Page 178 of Bride By Initiation

His hand drops to my waist. He unties the belt of my robe and then pushes the satin off my shoulder, taunting, "I'll have to show my little brat what happens when she accuses me of things I would never do."

"It was in your pocket," I say, but it comes out weak, and I hate myself for it.

His lips caress my collarbone, and I whimper, closing my eyes. I push my hands against his chest, but there's no force behind them.

He slides his hands in my hair and tugs my head back again.

My nipples harden, and I squeeze my thighs together.

Hurt fills his expression, and he demands, "Be honest, Zara. You know I could never cheat on you, right?"

I want to believe him but don't want to be gullible either.

"Tell me," he snarls through gritted teeth.

I whisper, "It's not my lipstick."

"Fucking bad little brat of mine," he mumbles. Disappointment flares across his sharp features.

My heart hurts, but I won't cave. I add, "Tell me how it got there if it's not what I think?"

"I don't know. Someone had to have put it there. I've never seen it before now. But I definitely wouldn't be so stupid as to leave it in my pocket if I were that type of guy," he states.

His comment reignites my fury. "Glad to know I need to look for other clues!"

"You shouldn't be looking for clues! I'd never cheat on you! I love you!"

"Sure you do!" I hurl as the washer spins at a faster speed.

His scowl deepens. He warns, "Last chance. Tell me you believe me and that you're just emotional right now."

Maddening rage fills me. I snap, "Fuck you, my cheating husband."

He jerks his head backward. He studies my lips and then slowly meets my gaze.

My ache intensifies.

He maintains, "I haven't slept with anyone but you since before we got married."

"Prove it," I challenge.

His eyes widen, smoldering with a dark fire. "That's it!" In a quick move, he spins me and pushes me over the washer, fuming, "Let me remind you who I belong to, my little brat."

"You should think about that before you fuck someone else," I hurl.

He grabs the back of my robe and shoves it to the side, where it hangs from my arm. The cold metal hits my body, and his warm palm splays against my back.

"Sean—"

A loud smack ricochets through the air. A sting erupts against my ass cheek and gnaws at my aching core.

He barks, "Let me make it clear, my little brat."

Smack!

"Oh God!" I mumble, blinking hard, my hands flailing to grip something, but there's nothing but the flat top of the machine. The vibrations of the washer's cycle fly through my nipples, sending more shock waves through my chest.

"I love you and only you. Always have and always will," he declares, spanking me again.

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