Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“I… I don’t want to, sir,” I say to him, as meekly as I can because I’m not trying to defy him but I’m not super comfortable telling him everything that’s on my mind.
“I know you don’t. But I asked you to, and I want you to do your best.”
This gentle, firm side of Liam unravels me somehow. I don’t really know this side of him, but the way he makes me feel inside, I want to.
“Now try, Cora. Why were you so angry at me for being friendly with Bailey and Ben? Start there.”
“Because it isn’t fair,” I tell him. “Our relationship isn’t permanent, and I don’t want them getting attached to you.”
“Good. What else?”
“And… and Ben never had a guy in his life to look up to or take care of him or teach him guy things, and he’s the one I’m super worried about. And Bailey isn’t stupid, and she knows something’s up with us, but I don’t know how to explain anything to her.”
“Go on.”
“I… I don’t know what else to say. At this point I just want you to begin because I know it’ll hurt, and I want to get it over with.”
“I see.” Then he’s standing behind me with his hand on my back, and his voice is deeper. Stern. “Why am I going to punish you?”
“I didn’t follow your instructions.”
“Correct. And what is my rule for you?”
“Obey you,” I say in a little voice, squeezing my eyes shut for the smack of the cane. I hear it whoosh in the air, and I gasp out loud, flinching when it smacks against my bare ass. Jesus Christ that hurts so badly my throat’s on fire and I can’t breathe.
“Say it again.”
“Obey you,” I repeat, before a second line of fire slashes across my ass. I whimper this time, unable to hold back my reaction.
“Again.”
“Obey you,” I whisper, then a third lash of the cane lands.
“Obey you,” I say without prompting, before the fourth smack falls. My mind is a muddle of thoughts and protests and there’s a lump in my throat like I’ve just swallowed a bagel sideways.
“I can’t!” I protest. “Oh, God, that hurts so fucking bad!”
“Say it.”
“Obey you,” I moan, bringing on the fifth swish and thud.
“Obey you!” I scream, just before the last line of fire ignites me. I’m panting, balled up with my fists under my chest, when he sits on the edge of the bed, picks me up, and plants me straight over his lap.
I cringe and squirm when his palm encircles my scorched, aching ass. He murmurs quietly.
“Let it go, Cora. I can feel you taut like a string ready to snap. Let it go, now.” And the soft cadence of his voice breaks my resolve more effectively than the most vicious cut of the cane. “You took your punishment like a good girl. Such a very good girl.”
He’s massaging me, soothing my punished skin, and coaxing the lump in my chest to dissolve. “There is so much that’s new to you, but I’m proud of you,” he continues, his voice taking on a rougher, more rugged tone. “You’re so strong and brave, and knowing you’ve granted me permission to dom you makes me proud as fuck. You know that?” Over and over, warm strokes of his palm, and as the pain begins to fade, I’m suddenly crying. My eyes are wet and I’m silently weeping, swiping at my eyes so he doesn’t see.
“I punished you because I want you to remember this. That you belong to me, and obeying every instruction is crucial. That I won’t let harm come to you, and when you—”
He halts mid-sentence, but I’m dimly aware of it, for I’m crying freely now and can’t seem to stop. Then he’s tucking me into his warm, broad chest, and I’m soaking his shirt clean through. I’m trying to stop the tears, but I can’t. It isn’t just the punishment he gave me tonight, but something he dredged up from so much deeper below that surface. Rocking me, he holds me tighter, and his final instruction gives me the permission I need.
“Let it all out.” It’s so tender, I can’t hold back. “Like that, little one. You’re safe.”
I’m completely exposed, as naked and vulnerable as a newborn baby, and I don’t even try to stop my tears. I couldn’t even if I wanted to, they’re coming from a well deep inside me, fathoms below the surface where my darkest torment dwells.
“Shh,” is all he says, rocking me against his chest. My nose is dripping and I’m slobbering all over him like a puppy, but he doesn’t care and neither do I. For the first time in my adult life, hell, maybe my whole life, I’m somehow safe, ironically centered and secure in the arms of the man who just punished me.