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Returning to his place in front of her, he once again took her face in his hands. “And this face. God, I love this face. I don’t know if I can live without waking up every day and seeing it.”
She nearly shattered. As it was, she felt like she was made of glass, like a single word or a touch would splinter her into a million pieces. And she knew if it happened, she’d never be the same. Those pieces would never fit together exactly the way they had before.
Was that his intention? To break her?
And if he succeeded, would he be the one to put her back together? Would he even be able to?
Desperation filled her and she opened her mouth, her safe word trembling on her lips. She couldn’t do this. Letting him punish her and pleasure her in front of a crowd was one thing. But this was stripping her down, baring not just her body but her soul. It was too much. How dare he expect this of her, after everything?
“Let me down. Please, sir, it’s too much.”
“It’s not. I promised you a lesson, baby, and lessons are often hard and uncomfortable. And I’m afraid this one is about to get harder.”
Again, he stepped away and disappeared behind her. Something long and thin tapped against her ass and she froze. “Sir?”
“I want this lesson to stick. Six of the best, kitten. You’ll remember this lesson every time you sit for the next few days. And if I have to repeat it every time the welts fade, then that’s what I’ll do until you believe every word of it in your very bones.”
It was all the warning he gave before a line of pure agony exploded across her skin. Deep, piercing pain took her breath away, robbing her of even the release of being able to scream.
“Oh, I forgot to mention how much I love your ass. I love the way it looks in those prim business suits you like to wear.”
Another line of fire, just below the first. She managed a whimper this time, but the pressure in her chest was still unbearably tight.
“I love the way it dances under my palm when I’m spanking it.”
Number three finally loosed a scream. “Sir! Please!”
“I really love the way it looks right now, so perfectly striped.”
At number four she let out a quiet sob and he stepped forward to run the tips of his fingers lightly over the welts. “Are you starting to believe me, kitten? About how amazing you are?”
“Please stop. Please.”
“No. I promised you six and that’s what you’ll get. Because when I tell you I’m going to do something, I damn well do it. You need to know that. You need to believe that.”
There was something in his voice, an undertone that bordered on desperate. But a fifth stripe tore her attention away from him, back to the pain that seemed to consume her.
“One more, kitten. You’re taking this so well, baby. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
And with number six, she shattered, just as she’d feared. The pressure in her chest exploded on a sob and in an instant he was there, stroking her, murmuring words of comfort she couldn’t hear, but just the sound of his voice centered her, grounded her.
That quiet whirr filled her ears again, and she was slowly lowered to the ground. Gentle hands held her as another set, unfamiliar but just as gentle, tugged at the ropes encircling her wrists.
She nearly collapsed when she was freed, but her Sir caught her, steadied her as someone else draped a blanket around her shoulders. She whined when the soft fabric brushed against her ass, earning her a quiet chuckle.
“Let’s get you to a cool down room and I’ll rub some ointment on those welts. Come on, kitten.”
Wordlessly, she let him escort her off the stage. Everything felt fuzzy, almost surreal as she was guided into a small room and gently lowered onto a soft leather couch. She was dimly aware of him talking to someone before she closed her eyes and surrendered to the darkness pulling at her.
Chapter 32
Katherine
When she opened her eyes again, she was cradled against him, her damp cheek pressed against his warm, bare chest. With a quiet sigh, she shifted, burrowing into his warmth.
“Hey there, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?”
Words felt beyond her at that moment, so she settled for shrugging a shoulder.
