Ivy ran her hand over the smooth wood of the cross.
“Are you excited?”
“I think I’m nervous.”
“Ivy, we’ve played on things like this lots of times. There’s no difference. Just pretend it’s you and me. Face it, and I’ll strap you down.” Gabe’s mouth came around hers so quickly that Ivy gasped. His tongue danced with hers, and Ivy melted against him, feeling reassured by his insistent kiss.
“Yes, exactly like that. Good girl.” Gabe slipped the restraint around her wrist, then did the next to the other side and then did her feet.
“Circulation is good?”
“Yes, fine.” But she bit her lip. This didn’t feel fine. Generally, in a scene, she would be anticipating what was to happen. She would be feeling turned on and ready. Here she just felt apprehensive. And even though Gabe kissed her and his hands massaged the back of her calves and shoulder blades, there was something distracted and quick about his movements.
It’s just been a while for both of us. Ivy tried taking a deep breath.
“Ready?” Zee asked.
“Yes, this is going to be good.” Gabe flashed her a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
From beside the cross, he opened his toy bag. Ivy gasped as she saw the small cat o’nine tails. It was her least favourite toy, the leather was stiff, and she didn’t like how it landed.
Swooshing the whip through the hair, he tapped her calves with it.
“After this one scene, it’s over,” Gabe whispered, his tone thick and gravelly.
“Yes, Sir,” Ivy said.
Gabe stood back, and god, she heard the implement sing through the air half a second before landing on her ass. She yelped. That hurt. Gabe swung again, and Ivy jumped. Hot tears slid down her face at his third strike, and she gulped for air.
“Say you’re sorry,” Gabe whispered to her.
Oh god.He wasn’t going to let up. No matter what she said or did, it wouldn’t be enough.
He raised his eyebrow at her, and she shook her head. She couldn’t give him what she wanted. Stepping behind her once more, he struck her calves, and Ivy screamed. He swung the short whip through the air again, and it came down on the top of her thighs.
“Come on, Ivy, remember this is a new start for us. Just say sorry.”
Gabe circled her neck with his hands, pressing on the hollow of her throat, his steely eyes boring into hers. She wanted to give this man anything he wanted, but she couldn’t. Maybe too much time had passed. Perhaps they would never get over her making a desperate post, but she couldn’t give him something untrue.
“Ivy?” Gabe let go of her neck, brought the flogger down hard on her other thigh, and Ivy yelped as the heat of the impact travelled up her leg to the base of her spine.
“Say you’re sorry.” His stare bore into hers, and she couldn’t.
No endorphins were running through her system to keep these strikes from hurting. As he brought the flogger across on her ass,holy hell, she jumped.
It was pain, fire hot through her body, and she wanted out of it,right now.
“Red,” she whispered.
She closed her eyes and heard Gabe curse.
He stared at her as if she had stabbed him. Her mouth went dry, and her pulse raced. Where he hit her with the trails stung. She gasped, gulping in mouthfuls of air, clutching her hands into fists. The room seemed to tilt.
“Get your sub off the cross, now.” Zee’s calm voice took on a tone Ivy had never heard before. Gabe unlatched her arms and her legs, barely looking at her.
“I need air.” Gabe turned.
Ivy stared at his back, wiping away her tears.What the hell was that?
