by Sue Lyndon
His anger flared, seeing the sudden ease of her expression. She ought to be ashamed, not as pleased as she now appeared. A small smile formed on her lips and she finally opened her eyes, but the smile instantly faded and a look of horror washed over her features.
“Xerr!” she gasped.
Keeping his arms crossed, he continued to glare down at her, not saying a word. He let his expression speak for his displeasure, and the regret that suddenly gleamed in her wide eyes revealed she was beginning to realize what she’d done wrong.
Her face reddened and she grasped the covers, holding them up to her chin. Shaky breaths shuddered out of her and her hands started trembling.
“There is no point in hiding, little human,” he said in a scolding tone. “I know what you did. I stood here and watched you stroke yourself to pleasure. Without permission, I might add.”
She swallowed hard and her gaze danced around the room for a moment, before she returned her eyes to his. “Please, Xerr, I-I didn’t mean…” Her voice trailed off briefly. “I-I was only curious to see if I could do it, you know, make myself feel the way you sometimes make me feel. And, well, you took so long coming back and I couldn’t stop thinking about you and I-I am so very sorry.” No black mist appeared around her face, but even if she hadn’t begun touching herself with the intention of bringing herself to a release, she’d still done it. She’d still reached between her thighs and touched what belonged to him.
Though it pleased him to hear she’d been thinking about him, he was careful to keep his expression stern. She’d been a naughty wife. As her husband and master, it was his duty to correct her errant behavior. By the time he was finished with her, she would think twice about disobeying him in this way again.
He nodded at the sheets. “Remove the covers and show me,” he said. “Show me what you’ve done.”
With a reluctant but contrite demeanor, she slowly pushed the sheets off her body, down below her knees. Her pussy was dark pink and swollen and gleaming with her arousal. Her heady essence coated her inner thighs as well.
He sank down on the bed beside her and forced her legs apart. Her hands opened and closed beside her and he suspected she wished to pull the covers over herself and hide from him again, but he would not allow it.
Once he had her legs spread wide, he applied two sharp slaps to her glistening flesh, one to each of her inner thighs. She reared up on the bed, gasping as she tried to cover her privates with her hands, as he’d smacked her especially close to her nether folds. No doubt she feared where he might strike next.
He pushed her hands out of the way and cupped her pussy, giving it a harsh squeeze. He glared at her, waiting until she met his gaze. “You belong to me, Caylee. This belongs to me.” Another harsh squeeze. “Every fluxxing part of you belongs to me, do you understand?”
“Yes, Xerr. I-I am so very sorry. Please, please have mercy. I promise I’ll never do it again.”
“I decide when you receive pleasure, little human. You do not.”
“I-I know, Xerr, and again, I’m so sorry.” Tears shone in her eyes and her entire body quivered, but most particularly her legs.
A glance down showed the splotches left by the single swats he’d delivered to her inner thighs, the red palm prints gleaming underneath the layer of her essence that had leaked from her during her naughty exploits.
She had never received a real punishment from him, but she was about to receive her first one. When he’d spanked her on their wedding night, he’d only had to spank her a few times before she confessed all. And while he’d given her some playful swats and spankings during the past few weeks, he hadn’t had cause to administer a real punishment, as she was mostly well-behaved and submissive.
Her eyes were filled with fear and he sensed she was truly afraid. But he couldn’t ignore the fact that she’d blatantly disobeyed him.
He rose from the bed and crossed the room to a dresser. He pulled open the top drawer and sifted around underneath his clothing, searching for the object he desired. An object he’d found in the ship’s hold not long after marrying Caylee. He’d tucked it away in a drawer, just in case he had need of it during their journey.
His fingers moved over the cool leather and he picked up the strap. He turned to face Caylee, implement in hand. A gasp escaped her, and her face went white.
“Be a good, obedient wife and bend over the foot of the bed,” he said, pointing at the section where he desired her to take position. “And don’t you dare make me ask twice.”
He snapped the leather against his palm, and she scrambled to comply with his sharply spoken command.
Chapter 30
Shame coursed through Caylee. In all her life, she couldn’t recall ever feeling so thoroughly embarrassed. She hadn’t meant to take things as far as she had, and certainly not while Kazzon was watching her. Oh God, she hadn’t even heard him enter the room, and she couldn’t help but wonder just how much of her naughtiness he’d witnessed. Enough, apparently.
She stood, bent over the bed, with her thighs spread wide, as she awaited the first stroke of the horrid-looking strap Kazzon had retrieved from a drawer. Had she known he was in the possession of such an implement, she might’ve refrained from touching herself. Of course, he’d mentioned the possibility of her receiving a strapping if she was especially naughty, but since she’d never seen the leather strap, she had assumed he hadn’t yet procured one.
She supposed it didn’t matter where or how he’d managed to get his hands on such an implement, because he had one, and he intended to use it on her bare bottom. She still couldn’t believe he’d entered the room while she was stroking herself under the covers, disobeying one of his most important rules. He’d mentioned to her on several occasions that her pleasure belonged to him and him alone, stressing it was important that she never touch herself without permission.
