She nodded, unable to defend what she’d done because her plan had indeed failed epically.

  He released her and moved back a full step. “I think your crime deserves a fitting punishment.”

  She sucked in a breath. “What?”

  “A spanking. Right here, right now. Before I lay you out on this table and make you my girl for real.” He extended his arm, palm up. “If you agree, take my hand, and we’ll get started.”

  Her gaze dropped, and she stared at his palm, large enough to cover most of one cheek with a single swat. It looked hard, and Trent was strong. Undoubtedly, it would hurt. It was the point of a spanking, right? But the thought of his hands on her, touching her bare skin, soothing her with kisses and caresses—she hoped—when he was finished.

  Nervously, her tongue slipped out to wet her dry lips, at the same time desire dampened her thighs. “I haven’t ever been punished.”

  “I won’t hurt you, Carly, not ever. You can trust me on this. But for scaring me the way you did and the risk you took. I could have been delayed. Then what? If the cops had shown up before me, they could have charged you with trespassing. I can only imagine what something of this nature would have done to your reputation.” He shook his head and blew out a breath slowly. “For that alone, your sweet ass will sting like it deserves to.”

  The blazing anger of earlier was gone. In its place, a steely determination to see this through by making her behind pay the price. Surprisingly, her decision wasn’t hard to make.

  She raised her hand and placed it in his. “I trust you, Trent.”

  His warm fingers enveloped hers, her hand so much smaller than his, a good representation of the size disparity between them. But she wasn’t afraid, not of him or his strength, and when she gazed up at him through her tears and his image wavered, it was from regret over what she’d done. “I really am sorry.”

  His face softened, and she didn’t blink, not wanting to miss how his eyes deepened to a darker even more beautiful green. He dropped her hand and used both of his to curl around the sides of her neck. His thumbs tipped her chin farther, and he angled her head just so for his kiss.

  Trent claimed her lips, his tongue delving inside until she melted against him. The crush she’d nurtured as he’d held her at arm’s length, blossomed with his kiss, and a fullness invaded her chest. It could be from her heart thumping wildly, and how she gasped for air around his demanding mouth, but she sensed it was so much more.

  When he raised his head, she was ready to be done with the punishment and get on with the forgiveness, so they could move past her incredible blunder of this evening and explore what else he’d promised.

  Winded and slightly dizzy, her mind was busy working on a solution to their next problem. “So where do you want me? There are only tables out here. I could bend over one, but if you want me over your lap, the bench in the back room might be better, or the computer chair.”

  His slow, tender smile was as intimate as his kisses. “You’re going to be good for me, aren’t you, Carly?”

  “I want to be, Trent. So very much.” She laid a trembling hand against the side of his neck, her thumb aligned with his jaw, and said boldly, with a directness she’d withheld before tonight, “I’ve wanted you for a long time.”

  “Same here, baby, but I was too blind to see what was in front of me, or too stubborn to accept it.” He took her hand once more and led her to the back of the store to one of the tables, not to the same one she’d posed on, but another, covered with neatly folded and stacked piles satin and lace. With a sweep of his arm, he sent the lot of it to the floor in a shower of color, and three-digit price tags. She would have protested the designer sacrilege at any other time.

  With his long fingers firmly curled around her shoulders, he turned her to face the now empty table. “We’ll do this right here.”

  He patted the surface with his hand, and it occurred to her the same hand would soon be doing the same to her backside, but with a good deal more energy and enthusiasm.

  “Bend over. Grip the table edge and lay your cheek against the top.”

  Not a request or a suggestion, his tone didn’t cajole or coax; it was an order plain and simple. Firmly given in his low voice, in what Carly recognized as the ever-present underlying authority of his tone, she didn’t hesitate and moved into position. It didn’t mean her heart wasn’t racing a mile a minute.

  Before she settled, his hand met her backside and she jumped, but it wasn’t from a hard smack signaling the beginning of her punishment. Rather, the slow, sensual, delightful glide of his palm over his skin.

