Page 57 of Ruthless Bonds

There was no plate of food at my spot at the table. Oh, so maybe that was it. He was going to starve me until I confessed. But that didn’t happen either. Instead he took me by the hand and led me to his spot at the head of the table. He sat down and spread his legs, patting his thigh.

“What are you doing? I was planning on eating my dinner. You don’t have to do this tonight.” My eyes darted from his to his open legs.

He made a tisking sound and shook his head. “You lost the right to feed yourself after last night. It’s my responsibility to make sure you eat, so I will feed you. Now sit.” There was no room for argument in his voice.

My thoughts raced ahead, debating on what would happen if I said no. Did I even want to say no? I sat down on his leg, his arm wrapping around my stomach and bringing me closer to his body.

“Much better,” he murmured.

Candlelight flickered across the table, casting a warm glow around us as he cut into the chicken. I opened my mouth when he brought the fork to my lips, savoring the delicious flavor.

“Do you have anything you’d like to tell me, Alora?”

The low purr of his tone sent my pulse racing. I should have been ashamed of myself for being so turned on by the enemy. At this rate, I would probably start confessing things I hadn’t even done wrong.

“The chicken is lovely,” I answered, making him chuckle. The sound vibrated against my back, making me bite my bottom lip.

“It is, isn’t it?” He cut another piece, bringing it up to my mouth. “Did you misbehave today?”

“I thought I was pretty good today.” I swallowed the piece of chicken, turning my head slightly. “May I have some potatoes?”

“Of course.” His hand flexed against my stomach as he scooped up some potatoes, feeding them to me. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. “Did you do something that would upset me?”

“How can I know what would upset you? I mean, we don’t really know each other all that well,” I rambled. It was like my body couldn’t sit still, energy ready to explode from me. Maybe if I avoided his questions, that would stop whatever was going to happen next.

“Fair point. And to be clear, you understoodwhen I said you would be punished if you disobeyed me?”

I tried to stand, but he held me in place, tugging me against his chest. Butterflies danced in my stomach, and I gripped his arm that was wrapped around my stomach. “Please don’t lock me up.”

“I told you I wouldn’t do that again, and I will never lie to you,kotic.” His breath was warm against my neck, sending goosebumps down my arms. “But you will be punished, as I promised. Do you accept your punishment?”

He wanted my consent for whatever he was going to do. Tie me up? The thought had me squeezing my thighs together. Kreos growled deep in his throat, the sound only amplifying the electricity in the room.

“Yes.”

“Good girl.” He released me, and I instantly missed the warmth of his hands. “Stand up.”

I stood, not asking any questions. A moment later, his fingers trailed up the back of my calves, to the inside of my thighs, up and over my ass. I gasped as he tugged on my panties, dragging them down my legs.

Wait, was he going to fuck me? Was I even ready for that?

“Come here and lie across my lap.” His voice melted over me like honey and I turned to face him. He held his hand out, and I held it as I lay across his legs.

All my senses felt heightened as he dragged my dress up, exposing my bare ass. His hands caressed between my legs, not touching my pussy, but almost. It was enough to have me squirming, and I yelped at the first smack that landed on my ass.

“This is what bad girls get, Alora.” Smack. “Ithink ten should suffice, don’t you?”

I nodded, earning me another slap. My flesh burned, and I bit my bottom lip at the sensation. Because it stung, but it also felt good. And that was a surprise to me. Had I just unlocked a new kink?

“Use your words,kotic.” He rubbed his hand over the spot he had just smacked, making my thighs tremble with anticipation.

“Yes, Kreos,” I breathed.

“Such a good fucking girl,” he purred. “Start counting.”

That was the only warning I got before the next slap landed, then another. I counted out each pass of his hand, my voice getting louder, breathier with each stroke. How was it possible to hurt so much, but also feel so good at the same time? By the time I counted to ten, I was a quivering mess on his lap, my breath coming out in shallow gasps as if I’d been running.

“Spread those beautiful thighs for me.”

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