Blood And Roses

by Lylah James

  My strong Lyov, my master, my King…he looked defeated in his sleep. A wounded animal. But even then, the angry lines on his forehead were still present. How did I mess up so bad?

  I went down in front of him, between his legs. I tucked my ankle beneath me and sat back on my haunches, kneeling for my Master. With my body cradled between his legs, I pressed into him and placed my head over his right thigh.

  A sigh of contentment and relief expelled from the most inner part of me. I was overwhelmed, and I closed my eyes. My soul was both calm and a stormy nest.

  His thigh twitched underneath my cheek, and I knew he was awake. I felt his arm move, and a smile whispered against my lips, expecting him to touch me. But Lyov didn’t.

  Nervous apprehension fluttered deep inside my stomach, and I peeked up at him. His eyes were on me, focused intently. He was giving me a very mean look, and I swallowed, wetting my lips.

  Lyov didn’t touch me, but he spoke. One word. One simple question that I didn’t truly have an answer for. “Why?”

  Lifting my head from his lap, I stayed in my kneeling position. “I wasn’t thinking properly. I didn’t think it would be dangerous. I thought that maybe…”

  My words were halted when Lyov lurched forward, and he gripped my throat. There was nothing rough about the way he manhandled me. No. His touch was surprisingly gentle. But I didn’t miss the dominance in his hold. And I also didn’t miss the possessive gleam in his grey eyes.

  “You thought it wouldn’t be dangerous?” he whispered, oh so quietly. That voice. It did things to me. Even with Lyov angry, my body tingled, and I pressed more into his touch. His fingers tightened the slightest bit around my neck.

  I licked my lips again, and Master watched with hungry attention. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I am sorry.”

  “Worry me? You didn’t mean to worry me? Is that all you have to say for yourself, Maria? I have those bodyguards there to protect you! They are not to leave your side the moment you step out of the estate. Fuck! Do you understand that I do this…I do everything to protect you? Do you understand that these men are there to keep you safe? It’s the only fucking way I can bear to be away from you, for you to be out of my sight. Because I know you can be safe with them. Otherwise, I would lose my fucking mind.”

  My lips parted with a breathy sigh. I wanted to speak, but I was at a loss for words. I was so careless and insensitive. God. I really did mess up. When I went to apologize again, Lyov’s lips curled back into a snarl, and my mouth snapped shut immediately.

  “I have enemies, Maria. Too many to count. And in the last six months, I have made dozens more. Do you know that I am a target every single fucking day? Do you understand that to kill me, to fuck me up, to destroy me…they will destroy you? They will come at you, Maria. And they will be merciless. To hurt me…they will hurt you. Do you not see that every day, I live in fear? I wake up in fear. I go to sleep in fear. Because the mere thought of losing you drives me to the point of insanity.”

  Each word came out with a growl, his chest heaving, his eyes…uncivilized.

  “I am a mad man, Maria. And you tested my patience today,” he hissed, his face coming so close to mine, and I shivered in his hold.

  My hand came up and gripped his wrist, not to dislodge his hold from my throat but to keep it there. His eyes flared dangerously, and I knew I was playing with fire.

  “I am sorry,” I whispered.

  “No. I don’t think you are.”

  Shock coursed through my body at his words, and I flinched. The tears made another appearance. I tried to deny his claim, but the look on his face stopped me.

  “Stand up,” he ordered softly. But oh, it was every bit menacing.

  My body was his, my mind was his…and I obeyed instantly. There was no hesitation. His grip released my throat, and I stood up on shaking legs in front of Master.

  “You broke my rules, Maria. The rules are there to protect you, and you consciously went against me. I can’t keep you safe like this.”

  My chin wobbled against the effort to keep my tears at bay. I was ashamed. Embarrassed. And wanted nothing more than for Lyov to just hold me.

  But he was angry. I’d made him angry.

  “You know what happens when you break one of my rules. You are aware of the consequences,” he continued in the same harsh, rough voice.

  I nodded silently.

  “Your words,” he demanded. Each word hit me like a harsh lash against my fragile skin. Lyov was brutal.

