“Look there, omega.” I paused in front of the empty spanking bench with the discreet “reserved” sign atop it. “This is our stop, if you want to try.”
“All right.” He marched right up and bent over. “Like this?”
“Not going to feel much through those clothes, but up to you.”
He straightened and turned to face me. “Show me what to do.”
“It would be my honor.” I brushed his lips with mine. “Strip down to your undershorts.”
He kicked off his shoes and lifted a foot to tug off a sock. “Just my shorts?”
“Why? Would you rather leave the pants on after all?”
“No, but I noticed a lot of the other omegas are naked. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”
“There is no supposed to. It’s whatever you want.” I gently helped him remove the rest of his clothes but left the undershorts. “Now, lie on the bench, facedown. Hold onto the handles on the sides.”
He was trembling, and I was glad I’d left the shorts. It gave him a little protection and while I didn’t plan to hurt him—much—a good spanking could sting. Pressing him down, rubbing circles on the warm skin of his back, massaging down to the firm globes of his ass. Only thin cotton separated my palms from his cheeks, but it would be enough for now. Drawing my hand back, I brought it down with a firm thwack.
He gasped.
“Remember what you learned on the site when you filled out the forms. Yellow to pause, red for a full stop.”
“And green for go.” He moaned. “Green.”
He never changed that. Not when I spanked harder, my hard palm covering his whole ass, not when I reached into the drawer for a flogger and upped the intensity. When I stopped, it was because I judged he’d had enough, only regretting that I couldn’t see the marks I’d left on his skin. Yet.
I eased him up from the bench and gathered his clothing then led him to one of the aftercare corners. “Lie over my lap, omega. I want to check your skin and apply a salve.”
“Yes, alpha.” He bent at the waist, and I helped ease him down until he lay over my thighs.
Easing the waistband down past his buttocks, I admired the criss-crossed handprints on his smooth skin. They would fade in a little while. It was just a taste, but it was enough for tonight. While he lay limp, I smoothed the salve from the table next to the chair, over his skin. His groan came all the way from his toes.
Then I repositioned him to sit, leaning against my chest, and held a bottle of water to his lips. My omega. My mate. My love.
Chapter Nineteen
Ches
I woke up before Grant. At least, listening to his breathing told me he was still resting. Our hotel room was in a suite with two bedrooms which was disappointing but also very sweet. He hadn’t assumed anything. A complete gentleman, even last night in the club.
The night before was eye-opening. I didn’t realize that a bit of pain mixed with pleasure could be so satisfying. I’d definitely discovered a part of myself I’d never known about before and couldn’t wait until the next time I got to experience the club with Grant.
To go to bed alone after what we shared was a bit disappointing, I had to admit. The whole night was intimate in a way that I didn’t know was possible. Even though the club was packed with patrons, it was just me and him for most of it. The rest of the people, the noise, and the music faded away, and all that was left was my mate standing in front of me.
Then he said good night, and my heart broke.
What in the world was he waiting for?
I’d left my door open, hoping he would come in during the night, but he didn’t. Soon after I woke, I heard him moving about, and then he knocked lightly on the door. “Good morning,” he said. “Have you been awake long?”
“Only a few minutes,” I said, sitting up.
“I ordered some brunch to be delivered.”
The awkwardness settled in, and I hated every second of it. We were mates. I was sure of it more than ever after the night before. So why the hesitation? “Thank you, Grant.”
“Of course.” He came over and sat on the edge of the bed only inches from me. “Did you have a good time last night?”
