The Space Marshal's Captive

“I can’t give up—” she blurted.

“Yes, you can. You can give up endangering yourself, this ship, and me. You can give up thinking that you’re on a personal one-woman crusade to save a whole planet. You can start by thinking about consequences.” He spoke quietly, almost too quietly, and it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. An angry man should shout and curse, shouldn’t he? This one didn’t. What he articulated was blunt and to the point. Towering over her, he had the strength to overpower her and show his dominance in an aggressive way. Clearly, it wasn’t his style. He expected obedience.

Trapped, but unbound, the best course of action would be to relinquish her body to him and accept her fate. Jade rocked back on her heels and couldn’t think of anything to say.

The marshal stepped back and looked her up and down. “I’m authorized to punish escape attempts. I’m also authorized to punish anyone on board this ship who recklessly endangers the lives of others.” He tapped his foot on the floor, appraising her.

Jade instinctively clenched her buttocks at his sternness—such a voice he had when dishing out those words, it almost dazzled her. Her ass cheeks had stopped throbbing, the physical impact of the last spanking had faded. She guessed it wouldn’t be long before they were sore once again.

She cleared her throat. “I suppose you want me to strip.”

He nodded, unsmiling. “Yes. Then bend over the table.”

“I didn’t break the security system. That wasn’t my fault.” She began to unbutton her tunic, plucking at the clasps with trembling fingers. “I’m an opportunist.”

“Nope, it wasn’t your fault but that isn’t an excuse for escaping. I applaud your ability to think on your feet, Jade, but I’d rather you didn’t do it with me about. You’re a liability.” He went quiet as she finished undressing.

This time removing her underwear caused less indignity, if only because he’d seen her naked before. However, it was little comfort for what was to come. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, as if she was cold.

“Over the table,” Mason ordered.

“What are you going to do?” she stuttered, turning to face the medical exam table.

“Spank that ass of yours until it’s red hot.”

She risked a little sarcasm. “I’m familiar with that approach.” She edged forward, forcing herself to bend. He’d see the line of her slit as she exposed herself. There was little she could do to hide the smoothness of her lips. She’d placed her trust in him before, she could do it again.

“That’s the problem. It isn’t having quite the impact I want it to. So…” He sounded closer than she’d imagined; his voice right by her ear, competing with the thrum of her racing heartbeats. “I’m adding an additional measure.”

Startled, she rose and twisted around to face him. “What?”

He held something in his hands. She hadn’t seen him pick it up. “You’ll have this inside you. A reminder that your obedience is non-negotiable.”

It wasn’t the first butt plug she’d ever seen. Jade couldn’t claim to be an innocent. However, she’d not seen one attached to a balloon pump before. “No,” she gasped. “That isn’t going—”

“It is,” he said firmly. “I’m punishing your ass in a way you’ll not forget.”

“I’m not planning on escaping again, honestly,” she said swiftly.

“Only because you’ve no way of getting off this ship.” He squeezed the air pump and the conical-shaped plug expanded slightly. “This will ensure you obey.”

“Just spank me,” she pleaded, leaning back on the table.

“Bend over now, Jade, and stay still, or else I’ll use those, too.” He pointed at the restraints.

Tears pricked her eyes. “I will be good from now on.”

“That’s nice of you to say,” Mason said wryly. “I’ve heard you say something similar before. This is your last warning—bend over.”

Jade stretched her arms out as she leaned forward and grasped the edges of the table. Her knuckles were white.

“I’m going to spank you ten times on each ass cheek, then insert the plug. Plenty of lube, so don’t fret about the insertion.”

Did he expect her to say thank you? She squeezed her eyes shut. “Whatever,” she spat. She regretted saying it immediately.

“Watch your tongue; insolence won’t be tolerated.”

The first smack cracked across her behind as he swept his hand upward. She exclaimed loudly—he’d aimed for the crease at the top of her thighs. Without pausing he switched to the other cheek and delivered an equally firm blow. The pain seared instantly and she jerked upward. Over and over, he paddled her ass with the flat of his palm and he counted out each one. She tried to relax and failed. Her bottom flinched, involuntarily tightening, and the unwanted response magnified the effect of the spanking. She hated the pain. Unsurprisingly, each time he clapped his hand across her ass, the intensity rocketed, adding another layer of heat.