But as she waited for his arrival, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what would happen between them once he returned to his quarters. Especially given their playful, flirty exchange in the corridor before he’d been summoned to engineering.
Heated waves of shame continued flowing through her. She heard him moving around behind her and knew he had a perfect, unhindered view of the area between her legs. It had shocked her how wet she’d become as she’d stroked herself and she hadn’t known if bringing herself to a release would be possible.
A curious, brief touch had led to her downfall.
Then before she’d realized what she was doing, she was furiously caressing her clit and spreading her growing moisture around the nubbin, mimicking the movements Kazzon used with his tongue or his fingers when he brought her to a quaking release.
Oh God. Kazzon, her husband and master, had caught her masturbating. Not only that, but he’d witnessed her having a release. And he’d ordered her to move the covers off herself so he might inspect how wet she’d become during the naughty deed.
Her face heated with further humiliation when she recalled just how slick her inner thighs had been gleaming, right before he’d applied a stinging slap to each thigh.
She started when she felt a touch to her bottom, but it was just Kazzon’s hand. He was caressing her cheeks. Under normal circumstances, she would find such a caress welcoming, but right now she felt only trepidation. She’d both disappointed and angered him. She’d been a naughty wife and now her husband would punish her. With a leather strap, of all things. She shuddered at the thought as regret swept over her.
He placed the strap down on the bed, right in her line of vision, and continued to stroke his warm hands over her bottom cheeks. His ministrations caused goosebumps to rise all over her flesh, and her limbs continued to shake. She feared she might collapse on the floor if he didn’t get this over with soon, the anticipation was too much.
The worst part was that through it all, despite her fear of the strap and the impending pain, as well as her shame over what she’d done, her pussy resumed throbbing at full force, as
if she hadn’t just experienced a release.
Her clit pulsed and she tried to restrain a whimper.
Kazzon would see, and he would smell the evidence of her increasing arousal too. She tried to inch her legs back together, hoping that perhaps if she pressed her thighs tightly together, she might be able to hide her shameful condition from her husband. But Kazzon’s hands on her bottom tightened and he made a stern tsking noise deep in his throat.
“Don’t you dare. You will keep your legs spread wide during your punishment, little human. Failure to do so will result in extra smacks with my hand, placed directly atop your swollen nether lips. You don’t want a spanking on your privates, do you?”
“No, Xerr, please. I’ll be good.”
Her stomach dropped and she quickly moved her legs back apart. The prospect of receiving a spanking on her pussy lips both scared her and made that particular part of her anatomy throb harder. Her face flamed and she almost begged him to get it over with, to pick up the strap and do his worst, if only to release her from the agony of waiting.
As if reading her mind, he pressed on her lower back and brought his hand down across her cheeks in a stinging blaze of pain. She gasped and almost tried to get up, but she quickly remembered Kazzon’s rules. During a chastisement, she had to obey and hold still and take every slap she’d earned.
Before the sting of the first slap faded, he brought his hand down again, and again and again. Over and over until tears escaped her eyes and she didn’t think she could take anymore. And he still hadn’t picked up the strap yet.
“You ought to be ashamed,” he said, not slowing in his pace, “touching what belongs to your husband. Naughty, naughty little human.”
“Oh! Ouch! I’m sorry!” She gripped the covers and cried, beyond sorry for her actions. How difficult would it have been to wait for Kazzon’s return? He’d claimed her every night without fail since their marriage. Always at least twice. He wouldn’t have allowed her to go to sleep wanting. Every night she fell asleep sated and utterly exhausted as the lingering quakes of her pleasure faded and her dreams beckoned.
Finally, Kazzon paused spanking her. Relief filled her, but quickly dissipated when she remembered the strap. Oh God. How many times would he bring it down across her already punished cheeks?
He picked up the strap and she tensed, bracing herself for the first brutal blow. Tremors shook her body and she felt on the verge of panicking, but the bed soon dipped as Kazzon sat down next to her. He rubbed her back for several seconds, even allowing his hand to trail lower and rub her flaming backside. His touch relaxed her, and her panic began to fade.
She sniffled and turned her head to the side, meeting his gaze. To her astonishment, he didn’t look angry or disappointed. Instead, he was gazing at her with a look of comfort and encouragement.
“I know it hurts, little human, but it is a punishment, and it is meant to hurt. I intend to teach you a lesson. I don’t enjoy hurting you, but I will not stand for a disobedient wife. You will learn to obey me.” He stroked her back some more. “You will survive this punishment, Caylee, I promise. Now, you will receive five strokes with the strap. I know you can take it.” The affectionate tone of his deep voice brought her even more comfort, even as he promised more pain, more punishment.
But it was almost over. Just five lashes of the strap. She tightened her hold on the covers and nodded, then let her head fall back onto the bed.
“I-I am ready, Xerr,” she said shakily, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. She was partly crying from the relief that it would soon be over, and partly crying over the fact that she’d broken his trust—and all over something she ought to be able to control. Surely she had better self-control than to go touching herself without permission. Well, she would maintain such control in the future. She would never make this mistake again.
