by Stone, Piper
“I saved your life, Valencia, and you will learn that I’m the only man you can count on.” I eased the leather around her wrist, refusing to acknowledge her angry stare. After the buckle was fastened, I moved around the bed to the other side. This time, her arm was limp, her act of indifference actually giving me a smile.
After securing her, I ran my hand down her spine once again, using the tip of my index finger, sliding it down the cleft of her beautiful bottom. She tensed once again, taking gulping breaths while I envisioned the time we’d shared before, the pleasure unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I traced the roundness of her bottom before caressing her skin. “You deserve a hard spanking. Don’t you agree?”
“No!”
“I’ll ask you again and you will answer me truthfully. Do you deserve a hard spanking for your misbehavior?”
“Damn you. Damn you!”
The two hard cracks against her ass cheeks forced a whimper from her mouth, her hands clenching then flexing. “Valencia?”
“Yes. Okay. Is that what you want to hear?”
“I want you to acknowledge that what you did was harmful.”
She threw her head around, trying to look me in the eye. “Fine. I said I’m sorry. I was just scared.”
“There is no reason for you to be frightened. At least not of me.” I smacked her ass several times, enjoying the building heat on my skin. Every touch was electrifying, my heart rate skyrocketing.
Valencia buried her head once again, struggling with her bindings as I continued with spanking her, taking my time moving from one ass cheek to the other. The blossom of red drove me nearly mad with desire, my heart racing, my cock pushing hard against the thin linen of my trousers. I would have to use every ounce of restraint to keep from taking her right now.
I peppered her ass with several more, intoxicated from the scent of her sweet pussy. “Are you wet for me?”
“No.”
As I eased her legs apart, the glimpse of her pretty pink pussy was almost too much to bear. I slid my fingers across her swollen folds, issuing a primal growl. “Never lie to me, Valencia. I can take your defiance and your latent hostility, but you will never lie. To me, that is a cardinal sin.” The moment I eased my fingers just inside, she moaned, her back arching. Every cell was ignited, the fire raging, the beast deep within famished. I pumped several times, adding a second then third finger, drunk on my desire.
She wiggled, undulating her hips even as she clenched her fists, fighting the urge that I knew was building. “Oh...”
After several additional savage plunges, I pulled out completely. “Only well-trained little girls get what they crave.”
“Damn you!”
I moved into a standing position, using my left hand and easing hair from her damp face. “As I told you, I’m in charge.” I allowed her to watch as I slipped my fingers into my mouth, savoring the delicious flavor.
She took several additional long breaths, her eyes little more than daggers.
I walked toward the door, folding my hand around the threshold. I knew if I turned around to face her, I might change my mind, her draw too intense. “I will return.”
Utter and complete silence.
I waited for several seconds before tapping my hand against the molding and walking out.
“When?” she asked in a diminutive voice.
I shoved my hands into my pockets, avoiding the ticking in my ears. “I will never leave you, at least not permanently, Valencia. If you run, I will hunt you. If you are taken, I will find you. If you are hurt... Then I will handle the person responsible. You have my word of honor. If God is willing, one day I will make you my wife.”
As I closed the door, I knew it was only a matter of time before my promise was placed to the test.
Chapter Eight
Valencia
Hunt.
I could only imagine him hunting me like the true predator he was. I hissed, snapping my head in the direction of the door, wincing the moment it was closed, and I was all alone. Asshole. Jerk. Prick!
He actually believed that I would become his wife under any circumstances? The man had to be joking. I would rather throw myself off a cliff than marry such a dangerous, ruthless, and unscrupulous man.
A single creaking sound forced a slight whimper and I half expected to see a boogeyman easing from the intense shadows. I shifted my head back and forth, lightheaded from anxiety.
