Page 41 of Pride, Prejudice & Wicked Pleasure

He sounded almost hopeful that she would.

“I will not,” she assured him.

He stood before her, and her nerves leaped at his nearness. The warmth of his body called to the carnal in her. How was it she could be so aroused by a man she barely knew? When his hand returned once more to that area between her legs, it seemed her body had craved his touch for years. He rubbed her through the shift, which quickly dampened further with her wetness. She quivered. When she looked up, she found him staring at her. His eyes possessed an intensity she had never before known in another being, and it made her breathless. She hoped he would kiss her again.

To her disappointment, he withdrew. When he went to the sideboard, she tested the bonds. Finding they held fast and secure, she knew she would be unable to free herself.

Upon his return, her breath stalled. He held in his hand a flogger. Her eyes widened as she noted the number of bands sprouting from the handle. There were more than a dozen of the black leather bands. She found the item quite intimidating…and exciting.

"Have you any experience with such an instrument?" he asked.

She swallowed with difficulty and shook her head.

"Answer me with words."

"No."

"This is the tamest of floggers. The falls are made of deer leather, which is light and soft in comparison. The width of the falls are wide, the impact of which can best be described as a thud. Do not be daunted by the number of falls. Fewer falls tend to produce more sting. Would you like to experience the flogger?"

Was she mad for doing this? Could one truly find pleasure from being flogged? She supposed there was but one way to find out.

"Yes, please."

He let his arm fall to his side. She braced herself.

"It shall not hurt for I shall go gentle," he said.

Lightly, he swung the flogger at her thighs. She barely felt it through her undergarment. He continued in this manner for some time, swinging the flogger about her thighs as if he held a duster instead of a flogger. Gradually, he brushed the falls a little harder against her, but the impact was no stronger than the graze of her hand.

"How did you come to desire a lesson here?" he asked.

"I had not planned it. I knew nothing of Trenwith house and came upon it by accident. When the opportunity was presented to me, I accepted."

"You are possessed of an adventurous spirit for you to have made a decision in so short a time following the introduction."

"Do you mean to imply that I am reckless?"

"Did I say reckless?"

"No, but it is in your tone."

"I shall strike with more force this time."

The gentle rushing of the flogger had warmed her thighs and even relaxed her. He slapped the flogger harder against the side of her thigh, but it surprised more than it hurt.

"Would you like another?" he inquired with no greater significance than if he were offering her another cup of tea.

"Yes."

He struck her other thigh.

"If you wish it, I will continue in this manner."

No longer afraid, she replied, "Yes, please."

The falls kissed the sides of her thighs and the front of her thighs. The rhythmic slapping soothed and she soon found she wanted more of its impact. As if sensing this, he asked, "Harder?"

She nodded.