Her gaze widened as the first swat landed and reverberated over both of her cheeks.Based on his size, he probably hadn’t even put that much strength into the strike, yet his effort was already painful.
“Count the smacks for me,” he ordered, his fingers squeezing her flesh.
Pressing the side of her face against the warm wall, she pushed out the response he wanted.“One, Master.”
There was no point in resistance.She should have kept her mouth closed, should have thought before she spoke, but recuperating after the panic, she’d acted unthinkingly.Scowling, she accepted another three spanks on her left cheek before he shifted to deliver the same to her right.Angrier with herself than with him, she grappled to catch her breath.
She hadn’t asked for the spanking, but as the swats rained down, she accepted how grounding they were.Having him there holding her and dealing with the physicality of the pain was putting the final fragments of her desperate need to escape to bed.
“Is this what you need, little one?”His question floated past her ear as though he’d read her mind.He shifted at her left hip and caught both of her cheeks with the next strike.“Do you need my discipline?”
Her eyelids fluttered as the hurt spread across her backside as welcome warmth.Even though it was irrational, she sensed the pain shifting into something needier and hotter.If he kept swatting her that way, he was going to ratchet her right back to arousal again.With her fear quelled, she found she invited the pain.
“Yes, Master.”
She nearly smiled as she gave the answer.The stings were hot and intense, and as each strike spread over her backside, the sensation morphed into something slick and demanding.
“Well, I’m glad you at least admit your ploy.”His hand stilled, rubbing her tender skin, and she moaned, unsure if she was thankful for the reprieve or urging him to continue.“For that, I am grateful.”
Steadying herself, she twisted to face him.“I’m sorry I upset you, Master.”
The sentiment was heartfelt.She hadn’t wanted to disclose the dizzying alarm she’d felt before his arrival, but she certainly hadn’t intended to rile him.
“I know.”Massaging the orbs of her backside, he snaked one arm around her chest and drew her upright against him.“This is new for you, and you look to me for structure and discipline, and you need not worry.Every time you need correction, you shall have it.”
Resting her head against his hard body, her head was spinning.She’d lurched from oppressive anxiety to assurance at his touch in less time than it usually took her to make her first coffee of the day.
“Thank you, Master.”
Brow furrowing, she realized she meant the words.She didn’t understand the way he affected her, but adrift in an ocean of never-ending ambiguity, she was grateful for the certainty he provided.He would look after her, and so long as she remembered his ridiculous rules, he’d reward her.
“You’re welcome.”His tone was softer.“But you have forgotten what you still owe me, Kristina.”
“Master?”She looked to him for clarification.
“Number the strikes, beautiful.”He smiled at her.“Or I’ll have you back against that wall before you can take another breath.”
Chapter Eighteen
Kronos
Kristina murmured the correct numbers, her expression dazed as she complied.He kissed the top of her head appreciatively, wishing there was time to enjoy the sensual moment, yet knowing there was not.
Shelley was waiting by the cloud garden, and with each passing minute, he sensed her agitation at his delay.He’d sworn she’d soon be free and had then disappeared to check on Kristina.It was time to make good on his word.
“We have somewhere we need to be.”He cradled Kristina against his body possessively.
“Where, Master?”If he didn’t know better, he could have sworn it was gratitude flashing in her eyes.
“It is time for Shelley to go back to her own life.”He met her gaze.“I should like for you to bear witness to her transition.”
“She’s leaving?”Kristina’s voice was caught somewhere between envy and hope.
“Yes.”He stroked the loose strands of her hair from her face.“Which means I shall have more time for you.”
Kristina’s eyes enlarged a fraction.“But, Master, I don’t understand…”
He exhaled, contemplating how often she had told him that already.
