Page 45 of Taming Seraphine

“Explain.”

“I disobeyed an order and lied about not having any more weapons.”

He leans back in the chair, his dark eyes studying me with a level of concentration that’s as intimidating as it is thrilling. I’m not tall and curvaceous like Rosalind, and I’m not a brunette. My eyes are too large for my face, making me look like I’m constantly surprised. The only men who find me attractive are predators, who tend not to live long enough to regret it.

There’s no lust in Leroi’s gaze, only determination. Determination to mold me into the kind of disciplined killer that doesn’t get caught.

“Do you understand why lying to me was wrong?”

I nod. “Yes, sir.”

“Tell me why.”

Shivers skitter down my spine. Every man I’ve encountered in the past five years would have made some kind of lewd comment by now, yet Leroi remains completely in control. It’s both terrifying and exhilarating. He’s playing a game I don’t understand, and I’m desperate to learn the rules.

“We had an agreement,” I rasp. “You were going to help me control my urges, and I was going to follow your orders.”

“Crawl to me.”

The muscles of my core clench, but I get down on my hands and knees. The floor is cool against my palms as I make my way toward him, and I keep my gaze fixed on Leroi’s face.

There’s no trace of the furious man who slammed that woman against a wall, just a blank mask. I want to ignite that kind of passion in Leroi, to make him lose control, but I know better than to push a killer too far.

When I reach him, he trails a finger down my cheek and watches me with that same detached curiosity.

“If you can’t be truthful or obey my orders, then being here with me is a waste of time. You may as well move into the apartment next door.”

My stomach drops, and the excitement I felt moments ago vanishes, replaced by cold fingers squeezing my heart. Darkness creeps to the edge of my vision, reminding me of the endless stretches of time I spent alone in that basement.

“I’ll do better,” I say, meaning every word. “Don’t cast me out.”

Leroi studies my face for several painful moments before nodding. “You will submit to a spanking.”

“Yes, sir,” I rasp.

“Get up.”

I stand on shaky legs, my heart galloping around my chest like a wild horse. The thought of Leroi’s hand coming down hard against my bare ass makes the pulse between my legs quicken.

When I reach his side, he pulls me down so I’m lying on his lap, my head dangling toward the floor and my ass cheeks positioned between his spread thighs.

“Your punishment should be harsher, but I will be merciful since you’ve had a hard day and these are your first offenses.”

My skin tingles and my nipples tighten to the point of pain. “Thank you, sir.”

“You will count them. Fail to do so, and I will reset the count.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and try not to moan.

This is either going to end in tears or my very first orgasm.

SEVENTEEN

LEROI

This is a mistake.

When I walked in to find her kneeling and naked, I should have told her to put on some clothes. Until this moment, she’s been covered up. I hadn’t imagined those baggy clothes were hiding such beautiful curves. Now, I can’t look away.

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