Page 33 of Searching for Hope

“I adore seeing you like this, knowing that you’ve willingly submitted yourself to me. But remember, you are the one in control. One word from you and I will stop. One word and I will fall at your feet if that’s what you want.”

His hand starts to caress the cheek of my ass once more. He rubs it gently before slapping it again. Sharp. Enough to make me gasp.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispers in my ear.

I don’t say a word.

I don’t want to say a word.

He slaps my ass again and wetness surges between my legs. I moan and twist against the restraints.

“Tell me to stop.”

“I don’t want to.” I barely recognize my voice. It’s deeper than usual, breathy and desperate.

Jericho presses his forehead against mine. “My god, you’re perfect.” His hand slips between my legs and I open them unashamedly. He lets out a low groan as his finger slides over me. “You’re so wet.” His finger swirls and I chase it, rolling my hips. “Tell me to stop.”

I shake my head and he pulls his hand away, bringing it to his mouth and sucking off the stickiness of me before slapping my ass again.

“Tell me to stop,” he orders, his voice more commanding.

“No.” I let my head roll back. He slaps me again and a tear slips from my eye. It’s glorious. My body sparks and fires. Everything is heightened. Everything on edge. I’ve never felt anything like it before. The sting of his slap. The surge of arousal. The aching need to feel both ecstasy and pain.

Jericho growls. “God damn it, Berkley. Tell me to stop.”

“I don’t want to,” I say all in a rush.

“Fuck.” Jericho falls to his knees. His hands reach around to grip the cheeks of my ass as his mouth falls to lick the wetness from me. He’s relentless and it only takes a few strokes of his tongue before I shatter and come undone, trembling against the restraints. My body goes slack and sags. My heart pounds as the last of the shockwaves rip through me.

Jericho grabs my chin and forces my head upward. “You were supposed to tell me to stop so I could show you how you’re always in control.”

My eyes flutter open. “I don’t want to be in control.”

He grunts in agreement. “That I knew. But I underestimated just how much.”

He props me up, forcing me back to my feet and undoing the knots at my wrists. The blood that rushes back down my arms stings but as soon as I’m free I wrap them around Jericho’s neck and push my lips to his. I’m lazy with it, smiling against his mouth even as I attempt to kiss him.

“What about you?” I mumble.

Jericho peers down between us where his cock presses into my stomach. I reach down to stroke him but he hisses and pulls away.

“I need to calm down a little. Fuck knows what I’d do if I was let loose on you now.”

I run my tongue up the side of his cheek playfully. “Should we find out?”

He pushes me away with a laugh. “You don’t know what you’d be in for, Miss Berkley. One step at a time.” He reaches down to pull his jeans on. He winces as he buttons them up. “You hungry?”

I flop onto the bed. “I’m starving.”

chapter twelve

BERKLEY

There are voices outside the door so I scamper off the bed in search of my t-shirt. It’s the only thing I’ve got to wear.

Mrs Bellamy’s voice grows closer. “I can take it for you, Mr Priest.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got it,” Jericho says.

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