"Deal. You don't give a shit about me. This is all about money." She kicked out, jerking her head up to glare at me.
"This isn't all about money. This is about your life." I refused to stop even as the heat built up in my hand, the adrenaline flowing. When her bottom was cherry red, only then did she sag in my arms, taking deep breaths. I felt more protective of her than before, my heart racing from the realization that she could have been found, even killed. Caring for this beautiful, frustrating woman hadn't been in the cards.
But my body and soul had betrayed me.
"Fine. Whatever," she whispered.
I cracked her bottom several more times until my hand actually ached almost as much as my cock. "But you don't believe me." I eased her against my chest, rubbing my hand down her arms.
"Why should I? You're just going to kill me anyway once you get what you want. You're angry and bitter. The rage is eating you alive." She managed to elbow me in the gut, gaining just enough traction to slip out of my grasp. Lunging forward, she flew around a tree.
I was on her in a split second, pinning her against the massive oak. Even though she pushed hard against me, her eyes shimmering with fear, there was so much more.
A dark passion.
A raging desire.
Absolute need.
I took several deep breaths, trying to control my anger. She didn't deserve my wrath. Not now.
Not ever.
However, she needed to learn that I was the only man who could protect her.
Keeping a firm grip on her arm, I dragged her deeper into the forest, finding exactly what I was looking for. As I yanked on the smaller branches, she continued to struggle, hissing under her breath.
"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded, her face flushed.
"The perfect size limb from a birch tree. I'm going to switch your naked ass. Maybe this will get through to you that you can't be so damn careless."
Her mouth twisted, her eyes opening wide. "I... No, I..."
"You'll what, Francesca? Learn that I'm not trying to harm you? Learn that you can trust me?" When she remained quiet, I eased my grip, touching her nose with the tip of my index finger. "Stay right there or this round of punishment will be much worse."
I was actually surprised she obeyed, her body swaying yet never taking a foot in any direction. I peeled away the leaves then snapped my wrist. The limb was perfect in size and shape. "Stand against the tree. Place your palms against the bark."
"You're horrible."
"You might be right."
Francesca took several deep breaths, finally surrendering, digging her nails against the thick wooden trunk.
While spanking her was necessary, a portion of my heart had been yanked into my throat. The way I felt about her could be my weakness.
I tested the switch, tapping her bottom them giving her two strokes.
Moaning, she undulated her hips but remained in position.
After giving her several more, moving from her rounded bottom to the tops of her thighs, she arched her back, whimpering. I wanted her to be able to trust me. Maybe I was fool in thinking that would happen. "You're doing very well."
"Yes. Sir." Her words were stilted.
I issued six more in rapid succession, each one causing a slight stripe across her already bruised bottom. My cock was aching, desire burning deep within. I wanted nothing more than to hold her, telling her everything was going to be all right. "Six more."
"It hurts," she said quietly, twisting her head in my direction.
I could see tears in her eyes. "Punishment is supposed to hurt." I found the words strangled, as if I was fighting with myself, but I did as required, giving her six more strikes, keeping an almost perfect rhythm.
The spanking was satisfying, maybe far too much so. I was in the freaking middle of the forest treating her like a child when we could both be in significant danger. I dropped the switch, shaking my head before moving toward her. "You did very well."
"Yes. Okay. I mean, yes, sir." She sagged against the tree, her shoulders heaving.
Taking her into my arms, I cupped her face, digging my fingers into her skin as I lowered my head, taking several deep breaths, inhaling her sweet scent. I wanted to push her out of my mind, resist the unraveling she'd already done to me. I also wanted to protect her with all that I had, locking her away if necessary. Mostly, I wanted her. Every sweet inch.
My kryptonite had sharp edges, talons and claws, digging into my mind and my very soul. I was sucked into a labyrinth of lust, overwhelming in all forms, my attraction undeniable. The woman would never deny me. Never.
I crushed my mouth over hers, resisting her moans, her struggles against me. I thrust my tongue inside, taking her luscious mouth. The softness of her skin, the beautiful fragrance filtering around me was like rocket fuel, revving an engine. I could no longer think clearly, focus on the importance of getting her to safety.
Monster.
I could almost hear her screaming the word.
She fought me, smashing her fist against my chest, trying hard to get away, even as her body yielded to mine. She finally stopped struggling, clawing my shirt as she clung to me, the kiss becoming a passionate roar of near desperation.
I couldn't seem to get enough of her, my cock aching to be deep inside. There was no holding back, the basic animal instinct the driving force. I maneuvered my hand until I was able to free my shaft and without a second of reservation, I shoved the entire length inside. When I finally eased back, I kept my lips close to hers. "You are everything to me. I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone." My words were little more than barbaric growls but the way her body responded, her nipples hardened points, her pussy sopping wet was a powerful aphrodisiac.
The woman fueled every fire, igniting the kind of desire that was all consuming.