stomach clench hard with a million nervous butterflies. I didn’t even have a chance to look around to see where we were before his voice rang out, loud and sure and entirely too bold.

“Strip.”

CHAPTER 8

Kiera

For a second, I just sat there, blinking.

I knew he’d said it, but somehow, I still didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that he meant right now.

“You’re not actually serious about this,” I said, glaring at him.

Ronan tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes fixed on me, unflinching. “Do I look like I’m joking, Kiera?”

“Yes,” I snapped, though my voice wavered just enough to betray me. “I mean—come on, Ronan! You can’t just… tell me to get naked and then spank me like I’m some kid who got caught stealing candy. This is ridiculous!”

“Ridiculous,” he repeated, his tone maddeningly calm. “What’s ridiculous is you thinking you can run your mouth, pick fights with men ten times as dangerous as you, and then call me to fix your mess without there being any consequences.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

“That’s what I thought,” he said. His lips curved into a faint smirk, the kind that made my stomach twist in a way I hated. “You called me because you needed me, Kiera. And now, you’re going to learn what that means.”

“I know what it means,” I muttered, shifting slightly in my seat. “It means you’re going to fix this. That’s it. That’s all this has to be.”

“No,” he said simply, his voice as unyielding as stone. “That’s not all this has to be. You’re going to face the consequences of your choices, whether you like it or not.”

“Ronan—”

“Stop.”

His tone was scolding enough to quiet me, and I swallowed hard, startled into silence. He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze pinning me in place.

“You’ve been running that mouth of yours for years, acting like the rules don’t apply to you. Well, guess what, Kiera?” His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “They do, and for the first time, you’re going to learn what happens to naughty girls with sassy mouths.”

I shifted again, my chest tightening as his words settled over me. My palms were sweating, and I hated how small I felt under his gaze.

“You’re not… you can’t actually think you can just do this,” I said, my voice quieter now, but still laced with defiance.

“I don’t think, Kiera,” he said, leaning back again. “I know. And here’s what you’re going to do: you’re going to stop wasting my time, stop pretending you’re in charge here, and take what’scoming to you like abiggirl. Or…” He tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into that maddening half-smile. “I’ll take off my belt as soon as we get to my penthouse, and I’ll make sure your bottom is welted enough that you won’t be able to sit for a week.”

My throat went dry, and I couldn’t stop myself from glancing toward the car door.

“Don’t even think about it,” he said, his voice a quiet warning that sent a shiver down my spine.

“I wasn’t,” I lied quickly, my fingers tightening on the fabric of my jeans.

He chuckled softly, the sound low and almost amused. “You’re a terrible liar, Kiera.”

My breath hitched, and I hated how fast my heart was pounding, and how my stomach felt like it was tying itself into knots.

“You’re insane,” I muttered, though the words felt weak even as I said them.

“Maybe,” he said, his tone so calm it made me want to scream. “But you’re still going to listen to me. And if you keep fighting me, Kiera, I’ll make sure it stings twice as much.”

My jaw tightened, and I looked away, staring out the window like the quiet street would somehow save me from the inevitable.

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