Chapter 39

The way his eyes glittered made it clear my response pleased him. The way his body heat seeped into mine from the simple act of his hand gripping my hair was startling. I’d heard his voice so many times over the past two weeks, but it didn’t compare to having him here nor me knowing this experience would change me irrevocably.

He released my braid. I felt the loss of contact keenly and almost let out a small mewl of protest. I think he noticed because he smiled at me in such a devious way, I felt the chill of it across my skin.

“Eyes ahead.”

I had no desire to look away from him but I complied, knowing with disobedience came extra punishments. Ones he would dictate.

“I told you I would punish you for your indiscretions first. Six for your solicitation.”

His fingers brushed down my spine, the lightest of touches sending my pulse into overdrive. Then his hand came down hard across my behind.

“Count for me.”

I choked back a curse because the pain was so sharp and sudden.

“One.”

The second and third hurt just as bad as the first. I whimpered, unable to hold back the sound. The slaps didn’t stop, three more and he was done. Tears pricked behind my eyes but I blinked them away.

“Six.”

His hand stroked down my skin, soothing away the sting. I’d never had anyone spank me like that before. Sure, I’d had a little smacking during lovemaking, but punishment? Never. It wasn’t quite what I expected, but also not half as bad as I thought it might be. Somehow, even a punishment was somewhat of a turn on. Perhaps it was because he was the one dishing it out. Honestly, all I wanted was to make him happy.

“Good girl.”

His praise. Two simple words which made me preen.

“Thank you, Sir.”

His low rumble of approval was all I needed to hear. I was doing well. He continued to stroke the sting away until his touch became less soothing and more maddening. I tried not to whine and beg for him to touch me lower, between my legs where I knew I was dripping already. Begging would come later. When I was desperate. Not now when we were just getting started.

His hand left my skin and I felt him move away. I couldn’t look around to see what he was doing so I waited patiently instead. My thoughts were racing. Where would this go next? He told me what we would do but never in what order, how many times or when it would be enough.

I felt his breath hot on my ear a moment later and his warmth as he leant over me.

“You’re so responsive already, Clara,” he whispered. “You were made for this.”

I felt a tiny thrill hearing my first name on his lips. Every time we spoke on the phone it had always been ‘Miss Anderson’. His praise did something strange to my insides. Made me feel as though I was special. A funny sort of happiness and glee bubbled up inside me.

His fingers brushed against my face as he secured a blindfold over my eyes. Sensory deprivation heightens the rest. That’s what he told me. He knew this was psychological for me for the most part. An innate need to please.

“Sit up on your knees.”

He shifted away as my arms left the chair and I leant back on my knees. I heard him move and the armchair shift under his weight.

“Come here.”

I reached out almost blindly until my hand connected with his leg. His hand found mine and he encouraged me to position myself between his spread legs. Then he fisted my braid again and dragged me forward. My hands rested on both his thighs, feeling the hard muscle underneath tense and relax.

Sounds seemed so much louder when you couldn’t see a thing. The brush of my fingers against his jeans, his breath as he leant closer to me. The sound of my own and my heartbeat pulsating in my ears.

“Do you know why I’ve blindfolded you?”

“No, Sir.”

“You won’t see what’s coming next. You have to earn the right to lay eyes on me again.”

I shivered. Knowing I could earn the privilege made me extra needy. Pleasing him so I could see his face was all I could think about.

This was all kinds of messed up. I knew that. Meeting a stranger and asking for this, but somehow I felt safe with Dominic. His authoritative but sultry voice, which when I’d first heard it over the phone made me wet instantly, was like a balm to my soul.

He understood me.

He was who I’d wished, hoped and longed for.

I just hoped I was everything he’d been looking for too.