Bitter Vows (Crimson Falls 1)

“Oh!” A gasp from my gran is the only expression of shock to his words. “Are you sure you should be traveling to the city this week?”

“There’s no need to worry. I’ll take care of her,” he assures my grandmother, who seems even more uncomfortable now than she was moments ago.

Her gaze locks on mine, and she offers a grin. “You’ll absolutely love it.” My grandmother says before she’s dragged away to other guests. I attempt to appear normal while my life feels like it’s falling apart before my very eyes.

“Close your mouth, little red,” Lycan whispers in my ear. “The only time I want that mouth parted in an O is when my dick is about to slide between those lips.” His words are filled with amusement, but I don’t laugh.

“What is happening? Why does she not want us traveling to New York? What are you not telling me? She seemed almost scared to refuse your request to talk to her. Why?” My questions are drenched in curiosity as a hiss of frustrated breath escapes my lips.

Lycan’s green eyes sparkle with indignation as if he’s angry that I’m even asking him about his relationship with my family, with my grandmother. His hand reaches for my arm. Taking me by the elbow, he leads me away from the crowd down a long, darkened hallway until we reach an office where he shoves me inside and kicks the door shut behind him.

“If you want to be punished, little red, I’ll gladly oblige,” he informs me as his hands grip the thick leather of his belt. Thoughts of him spanking me, whipping me until I’m begging for more, invade my mind, and I’m squirming on the spot.

“Don’t change the subject,” I bite out, crossing my arms in front of my chest after tugging myself free of his hold. “I want to know the truth. I’m done staying in the dark.”

“I thought you liked the darkness, little red?” Lycan challenges as he moves closer to me, eating up the distance I’ve put between us in two long strides. As much as I want to run, I don’t. I tilt my chin in defiance.

“We better get back to the party before my grandmother looks for us,” I tell him, ignoring his question because if I had to be honest, I would say yes. I do enjoy the darkness. I want more of it, but right now, I want answers.

“You didn’t answer my question. I don’t like repeating myself,” he informs me. “That calls for a harsh punishment.” A fire blazes in his eyes as he steps into my personal space, his hands gripping my elbows as he holds me steady. There’s no running from Lycan, not right now. “And tonight, I’ll show you just what kind of punishment comes from you not answering me when I question you.”

“Then do it,” I bite out as frustration claws its way up my throat. “Why don’t you do it right now?” I challenge, hoping he’ll quell the ache that’s started twisting in my gut. I may have denied the fact that I’m submissive to him, but it was a lie. Right now, all I want is for him to bend me over right here on the arm of the sofa and spank me.

I don’t have to wait long before Lycan spins me around, hitches my dress over my hips, and one of his large hands comes down on my ass with a loud swat. A squeal of surprise tumbles from my lips, and another spank lands on the other cheek. He continues my punishment with grunts and growls rumbling in his chest. And my lips expel moans of pleasure with each smarting swat.

By the time I’m trembling, he stops. I don’t know how many times his hand landed on my behind, but the sting is apparent. I’m certain my ass is bright red. Lycan’s fierce grip in my long tresses tugs me to stand, and the hemline of my dress slinks down my thighs, hiding my panty-clad butt.

“Next time, it will be my belt,” he promises along my neck before his teeth graze the lobe of my ear along with the threat. “Now, let’s go out there and look like a happily engaged couple.”

He takes my hand and leads me out into the throng of the party, where guests are drinking, chatting, and laughing. Music tinkles from the speakers as we move through the crowd and into the dining room, leading out onto the patio. Similar to Lycan’s home, this one is illuminated with fairy lights that twinkle around pillars.

“It’s scary how alike your house is to my grandmother’s,” I remark as we stop at the bar where Lycan orders me a white wine, and he gets himself a whiskey.

“It’s the reason they built them, the ancestors of our families.” A new tidbit of information I had no clue about. It seems every day with him, I’m learning something new. Lycan leans in his hot breath at my ear. “I bet that sweet cunt is soaked for me right now. Even with all these people around, you’re needy for me to make you come again. Aren’t you, little red?”