Page 14 of A Raven Reformed

Tension fell like a heavy fog as he entered the sitting room, but he was still relieved to see her there, safe. Rosie held Belle’s hand as they sat together on the sofa.

“Thank you, Rosie, for watching over Belle in my absence.”

“It was my pleasure,” she said with a kind smile.

“Patrick is waiting for you outside.”

She whispered something in Belle’s ear that triggered a nervous smile before letting her hand go. On her way out, she stopped in front of him and looked him in the eye. “You go easy on her.” She didn’t wait for a response before walking through the door, leaving him alone with his wife.

Belle’s eyes were wide and her breathing quick and shallow. Good. She should be scared after doing something so careless. “Do you know how many people have been worried about you? I’m sure you put Mrs. Ingram through hell with your little escapade.”

She stood, her back ramrod straight. “I had to.”

He grabbed her upper arms. “Do you have any idea what could have happened to you? You could have been killed… or worse!”

She snorted. “What could possibly be worse than killed?”

He closed his eyes and stopped his anger from escalating as Patrick’s warning played in his ears again. “That’s not the point. This has to stop. What am I going to do with you, Belle?”

Nervously, she moistened her lips with her tongue. “Are you going to spank me again?”

Michael dropped her arms as if they had burned him, remembering his shameful behavior. But it wasn’t fear or goading that sparkled in her eyes. It was, without question, desire. Was it possible his wife had enjoyed being spanked? No. That couldn’t be. But red instantly flared in her cheeks and she turned away from him, embarrassed.

Only a fool would allow such an exquisite opportunity to pass him by.

* * *

Belle cursed herself as blood pounded in her temples. Her cheeks burned with humiliation. Why had she said it? He’d recoiled at the words. What must he think of her? Shame prickled her skin as she felt his scrutiny.

A low growl was the only warning she got before his hand clamped just above her elbow. “You’re coming with me.”

She scurried to keep up as he pulled her out of the room and up the narrow staircase.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, her heart suddenly thundering like a galloping horse inside her chest. What was he going to do with her?

He didn’t say anything until they reached the end of the hall. He threw the door open. “Inside,” he ordered.

It was his bedroom.

She looked up at him, the hard lines of his face daring her to defy him. “What are you going to do?” Her voice cracked on the last word.

He raised one confident brow. “I’m finally going to give you the spanking you deserve.” Her pulse quickened, and a tingle of excitement sparked in her belly. “Inside,” he said again.

She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry, and then stepped through the doorway into the large chamber. His massive bed sat majestically on the far wall to her right, with its large mahogany posts and deep blue and gold damask counterpane, the centerpiece of the room. Or perhaps it just felt that way because of what she feared was going to happen.

“The next time I have to repeat myself,” his deep voice rumbled close to her ear, and she felt the vibrations low in her belly. “There will be consequences. Understood?”

She looked at him over her shoulder and nodded.

“When I ask a question, you will answer it with words. Understood?” He spoke slowly, his voice stern but not angry.

“Yes.” She could only manage a whisper.

“Yes, my lord,” he corrected.

The words stoked a gently growing fire within her and suddenly her corset felt tighter across her breasts as she breathed. “Yes, my lord.”

As the corners of his lips lifted slowly, a sensuous flame appeared in his blue eyes. “Good girl.”

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