The darkness was suffocating, creating a wave of terror, memories of hiding in a closet while my father’s soldiers swept the house and grounds something I would never forget. I shivered, counting to ten. Then twenty. I’d been able to conquer my fears before. This... monster wasn’t going to drag me back into my weakest state. Besides, Miguel said he’d be back, and I knew he would. But when? How long was he going to leave me here, bound like some criminal?
Or bad little girl.
I groaned from the thought.
As if I could believe anything he said.
Bastard.
I wanted to scream out every ugly name in the book and his words should have ignited my fury, but they didn’t. I was trembling all over, my pussy quivering from thinking about him. Jesus. How could I want the monstrous man in any fashion? I screamed words of hatred in my mind while my body betrayed me, my nipples aching, longing for his fingers to pinch and twist.
Every part of my body was on fire from his touch alone and the light spanking was merely a temptation. A part of me craved more, the dark desires he’d mentioned enthralling. No. Hell, no. I had to be a sick girl.
Images flashed in my mind of the night in Cuba, the beautiful carve of his muscular body, his thick, throbbing cock, the tip glistening with pre-cum. I wiggled again, realizing only seconds later than pussy juice had trickled down my thighs, sliding onto the bed.
He’d been both rough and tender, allowing me to feel freedom for the first time in years, perhaps ever. And I’d longed for him. Admitting that wasn’t going to do me any good. He obviously had a hidden agenda behind his roughhewn mask.
Suddenly, details regarding the attempted assassination shifted into my mind, shutting down every moment of longing. Grimacing, I twisted my wrists, the sound of the leather creaking another reminder that I was nothing more than a prisoner.
Whether or not my father held the key to my cage or a man who promised me protection, the situation was exactly the same.
Zero freedom.
What I did realize is that I recognized one of the faces of the two men who’d chased me. From where, I wasn’t certain. I’d never been allowed to meet anyone other than a few men my father used as mercenaries as well as protection for our family. His business associates were never brought to the house.
Except for Miguel.
Had my father actually planned the entire event, pretending my life meant little to him? There was little way of knowing but I would find out, one way or the other.
The twinge in my ankle forced a moan. I lifted my head, blinking several times in an effort to see anything. At least he’d left the blinds open, the moonlight allowing a streaming glow. I clenched my fists, twisting in the constraints, doing everything I could to calm my nerves. No amount of yanking was going to do any good.
I realized why Miguel was doing this, to bolster his utter command, a mere reminder that he’d bargained for my life out of an act of revenge. His pet. His obsession. I closed my eyes, wishing myself into another life, the perfect beach cottage that I’d always dreamt about. That certainly hadn’t been a lie, something Miguel wouldn’t tolerate. I’d never wanted to live as a wealthy princess, a perk that my mother seemed to enjoy. Or maybe she simply tolerated the arranged marriage she’d been forced into.
I’d never really thought about the sick arrangement in any detrimental manner before. My mother had always smiled, laughing at the appropriate times, hosting various events with ease and grace. I’d only seen her cry once, a moment as a little girl when I’d lost my baby brother only days after his bi
rth. Since then, she’d had little emotion. Maybe now I understood why.
However, I wasn’t like her in any aspect. I was much stronger, my backbone thick and unwavering. Neither my father nor Miguel would ever get the best of me. At some point, I would be able to get away from him. I’d just have to bide my time.
Several minutes, maybe longer seemed to slip by, the lack of sound driving me to the point of paranoia. This house was huge, gorgeous in every way yet cold. Just like the man.
Just like an agitated beast.
I thought about the concert, the realization that both men had been in the audience something I had difficulty fathoming. Music was my solace, my escape and they’d interfered with my private world. Now, the asshole was using my cello as a bargaining chip. My father had never taken an interest in my music, certainly not other than to kiss me on the cheek when I gushed with excitement over good news. I was merely a woman, nothing of importance.
I finally settled down, playing the last concerto in my mind, enjoying the dazzling sensations from the brilliant maestro I’d been lucky enough to work with. I’d been shocked after receiving the call, the Miami Symphony one of the most revered orchestras in the United States. And they’d requested me as a guest. It was every musician’s dream.
