Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

He cupped her chin in the palm of his hand. “What is the rule when I ask you a question?”

Drat. “You expect an honest answer, Sir.”

“Did you just give me an honest answer?”

“No, Sir.”

“Well?”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Sir.”

He sighed and gave her a disappointed look. Shit. She hated when he looked at her like that. That icky feeling grew.

“Go to the cupboard and get a paddle. The rectangular black one.”

Oh, crap. She really didn’t want to do that. She’d seen his collection of paddles. It was vast. And for some reason, he kept them mounted in a big cupboard in his office. But she got up and walked over and opened the door. Each paddle was on a hook attached to the back of the cupboard. She reached out and picked up the one he’d requested then she shut the doors and turned, heading reluctantly back to him.

He pointed between his feet and she knelt and offered up the paddle. He took it from her and set it on the desk. She placed her hands on his thighs as he required in this position. Then forced herself to look up at him.

“Want to change your answer and tell me what’s going on in your head, kitten?”

“If I do, does it mean I won’t get paddled?” she asked hopefully.

“No, it just means I won’t go as hard on you as I will if you don’t answer me.”

Well, since she really didn’t want to talk to him about what she’d been thinking she guessed she was going to have to handle having a sore, flaming ass.

“I don’t want to change my answer, Sir.”

His gaze narrowed. “I don’t like that you’re holding back, kitten.”

“You and me both, Sir.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She remained stubbornly silent.

“All right. If that’s how you want to play it. Over my lap.”

He was upset with her. She hated when he was upset with her. But she still didn’t say anything, just stood and positioned herself on his lap.

“Make sure those hands stay down,” he warned.

She wrapped them around his calf as he reached for the paddle. It descended on her ass without warning. Fire broke out across her cheeks, making her gasp.

Fuck. Fuck.

“Want to change your mind now, kitten?”

“No.”

Another smack of the paddle. Oh, God, how was she going to survive this. The pain was already immense, and she’d only had two smacks of the paddle.

“What’s going on, kitten?” Another smack. “And before you tell me nothing, remember I have a whole collection of paddles I can use on this ass.”

He wouldn’t. At least she didn’t think he would. But she had to give him something to make sure that wouldn’t happen.

“I spoke to the assistant DA on my case today,” she blurted out.