Page 35 of Protecting Lanie

"Answer me."

Her lips parted, her pulse fluttering beneath his fingertips. He could see it now—the way her body softened, the way her pupils dilated, the way she responded to his authority even when she wanted to fight it.

"Punishment," she whispered.

"That’s right."

She exhaled shakily; her gaze darting away. "I was scared," she admitted. "I didn’t want you to lose control."

Archer stilled. For a moment, just a moment, something in his chest ached. She had been protecting him.But that didn’t change the fact that she had put herself in danger or that she had lied to him.

"You don’t get to make that call," he murmured. "You don’t get to decide what I can or can’t handle. You follow my rules, or you deal with the consequences. That is what you agreed to, isn’t it?"

Lanie swallowed hard, then nodded.

"Words, little one."

"Yes, Daddy."

"Good girl."

Archer’s fingers grazed her wrist, then he caught both hands in one of his own. "You’re going to learn tonight," he said softly, "that lying to me isn’t an option."

Her breath stuttered. "What—what are you going to do?"

Archer moved behind her, his hands skimming her waist before pushing her forward. She gasped as he guided her over the edge of the leather chaise in his bedroom, her hands bracing against the cool surface.

"You’re going to stay just like this," he murmured, his voice thick with authority. "And you’re going to take what I give you. I warned you once that punishment would always be given on the bare. Remove your dress and panties."

She shivered. "Archer...”

“Fifteen.”

Lanie pulled her dress up and over her head and wiggled out of her panties so that only her bra remained. She glanced over her shoulder. “Should I take off my bra, too? I’ve seen subs at the club get punished and they are almost always naked.”

Fuck. She was going to kill him, but he’d started now. Lanie needed to know she could count on his consistency and that he would do as he said.

“I’ll do it,” he said, kneeling on the chaise behind her.

Archer fisted her hair, drawing her back to him until he could reach around her to unfasten her lace bra, which closed at the front. He released the closure and removed her bra, never releasing his hold on her hair. The back of his hand passed over her nipple, causing it to peak. He dragged his hand back across one nipple to the other, as it too seemed to be begging forattention. He traced her areola with his finger before he gave it a short, sharp pinch.

Lanie gasped, but was it pain or pleasure? Had she not sunk into his touch, he might have thought the former. He tweaked the first peak and provoked a moan. “I believe, little one, that you respond well to leadership and discipline and we shall do well together.”

She stiffened until he teased her nipple as he kissed her neck. “Archer,” she moaned, all fear forgotten.

“I’ll take care of you, little one. All you need to do is agree and submit.”

She nodded.

“Good girl,” he crooned. “Are you on birth control?”

“Yes, Daddy, and I just had my checkup and am clean.”

“I can say the same. Do you want me to fuck you, little one?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good, because there isn’t anything I’d rather do, but first we must see to your discipline.”

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