Now it was all gone, stripped away from me like everything else. I fought another round of bitter tears, knowing in my heart that Miguel would never make good on his promise even if I was as good as gold. He certainly wouldn’t allow me time for myself. I would be at his beck and call any time of day or night. The thought was revolting.
Horrible.
Unimaginable.
Exciting.
I hated myself for the myriad feelings. Miguel wasn’t some perfect hero, a prince arriving in a horse-drawn carriage. He was the toad, merely in expensive, gorgeous clothing and a sultry body.
How long had passed? Minutes? Hours? I had no way of knowing.
When I heard the cracking of the door, I bristled, keeping my face turned away from him, praying he’d merely untie me and leave me alone. I felt the shift in weight on the bed and held my breath.
Until his hot breath cascaded across my skin, igniting every ember I’d tried so desperately to bury inside.
A moan slipped past my lips before I could stop it, the embarrassment and shame of allowing him to know how unfathomably hot and wet I was.
Disgusting.
He remained in the darkness, the rough pads of his fingers moving up and down my naked body. I could feel goosebumps popping, further exposing my hunger. Even the wafting scent of my pussy juice was stronger than before.
Miguel was so quiet, reserved in his mannerisms as he trailed his fingers down my leg, tenderly touching my swollen ankle. “Are you certain it’s not broken?”
“No. Just sprained.”
“Well, we’ll put more ice on it when we’re finished.”
“Finished?”
“With your punishment.”
I bit back a rhetorical remark for only a few seconds. “Then fulfilling your needs? Are you going to fuck me?”
“Yes.”
His answer was frank, without emotion. Was the man even capable of caring about anyone?
“Look at me, Valencia.” I heard the click of a switch, the light merely adding to my concept of doom.
I chose to ignore him, digging my fingers into the comforter.
He tugged brutally, forcing my head in the opposite direction. “I told you to look. At. Me.”
I couldn’t get over the almost bizarre dichotomy of his emotions; sweet and sultry one minute, savage and unforgiving the next. “What do you want me to see? The armor covering every inch of you, suffocating in its heavy weight, crushing the real man inside?”
His eyes flashed just as they had the moment he’d shoved me into the elevator. He simply released his hold, running his fingers through my tangled strands before standing. Another tender moment, yet he forced me to watch as he unfastened his belt, taking his time with the thick buckle. He was lording his position over me.
And I hated him even more.
Yet I couldn’t help but watch every second of the way he slowly pulled the thick leather from his belt loops or the almost serene expression he wore. He was in his element, oh-so powerful and dominating. I wanted to laugh, screaming at him that my father could handle the mannerisms in a much more practiced way, but the thought wasn’t normal in any regard. So I kept my mouth shut, my fingers still wrapped around the thick material.
He folded the belt in half, running his long fingers over the dense grain, taking several deep breaths. “It gives me no pleasure to have to punish you. I do hope you know that.”
No, I don’t know that, you asshole.
How much I wanted to spout off the words, every syllable laced with venom. Perhaps he wanted me to say I was sorry once again, begging for his forgiveness. That wasn’t going to happen. I buried my face in between the pillows, taking several deep breaths.
“Twenty tonight. I think that will be an excellent reminder of the very rules that will keep you alive.”
I had no nasty retort. There was nothing I could say. This wasn’t anything I wanted in my life. Facing the future was gut-wrenching, destroying all my hopes and dreams. My thoughts drifted to the spankings I’d received only weeks before and I was ashamed that the moment I did, my entire body erupted in desire. Every cell hummed with sizzling electricity, the anticipation making my mouth dry.
I heard the crack of his wrist, the whooshing sound as the belt was forced through the air. I simply held my breath, anticipating an explosion of pain rushing into every cell and muscle. And yes, I felt the hard smack against my ass, but the anticipated anguish was little more than a dull ache. Maybe I was dead inside, incapable of feeling anything any longer.