He rose from the bed and she felt his presence, the heat of his body wafting against hers as he took position behind her. A glance to her side showed he’d picked up the strap.
She heard the crack of leather impacting upon her flesh before the sting even registered, but when the pain licked across her backside, she couldn’t restrain a cry. But she held still, and in truth, the blow didn’t hurt as badly as she’d expected.
He brought the leather down four more times, barely pausing between lashes. She counted and a sob of relief ripped from her chest once he reached the fifth one. Over. It was finally over. And just as he’d promised, she had survived it.
But would he forgive her for disobeying him? He’d seemed extremely disappointed in her when he’d caught her. The disappointment had bothered her more than his anger.
She heard him return the strap to its drawer and waited, unsure if she ought to stand up and go to bed. What happened now? Did they go to sleep and move on as if nothing of importance had just occurred between them? Uncertainty brimmed in her heart. She wanted his forgiveness, to feel his strong arms wrapping around her, but she wouldn’t dare ask for his comfort.
Just as she started to push up from the bed, he reached her side and helped her stand. He then lifted her in his arms and carried her over to the chair in the corner of the room. More tears sprang to her eyes, because he had a tendency of bringing her to this chair when he wanted to hold her, when he wished to cradle her in his lap.
He sank down in the chair, holding her close to his chest. She snuggled into him and he wiped at her tears, making soothing noises in his throat. Concern shone in his dark eyes as he peered down at her.
“I am sorry, Xerr,” she said, her throat tight, as she tried very hard not to break down into tears once more. “I won’t do it again.”
He studied her for a long moment, and she prayed no black mist had appeared around her face in some accident of nature. Because she truly meant it. She was very sorry and wouldn’t even entertain the thought of touching herself without permission again.
She reminded herself that Kazzon treated her well. Yes, he was dominant and had a lot of rules for her, but she craved his control and if she were being honest with herself, she would feel utterly lost without it. Perhaps that made her weak, but she decided not to follow that train of thought, because she was happy with him and she wasn’t sorry he’d caught her that night in New Leesburg. She couldn’t imagine being mated to another Tarrkuan, not even Varro, the alien male the Allocators had originally decreed to become her mate.
Kazzon completed her, filled that emptiness inside her that had plagued her for longer than she would like to admit. His strong presence sometimes threatened to consume her, but she only wanted to drown in it, to immerse herself in this life that was always meant to be hers, even if she used to profess a desire to remain unmated.
An emotion that seemed awfully close to love beamed inside her, warming her chest and causing her breath to catch in her throat. But maybe it was love. She couldn’t bring herself to say the words aloud, however, because she couldn’t be certain how Kazzon felt. By his actions, she could tell he cared for her, but she couldn’t be sure his feelings for her ran as deeply as hers did for him.
“Am I forgiven?” she blurted, unable to hold back the question, even as she feared his answer. She had to know, had to be certain. She held her breath, awaiting his response with a level of anxiousness she’d never experienced. It was even worse than waiting for him to start her punishment.
A look of surprise entered his dark gaze, and he tilted his head slightly, leaning his face closer. “Yes, little human.” His deep voice rumbled over her. “Yes, you are forgiven. You were naughty, but you received your penance, and you took your punishment well. It’s over now, and now is the time for comfort and forgiveness.”
Relief swept through her and she nodded her appreciation as more tears rolled down her face. She couldn’t help it, she was so overcome with emotion. “Thank you, Xerr,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
He wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead. Then he gathered her close and rested his chin atop her head. She breathed
in his familiar masculine scent, feeling at peace, and melted into his warm embrace.
Chapter 31
Kazzon awoke to the feel of his wrist comm vibrating. He gently extracted himself from Caylee, not wanting to disturb her, and got out of bed. The message on his wrist comm announced the Corrannelia was expected to land on Xollnax soon.
He dressed quickly and turned to stare down at Caylee. Though she appeared peaceful, he didn’t wish to leave without saying goodbye. She’d appeared worried when he’d informed her about the change of plans regarding Xollnax, due to the continued mystery of the missing ambassador and his crew, and he didn’t want to give her any extra cause to worry. He would tell her goodbye and assure her that all would be well.
He sank down on the bed beside her and peeled the sheets off her little body. She stirred in her sleep but didn’t wake fully, so he took the time to examine her punished bottom. Most of the redness from her spanking had faded, though five distinct marks from the strap crisscrossed her backside.
His cock lurched at the sight and he allowed his hand to trail lightly over her punished flesh. Fluxx, she was beautiful, with her hair in disarray and spilling over the pillows and her tiny but firm bottom showing the evidence of a thrashing at her husband’s hand. At his hand. A sense of power and responsibility flowed through him. Caylee was his in every possible way.
He’d married her, claimed her as his mate, and now she bore the marks of a punishment delivered at his hand. Gods, how he longed to strip his clothes off and rejoin her in bed. He ached to sink himself inside her inviting tightness, to climb atop her from behind and pump into her while he grasped ahold of her backside and pulled her cheeks wide apart, so that he might glimpse that shy pucker of hers while he shot his seed into her depths.
