Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(61)

“Does the thought cause you that much panic?”

“What?” She looked up, startled.

“You are clearly deep in your thoughts in the manner which you fall into whenever you wish to avoid actually thinking about something.”

“I do not.” Well, she did, but she had continued resentment that Duldon noticed it.

“Let us not debate. Does being naked with me make you nervous?”

“Yes. It does seem a very large step on this pathway we have followed.” Her head dropped as she spoke. It should not have been a difficult answer to give. A discomfort in being naked was normal, to be desired even. Why she should be embarrassed by it was beyond her.



“I have seen your breasts.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Would it bother you for me to see them again?”

That made her think. It had not been a matter of thought the other night; they had simply suddenly been bare and her desires and emotions had been running so high that it had not even occurred to her to protest. Now, it was harder. “I confess that it would feel strange, but I am aware that most of this will feel strange. It is the same with being naked. I do understand it is a necessary part, but I feel some shyness.”

“It is not actually necessary for you to be naked, at least not completely. Some couples even to choose to keep on certain pieces of attire because they find it provocative. I must admit that I’ve always liked a woman in a corset as long as I can push her breasts up over the top. I relish the contrast between restraint and freedom.”

Her sex throbbed at his words. She never even considered such a thing, and yet her mind was flooding with visions. “I do understand. Lord Banks and Julianna were not naked, although I cannot imagine taking off all my clothes in someone else’s house.”

“I do admit that it is rare to place oneself in a position of such extreme vulnerability. It is not something I care for personally.”

Her heart was almost beating out of her chest with anticipation. What was coming next?

“And you are managing to distract me as well as yourself. I do still have your punishment to administer.” His hands slid down the hard lines of his thighs, drawing her gaze. She could see the swelling between his palms and wished to reach out her own fingers to touch and feel. Her hands moved and stretched toward him.



A deep chuckle emerged from his throat. “Yes, you do seek to distract, if not one way then another.”

“I don’t mean to.” She turned her face back to his.

“I know that, my sweet. Otherwise I’d be forced to try and correct your behavior, but I sense that is impossible. It is simply who you are.”

She nodded.

“Now, being in a forgiving mood, I will offer you a choice of punishments.”

That sounded good. She had always like having some freedom to choose.

“I can either spank you or tease you more—and then some more. I do rather think I’d like having you squirm with want for me.”

A spanking? He would spank her? The thought brought first horror and then curiosity. She remembered again how Mrs. Binkshaw had moved toward her husband’s hand, eager for more. No. It was unacceptable. She would never allow a man to hit her. Although…

But to be teased further? Could she bear that? Her body had ached and cried with need ever since he’d left her the night before, at least until Lady Perse’s visit. She had to admit that had cooled her, but only until she’d started thinking of tonight’s meeting, then her body had burst into flames again. Closing her eyes, she tried to conceive of being even more at his mercy, more in his control. If he made her need him more than she did now she would beg, beg and cry and plead.



No. That was far worse than a spanking. A spanking could be forgotten at morning’s light—even if her behind remembered it for a few days longer. If she begged Duldon she would never forget it.

“I choose a spanking.” Her voice was firm.

He smiled, just the barest hint curling about his lips. “You always were a smart one.”

Her cheeks warmed with pleasure.

“Now then, lift your skirts to your hips and bend over the end of the bed. It is time you learn the purpose of that leather padding you seemed so taken with.” His voice rang with authority.

Her skirts were gathered to her knees before she even thought about it. And then she stopped. She had nothing on under her skirts. If she lifted them and leaned over she’d be exposing her all to him. He’d be able to see everything. Even she had never really seen what she looked like—like there. And why was she jumping to obey him? Yes, she’d agreed to this, but that still didn’t mean she had to do everything he said.

“You are thinking too much, Bliss. Just do as I suggest.”

“Suggest?” She could not keep the response from slipping from her mouth.

“Yes, suggest. There is no force here. You may leave if you wish. I will escort you home. But if not you must learn to do as I say, with no questions. I am the master within this chamber. Is that too much for you? Would you like me to take you home?”

And he would. She knew that without the slightest shadow of a doubt. If she wanted to leave he would take her—and he would not judge her for it. As the thought ran through her mind, her internal trembling stopped.