Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

“Oh.” Her face cleared. “Then why, Sir?”

He clenched his teeth together, debating whether to tell her. In the end, he realized he couldn’t very well demand that she give him everything while giving her nothing in return. Not that he ever intended to tell her his all his secrets. But he could give her this.

“Why do you think I like playing with experienced subs?”

A hurt look filled her face before she quickly washed it away.

“Damn it.” He raised her face, but she kept her eyes averted. “Give me those eyes, kitten.”

She blinked. But didn’t look at him. Nope, that wasn’t going to do. He reached around behind her and pulling her close to his body with one arm so she couldn’t escape him, he laid a barrage of spanks on her ass. Her skin felt hot to the touch from her previous punishment and so he didn’t go too hard on her. Even so, when he pulled back, tears had blurred her eyes. He reached up and caught an errant tear on his finger then brought it up to his lips.

“Kitten, when I ask a question, I want an answer. And when I tell you to give me your eyes, I expect you to look at me immediately.”

“Yeah, I’m getting that,” she said ruefully, reaching around to rub her ass. He caught her hands in his, pinning them behind her back.

“Uh-uh, no rubbing. Little kittens who rub their hot bottoms after a punishment get to spend some time in the corner with their ass on display and their hands bound behind them.”

He noticed the flush that ran up her cheeks. Embarrassment at the idea of being on display? Of being treated like a naughty child? Was that a hint of arousal as well?

“Well? Why do you think I play with experienced subs?”

“Because you want someone who knows what they’re doing? Who submits fully and without causing you any problems?”

Okay, she read him better than he’d thought. But she hadn’t gotten it all.

“I do like that. Or thought I did. I must say, there’s something to be said for a little kitten who pushes her boundaries. Not sure when the last time I put a naughty subbie in the corner was and I find myself looking forward to the next time you provide me with that opportunity.”

She shook her head. “That’s not going to happen.”

He tugged at her hair. “Sir.”

“That’s not going to happen, Sir. I’m not going to do anything that will make you . . . make you put me in the corner.”

He cupped the side of her face, staring down at her with a mixture of amusement and affection. He hadn’t played with anyone he’d cared about this much before. It made this a very different experience.

“You know if I actually believed that I might be a little disappointed,” he told her. “Which goes against your reasoning, doesn’t it? I mean, why would I look forward to punishing you when I usually play with subs who never disobey me, never push their boundaries, where the only pain I inflict is for pleasure—there’s or mine?”

“They enjoy pain?”

“Some do. To varying degrees. You telling me that spanking didn’t turn you on a little? And before you answer, you should know there’s a penalty for lying.”

She glanced down.

“Eyes, kitten,” he growled.

Her eyes went immediately up to meet his. “It hurt. But there was also some pleasure. Especially . . . ” she trailed off.

“Especially?”

“The spanking you gave me earlier in my bedroom, when you rubbed my bottom, I got turned on by that.”

He leaned in and kissed her lightly. “Thank you for being honest. Honesty and communication are very big between a Dom and sub. I can’t read your mind. I’m pretty good with body language but when I ask questions, I need honest answers, understand?”

She nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

“There’s another reason I don’t play with newbies,” he told her.

“What’s that, Sir?”