Page 72 of War

I spin on my heel and stalk toward the bed, making sure he sees the letters emblazoned on my back. “I’m wearingourlast name, asshole.” Grasping the hem of the jersey, I whip it over my head. Then I toss it at his feet. Some type of spirit must have taken over my body, because gone is the woman who hides behind layers of clothing. I’m completely naked, but I don’t cower. Instead, I stand tall, whip my head over my shoulder and glare at him. “I’ll never makethatmistake again. But you want to punish me?” I press my chest to the mattress, my head tilted and my cheek flush against the bedding. Arms flung out. Ass up. Taunting him. “So punish me.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

TYLER

My mouth watersand heat rushes through me.Punish me.I’ve never heard anything as hot as those two simple words.

I’m glued to the spot, gaping at my literal dream girl—who’s bent over and naked—unable to formulate a fucking response.

Her long red hair cascades down her back. It’s so long that it falls to the place where her waist curves. She’s on her tiptoes, and her small, toned, freckle-covered legs have my heart tripping. And that goddamn ass. I fist my hands and focus on my breathing. If I don’t, I’ll lose control. Because her ass is unreal. It’s exactly what I expected the first time I saw her, when she was in nothing but that leotard. She hides it beneath leggings and oversized sweaters. Tonight, though, nothing is hidden. She’s bare for me. Begging for me. Teasing me as she wiggles it and eyes me over her shoulder, waiting to see how I’ll react.

“Not exactly a punishment, if you’re begging for it.”

Humming, she gives her ass another shake. “No one’s ever spanked me before. Punish me, Ty. Remind me that I’m yours.”

“Oh, you are so fucking mine.”

Her words land exactly how she intended. They taunt me into moving. In three steps, I’m standing above her, taking in every inch of her creamy skin, right down to the puckered hole that I’d bet anythingno one has ever touched. “You’re so fucking perfect I don’t even know where to start.”

“Anywhere,” she whimpers, grinding her hips against the bed.

“Does it hurt, Vicious?”

“Does what hurt?”

“The ache to come. That’s what you want, right? You want me to control each orgasm, don’t you?” I press my palms to her ass cheeks and hold them there, giving her nothing else.

“Yes,” she whines.

I give her no warning before I lift one hand and swiftly bring it down on her left cheek. Her skin blooms a beautiful shade of red as she cries out. Before she can recover, I repeat the action on the right side.

This time, she moans.

With my hands splayed on the mattress at her sides, I loom over her but don’t touch her. “The last time you came, what did you use?”

“A toy.” The words come out breathy.

“Where is it?”

“Top drawer next to my side of the bed.”

Her eagerness gives me a thrill. I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of it as I leave her there waiting and go for a little show-and-tell of her sex drawer. “Well, well, well. Looks like I was right about sweet little Ava.”

Green eyes watch me as I take in one toy after another, lifting them up and inspecting them. Hitting buttons to make them vibrate, rolling my thumb across the smooth surfaces, until I select the one I want for the time being.

When I hold it up and show her, she licks her lips.

“I take it you approve?”

She sucks in a heady breath and nods.

Humming, I glance into the drawer again. “Do you think I’ll need lube to get this in?”

“Maybe.”

I chuckle. “If I do, then I haven’t done my job.”

Without any more delay, I return to my spot behind her and gentlytap the insides of her feet with my own. “Wider, Vicious. I need room to play.” With both hands, I spread her ass cheeks.

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