  “Your outfit was made for this, I do believe.”

  She answered in a whisper. “It’s European. I’ve heard this sort of thing goes on all the time over there.”

  “It happens here, too, baby. You’ll soon be living proof.” He patted her lightly, and with his other hand firm on her lower back, resting right above the sweet, sexy black ruffle, he delivered the first swat.

  The sound startled her more than the heat his hand left, and she flinched again, this time letting out a little yelp.

  “Stay still for me, Carly, like my good girl.”

  Those words sent shivers straight through her heart to her other intimate needy places and felt awesome.

  Wanting to submit to this punishment, make up for her mistake, and hopefully start over with a clean slate with him. Her fingers curled around the table edge tighter. “Yes, Trent.”

  His palm resumed its leisurely glide as he murmured, “I think when your bottom is presented for punishment this way, ‘sir’ is better suited to the occasion. Try again.”

  “Yes, sir.” When she spoke the words, the tingles kicked up a notch, becoming currents of excitement, which shot through her and made the little hairs on her arms stand on end. Her nipples, hard the minute he touched her bare skin, grew painfully tight—the heat of passion hurts-so-good kind of tight—and more wetness tickled her pussy. The little strip of mesh, which was all that made up the thong of the bodysuit, had long since reached its threshold for absorbency. She felt the proof of her desire on her inner thighs. Why was the whole idea of being spanked by him, of calling him sir, of obeying his commands, so hot?

  His hand came down again, on the same side. Then swatted her twice more, mirroring the sensation on the other cheek. Four more followed, all with a bit more zing than the first few. She counted eight in all before he stopped and rubbed over the tingling warmth he had created. While he did so, he hummed in approval.

  “That should do nicely for a warm-up.”

  The punishment began for real, after that, the intensity and heat at least twice where it had started, with swat after stinging swat applied to both sides alternately. He worked up over the crest of each cheek and moved down low, clipping the top of her thigh with his broad palm. The sting he mentioned she deserved for scaring him was soon in full burn.

  After twenty, she lost count, along with the ability to stand still, her feet doing a little tap dance as her heels clicked against the floor.

  “I’m sorry, Trent... Sir,” she called to him. “It was a dumb idea and a silly risk to take.” He didn’t let up, not yet, and tears welled in her eyes as the burn turned into a fiery ache. “And I’m sorry I scared you.” Her voice broke on a sob, not so much from any pain he’d created, but from the regret she felt. “I won’t do anything like it ever again. I swear.”

  And with that, the spanking ended, whether because he’d reached some predetermined number or because he thought her contrite, she didn’t know. Possibly, he worried her behind might burst into flames from the firestorm of heat. His hand didn’t stop, however, and began lightly caressing and soothing the sting—which after a few moments felt very nice.

  “A little challenge, Carly, and even a bit naughty I can handle, but tonight could have turned bad, quickly. I was scared out of my mind when I couldn’t find you and ready to call the cops when I saw the gate unlocked. It was only by chance I went outside and looked around first.”

  He stood her up, took her spot on the table, and pulled her into his lap. The hand that had so thoroughly tenderized her backside gently tipped up her chin. He gazed down at her with fiery intensity. “I don’t get off on dishing out punishments, baby. I’d rather have fun and do what feels good to us both. But I’m not opposed to giving one when it’s deserved. Tonight, you earned every swat and then some, but I went easy because it was your first time.”

  Knowing he meant every word, she managed to choke back her cry of disbelief. Her butt sure didn’t feel as though he’d gone easy, especially with it rubbing across his jeans and pressed against the hard muscle of his thigh.

  “If there’s another incident of this severity, where you are reckless or put yourself in jeopardy,” he continued in a stern, inflexible voice, “you’ll get double. Are we clear?”

  “There won’t be. I learned my lesson tonight. No more surprises.”

