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And she was certainly going to get it. Her heart leapt into her throat as he maneuvered her again, easily taking her down from his shoulder and laying her across his lap. Her bottom tingled in much the same way it had while she’d been fantasizing during the sonnet recital.

Sebastian had not disrobed her since he’d been carrying her, but Mei did not mind. There was something quite titillating about the feeling of her nightrail and dressing gown being lifted, revealing the length of her legs up to her upturned bottom. His hand caressed the soft skin, and she lifted her hips, trying to get more of his touch.

Then his hand lifted and came down, harder than she’d anticipated, and Mei gasped, rocking forward on his lap.

“Still want that spanking, minx?” he asked, his hand smacking against the other side of her bottom, and she writhed on his lap.

The swats were hot, sharp points of pain that somehow mutated into pleasure as the aftereffects slid through her.

“Yes, please, Your Grace,” she said, wagging her bottom at him. She wanted to feel it.

And had maybe bitten off a bit more than she could chew because now, when his hand came down, it was with crisp, hard swats that made her cry out at the impact. It hurt. It felt good, too, but it still hurt, and she felt her insides clench in response as he shifted her on his lap to hold her firmly in place while he spanked her.

Not that she could complain—she’d certainly wanted this, and she’d been the one to push him to it—but at the same time she had to wonder if she was mad because the stinging burn was getting worse and worse every time his hand came down. Not only that, but the heat and need between her legs was growing, making her inner muscles spasm. She was sore, but she was far too empty.

“Sebastian! Please!”

Even though she used his name, he did not stop right away, as if to show her that she could not control when the spanking finished, even if she’d been the one to provoke it. Mei’s feet kicked when his hand came down on the sensitive crease between her bottom and her thighs, and that area burned in response. The sting was so much worse there.

By the time he was finished and turning her over so he could cradle her against his body, tipping her head back for a kiss, Mei’s entire bottom felt like it was on fire, and she was dizzy from the cross of pain and desire. Her insides clenched as his lips claimed hers. She slid her hand around his neck, kissing him back with all the passion, all the need, that swirled inside her.

Then his lips moved away from hers to her jaw, her cheeks, her temples. Mei closed her eyes as his hand caressed, moving over her hip to her burning bottom, squeezing gently to reignite the sting rather than soothe it. She moaned, dragging her nails across the back of his neck, and felt his reaction against her side.

His hand squeezed again, then moved over her hip, sliding between her legs. Mei winced as his fingers touched her puffy lips, which were too sensitive and more sore than she’d realized.

Immediately, Sebastian froze, lifting his head, a frown on his handsome face.

“What was that?” he asked… no, demanded.

“Nothing.” Mei sighed when he continued to stare at her. “I am just a touch sore. It is nothing.” She wound her hands around his neck again, trying to pull him in for another kiss, but he resisted. The frown on his face deepened.

“No, you winced. That is not nothing.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, his fingers stroking her soft folds, far more gently than he had initially touched her. “I did not mean to hurt you.”

“You just spanked me,” she pointed out, somewhat bemused by his statement.

“That is different, and you know it.”

It was different. But still. Mei did not want to miss a night with him. Worse, what if tomorrow he decided she was still too sore?

Snuggling closer to him, she pressed a kiss against his jawline.

“I am fine,” she insisted. “I do not want to stop. I want you… inside me.”

“Not tonight.” The way he said it made it clear he was not looking to argue. He had suddenly become very ducal. Very authoritative. Very bossy.

“What about what I want?” Mei asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked up at him. Her voice had gone dangerously low with warning.

“That is important, too.” His gaze softened, and he lowered his lips to hers for a swift kiss. “I will use my tongue tonight, so as not to press you unduly.”

“I do not want your tongue. I want your cock,” Mei insisted.

“Then you may have it in your mouth. Or your bottom.”

Mei froze at the suggestion, feeling her chastised cheeks clench together at the thought. Goodness… the idea… it heated her insides even as she wanted to vehemently shake her head no; that could not possibly feel good. But if he wanted it…

“I… no… I want you in my pussy,” she insisted.

“Mei.” His tone was quelling. “There is time enough. We do not need to make love every night. Especially if you are sore.”