Page 15 of A Raven Reformed

His deep, rumbling voice and intimate praise made her knees weak, and she desperately wanted to make him say it again. What was happening to her?

“Before we begin, I want to make something very clear. You can always tell me to stop, at any time, and I will.” He looked directly into her eyes. “Understood?”

There was that tenderness again and it stole the breath from her lungs. “Yes, my lord,” she whispered. If she could stop him, that meant anything that happened from this point forward, was something she wanted. Somehow, that made it all even more terrifying.

Suddenly, the laces holding her belt in place came loose and it dropped to the floor. She spun around. What was he doing?

“Turn around and hold still so I can get these off of you.” He gestured up and down her body. He wanted to remove her clothes?

When she didn’t comply, he raised a warning brow. “What did I say about having to repeat myself?”

She slowly did as he’d instructed. In short order, the buttons on her shirt, skirt, and petticoat, were all open. Her apprehension elevated even more when he pushed her skirts down and ordered her to step out of them. What had she gotten herself into? This was clearly not just a spanking.

He picked the garments up off the floor and shook the wrinkles out of them before draping them neatly over the back of a chair as if he were her maid. When he returned to her, he slowly slipped her blouse and corset cover from her body and put them with the other clothing, taking his time, seemingly in no hurry, whatsoever. As he loosened the laces of her corset, she closed her eyes, trying to hide within herself, uncertain if she was more shocked by what he was doing, or by the part of her that was enjoying every second of it.

Belle gasped as his warm arms wrapped around her and unhooked her corset, leaving her in nothing but her chemise, drawers, stockings, and shoes. Cool air flowed easily through the thin fabrics, chilling her skin.

“Go and stand by the bed.”

A shiver of panic swept through her. She wasn’t ready for this. Her mind flashed back to the warning Lizzie had given her about what he would want from her in the bedroom. Was that what he was going to do? Sudden fear had her feet frozen to the floor. When she didn’t move, her backside was met with a firm smack.

“I said, go and stand by the bed.” The sting on her flesh dislodged her feet and she moved quickly to the foot of the bed. Would he really stop if she asked him to?

Even if he would, she didn’t want him to, in spite of the nervous fluttering in her stomach.

He removed his coat and hung it on the back of the other chair before he lazily sauntered across to join her, his gaze never leaving her. Gently, he grasped her wrists and positioned her hands around the bedpost at waist height. He covered her hands with his and looked intently into her eyes. “These don’t move from here. Understood?”

“Yes, my lord.” The strange desire that had faded came flooding back and her pulse quickened. Why did those words affect her so? And what was this neediness that was growing within her?

He gripped her hips, his touch gentle but firm. The heat from his large hands easily penetrated the fabric of her chemise and drawers. Slowly, he guided her backwards, forcing her to bend over and stretch her arms above her head to the bedpost. She’d never felt so vulnerable before, and yet, she believed she was safe with him.

“You know you were a very naughty girl, and you deserve to be punished, right?” Her cheeks burned with renewed abashment, and she nodded. The resulting smack was a quick reminder of his rules.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Good,” he purred.

Two stinging cracks landed on each side of her bottom. The jarring impacts caused her hardened nipples to rub against the fabric of her chemise, sending flashes of an exquisite sensation through her body to the ache that was growing between her thighs. She’d never felt anything like it, and she wanted more.

“You caused a lot of chaos and worry today with your antics. Poor Mrs. Ingram was probably worried sick about you, and with good reason.” The next two strokes were a bit harder, but the sting only intensified her longing.

“I’m sorry, my lord.”

His hand rubbed her softly, soothing her burning skin. A reward for her apology, perhaps. She closed her eyes, allowing the tender gesture to flow through her.

“You won’t be doing anything so reckless again in the future, will you?”

“No, my lord.” Her words were breathless. She wasn’t ready for this to end yet. Her body was crying out for more.

He massaged her gently. “Good girl.” The words sent a thrill through her body. His fingers were so close to the part of her that was begging to be touched and her hips twitched of their own accord. A low purr rumbled inside his chest.

His other hand reached beneath her body and a fingertip brushed against her sensitive nipple. The resulting streak of pleasure startled a moan from her before she could stop it. She clapped a hand over her mouth, mortified by the sound that had escaped.

Her backside immediately received a swat. “What did I say about your hands?” She quickly returned it to the bedpost.

He leaned down and whispered into her ear. “You don’t need to hide your pleasure from me.” Gently, he rolled her nipple between his thumb and finger, coaxing another moan from her. Sensations she’d never known began building in her body as his fingers continued their teasing.

“Do you like that?”

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