  “It wasn’t the surprise, sweetheart, but the poor execution.” He dipped his head, now so close, all she could see were the brilliant green of his eyes. His lips brushed hers while he spoke in a voice pitched lower than its usual husky depth. “The lingerie and the idea you’d put yourself out there, for me, says a lot. But I’d prefer we do this sort of thing somewhere private, without cameras and the risk of tripped silent alarms. Okay?”

  “Yes, sir,” she whispered.

  He kissed her, lightly, his touch warm and sweet. “Punishment is over, baby. You can call me, Trent.”

  She hesitated a moment before putting herself out there again. “What if I like sir, sir?”

  She felt his smile and saw it in the little lines bracketing his eyes. “That’s good, too. About the punishment.” He’d grown serious again. “Can you live with my brand of discipline? I don’t imagine we’ll have to resort to it often.”

  “We won’t, not again.”

  “I hope so, but if the situation warrants, it will happen again.” He leaned back so he had her full attention. “I’m used to being in command, and I prefer order and control in my life. With my unit, in my business, and I want it to a certain extent with the woman I’m with. Not that I want to direct every aspect of your life, but when I walked in here tonight, I didn’t have control, of you or the situation. This is a sticking point for me, Carly, and I need to know it’s the sort of relationship you want, too.”

  “I earned this tonight, Trent. I know I did.” This got her a squeeze from his enveloping arms. “Despite this one isolated incident, I usually am a good girl, for real—always have been. In school, I got straight A’s and never once had detention. I’ve never had a speeding ticket, don’t jaywalk, and I pay all my bills on time. I haven’t ever had a late fee, not once. And I never, ever, fudge even a smidgeon on anyone’s taxes.” Her gaze caught his as she tried to express how she felt as earnestly as she could. “What I’m saying is, this was out of character for me, and since it’s not something that will ever be repeated, I can live with my bottom being held accountable for major screw-ups.”

  She heard and felt the rush of his breath. He’d been worried she’d bail, and she’d just swept them away. He crushed her against his chest and they held one another for several long, silent, wonderful moments.

  Trent was the first one stir. With his arms still tight around her, he turned his head, his lips trailing a line of kisses along her jaw, over her cheek.

  “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me, Carly. There’s just one thing in all you said that I’d change.” His hand slid down her back, and he ran his fingers along the ruffle at the upper crest of her cheeks. “This sexy one-piece wet dream. I hope this part, at least, will be repeated.”

  “It’s designer.”

  “It’s smoking hot on you, baby.”

  “Thank you, honey, but I meant it’s pricy. We might have to reserve Monica’s stock for special occasions, or after I get out of school, because this wet dream cost two-hundred and eighty bucks.”

  His head jerked back. “You are shitting me.”

  “You don’t know me well enough to know, I wouldn’t “shit” you about lingerie.”

  She smiled when he fingered the ruffle running along the low scooped neckline. Other than mesh, not a yard of it, and spaghetti straps, the approval in his eyes is what her money bought. And it was worth every penny, but she wanted more.

  “Aside from the sexy undies, you mentioned fun and what feels good for both of us.” She couldn’t hold his eyes for the next part, though he’d seen almost all of her, including her bare ass bent over a table. Still, her shyness prevailed. “You’re a... um, exceptionally good kisser, Trent. I enjoyed the one... uh, just now, and those before.”

  Why was it so hard to ask for what she wanted?

  Her voice trailed off, and with heat radiating off her face in waves, it didn’t take a genius to know why. Far from slow himself, he came to her rescue. He nudged her chin up and said with his mouth hovering a mere fraction away, “Since you took your thirty swats so well, I think you’ve earned more of them.”

  His mouth covered hers, warm with passion. His tongue traced over the seam of her lips, demanding entrance, and she opened eagerly.

  Coils of desire chased away her shyness, as Trent fed hungrily. When one hand sank into her hair and fisted at the nape of her neck—something she was beginning to enjoy very much—the other slipped down to palm her still tingling bottom. Her breathless groan spoke more clearly than words how much she wanted him.

