I swallow hard. "Remind me of the consequences for breaking rules?"

"Stand up, princess," he commands softly.

I obey instantly, heart racing as he rises too, towering over me with that imposing presence that drew me to him from the beginning.

"You broke a rule," he says, voice low and controlled. "What happens to naughty girls who break the rules?"

Heat floods my body. "They get punished."

"That's right." He sits back down on the couch, his posture radiating authority. His legs are spread wide and he’s rolled up his shirt sleeves. Damn. He looks sexy as fuck. "Over my knee, Jessica."

I hesitate, not because I don't want this, God knows I do, but because the anticipation is delicious, a tease I can't resist prolonging.

"Now," he adds, a warning in his tone.

I move to his side and slowly position myself across his lap, heart hammering against my ribs. My face rests comfortably on the leather, my legs drop to the other side of his. This is different from the park, it’s more deliberate, more intimate. There, it was the culmination of weeks of tension. Here, it's a conscious choice, a step deeper into the dynamic we're building.

"Why are you being punished?" Sean asks, his hand resting lightly on my back.

"Because I let Lucky on the couch when you said not to," I reply, my voice small.

"And why is that a problem?"

I think about it. "Because you set a boundary, and I ignored it."

"Good girl." His approval washes over me despite the impending punishment. "Let's get this over with." His hand lifts, and I hold my breath, waiting. The first spank lands with precision, the sting radiating through my leggings. The more he swats, the wetter I get. My core is clenching, my nipples pebbling.

How could something like a spanking turn me on so much?

Is it the authority he’s showing? Is it the pain… to be honest, his hand on my ass doesn’t hurt nearly as much as I thought it would. Sure, my butt cheeks are now burning, but there’s more going on. The warmth spreads across my ass and downward. My clit is throbbing and I thrust my hips forward, letting it rub against the material of his pants, seeking a bit of relief.

By the time he’s done, I'm breathless, my bottom warm and tingling, a pleasant buzz filling my head. Sean helps me up, positioning me to straddle his lap, facing him.

"You took that well," he praises, brushing hair from my flushed face. "Are you okay?"

I nod, too overwhelmed to speak yet.

"Words, princess," he reminds me gently.

"Yes," I manage. "I'm okay. I'm good."

"Yes, you are," he agrees, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "My good girl."

The praise fills some empty space inside me I didn't know existed. I melt against him, resting my head on his shoulder as his hands stroke soothingly up and down my back.

"Rules exist for a reason," he murmurs against my hair. "Even the ones that seem small."

"I know," I whisper. "I'm sorry."

He tilts my chin up, making me meet his gaze. "Are you? Truly?"

I consider the question honestly. "I'm sorry I disappointed you," I say finally. "But I'm not sorry it led to this. I rather enjoy the power exchange of being upside down over your lap and the aftereffects."

A smile tugs at his lips. "Honest to a fault. I appreciate that."

His hands shift to my hips, holding me securely against him. "You should know," he says, his voice deepening, "that while discipline is necessary, I much prefer rewarding good behavior."

"Is that so?" I shift slightly, gratified by the sharp intake of breath it elicits from him.