The moment she drew fresh island air into her lungs, it didn’t seem to matter as much. The salt tang of the air meant freedom, for which she would always be grateful even if Alex turned out to be a monster in every other respect.
She pulled the cardigan Maria had left on the bed for her around her shoulders and began making her way down a well-made path which seemed to lead to the shore. This island was very steep. The air strip had been set in decent proximity to the house and had not been such a hike, but heading down toward what she hoped would be a beach was more treacherous even with a secure path. Sophie ended up slipping off her heels and padding down the stones on bare feet.
“STOP!”
Alex’s voice thundered behind her. She stopped more out of shock than any desire to be obedient, turned around and saw him striding down the path toward her, his dark hair being blown in the breeze in a way which made him look rakish as hell. He was still wearing the clothes he had been wearing last night. Obviously hadn’t slept, or showered.
That should have made him gross. Would have made any other man gross. But didn’t make him disgusting. It made him hot and five-o’clock shadowy. It made his eyes darker, and gave him a wild appearance that seemed even more like the essence of his true self.
“There are snakes here,” he lectured as he drew closer. “You could be bitten if you stepped on one without shoes.”
“Why would you put poisonous snakes on your island paradise? Who does that? It’s like building a house and smashing a hole in the roof before you move in.”
“I told you not to leave the house,” he said, ignoring her question.
“I don’t care what you told me. You also told me I don’t know who you are.”
“You’re under my roof, so you will follow my rules.”
“You are not my father.”
“No, but I’ll still spank you like my little girl if I have to.”
God. Why did that threat do so much to her. Why did it send an absolute overload of chemistry crashing through her? It made her feel hot and cold at the same time. It made her feel small and cared for, and outraged and humiliated all at the same time. They were just words, but they rearranged her mind from the inside out.
My little girl.
There was something between them. Something that sounded almost sweet, but wasn’t. Something that made her stomach twist and her heart race. Sophie clenched her hands, digging her nails into her palms as she tried to compose herself. She couldn’t help blushing, but she could stop herself from turning into a stammering mess.
Chapter 15
She was cute.
She was also in a great deal of trouble. Alex had never found her disobedience endearing, and now he was in the position to actually do something about it. In fact, he had to do something about it, or she would get herself killed.
“Come with me,” he said firmly. “And put your shoes on.”
He held her hand to steady her as she wedged her feet back into those heels which had never been practical in any setting.
He took her by the hand and led her to the couch. There was a very pretty view from the window, but there was an even prettier view under it once he had her over his knee.
“This is so…”
“Quiet,” he said firmly, before she talked herself into more trouble.
He pulled her over his thighs and allowed himself to enjoy the weight of her body. He had predicted that she’d fight him if he ever tried to discipline her, but she didn’t. She lay there, still. So still, he realized that she was holding her breath.
“Breathe,” he told her, tapping her ass lightly.
“I am breathing.”
That sass cost her a gentle introduction to his discipline.
He spanked her hard, jolting her hips against his thighs, making her ass color up to an almost immediate bright red. He gave her the spanking he had been wanting to give her from the moment he met her, a very thorough thrashing which made her gasp and yowl, and soon enough, cry.
From the first moment they’d met, she had been teasing him. Finally, he was able to respond as he had known he should all along.
Every time his palm landed, she felt pain and shame flash through her body in the same swat. Sophie had disobeyed him with the intention of finding out what would happen, of breaking the stalemate of tension which had been between them ever since they first met.
She’d gotten what she asked for. She was getting the stern side of her boss as he unleashed the promise of discipline on her tender skin. She had never been spanked as true punishment before, and hadn’t known what it would feel like. She was surprised how much it hurt, how there were different levels to the pain. A sharp sting spread across the surface of her skin with every slap, and then there was a deeper ache which was built over time, combined with the tingling heat which reached up inside her and stimulated parts of her body she never knew could be affected by this simple punishment.