Page 27

Being that way with him right now or at any time wasn’t the best way to be, but I couldn’t help myself.

He pinched my nipple, twisting it.

I closed my eyes again, surrendering to the pain.

And loving it.

Another moan.

A toss of my hair.

Another crack of his hand and I would have fallen face first into the cushion if my arms weren’t stiff.

How long was this man going to keep going? Beads of sweat were dripping onto my back. I could feel them the moment they splashed, ever so slowly rolling down both sides of me. He thrust more savagely until I wasn’t certain I could handle the intensity any longer.

When his body stiffened, I dropped my head in some crazy sense of relief. Not that I’d mind being fucked by him all day long. I was simply certain he was going to tear me apart.

The second he erupted, I sensed it, the warm gush also unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

Panting, I realized I had a smile on my face as he issued what could be called a muted roar.

He took a few seconds after filling my asshole with his cum, his breathing more labored than I’d heard. When he pulled out, he patted my bottom while I allowed my elbows to bend so I could fall against the cool material of the sofa.

Still panting.

Stars still roaming my field of vision.

I don’t know what I’d expected from the man, if anything, but it wasn’t lifting my legs so he could sit down on the couch. Then I’ll be damned if he didn’t pull me all the way onto his lap, bottom up.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I already told you. You’re getting the hard spanking you deserve for all the shit you’ve caused me.”

“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?

A sudden wave of embarrassment forced me to turn around so I could catch my breath. Men were such pricks. I was angry as hell, but more than that, I was hurt. I wiped my eyes, refusing to allow him any satisfaction that he’d made me cry. That wasn’t going to happen again.

“I know you don’t want me here and I assure you that I don’t want to be an inconvenience to anyone. However, since I’m here because you had no other choice, I’ll need a few things. Unless you want me running around in tropical shorts and a tee shirt for the duration.”

His grunted response meant nothing. I allowed a few seconds to pass as he tucked his shirt into his pants. Every movement conveyed frustration.

“Since I’m your hostage, maybe you could be decent enough to take me into town for a few things. If there is a town here. And if it’s not too much trouble, show me where the coffeemaker is.”

He still didn’t offer any answer, just like I’d expected. I retrieved my thong and would happily toss it in the trash except I only had one more. I’d spent my life wearing designer clothes and I was worried about two cheap pieces of material. Things had changed in my life.

And not necessarily for the better.

“Kage. What happened to you? You weren’t seeing me when you reached for my throat. Was it a nightmare or a horrible vision from your past?”

When he turned to face me, for a few seconds the world had stopped revolving. The fire in his eyes was entirely different, the green eyes even more penetrating. I didn’t know him, not really, but the hard stare was a brief but powerful warning.

Don’t ask him about his past.

“Get dressed,” he said gruffly. “I’ll take you shopping. After I get my truck back.”

Sadly, whatever horror he’d experienced was far more controlling than any other aspect of his life. I shook my head, noticing Tank standing in the doorway where he’d likely been the entire time. He had a look on his face that mirrored the way I felt. Sad and uncertain.

“Thank you.”

I stroked Tank on the head, trying to calm the nerves that had lingered after the personal vision had broken free from the padlocked box I’d kept them in for so long.

Being around Kage had resurfaced unwanted memories.

My feelings of being hurt were silly. We were adults and felt an attraction and nothing more.

There had to be a way of getting along without picking at each other’s scabs.

Maybe I’d find a book when I was in town so I could keep out of his hair.

It wasn’t like he was going to fall madly in love with me anyway.

And I certainly wouldn’t be able to stand his holier than thou attitude for very long.

My caustic mouth was difficult to control.

We’d kill each other. The man was like a lion pacing his cage and I didn’t want to be around when he escaped.

Just as I stepped from the room, he cleared his throat.

“Just for the record, you’re not my hostage.”

I stood in the hall, trying to think of something catchy to say. My stomach was in knots, which wasn’t helping me think clearly, and I didn’t like it one bit. The man had a way of creating shock and awe and that was as unnerving as everything else about him.

Damn it. Why did my confused body like it so much?

Instead of saying something snarky and cute, like an idiot, I felt another tear slip down my face.