  Unexpectedly, he stood and twisted, laying her on the table and lowering himself over top of her. It was like every fantasy she’d ever had. A commanding, powerful, breathtaking man, pressing her flat on her back, his hips between her spread thighs while he kissed his way down her body. And it only got better.

  Stopping at her chest, Trent hooked the spaghetti straps with his thumbs and peeled the fine mesh down, baring her breasts. He treated her nipples to the swirling, lapping, suction of his mouth until she bowed beneath him, offering more. Wanting to be as close to him as she possibly could be, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his hips, and clung to him, reveling in the sensations his lips, tongue, and gently nipping teeth created.

  He growled, a ravenous sound, moving from one breast to the other. He paused, hovering over a nipple, only to return for another taste before finally moving on, as if he hadn’t gotten nearly enough of her breasts, yet couldn’t wait to explore further.

  As Trent kissed his way down her belly, she lost her grip on his shoulders. Her hands threaded into his hair, instead, combing through the soft, thick strands. When he reached the vee of her legs, and his palms spread her wider, she stilled in anticipation. He hooked the little band of material and moved it out of his way, and her fingers flexed on his scalp. But when he murmured, “Beautiful,” against her inner thigh, his breath washing warm against her wet flesh, her hands fisted because she needed something to hold on to while her world tilted on end.

  If she caused him pain, he seemed not to notice, his lips so close his next words, “You’re drenched for me,” sent another rush of heat over her skin. He said nothing else as his thumbs drew her folds apart and he took hot possession. Carly cried out, and by reflex, her legs clamped around his head as his tongue slid through her slickness from her clit to her quivering entrance. With his fingers splayed above her knees, he pushed them wide, holding her still while he worked relentlessly.

  “Trent,” she called raggedly, not sure if she meant for him to stop—it was too much and too good—or to give her more.

  He seemed to know what she needed and moved back to the start, applying suction to her hard, aching nub as his long, broad finger glided into her. This was all it took to send her soaring.

  Her blissful cries resonated through the empty store, as did her panting gasps for breath. After a few more long, leisurely licks, which sent shuddering aftershocks through her body, Trent retraced his path slowly. Leaving a trail of wet kisses on her mound, belly, and breasts, until he came even with her mouth and reclaimed it.

  She was still breathless and shaky when he let her up for air.

  He gazed down at her, eyes still blazing, but instead of the anger from before, they were radiant with the heat of his need for her.

  “What do you say we go celebrate the rest of Valentine’s Day somewhere private?”

  She could feel the hard length of his erection along her belly and wondered about the delay. Filled with a sudden uncertainty, she asked, “Why not here?”

  “I want you, Carly.” He shifted above her, rotating his hips so there was no question of how much. “But the metal gate is open, as is the back door. Reeves is my relief and on duty by now. He’ll be by soon, if he’s not on his way here already. If he finds anything open, he won’t hesitate to come inside.”

  She twisted her neck, staring at the door.

  Trent caught her chin and brought her face back to his. “I can take a ribbing from my men, sweetheart, but I’d rather not have anyone else see you in something so sheer nothing is left to the imagination with your luscious ass still pink from my hand, or possibly hear your screams when I make you come. That’s for me and me only.”

  “The last part might be worth all the rest.”

  He bent to take another hard, quick kiss. “Maybe, but I’d still rather keep my woman to myself.”

  How could she say no, when her man had put it so eloquently?

  “Private celebration it is,” she declared with a broad grin.

  He picked up a stray curl where it lay across her cheek and rubbed it between his fingers. His eyes grew darker as they shifted to her face and roamed her features. “We’ll go to my place; it’s not far. For a while now, I’ve dreamed about your gorgeous body laid out on my bed and all this hair spread in a red-gold fan across my pillows.”

  “It sounds as though your dreams, like mine, are about to come true.”

  “Baby,” he whispered, “you have no idea.”

  Oh, my...

  He didn’t elaborate further but stood, bringing her up with him and setting her back on her feet. “I’ll lock up,” he murmured, his lips brushing hers ever so briefly. “You get dressed.”

 

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