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“What are you talking about?” My reflexes were usually deliberate and quick, but I didn’t have a chance to slip away, locking myself behind closed doors before the big bad monster brought his hand down as he’d done before.

Only this time it hurt. The smack really hurt, almost bringing tears to my eyes. I was so caught off guard the sound I issued couldn’t have come from a human being.

“Don’t,” I said meekly.

“Take it like a good girl so we can be done with it.”

Did he suddenly think he was judge and jury? Was he kidding me?

Evidently not. He brought his hand down several times, so many that I lost count almost immediately. I sensed he was content in doing this. Meanwhile, I was rapidly tearing up. He’d managed to see me at my worst from the minute he’d met me.

I shuddered from the evil thoughts roiling through my mind even as he brought his hand down five, six, hell, ten more times. I couldn’t believe how painful a human hand could be. Heat was building once again, but this time mainly on my bottom. If I could sit comfortably, I’d be shocked.

“Stop. Just stop.” I threw my hand back and he caught my wrist, bending it back so my fingers were touching the small of my back.

Fine.

I started wiggling, determined to slide off his huge lap, even if it meant hitting the floor with a hard thud.

He one-upped me, throwing his leg over mine. Now I was furious with him yet tingling all over. How was that even possible?

I was struggling so much I didn’t realize I’d started hiccupping. On top of making the horrific sound, tears were falling from both eyes. If he’d wanted to turn me into a blubbering mess, he’d succeeded.

With no choices left, I gave up fighting, hanging my head and concentrating on my breathing while thinking of all the horrible ways I’d get him back for this. He couldn’t go around spanking someone for the hell of it. That wasn’t fair in any book.

Including mine.

I managed to wiggle a little bit more and was reminded that he was all male. And hard again. How was that possible? He’d just taken twenty minutes to fuck me and he was fully aroused. I wasn’t a nice girl when it came to being pushed so I continued shifting back and forth. If I was making him uncomfortable, I’d never know it.

He was calm and collected, likely counting the number of swats he’d given me like some accountant.

Meanwhile, I was trying desperately to lick every tear before they gave away the fact he was hurting me.

Well, my pride anyway.

The spanking stung, but it wasn’t like he was using his big, thick belt.

If he saw between my legs though, I may never be able to look him in the eyes again.

When he slowed down, I took several deep breaths. Maybe it was over.

He didn’t move or release his hold. He just sat there quietly, gently massaging my aching bottom. Seconds ticked by.

Maybe minutes.

The silence and change in his demeanor were odd, almost scary.

“Kage?”

Maybe I’d jarred him from some trance. He removed his leg, releasing my wrist and half picking me up before placing my feet on the floor.

For such an authoritative man, a guy who could bark orders like some drill sergeant, he suddenly didn’t want to look me in the eyes.

He even pushed me to the end of the couch, immediately grabbing his pants and jerking to a standing position.

I opened my mouth to ask him if something was wrong, if I’d done anything wrong, but I sensed now wasn’t the time to interrupt his pattern of thinking. He was lost in the past once again, furious with his closest friend. That I’d learned the hard way.

His behavior, the hot and cold drove me crazy. I knew my sudden interference in his life was the last thing he’d wanted, but why act like I was the bad guy?