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Shoot.
She hadn’t realized it . . . but what she’d done had affected his trust in her.
“I promise. I won’t do that again.” He grunted, then lifted her, setting her back away from him.
What was he doing? To her surprise, he stood and, taking her hand, then led her to another bedroom.
“Raid?” He wouldn’t make her sleep in here tonight, would he?
“I don’t want to give you a punishment spanking in our bedroom. That’s a safe space for you.”
He was such a good man.
“And this room has a mirror.”
She looked at the big mirror affixed to the wall and the chair he’d placed in front of it. The chair was from the dining table in the common area and had no sides. It wasn’t facing the mirror but sat side-on.
He sat on it, facing the wall, and patted his lap. “Over you come.”
It was then that she understood. If necessary, he could use the mirror to check on her. Moving more slowly, she climbed over his lap with his help. His thighs were hard and warm against her tummy.
She sucked in a breath as he raised the bottom of her T-shirt up over her bottom.
“Easy, darlin’. Look at me in the mirror.”
She raised her head and stared at him. He studied her for a long moment, then he nodded. “You’ll do.”
She would? What did that mean?
Then a spank landed on her ass with a suddenness that shocked her. And wow. That hurt!
Every other spanking she’d had, there had been a warm-up. Not this spanking. Raid started as he meant to go on.
Hard and fast.
By the time he got to ten, she was breathing heavily, her feet kicking and tears welling. Her ass felt like it was on fire.
“Look at me,” he said sternly.
She raised her face up so she could see him in the mirror. There was concern on his face. “Where are you at?”
“Green.”
More silence as he studied her. She understood that she’d done this. But then he nodded, and she sagged in relief. She wanted this spanking over and done with.
He continued her spanking. A sob broke free as she tried desperately not to move too much. She deserved this. She’d put his trust in her in jeopardy.
But as much as it was about punishment, it was also cathartic. It felt like it was helping exorcise Steven. His hold on her was definitely cracking.
Raid thought she was strong enough for this. And she wanted to be. By the time he finished, she was sobbing, and he rubbed her back before turning her so she was straddling his lap. Then he stood and held her cradled to his chest as he carried her back to their room.
He lay on his back with her on top of him and continued rubbing her back, crooning to her quietly as she cried. When she was all dried up, Hannah slumped on his chest, exhausted.
“Thank you.”
He froze under her. “Why are you thanking me? I just spanked you.”
“That’s why I said thank you. Because you always give me what I need, Raid. You always look out for me. And every day, you help me be stronger, to want to live, and that there are good men out there. Because you’re the very best man I know.”
“Baby, fuck.”
Hannah leaned up and kissed him. Long, slow, and sweet.
Then she snuggled back down on his chest and drifted off to sleep. It was the best sleep of her life. Held tight in her man’s arms.
40
It was sore to sit.
She shot a look at Raid as she sat in Alec’s office chair while he set up the computer for her.
Raid just raised his eyebrows. “Everything all right, darlin’?”
“The seat is a bit hard.”
“The chair is fine,” Alec said. “I’m guessing you’re having trouble sitting because you got your ass spanked last night. And I’m also guessing it has something to do with why my wife smuggled some velvet rope out to the bunkhouse in her bra.”
She gaped at Alec. “Is there anything you don’t know?”
He grinned at her. “No. And you should remember that.”
Oh, she would.
“There, you’re all set up. The call should come through in five minutes.” Alec squeezed her shoulder lightly. “Good luck, sweetheart.”
“Thanks.”
Raid came over and crouched next to her. “You want me to stay, darlin’?”
“Actually, I think it will be easier to do this on my own.”
“All right. Just remember that I think you’re incredibly brave and I’m so proud of you.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Thanks.” Her stomach settled. It seemed like he knew just what she needed to hear. With a deep breath, she settled in to wait.
Raid was leaning against the wall outside the office when Hannah emerged an hour later. She felt shaky and exhausted.
But she also felt lighter.
Rosa had been wary of her to begin with. But that was to be expected. And Hannah had known what she had to do. She had to open up first. Be honest and vulnerable.
