Defying Hector’s commands and impositions sent a shiver of thrills along her spine and caused sparks of excitement in her heart.

Hector’s lips curved into a faint smile, and he backed her against the wall, his breathing ragged.

Juliet gasped, but, for the first time since they’d met, she surrendered to him.

“Is that as far as you wish to go, husband?” she whispered seductively into his ear.

CHAPTER 17

“Perhaps, Juliet,” Hector murmured, his breath warm against her hair, “you need to be reminded who the authority figure really is in this household.”

Before Juliet could react, Hector’s lips crushed hers, his kiss fierce and demanding.

Juliet’s hands clutched his shoulders, and her heart pounded as the kiss deepened. Hector’s grip tightened around her waist as he urgently pressed her against the wall, yet his hands caressed her tenderly.

As he pulled away, Hector saw Juliet shudder. Without a word, he guided her to the singular low table at the center of the room.

The air became filled with the muted sounds of their breathing as they began to explore each other’s waiting bodies.

Hector’s hands roamed across Juliet’s body with a purposeful touch, exploring and igniting every nerve his fingers met. Juliet’s breaths came in shallow gasps, and her skin flushed with heat. The blend of passion and authority in Hector’s touch was both thrilling and intimidating.

“Hector…” Juliet whispered, “what are you…”

“Shhh,” Hector interrupted as his finger brushed against her lips. “Remember, this is your punishment for all of the moments you have caused me to quake.”

As he guided her onto the table, his eyes never left hers. There was an edge to his expression, a roughness that contrasted sharply with the tender affection he’d offered.

Hector’s hands released their firm hold on her waist and began to explore and caress the contours of her lithe, taut body. His large fingers were both rough and caring, eliciting sensuous moans from Juliet’s mouth as she reveled in his embrace. He was attuned to her every reaction and each breath she took, and he used this knowledge to deepen the sensuality of her experience.

“When I say discipline is warranted, this is what I meant,” he said, resting both hands on her thighs.

In one swift move, he pushed up her dress, exposing her from the hips down.

Juliet gasped and feverishly held his gaze.

He leaned closer and nipped her neck. As one hand rested on Juliet’s lower back, the other parted her legs. With a single mighty hand, he turned her over. Juliet gasped excitedly and sucked in a breath.

“Hector…” Juliet’s voice trembled as he laid her belly against the table and hoisted up her hips.

“Are you frightened?” Hector teased as he pushed the bundled fabric of her gown higher and removed her undergarments.

“No,” she replied unsteadily, her back arching in response to his touch.

He felt a jolt of arousal in his throbbing member as he stared at her flawless skin. Her buttocks had retained a red flush from her previously seated position, the mounds of flesh twitching invitingly beneath his gaze.

Silently, Hector raised a hand and brought it down hard upon her backside.

The startled gasp that tore out of Juliet’s throat sent a flare of heat from his gut to his groin.

“Hector…” Juliet whimpered and shivered as his fingers caressed her reddened skin.

Hector tilted his head to the side and spanked her again, humming with satisfaction as she reached out to tightly grip the side of the table. She did not try to escape his ministrations.

As he leaned over her back, Hector trailed his fingers from right buttock down the length of her thigh, slowly moving towards her secret parts as she groaned beneath him.

“The things I could do to you, Juliet,” Hector whispered in her ear as he slowly raised his hand higher and higher before finally plunging his finger into her warmth.

“Hector…” she gasped.