  “Yes. I am aware of the consequences, Master.” Maybe…just maybe that was why I did it.

  He stared me down, his grey eyes icy. “Good. Undress then.”

  Chapter 17

  Maria

  I went to quickly do as I was told, gripping my nightgown and starting to pull it over my head, but Lyov’s voice stopped me.

  “Slowly, Maria. Undress slowly for me.”

  His words sent a shiver down my body, all the way to my toes. My thighs clenched. Lyov sat back lazily and watched me intently. Without taking his eyes off me, he took a bottle of scotch from the small table beside him and poured some in a glass.

  His head was cocked to the side as he brought the glass to his lips and sipped slowly. The darkness in his eyes didn’t disappear. It was still there and more. Intense. Furious. Dangerous.

  There was a fiery need inside of me. My hands trembled as I brought them up to unbutton my nightgown. My fingers fumbled with the buttons, and Lyov watched me with rapt attention, an eyebrow raised mockingly.

  Finally, when all six buttons were open, I breathed out a sigh. My hands paused, and my stomach clenched. Slowly, like Lyov wanted me to, I pushed the nightgown down my shoulders and then my arms before it pooled at my feet.

  I was left with only my bra and panties. The cold air caressed me, and goosebumps rose on my skin. I shivered even though Lyov’s heat was penetrating into my every pore.

  His gaze was filled with danger, brutality…and need.

  At the thought of Lyov being in complete control and seeing him exude dominance with just a mere glance, or just a simple word—it had my senses in override. My body was warm, too hot—and I could feel moist sweat dribble down between my ample breasts. My body responded to him, and I almost moaned. He hadn’t even touched me yet.

  Master leaned forward, and I stood still, my lungs squeezing and my breath trapped in my throat. His hand reached out, and oh so softly, he touched my stomach. One finger, with just his tip, his touch whispered downward, and I fought against the urge to shudder, fall to my knees, and beg him to touch me more.

  Our eyes never wavered from each other as he continued. Down and down, traveling to my thighs and then into the inner part of me. My legs spread just a little wider to give him more space. Now, his finger trailed up, and my lips parted into a silent gasp. Lyov stopped against the edge of my panties, his hand still between my legs. He didn’t touch me there, where I was dripping juices for him.

  Master tsked darkly and almost mockingly. “I have barely even touched you and your panties are soaked through, Maria. I guess you like the idea of me taking what I want…and what is about to happen.”

  He removed his hand from between my legs and sat up, taking away his warm touch.

  My clothing seemed to tighten around my skin, making me itchy. My breasts swelled, and my bra was squeezing me, making it hard to breathe through my clenched lungs. My panties were pulled tight between my thighs, pressing and sticky against my aching pussy. I was becoming wetter, a pool of warmth gathering there. His eyes were dark and fierce, smoldering. His sharp jaw was steeled and intimidating.

  Master snapped his fingers at me before speaking in that deep, cold voice of his. “Go on. Finish up your work, Maria. Take off your panties and bra. Show me what you’re hiding underneath.”

  My hands traveled up my stomach to my bra. I unclipped it from the back and held the cups to my breasts for a few slow seconds before slowly peeling it away from my skin, watching Master
’s reaction. His jaw clenched, and his fingers tightened around his glass.

  My nipples were hard and aching for his mouth, his tongue…his teeth. The bra slipped through my fingers and fell to my feet. Lyov swallowed, and I saw him watch the rise and fall of my heaving chest.

  Slowly, leisurely, seductively, my fingers whispered over my skin. Down my stomach, below my navel, and I stopped at the edge of my panties. He took a long drink from his glass. I felt like a vixen when I saw the big hardened bulge through his pants.

  I slipped my panties down. My heart thumped, my stomach fluttered, and I bit on my lips when it made a small, wet, sticky sound as it pulled away from my clenching heated core. I let it fall at my feet.

  Finally, I stood naked in front of Master.

  He took in a deep breath, and I saw his bulge twitch. I knew he was taking in my smell that now saturated the air around us. He licked his lips, and I felt myself drip between my legs.

