“I know you couldn’t help it.”
“I appreciate the apology, dear heart.I know my news shocked you.If I thought it was best to stay at home with you I would but I can’t say no to the demands of my job.Lay over the end of the bed and take five for me.I want you to count each one.”He cupped her cheek, his palm warm against her skin, then let his fingers trail down to her collarbone before withdrawing.
Her stomach tightened and for the first time in years, she considered saying no.
Of giving an actual no.
The silence between them crackled with intensity and her stomach tightened with nerves.
But she turned and walked to the end of the bed, clutching the blankets in her hands as she obeyed.
“That’s my girl,” Zee slid his hands to her waist, his strong chest covering her back as he hovered on his forearms.
He pressed a kiss to her nape.
“How is your shoulder?”
“It doesn’t hurt like this, Sir.”She gritted the words out, not wanting to be in this position.
Her exhaustion made her stifle a yawn.
“I’m not leaving you with these emotions unaddressed, Ella.That’s not how we operate.”He rubbed her backside in a rough circle and she cried out.
She sensed him stepping back.Her shoulders tensed, her mouth dry anticipating the sting of the strap.
The leather whistled through the air a moment before it landed hard across her ass, branding her with a streak of fire, making her roll her hips as her pulse throbbed.
“One, Master.”
“That’s a perfect mark.”He traced the raised flesh on her ass and she gasped as he rubbed his thumb over the heated spot.
Ella tensed as he stepped back again, her stomach knotting in anticipation, her fingers trembled.
The leather struck higher, sharp and searing and she yelped, trying to move her hips from side to side to avoid the next strike but his palm clamped down on her ass, holding her in place.
Her pulse spiked with both pain and anticipation.
“Two, Master,” she gasped out, heat and shame pooled inside her.
“That’s it.Keep counting for me, girl.”The strap flicked against her ass, hard and sharp.
Her hips lifted reflexively, trembling under the strap, but she fought to stay still.
She choked out a sob.“That hurts, Master.Three.”
“Yeah, it does hurt and you’re taking it like a good girl.”Zee pressed the cool leather against her burning ass, making her stretch on her tip toes.
He pressed the edge of the strap against her ass, following the path of the strikes he laid down.
Asqueal escaped her lips, part shame, part craving, as the leather struck again.
The strap lashed her so fast she gasped, the sting scorching her skin.
“Four, Master.”And before the words were out of her mouth, the thick leather struck her again, searing her skin.
“Fuck!”
It hurt so much she choked back a sob but the tears rolled down her cheeks and she twisted her hips from side to side.
