Page 19 of Obsidian Desire

Kaelis hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “It was intense,” she admitted. “But… I liked it. I felt… safe.” Damian’s expression softened, his pride evident. “That’s all I wanted for you,” he said. “For you to feel safe, seen, and strong.” Kaelis’s chest tightened again, the weight of his words sinking in. She realized then how deeply she had come to care for him.

As the evening wore on, Damian stayed close, his attention never wavering. They spoke in quiet tones, reflecting on the scene and the journey that had brought them to this point. Kaelis felt a newfound confidence blooming within her, but it was accompanied by a growing realization—she was falling for Damian. The thought both thrilled and terrified her, but she knew she couldn’t deny it any longer.

When it was time to leave, Damian walked her to the door, his hand resting lightly on her back. “You were incredible tonight,” he said again, his tone filled with quiet conviction. “And I’m honored to have shared that with you.” Kaelis smiled, her heart full despite the nervous flutter in her chest. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For everything.”

As Kaelis stepped out into the cool night air, she felt a profound sense of clarity. The connection she shared with Damian had grown into something deeper than she’d ever anticipated, and she knew she couldn’t ignore it any longer. With each step forward, she felt more certain of one thing—her trust in Damian wasn’t just professional or physical. It was emotional, and it was real.

Chapter sixteen

Erotic Punishment

KaelisMonroeleanedagainstthe counter in Echelon’s lounge, a playful smirk tugging at her lips as Damian Blackthorn approached her. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, the hint of a smile ghosting across his face. “I heard about your little stunt earlier,” he said, his voice low and calm, but there was a dangerous edge to his tone. Kaelis tilted her head, feigning innocence. “What stunt?” she asked, her voice light but teasing. She knew exactly what he was referring to.

Damian stepped closer, his presence commanding as always. “You deliberately ignored my instructions during the demo,” he said, his voice quieter now; meant only for her.

Kaelis’s smirk widened, though her heart raced. “I thought you liked a challenge,” she replied.

Damian’s lips quirked into a smile, but there was no mistaking the intent in his gaze. “Oh, Kaelis,” he murmured, his voice like velvet. “You’re going to regret that.”

A thrill shot through her at his words.

He extended a hand toward her, his expression softening slightly. “Come with me,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. Kaelis hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in his. Damian’s grip was warm and steady as he guided her down the hall to one of Echelon’s private rooms. The air inside was charged with anticipation as Damian closed the door behind them, his gaze locking onto hers.

“Do you understand why we’re here?” Damian asked, his tone calm but commanding.

Kaelis nodded, her playful smirk fading as she realized the seriousness in his voice. “Yes,” she said softly.

Damian crossed the room, gesturing for her to stand in the center. “Good,” he said. “Then we’ll begin.” He stepped closer, his hand brushing lightly against her cheek. “You know the rules,” he said, his voice low. “Safe words?”

“Green, yellow, red,” Kaelis recited, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her chest.

Damian nodded, satisfied. “Exactly.”

He moved to the chest in the corner, selecting a leather paddle and holding it up for her to see. “This will be your punishment,” he said, his tone even. “Not because you defied me, but because you need to understand the balance of trust and respect in this dynamic.”

Kaelis swallowed hard, nodding in understanding.

Damian’s eyes softened. “You’re in control, Kaelis. Say the word, and we stop.”

She nodded again, her voice steady as she said, “I understand.”

Damian gestured for her to kneel, his movements precise and deliberate. Kaelis complied, lowering herself onto the padded bench at the center of the room. “Hands in front,” Damian instructed, his voice calm but firm. He secured her wrists with soft cuffs, ensuring they were snug but not restrictive. “Are you comfortable?” he asked.

“Yes,” Kaelis replied, her breath catching as anticipation coiled in her stomach.

The first strike was light, more a tap than anything else, meant to test her reaction. “How does that feel?” Damian asked his tone even.

“Good,” Kaelis replied, her voice steady.

Damian nodded, his lips curving into a small smile. “We’ll build slowly,” he said, his voice soothing. He struck again, slightlyfirmer this time, the paddle landing on her upper thighs. Kaelis gasped softly, her body tensing before relaxing into the sensation.

As Damian continued, he alternated between firm strikes and soft caresses, his hand trailing along her skin to soothe the sting. “You’re doing so well,” he murmured, his voice filled with quiet pride. Each strike was deliberate, the rhythm building in intensity but never crossing her limits. Damian’s attention never wavered, his focus entirely on her responses. Damian raised the leather paddle, bringing it down with a sharp crack as it connected against Kaelis’s ass. Damian swung the paddle back, letting it connect with a loud SMACK against Kaelis’s pert cheek. She gasped, the sting sharp and surprising, despite expecting it. Damian paused, watching her closely.

Damian dropped the paddle to the floor, his eyes gleaming with a darker hunger. He grabbed Kaelis by the hips, pulling her ass up higher. “Let’s see how you handle this,” he growled and brought his hand down hard against her pussy in a loud, wet SLAP.

Kaelis yelped in surprise and pleasure as Damian’s hand connected with her pussy, the wet sound filling the room. He smacked her again and again, each blow sending jolts of sensation through her core. Without warning, he tore open her blouse, sending buttons flying.

Damian’s large hand spanned Kaelis’s small, perfect breast, squeezing firmly before bringing his other hand down hard against it. SLAP! The sound echoed, and Kaelis cried out, herbody arching back. He cupped her other breast, squeezing and slapping it hard.

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