  Lyov’s eyes went there, and I saw them flare with hunger as he watched my wetness travel down, coating my inner thighs. He stretched his legs out, pushing his feet between mine, kicking them wider open.

  My knees trembled, but I stood there, letting him inspect me with those eyes that promised pain and pleasure. He watched like a predator stalking his prey. His gaze stroked my body, and it felt like a paintbrush spreading liquid fire down every inch of my skin.

  When Lyov finally spoke, I shuddered. “Turn around.” I did as I was commanded, turning away from him. I almost whimpered in protest but knew it would get me nowhere.

  “On your knees.” I instantly dropped to my knees.

  “Good girl,” he whispered in slow appreciation. “Put your hands flat on the floor, a few inches away from your body. Lean over and push your ass in the air. Spread your legs a little.”

  My body trembled, and the inside of me grew molten with desire. Taking a deep breath, I got into the position Master told me to. I placed my forehead on the back on my hands and waited.

  Cold air feathered over my exposed ass and pussy. It was in that moment that I realized how open I was to Lyov in this position. Oh God.

  If it was possible, I grew even wetter. I heard Lyov give out a low groan, and I couldn’t help but smile. Knowing that I affected him the same way he did to me…well, it pleased me more than anything in this world.

  “Maria,” he started.

  “Yes, Master?”

  “Do you understand what is about to happen?” he asked, his voice hard and in control again.

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Do you agree that you deserve to be punished?”

  I clenched when he spoke again. Closing my eyes, I sucked in another deep breath. The scent of me filled my nose, and my legs shook. “Yes, Master. I agree.”

  “Why do you think you need to be punished?” he continued in the same cold tone.

  This time, I tripped over my words. “Because…because I broke…your…rules, Master. You do everything to protect me, but I was selfish and reckless. I put myself in danger, and in doing so, I…worried you. I hurt you. I need to face the…consequences of breaking your rules.”

  “Good girl.” My heart soared at those two words. “How do you think you should be punished?”

  Shock jolted through my system at his question. He was asking me to choose my punishment?

  “You can decide for me, Master. It is your right.”

  The small click of glass against the wood told me he had placed his drink down. “Turn around, Maria.”

  My eyes widened. I sat up and turned around, although still kneeling for Lyov. I felt the heat of him as he leaned over me. His fingers went under my chin, and he tipped my face up to his. Our eyes locked. His were still missing any sign of warmth. His stares could cut me and make me bleed. They were still dark and hard, but I could see that his anger had somewhat diminished.

  “I am giving you a choice,” he said in a low voice.

  Completely enthralled into those deep grey eyes, I whispered, “I don’t want to make a choice. Whatever you choose for me, I accept it, Master.”

  I could tell my answer satisfied him. He loved being in control, and my submission had fed his urge to dominate me. I could hardly breathe now. His touch was fire against my jaw, and my eyes almost fluttered close.

  “You were gone for eight hours. Without protection. You will receive two spanks for each hour you were gone. That totals sixteen. Do you agree, Maria?”

  I nodded without any reflection. I didn’t have to. I trusted Lyov. He knew me, and he knew what I needed and how much I could take.

  “Your words,” he pushed with a small, breathy speech.

  “Yes, Master. I agree.”

  He looked pleased. Oh, how pleased he looked. I made him proud of me.

  Lyov released me and sat back against the couch. His hand came up to his neck, and I watched as he tugged at his tie, almost roughly. He pulled it over his head and dropped it on the floor. Slowly, he unbuttoned the first three buttons of his crisp white shirt, and then he rolled up his sleeves up to his elbows.

  I watched his mouth take in the breath I was craving to steal from him. My body shuddered when his hands fell down to his lap again. My gaze went to his belt, and then it snapped up again, to look at Lyov’s eyes.

  He smirked coldly at my expression. “No. Not the belt. You aren’t ready for that yet. It will be my palm turning your ass red until you can’t sit down, Maria.”

