Ruthless Creatures (Queens & Monsters, #1)(69)

Holding the base of his cock, I smack him on the ass four more times with the brush, pausing for a second after each one to let him count. When we get to nine, he’s breathing hard, flexing his hips against my hand, trying to pump into it. All the muscles in his stomach are clenched.

And I’m so turned on, I might burst into flames.

He growls, “One more. Do it now.”

“What happens when I’m finished?”

“It’s my turn.”

I can’t catch my breath. My entire body is trembling. I whisper, “I’m scared.”

“I won’t hurt you, sweetheart. I promise.”

“No, I mean…I’m scared that I’ll like it.”

Holding my gaze, he says, “You will.”

Body hunger.

It’s a phrase I’ve heard before, but never understood. I do now, though. It’s a craving, aching, longing lust that seizes you and turns you ravenous. My entire physical being is so hungry for this man, I’m salivating.

I give Kage the final whack on his butt, then release his cock and back away from him, dropping the brush to the floor.

He slowly lowers his arms to his sides. He looks me up and down over his shoulder and licks his lips. He says softly, “Ten.”

His ass is red, his cock is hard, and he’s wearing an expression like a tiger that’s been released from its chains after fifty years of captivity.

He bends and pulls up his sweats. Then he turns to me, smoldering.

In his hard, dominant voice, he says, “Come here.”

Cold panic floods through my veins. Oh god. Oh god oh god oh god!

Quaking all over, I take a tentative step toward him. When I don’t go any farther, he gets impatient, holding out his hand. He gestures with his fingers for me to hurry the hell up.

I take a deep breath and keep walking, biting my lip as I go. When I’m standing right in front of him, he takes me by the wrist and pins my arm behind my back, gripping my jaw in his other hand.

Looking down at me with half-lidded eyes, he says, “Permission to do with you as I please.”

Even though it’s technically a question, his tone is still that dark, commanding one.

My heart wasn’t made for this kind of stress. It’s dizzy, swooning inside my chest like a drunk with balance problems.

“What if…” I moisten my lips, trying to catch my breath. “What if you do something I don’t want?”

“Say ‘red’ and I’ll stop. If you get uncomfortable but aren’t sure if you want me to stop yet, say ‘yellow.’ If you like something, say ‘green.’”

I picture myself writhing around on the bed as he has his way with me, blabbering deliriously, “Green, green, green!”

“I’ll check in with you as we go to make sure you’re doing okay. I won’t harm you. You’ll be in charge. Everything stops if you say so. Now give me your permission.”

He claims I’ll be in charge, but I’m barely even in charge of my bodily functions.

My entire central nervous system is in meltdown mode. My pulse is hammering, my knees are knocking, and my lungs aren’t feeding my brain nearly enough oxygen. I literally feel as if I’m about to pass out cold. The only thing keeping me standing is the hand I’ve got curled into the waistband of his sweats.

“I…I…”

Kage waits, nostrils flared and lips thinned, looking so damn hot, I’m sweating.

Finally, it comes out in a breathless rush. “Oh, fuck it. Yes, you have my permission.”

Before I can pass out, he picks me up in his arms and strides into the bedroom.

With me in his arms, he sits on the edge of the mattress. He flips me over so I’m facedown over his lap, my chest on the bed and my butt in the air. He yanks down my shorts to mid-thigh, holds me down by the scruff of my neck, and says in a husky voice, “I’ve been dreaming about this for months.”

He gives me a swift, smart smack on my ass.

When I jump and squeal, he laughs.

Darkly.

He smacks me again, this time on the other cheek, slightly harder. It sends a shock wave of pleasure through my body. The place where he struck me tingles and stings, but doesn’t hurt.

Still, I’m hyperventilating. My shaking hands curl to fists in the sheets.

“The first was a level one. The second was a level two. Here’s a three. Tell me if you want it softer or harder.”

He slaps my butt again, this time with more force. I suck in a breath, my back stiffening. Then he smooths his big rough hand over both my butt cheeks, back and forth from side to side, gently stroking away the sting and waiting.

I’m already wet between my legs. My heartbeat is zooming. My nipples are tight and aching.

I whisper, “I want it harder.”

He exhales an uneven breath. Against my belly, his cock throbs.

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

The blow lands on my left cheek. It’s stronger than the others, edging closer to painful, but the heat that blooms over my skin in its wake makes me moan.

I close my eyes and shift restlessly on his lap, waiting for another.

Waiting and wanting.

His voice is a soothing caress to my fevered brain. “Talk to me, baby. How are you feeling?”

“Good.”