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“Clear off my desk,” he instructed. “You can put the items on the credenza, and close the blinds while you’re there.”
She did as he instructed, moving aside the stress balls she was tempted to squeeze, then turned to see him test the cane in the air. Its sound rent the air and chilled her. No way could she endure five cuts from that horrible thing.
“Plenty of subs have managed through history,” he told her as if reading her mind. He placed the cane on the desk then closed and locked his office door.
“Strip.”
The order surprised her. She’d expected to lift, even remove, her skirt, but hadn’t anticipated he’d want her naked.
Her hands trembled as she removed her clothing, and she half-expected he’d help her undress. Instead, he watched her with a predatory gleam.
She left her clothing in a pile on the credenza while he moved aside the visitor chairs.
“On the desk,” he told her.
Being bent over it would enable her to take it easier, and no doubt he’d reached the same conclusion.
He didn’t offer her a hand, making it clear it was her choice at every point.
Once she was in position, vulnerable, she trembled. His tone of voice was so very distant, and she felt lost and alone.
“Ask me to punish you.”
She looked back at him. The starkness on his face stunned her. His eyebrows were set in a narrow, resolved line. His chin jutted—there appeared to be no joy in this for him. And that pleased her. When he’d beaten her before, he’d appeared determined, but it had been softened by his intent to please and satisfy her.
Maggie took comfort from his features. It was as if they were in this together. Neither of them wanted this, but they both understood it was necessary. “I promise to be more honest with you in future, Sir. Please, Master David, punish me.”
Their gazes met.
“Christ, Maggie. Do you know what you said?”
“I acknowledged you as my Master, Mr Tomlinson.”
“I’m honoured,” he told her. “Thank you for that. But it won’t make this easier on you.”
“I suspected as much, Master.” She grabbed hold of the far end of the desk. But that didn’t help. The first stripe landed on her buttocks, ricocheting through her body, making her scream and lose her grip. Fuck. She’d never felt anything like that before. Tears filled her eyes.
She had no idea how long it took her to get back in position, but there was no doubt of the effectiveness of his cane.
Master Tomlinson struck her again, and agony tore her from the inside out.
She fought and struggled to right herself, telling herself over and over that she was almost halfway through.
He didn’t speak to her as he placed the third below her buttocks.
She fell forward, sobbing. She curled up into herself, knowing this was the first time she’d cried. He’d told her he’d have her in tears, and Master Damien had warned her as well. They’d all assumed it would be because of the beating. But it wasn’t. She was shattered by the emotional wedge that had been between them, devastated by his distance even now. She’d never liked to be pampered and cuddled, and now she needed it, needed him.
He picked her up from the desk, carried her to a chair and held her while she sobbed. She felt as if she’d kept herself in a shell her whole life, refusing to experience everything it had to offer. And if she wanted to be with David, he wouldn’t allow her that luxury.
David stroked her hair and soothed her.
She appreciated the fact he cared about her enough to demand she meet him where he was, holding nothing back. She settled against him. This was the first time he’d touched her since he’d confronted her about her transgression. She never wanted to go this long without his tenderness again.
Minutes dragged and shadows lengthened before she pulled back and said, “Can we get it over with?”
“You can continue another day.”
“Please, no.” He’d never let her shirk her duties, and having the remainder of the punishment looming in front of her would consume her thoughts. “I’m ready.”
“You’re certain?”
She didn’t want to leave the comfort of his chest, the protection of his arms. “Yes, Master.”
