Page 23 of Candy Cane Chains

But I can see in his eyes that my words aren't reaching him. His grip tightens fractionally, and my pulse races beneath his fingers.

"You don't get to decide what matters, Ivy." Each word drops like ice between us. "Not here. Not with me."

I know I've crossed a line. I shouldn't have just left - because of course he would think I was trying to leave. But I wasn't. Iwant him to see that I would pick him if he just gave me the chance.

Before I can respond, he releases my jaw and grabs my wrist, pulling me toward the Bentley.

"Julian, what are you doing?" My voice trembles, but he doesn't answer. He sits down on the hood of the car, pulling me over his knee in one swift motion. I gasp, shocked by the sudden change in position.

"Since you seem to have trouble following the rules, it's time for a lesson." His voice is calm, controlled, but there's an undercurrent of danger that makes my heart race.

I try to push myself up, but his hand presses firmly against my back, holding me in place. I don't normally fight him but it doesn't sit well with me that I hurt him, actually hurt him by thinking that I would leave. "Julian, please?—"

"Quiet." The command is sharp, and I still immediately. I hear a soft rustling, and then something cool and smooth traces along the back of my thighs. I glance back to see he's plucked a large, decorative candy cane from the ground.

The first strike is sharp, a stinging pain that cuts through the silence. I cry out, more from surprise than pain. Julian's hand soothes the spot immediately, a gentle stroke that confuses my senses.

"You disobeyed me, Ivy." Another strike, this one harder. The pain blooms, and I squirm against his hold. My thighs rub together as the pain turns me on. His hand is there again, gentle, soothing. "You went where you weren't supposed to." Another strike. "You are supposed to stay by my side."

The alternating sensations are overwhelming. Sharp pain followed by gentle touches, each one pushing me closer to the edge as the pain and pleasure mix until it's unbearable. I can feel the tears welling up, the apologies on the tip of my tongue.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Julian."

The strikes come faster now, each one followed by a caress that leaves me begging for more. I can feel the heat building between my legs, the desperate need for release. But Julian is in control, and he won't let me finish. Not until he's ready.

"Please," I cry out, the tears streaming down my face. "Please, Julian."

He pauses, his hand resting on my heated skin. "Please what, Ivy?"

"Please let me come," I beg, my body trembling with need. "I can't take it anymore."

His hand moves between my legs, a gentle touch that has me moaning in relief. But he doesn't give me what I want, not yet. His fingers tease, stroking softly, building the tension until I'm on the verge of sobbing.

"Not until you apologize sincerely," he says, his voice stern. "Not until you mean it."

"I'm sorry," I cry out, the words torn from my throat. "I'm so sorry, Julian. I won't disobey you again. I won't go anywhere without you."

His fingers move faster, pushing me closer to the edge. "Again," he demands. "Say it again."

"I'm sorry," I repeat, my voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Julian. Please, please let me come."

And then, finally, he gives me what I need. His fingers push me over the edge, and I come undone, my body convulsing with the force of my release. The tears stream down my face, a mix of pain and pleasure that leaves me breathless.

Julian's hand soothes my skin, his touch gentle now. "Good girl," he murmurs, the approval in his voice making my heart swell. "That's my good girl."

I lay there, draped over his knee, my body still trembling with the aftershocks. I've never felt so vulnerable, so exposed. But at the same time, I've never felt so cared for, so protected.

And in that moment, I know I'm his. Completely, utterly his.

Julian lifts me into his arms, cradling me against his chest. His heartbeat thuds steady and strong beneath my ear as he carries me toward the elevator. The synthetic snow crunches under his feet with each step.

"You did so well for me," he murmurs, his lips brushing my temple. His praise washes over me, soothing the lingering sting. The doors open and he steps in. "Taking your punishment like that."

I curl into him as he takes me back upstairs, and I know that the punishment soothed him more than anything else. And if that's what he needs, then I'll take it. I want to be that for him.

Julian carries me to the living room, taking a seat but not letting me go. His arms cage me, protective rather than confining. The contrast strikes me - how different this feels from Travis.

When I disappointed Travis, he'd storm off to the bar or lock himself in his home office for hours, sometimes days. Clearly, he was finding someone else to spend his time with. But the silence would stretch until I apologized, even when I hadn't done anything wrong.

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