Page 11 of Etched In Stone (The Stone Saga #3.5)

“Good,” he murmured, and I felt him shift behind me, his arousal pressing against my lower back in a way that made my breath catch. “Because now I’m going to have to remind you exactly what happens when my angel thinks she can take charge.”

The promise in his words sent electricity racing through my veins. I was in trouble.

Serious trouble.

And I couldn’t wait to be punished.

I remained perfectly still as he stepped away, leaving me aching for his touch while anticipating whatever delicious punishment he had in mind.

The sound of a cork popping made me smile despite my supposed contrition. Trust Alexander to incorporate my unauthorized surprise into his own plans, to take control even of my small rebellion and make it serve his purposes.

“Turn around,” he commanded, and I obeyed immediately, finding him standing before me like some pagan god of desire.

His white linen shirt hung open in the tropical breeze, revealing the bronzed expanse of his chest that I longed to explore with my hands and lips.

The champagne flute in his hand caught the sunlight, the bubbles rising through the pale liquid like tiny promises of intoxication.

“Drink,” he ordered, bringing the glass to my lips with one hand while the other cupped the back of my neck in a gesture that was both tender and possessive.

I parted my lips obediently, allowing him to control the pace as the cool champagne slid across my tongue. The bubbles burst against my palate, adding to the effervescence already building in my bloodstream from his proximity, his scent, and his absolute command of the moment.

When the glass was empty, I deliberately let my tongue dart out to catch a lingering drop at the corner of my mouth, knowing the gesture would inflame him further.

“Are you planning to get me drunk so you can have your wicked way with me?” I asked with mock innocence.

Alexander’s eyes darkened to the color of a storm-tossed sea, and he carelessly tossed the empty flute onto the sand where it landed with a soft thud.

“I don’t need alcohol to have my way with you, angel,” he said, his voice carrying dark promise. “You’re already mine for the taking.”

Slipping a finger under the thin strap of my coverup, he slid it down my arms until it pooled at my feet. After a few quick tugs on the strings at my neck, back, and hips, the scraps of material that made up my bathing suit fell to my feet.

Desire thundered through my veins. The uninhibited feeling of standing naked outdoors was unparalleled. I’d done it several times over the past couple of weeks, and each time was no less exhilarating. My body flushed, and wetness gathered at the apex of my thighs, wondering what he would do next.

Would he take me right here on the beach? On the blanket, perhaps. Or maybe from behind, with me bent over the boat’s edge.

The idea caused the devil on my shoulder to twirl in a happy dance.

Alexander’s hands went down to my ass, kneading my bare cheeks as he pulled me closer to him.

His erection pressed hard against my belly, nearly stabbing a hole through his shorts.

His need was hot. So hot. I wanted to slip my hands inside his waistband and give him pleasure, but he held me tight, and there wasn’t room for me to maneuver a hand between us.

Instead, I reached up and laced my fingers into his dark waves. He lowered his head to mine, coaxing my lips apart until our tongues danced in perfect harmony.

“I need to punish you for disobeying me,” he growled into my mouth.

“Hmmm…”

“Bend over the edge of the boat.” He stepped back, and I moved into the vulnerable position without hesitation.

I shivered when I felt his hand skim up my thigh.

My breath quickened, and despite the balmy air, goosebumps prickled over my skin when he spoke again.

“Hang on tight to the side and spread your legs. I’ll be giving you five strikes.

The first will be for disobeying my orders and planning something without my consent. ”

I sucked in a breath and braced myself. We’d been here before, and I knew it would only be a matter of seconds before I felt the sting of his palm.

He gripped my hip securely with one hand and widened his stance. Then he let his hand fly. The crashing of the ocean waves drowned out the sound of the slap, but it was no less felt. My body vibrated, humming in the most exquisite way as I awaited my remaining spankings.

“Three more, one for each of the fluted glasses and the bottle of champagne.” Alexander fired off the next three smacks in rapid succession, alternating cheeks and making each slap harder than the last. Then he leaned close to my ear and whispered, “The fifth spanking is just for my pleasure. I love seeing your ass red from my palm.”

But the fifth didn’t come—at least not right away.

I released a quiet hiss when I felt his finger trace the seam of my ass.

Endorphins, arousal, and adrenaline created a heady feeling that was all-encompassing.

He lingered over my tightest hole for a moment before continuing his exploration, stopping only to slide lower and feel how wet I was for him.

He growled his approval. “You never disappoint me, angel.”

Without warning, he shoved two fingers inside me while delivering the final smack to my ass. I hadn’t been ready for it, and my body lurched forward. I quickly widened my stance to keep from toppling into the boat.

Using my new position to his advantage, Alexander plunged his fingers in further, and I cried out from the pleasure. He played my body like a fiddle until I thought my strings would snap from the tension. His treatment was rough, demanding, and unyielding.

And I loved it.

He leaned forward, pressing his mouth close to my ear.

“You want to come?”

“Yes,” I breathed.

I expected him to intensify his motions, but he abruptly pulled out of me instead. All the air released from my lungs in a frustrated whoosh.

“Later, angel,” he informed coolly. “And only if you follow my every instruction.”

Shit.

I hated when he refused me an orgasm, but I knew I’d follow his every command until I got my release. I might not get what I wanted now, but he wouldn’t deny me forever.

“Okay,” I whispered, desperately ignoring the ache between my legs.

“Okay, what?” he demanded.

“Okay, sir.” My breath hitched as the breeze skittered over my bare nipples.

“Very good. Now, we need to start heading back to The Lucy . It will be dark before long,” Alexander said matter-of-factly. It was as if he were oblivious to my desperate panting.

The bastard.

I looked past him to see our world had transformed into a mesmerizing canvas of vibrant colors. The sun had dipped closer to the horizon, painting the sky with a breathtaking spectacle of orange, pink, and purple. The lower the sun got, the deeper the shades would become.

“You’re right,” I agreed reluctantly, my voice throaty and breathless.

Alexander lifted my naked body, cradling me to his chest by hooking his arms behind my back and knees, and lowered me into the dinghy. Releasing me, he turned to collect my discarded bathing suit and cover-up.

“Put this back on,” he said and handed me the bits of material. “It will be off again soon enough, but the crew on The Lucy doesn’t deserve a show in the meantime.”

“How soon will I get to take it off again?” I teased as I tied the bathing suit strings at my neck.

Alexander’s heated sapphire blues narrowed on me as he dug his feet into the sand and pushed the boat into the water.

“Not soon enough.”