  My lungs burned, and I almost passed out right there. Lyov motioned for me to stand up, and I did so on trembling legs. It was a wonder I could still stand up.

  His arm reached out, and then I was being pulled into him. It happened fast. I was standing one second and the next, I was over his lap. My stomach pressed against his thighs and my head was hanging down. My ass was perched over and up in the air, right where he wanted me.

  “You will count each time my palm comes down on your ass, Maria. Sixteen. If you miss one count, we start over again, and I will add one more for each time you miss a count. Is that understood?” he growled.

  “Yes, Master,” I breathed.

  “If you want me to stop at any time, you just say the word stop and I will. But Maria, you will use that word only if you feel you can’t take it anymore. You will not use the word just to get out of punishment. Is that understood?”

  Everything was in knots as I responded, “Yes, Master.”

  His palm caressed my ass cheeks, and I closed my eyes, trying to breathe. I was nervous. I was a wreck with desire and anticipation. There was a touch of fear at the unexpected, but nothing to ruin my need for Lyov.

  His wandering touch was gentle and exquisitely soft as he kneaded the softness of my ass. One of his hands came between us, and he cupped my breast. He gave me a small squeeze, and I clenched, more wetness dripping between my thighs. Lyov continued to caress me, and then he pulled my ass cheeks apart.

  My cheeks heated in slight embarrassment, but when he hummed in appreciation, a sizzle of excitement went through me. I started to squirm when his fingers trailed between the crack and then down my wet lips.

  His touch disappeared from my skin. My heart pounded in anxiety, and anticipation licked its way through my fevered body. I tried to look over my shoulder but stopped when his palm suddenly came down and made contact with my left cheek.

  I flinched at the unexpected spank, and my back arched. It was a small sting, didn’t hurt too much, but it was the unexpected that made me gasp.

  His palm stayed there, waiting. “One,” I gasped quickly.

  He hummed again. Lyov slowly stroked my skin again before his touch disappeared. This time, I knew what was coming. The second spank, this time on my right cheek, wasn’t too bad. The pain intensity was the same as the first.

  “Two,” I breathed.

  “Such a pretty little ass, Maria. I would say it’s a shame I have to turn it red, but that would be a lie.”

  He ran his fingers over my bare skin, his touch intimate and de
manding. My awareness was filled with bombarding sensations. It was almost too much. He stroked me between my legs, touching my wetness, spreading it more over my pussy.

  The sudden stinging pain took me by surprise, and my head reared up with another gasp. Oh my God. This spank was not gentle. Not like the first two. My left cheek was hot and burning.

  I barely got my count out before he was handing out another spank on my left ass cheek, just as hard and fast.

  Pain seared my skin. Master had one of his arms curled around my waist, holding me still as he continued to shower his punishment on my ass.

  He didn’t go slow. He wasn’t soft. This…this was the punishment. And it hurt.

  With each spank, I counted breathlessly. By the tenth, tears were running down my cheeks.

  Master stopped, and I choked back a sob. My body was shaking, but I tried to be brave and strong for Lyov.

  “You are quite extraordinary,” Master praised, his lips feathering over my ear. His whisper had me calmed, and I relaxed into his hold. “Good girl.”

  His fingers were between my legs again, parting them and pushing against the lips begging for him. He pushed a finger inside of me, and I tried to hide my moan. Oh God. I could hear how wet I was. In and out, he moved deliciously inside of me. Slowly and at his leisure.

  My ass was on fire and burning, but it was an exquisite ache as Master continued to touch the inside of my pussy. He pushed in another finger and started to massage my inner walls. My thighs clenched, and my eyes fluttered closed.

  When he felt that I was coming close to a release, he pulled his fingers out and then…

  The sting of pain against my ass took me by surprise again. I whimpered out the count as Lyov continued to deliver the spanking at his same punishing pace as before. Through the pain, I found a sweet, aching pleasure. And through the pleasure came the regret at disappointing him.

  “I am sorry,” I whispered as he handed me the last hard spank.

  Finally, he was done.

  And I was exhausted. My emotions were all over my place. My body was tight and in need, desperate for something.