The sound occurred again, only this time, my captor issued two in a row, both hitting exactly across the middle of my bottom. My toes tingled, much the same as my pussy. Another flash of wet heat and embarrassment skittered into my system. Just an additional reminder of my wicked ways. Maybe I simply had to face the fact I was a bad little girl, wanton and nasty in every manner. Perhaps I deserved the harsh punishment for simply being alive.
He exhaled, the sound huskier than before and even from my position, I could feel his tension. “You’re doing very well.”
How the hell would he know?
The single crack was louder this time, the strap smashing against my sit spot. This time the pain erupted, blinding, curling my toes as I jerked up from the bedding.
“Oh! God!” I was shaking all over, blinking as tears were brought to my eyes. Why had it taken several strikes for my body to become alive, refusing to accept the punishment? I panted several times, shifting as he rubbed his fingers across my already heated bottom. I could only imagine I wouldn’t be able to sit for a week.
Miguel smacked me again. And again. Then two more times, the rhythm so damn practiced that I knew he’d done this before. I heard his savage low growl, the sound permeating the air around me. He was enjoying this. He wanted me to suffer. How could he? I’d never done anything to him in my life.
When another volley came, I struggled with all my might, the clanging sound of the metal portion of the cuffs hitting the bed floating all around me. The ugly noise reminded me of some insane musical piece, heavy metal in design. I almost laughed, the concept so inappropriate that I groaned instead, doing everything I could to mask my extreme discomfort.
He didn’t deserve to know how much this hurt or the fear that encapsulated every portion of me.
“Only a few more. You will learn that obeying the rules, my rules will improve your life.” His every word drilled into my brain.
Improve? Who was he kidding? The whooshing sound caught me off guard once again, the next two strikes catching me on my upper thighs. “Fuck. Fuck!” Whimpering, I kicked out, turning and twisting my body, ready to beg for him to stop. I was unable to prevent the tears, my entire body shaking.
And so alive.
I realized at that very moment that I was still wet and hot, my nipples tight and hard, another wave of desire sweeping through me. How could this turn me on? How could I even fathom hungering for a man with no regard for life?
But I did.
I wanted him. The touch. The taste. I craved his scent covering my body, his lips pressed against every inch of skin. I wanted his hard cock buried so deep inside my pussy that the tip touched my womb.
I almost felt his exasperation as he gave the final strikes, the sound of him tossing the belt forcing me to jump all over again. Would he leave me this way? Would he have pity on the poor little girl he’d disciplined? When both of his rugged hands kneaded my bruised bottom, I cringed, biting back a cry. The sting was unimaginable but after a few seconds, the warmth from his fingers were comforting in some crazy fashion.
I closed my eyes, allowing my mind to fall into a lull. Everything seemed to be a blur, my heart racing and the sound thudding into my ears. I didn’t hear the fact he’d unfastened me, hadn’t registered that I’d been released until he took my hand into his, rubbing my palm with his thumb in circular patterns.
“I’m very proud of you,” he said ever so softly, turning me over. “It’s all right to look at me, Valencia. There will be no more pain tonight.”
I bit my inner cheek until I was forced to take several quiet breaths, my hand tingling, the sensations drifting all the way down the length of my legs. I opened my eyes slowly, basking in the aura surrounding him, one of danger and decadence. He seemed even more in control, his rugged features illuminated in the soft lighting.
“Do you remember what I promised you before, on that beautiful night on the balcony?” he whispered the words, the tone dripping with innuendos.
“Promised?” I could feel his fingers sliding down the length of my arm ever so slowly.
“Yes... Only you can unlock the key to pain or pleasure.”
I swallowed several times, the tension easing. As his fingers continued their trail, the tips brushing in a delicate manner between my breasts, I shuddered, unable to stop the maddening desire. He was now the one using a key made of gold, unlocking the very chains he’d placed around me when he’d left.
