Page 18 of Taking Adalisa (Montgomery Syndicate #2)

ADALISA

“ I don’t think anyone is ever ready for a spanking.” I turn my head and try to look at him, but I can’t.

Without warning, Matthias’ hand comes down on my bottom, making me cry out in shock and pain. Mainly shock.

“You’re okay,” he says as he rubs my bottom.

I suck in a breath and tense, waiting for him to spank me again, but it never comes.

“Ha—” I start to say as Matthias peppers my bottom with more swats.

Yelling, I attempt to wiggle on his lap, trying to get away from his hand raining down on my bottom.

“No!” I yell, kicking my feet.

“You can wiggle all you want, but you are getting this,” Matthias says as he continues to spank me.

Tears form in my eyes as he moves to my sit spot. Pain radiates across my bottom as he lands several more.

“Please!” I beg. “Please!”

“I know. We’re almost done.” He rubs my bottom for a second.

But I know better than to relax in his lap. He isn’t done yet.

“How much more?” I whine, trying to roll off his lap, but his arm pins me in place.

“Almost done,” he says. “These last couple are going to be harder and faster.”

I open my mouth, ready to tell him no, but shriek when he starts spanking me again. And true to his word, they were harder and faster than the ones before. Tears stream down my face as he continues.

“Pl-please!” I cry, not wanting any more.

“Soon,” is all he says.

I sob as he lands several on my sit spot. My body goes limp as he spanks me a couple more times. Matthias maneuvers me, pulling me to sit on his lap. Tears are streaming down my face as he holds me against his chest, hands running up and down my back while he rocks us from side to side.

I should be trying to get as far away as possible from him, but I need this cuddle.

I need to feel his arms wrapped around me and him telling me everything is okay.

I need to feel protected and loved. But I shouldn’t want that with him.

Not when he isn’t a good person at all. I need to stay away from him, but I can do that after we snuggle a little longer.

“Shhh, you’re okay. You took that punishment really well. All is forgiven now,” he whispers into my ear. “I know it was a shock, but I needed to show you that I’m not all talk.”

There goes my plan of leaving and him not doing anything. My shoulders sag in his embrace, and I can’t help but let the tears fall a little harder with those words. He will follow through with punishments, which means if he wants me badly enough, he is going to find me.

I have to try to get away from him so I can save myself because if he somehow sinks his claws into me, then I don’t know how my life is going to turn out.

“You’re okay,” he gently soothes. “I’m here. Just let it all out, and Daddy will catch your tears.”

Calling him Daddy is on the tip of my tongue.

I so badly want to call him that, but I stop myself.

If I start doing that, I won’t be able to stop myself from doing anything else with him.

I need to have some f self-control. “Such a good girl for taking your punishment so well,” he praises.

“You were so brave, and I’m so proud of you. ”

He was proud of me for taking a punishment? Is he crazy?

I want to ask, but I don’t want him to explain and keep me here longer. I need to leave as soon as possible so I can get out of New York City.

Whenever Matthias is close to me, I can’t seem to think about things properly. Matthias would probably tell me there is nothing wrong with my mind constantly being on him, but I beg to differ. I need to stay away from him and get a plan in order to execute it perfectly.

“Let’s go fill your tummy with some food and then go to bed.” Matthias stands with me in his arms.

“I need to go home,” I tell him, holding my breath as I wait for his answer.

Is he going to be mad at me for wanting to go home? Nerves run through my body, making me nauseous as I wait for his answer. Why is he waiting so long? I know Matthias would never physically hurt me.

“Why?” he finally asks. “Why do you need to go home?”

“I have things to do,” I whisper. “I have to get ready for work tomorrow. I need to write a report on why I closed early and come up with an excuse that my boss will believe. She may not care, but she want to know why.”

My boss is the least of my worries. She wouldn’t care at all if I didn’t give her a reason, but Matthias can’t know that, or else he isn’t going to let me go home.

“I need to get some sleep. I’m exhausted and a lot has happened in the past twelve hours,” I honestly reply.

What I wouldn’t do to sleep with his arms around me for the whole night and possibly have him bring me pleasure as he wakes me up.

To feel safe and secure all night long. That would be the dream, but I’m not going to voice it.

If he knows that’s what I want, he is never going to let me go.

If I spend the night here and then manage to get away from him, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep peacefully again.

I sigh. “I just need to wrap my brain around everything. I need to think things through, and I can’t do that around you.” My voice breaks when he doesn’t speak. I need to fill this silence. “I just need some time to myself so I can think about everything. You aren’t making thinking easy.”

