Page 95 of King of Temptation

Threading his fingers with hers, he raised their joined hands to his lips as he guided the car up his long driveway. “You can. I’m going to take my time with you. This may be a punishment, but I would never do anything to cause you real harm. Can you believe that for me, menace?”

She wasn’t convinced she could actually take a cock up her ass. But trusting him? Believing him when he said he wouldn’t harm her?

That had always come as naturally to her as breathing, even when it probably shouldn’t have.

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Good girl.” Releasing her hand so he could park the car, he turned, and even with only the security lights above them, she could see the determination in his eyes. “This isn’t going to be easy. By the time I’m done with you, I want it to be very, very clear that I will not tolerate my girl putting herself in danger for any reason. I understand why you went after Rowan, but no piece of evidence, no matter how helpful to the family, is worth your life.”

Indignation pricked at her. “But you never would have known he was the mole without me.”

“First of all, we still don’t know if he’s actually the mole. But even if he is, what I said still stands. I won’t sacrifice anyone else I love for this family. Especially not you.”

Time seemed to slow around her as she stared at him in the dim interior of the car. “Did you… Did you just say you love me?”

“Yes.” His lips slowly curved upward as he shook his head. “Not exactly the romantic gesture I’d had planned, but you have a way of thwarting me every goddamn time I turn around. I’m not used to that. I like a nice, orderly life and ever since I met you, my life has been fucking chaos. You came in like a hurricane, tossing things around, making me run around like a crazy person trying to keep you from getting yourself killed. You’re a goddamn menace, but you’re my goddamn menace, and if I have to whip your ass every single day for the rest of our lives to keep you safe, then you can damn well believe that’s what I’ll do.”

She’d never known it was possible to feel every emotion all at once. But the one that stood out above all the others was pure, simple joy. “That’s a hell of a way to tell a woman you love her, O’Rourke.”

Sliding a hand around the back of her neck, he yanked her to him. “You’re a hell of a woman, Quinn.”

And then his lips were on hers, stealing whatever snarky response she might have made, along with her breath. She gave herself over to it, surrendered herself to him, to his demands. Let herself get lost in the excitement, the romance of it all as he plundered her mouth, stoking the flames of need dancing inside her.

By the time he pulled back, her head was spinning and her entire body felt as though it had been engulfed in flames.

“My pretty little menace,” he murmured against her lips. “Do you remember the instructions I gave you?”

She was too far gone for any smartass replies. “Yes, Daddy.”

“I’m going to walk you to the door. Inside, we’ll go our separate ways, which will give you about ten minutes to follow my orders. Do you have any questions for me before we go inside?”

“No, Daddy.”

“Then let’s go.”

Brody

* * *

If he lived a thousand lifetimes with his little menace by his side, he didn’t think he’d ever tire of how nervous she got before a punishment. All but vibrating next to him, she gripped his hand tightly as they made their way up to his front door.

The fact that she was clinging to him for comfort when he was the one about to light her ass on fire wasn’t lost on him. Her trust in him was everything, and he vowed then and there he would never do anything to lose it.

“All right, menace,” he said when they reached the foyer. “I’m going upstairs to get everything I need, and when I get back, I expect to find you where?”

“Bent over your desk, with my, um, panties off and my skirt up.” Red slashed across her cheeks in an adorable blush.

“Where should your panties be?”

“Folded, on top of the desk.”

“Good girl.” Giving into his own need to “Daddy” her a bit, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Go on. I’ll be back down in about ten minutes.”

Silently, she jerked her head up and down before turning and hurrying down the hall toward his office. He indulged himself in watching the sway of her ass beneath the curve-hugging dress she’d chosen for their dinner before turning and making his way up to his bedroom.

He didn’t rush. Rituals were meant to be taken slowly, every step savored and appreciated before moving onto the next. So he let himself take his time in selecting which of the thick leather belts hanging in his closet to use. Some were heavier than others, and there were a couple made of braided leather he knew would leave a mark—both literally and figuratively.

In the end, he went with one somewhere in the middle. Thick enough for her to know this wasn’t play, but not so heavy he couldn’t escalate to something with a bit more oomph when the time called for it.