Page 54 of Crazed

He studies me for a moment. I think he might say no, but then he grabs both paddles and steps back. He points to the bench, ordering, "Face down, hands on the front legs."

The flutters in my stomach go crazy. I lean over the bench, sliding my hands down the legs, grasping the bottom. The leather padding is cool on my bare breasts and stomach. My thighs hug the sides.

Massimo crouches in front of me. He moves my hair to one shoulder then tucks it behind my ear. "What are the rules, dolce?"

"No coming until you permit me. No moving or grinding unless you allow it," I recite.

Satisfaction fills his expression. "Good girl." He pecks me on the lips then clasps the metal restraints around my wrists. "Since you've continued to disobey me, I think your punishment needs to reinforce who's in charge. You need a reminder, don't you?"

Anticipation becomes a hurricane, spinning in all my cells. I breathe, "Yes. Please, sir. Remind me, so I don't forget again."

He sniffs hard, stroking my cheek while taking bated breaths. Every second that passes adds energy to the storm I can't stop growing inside me. It's like Massimo knows the urge I have for him to dominate me. When he gives me commands, I light up in ways I never thought were possible. And the pain he gives me somehow makes the pleasure more intense. He asserts, "There are hundreds of people below us. Are you sure you wouldn't rather be partying with them?"

I don't need to contemplate his question. "No. I want my punishment, sir."

His lips twitch then he rises and walks to the wall. He turns a dial and returns to me. His hot breath hits my ear as he murmurs, "Every sound that comes out of your mouth will get broadcast in the club. It'll mix with the music. They'll all hear you but will wonder how it got in the song. The men will turn hard, but they won't know why it's happening."

"How do you know?" I whisper, excited at the prospect of others hearing us.

Massimo moves his face in front of mine, replying, "There was a study I read years ago. It had women and men on a microphone while they had sex in a club. No one could see them going at it, but everyone heard it in the music. It's why I added this feature to this room. But know this, dolce. Should the DJ take even a few second break between songs, your cries are going to rebound throughout the building. Anyone you speak to after is going to wonder why your voice sounds so familiar."

More adrenaline pools in my cells. Determined to get started, I confess, "I lied."

Massimo freezes then arches his eyebrows. "About what?"

I dig myself deeper into the hole, but I don't want Massimo to hold back tonight. I fib, "I didn't ask Alicia about vacation time."

Tense silence fills the air. His eyes turn to slits, and hurt fills his expression. He holds my chin and seethes, "Why not?"

"She was busy most of the day. Time went quickly and then you were there to pick me up."

"Why did you lie?"

"I didn't want to upset you."

He grinds his molars, and the nervous flutters in my stomach expand. He rises, goes to the drawer, and takes something out of it. He returns and crouches in front of me again, demanding, "Tell me the rules bad girls must obey, dolce."

"No coming until you permit me. No moving or grinding unless you allow it," I repeat.

He scowls. "Should you ever lie to me?"

"No, sir."

"Then why did you?"

"I told you, I didn't want you to be angry."

He scoffs. "So you lie?"

There are so many levels of guilt I experience daily, and right now, it's all crashing around me. Still, I egg Massimo on further. "I lied, and I need you to punish me hard enough I won't do it again."

He studies me then states, "I'm not happy about this."

My remorse grows. I genuinely say, "I'm sorry, Massimo."

His lips twitch. "I don't think you are. And that's why we're going to have to add some things to your punishment." He opens his palm, and a smooth, black oval is in his hand.

"What it is?"

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