It feels good to get that off my chest. Let Matthias know that I’m trying to deal with everything. Does he think it doesn’t affect me at all?

“I don’t like it,” he mumbles, his hold on me tightening a little.

“I don’t like being held hostage either,” I retort. “One of us is going to have to give in and it’s not me.”

I feel like Matthias wouldn’t let anyone else get away with talking to him like that. But he needs to know he can’t just walk all over me. I won’t allow it.

I pull away from him so I can see his face. It’s blank, no emotions at all, and I’m annoyed.

“I’m not giving up. I need time to think,” I insist. “I need time to do the things I need to do some life admin. I can’t spend the night.”

I’m starting to worry that he is catching on to what I’m trying to do.

No.

I need to believe that he doesn’t unless he tells me. Maybe I’m just that good at keeping it a secret, and he doesn’t suspect anything.

“Life admin? What in your life needs to get done?” he asks, cocking his head to the side.

I suck in a breath. What do I say?

“Well, Margery is one. She is part of my life, and I need to figure out where she is and if she is okay,” I tell him.

“Second, I’m thinking about changing jobs.

Third, I have a lot of laundry that needs to get done, or else my apartment is going to start smelling, which I don’t want.

Do you want me to continue because I have other things on my to-do list? ”

“Please, do.” He smiles.

“I need to go grocery shopping and cook. I don’t enjoy take-out food much, and if I don’t go grocery shopping tonight, I won’t have anything to eat.

I need to fix my leaky faucet and clean my bathroom,” I go on, making things up.

“I have a schedule, and I stick to it. You are not going to interrupt my schedule.”

“Your schedule?” Matthias raises an eyebrow. “I don’t remember you having a schedule when I was watching you.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Abort. Abort. Abort.

I’ve backed myself into a corner here.

“Well, it’s been in the past month. I don’t know how you’ve missed it, but it’s there. Someone told me that I need to stick to a schedule if I want to improve my life. That I may thrive off a schedule so I am trying it but they say you can’t deviate from it or else you have to restart,” I ramble.

Matthias hums and looks at me. Does he believe me? I need him to so I can get out of here and start my plan.

“Let me feed you first, and then I will drop you off at home myself,” Matthias finally offers as he gently places me on the kitchen counter. I hiss and lean forward, trying to alleviate the pain. “Stay where I put you. If you try to get off or move, I will give you a timeout or another spanking.”

“I don’t want to sit on my bottom right now,” I tell him. “I am perfectly capable of standing and staying in one spot.”

He pins me with a look. “You will not stand. This will remind you not to put yourself into danger. Feel the consequences of your actions.”

I cross my arms over my chest and pout. Will I actually learn from this? Probably not. When it comes to Margery needing my help, my own safety will go out the window.

“Now, do you want a grilled cheese sandwich? Buttered toast? Some chocolate milk? I have a strawberry if you prefer that,” Matthias lists. “I can make you a turkey sandwich.”

“I’m not hungry,” I mutter as my stomach grumbles. Groaning, I close my eyes and wrap my arms around my stomach.

“You are going to eat, even if I have to feed you myself,” Matthias states.

My cheeks redden at the image of him feeding me. I’ve never had someone feed me since being a child. Someone taking care of me and us both enjoying every second of it.

“I’m really fine. I just need to get home so I can do things,” I whisper, not looking at him.

“I think you want someone to feed you. I think you want it, but you don’t want to ask for it,” Matthias suggests.

He pushes my legs apart and stands between them, getting closer to me. I suck in a breath as he pulls me forward, my core hitting groin.

Don’t think about it. Do not think about it.

“Adalisa, look at me,” Mathias firmly says.

But I don’t dare. Not when we are so close, and I know I won’t be able to say anything but the truth if he asks me. No, I can’t do this.

“Now,” he commands.

My head lifts, but before I can meet his gaze, I close my eyes. Matthias sighs and cups my face.

“Open those pretty eyes of yours. Come on. You aren’t in any trouble. I just want to talk,” he coos.

I don’t fall for it, though. I can’t. He wants to talk, which means he will do the talking, and I will somehow agree to it all.

“Adalisa, everything is going to be okay,” he whispers. “Nothing bad is going to happen.”

I feel like his definition of nothing bad is way different from mine.

Matthias rubs his thumb across my cheek. “I guess I’m going to keep you here all night, then. Open your eyes, and we can talk about things.”

I open my eyes and stare at him. I cannot stay with him all night.

“There she is.” He smiles sweetly. “Let’s talk about what you’re keeping from me.”