Page 70 of Yours

And yet, as he took another step closer, his presence dominating the room, I realized that I wasn’t trying to stop it.

Maybe deep down, a small part of me wanted what he was threatening, and I wasn’t quite ready to face it yet. Maybe I needed him to make me take it…

No. It couldn’t be.

Ronan stood close now—too close. His eyes bore into me, pinning me in place, his gaze leaving me feeling stripped already, though I still wore my clothes. My breath came quicker, my chest rising and falling in shallow little gasps as the air in the room seemed to thin.

I thought he might say something—something teasing, something cutting—but he didn’t. Instead, his hands lifted, his fingers grazing the hem of my sweater.

I froze, every muscle in my body going rigid.

“What… what are you doing?” I stammered, though my voice sounded small, even to me.

“Undressing you,” he said simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “One piece at a time.”

My heart kicked hard against my ribs, a nervous tremor running through me as I stared at him. “I—I can do it myself,” I mumbled, though even as I said it, I knew he wouldn’t let me.

“No.” His voice was calm, almost soft, but there was steel beneath it. “I’m going to do it. You’re going to stand there, and you’re going to let me. Because that’s the first part of this punishment, Kiera—you don’t get to hide from me.”

I wanted to argue, to tell him I wasn’t hiding. But my throat was too tight, my words caught somewhere deep inside me. I just stood there, frozen, my skin already prickling with heat as his fingers slowly lifted the hem of my sweater.

“Arms up,” he ordered quietly.

My cheeks burned, humiliation rolling through me in waves as I lifted my arms above my head. The sweater slid up and over me, soft fabric brushing against my skin as he pulled it off and dropped it to the floor. Goosebumps rose across my bare arms and stomach as cool air replaced the warmth of the sweater. I fought the urge to cross my arms over myself, knowing Ronan wouldn’t allow it.

His gaze roamed over me, taking in the pale pink bra that barely covered me, and I swore I saw his eyes flicker with something more than just arousal.

“This is what happens when you disobey me. When you try to keep secrets from me,” he said, the faintest hint of amusement curling his lips.

I clenched my jaw, but the flush on my cheeks only deepened.

His hands fell to the waistband of my leggings, and I stiffened, every nerve in my body on high alert.

His fingers hooked into the elastic band and slowly started to peel the leggings down. The fabric clung to me as it slid lower, forcing me to feel every inch he revealed. I bit the inside of my cheek as they pooled at my ankles, leaving me in nothing but my bra and panties.

“Step out of them,” he said, his voice low.

I did as I was told, lifting one foot and then the other, my movements jerky and uncertain. I felt bare already—fartoobare—and yet I knew we weren’t done.

Ronan straightened, his gaze traveling up my body, lingering on the curve of my hips and the thin, lacy panties I regretted wearing now more than ever. I shifted uncomfortably, my face flaming.

“Stop fidgeting,” he said softly, with an edge that made me freeze.

My hands hung uselessly at my sides, my breathing shallow and uneven as he reached behind me, his fingers brushing my back. I tensed, the touch sending a shock through me, but he didn’t pause. He found the clasp of my bra, and with a soft snap, it came undone.

My heart hammered in my chest as the straps fell loose around my shoulders. I moved instinctively to hold the cups in place, but Ronan’s voice stopped me cold.

“Hands at your sides, Kiera.”

I hesitated, my body trembling. “Ronan…”

“Now.”

The word was soft, but it carried the weight of a command I couldn’t refuse. My arms fell slowly to my sides, the bra sliding off and landing on the floor at my feet, revealing my breasts and my nipples.

They were already hard and far too sensitive to the chilly air moving about the room.

I shivered, every inch of me exposed to his gaze. I had the overwhelming urge to cover myself, to hide from him, but I stayed still, my eyes fixed on the floor. Shame rolled through me, leaving my cheeks hot and my stomach in knots.

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