I raise the upper half of my body but remain on my knees. Kayne lovingly runs one finger under my jawbone while he stares down. There are so many emotions playing across his face—worry, elation, fascination, and fear. I’m so entrapped by him; I don’t notice what he’s holding in his left hand until he moves to wrap it around my neck. The light in the room is dim, but I can still make out the leather belt with the double holes along its entire length. Kayne fastens it, leaving just enough room for me to breathe, yet tight enough to keep me in line. He yanks on the end forcing me to my feet.
He’s panting as hard as I am as he backs me up against the wall. “Ellie, what’s your safe word?”
Safe word? He’s never let me have one of those before. Things really are different.
“Cupcake,” I exhale.
“Good.” He places his thumb on my lower lip and drags it down. “I want you to know what’s going to happen next. I’m going to beat you, then fuck you, and I expect you to thank me when it’s all over. Understand?”
I nod, dry mouthed.
“I’m very upset with you, kitten. You left me. You walked away and didn’t look back and now you need to be punished. To be reminded of who owns you.” He tugs hard on the belt, jerking my head. “What do you say?”
“Yes, Kayne,” I reply immediately, surprised I can even use my voice.
“Good girl.” He steps back with an hysterical look in his eyes. I know that look—it’s manic, lust-fueled desire. It’s Kayne’s point of no return. “I want you to run, Ellie. I want you to run so I can remind you what happens when even the thought of leaving me crosses your mind.” He snaps another leather belt in front of my face making me jump sky high. Holy shit.
The last time I ran from Kayne, my ass hurt for days, and I definitely remembered who I belonged to. He steps back, giving me some much-needed space.
“Go!” He snaps the belt again, and I take off, tearing out of the bedroom into the living room with Kayne right behind me. I dart and dash, jumping over the couch and knocking over a lamp in an attempt to get away. I scream as Kayne grabs one of my ankles and takes me down. My knees hit the floor hard, but I dig my nails into the wood and attempt crawl away from him. That’s when he hits me the first time. Crack! Right across my backside. I see stars and shriek at the top of my lungs. I’m suddenly caught up in fight or flight, not wanting to suffer another hit. I kick and flail until Kayne loses his grip on my ankle. I hear him chuckle a little; he loves this game. Me, I’m not so sure. I run through the bungalow heaving for air with Kayne still hot on my tail.
“All around the mulberry bush the monkey chased the weasel,” he taunts as he chases me. It’s disturbing. I catch sight of the stairs. We haven’t been up there before, but in a rash decision, I think now is as good a time as any to explore. With my heart jackhammering in my chest, I book it two stairs at a time while Kayne sings behind me, “A penny for a spool of thread. A penny for a needle.” I make it to the top step, and he catches my ankle again. “That’s the way the monkey goes.” He pulls my leg out from underneath me causing me to fall face down on my stomach. “Pop goes the weasel.” Crack! He hits me once more, and I let out a scream.
“Kayne,” I cry as I crawl across the floor away from him. The second floor is an all open space. There is a massage table in front of us, wide-open windows, and a large sundeck with Jacuzzi and lounge chairs. The door to the sauna is all the way in the back.
“Am I making an impression, kitten? Is this what you wanted?” He hauls me up by my shirt, the spandex material ripping slightly. I don’t answer. I just suck in the oxygen my lungs so desperately need.
“I asked you a question, Ellie.” He slams me face first onto the massage table and pins me there with his forearm. Then he hits me again. Whack! Harder than the two times before. Oh shit, my poor ass.
“Is this what you wanted?!” he asks again.
“No, maybe. I don’t know!” Tears stream down my face.
“Do you want me to stop?” he pants.
“Do you want to stop?”
“No, I want to peel your pants down to your thighs, spank you until your ass turns red, then fuck you until you beg me to stop.”
“Then do it! You never gave me the choice before!” I’m not sure what’s driving me here. Residual anger? Overpowering lust? I’m goading him for a reason. I need to know if this is what I truly want. I’ve dreamed about it, obsessed about it, and now I’m facing the moment of truth.
Kayne doesn’t respond. Not verbally anyway, I feel him rip my yoga shorts down to my knees, exposing my bare behind. Oh shit, oh shit, the belt really hurts!
Whack! The first bare blow knocks the wind right out of me. I try to push myself up, but Kayne’s strength overpowers mine.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
Whack!
“Understand?”
Whack!
“Answer!”
Whack!
“Yes, Kayne!” I sob.
