Page 87 of With this Ring

His slow, approving smile sent heat tumbling through her.

“In that case, strip for me. Show me what’s mine for the taking.”

Her fingers were nerveless as she removed her jacket.

Avoiding his gaze, she dropped it onto a nearby chair. He gave her a silent commanding nod, telling her to continue.

Taking a breath to steady her nerves, she crouched to untie her tennis shoes, then toed them off before removing her socks.

Even though she was not short, losing the inch or so of height made her feel slightly more vulnerable.

“Raise your arms.”

His voice was ribboned with impatience, and he drew her sweatshirt off and tossed it on top of her jacket.

“Oh. Did you want me to move a little faster, Sir? Am I being too slow?” She tried—and failed—to hide her smile. His impatience was uncharacteristic, letting her know how much she affected him.

His lightning-fast reactions caught her off guard.

In an instant, he was seated in the chair, and she was across his lap, her rear in the air. Fighting for breath, wondering what had just happened, she scrambled to place her fingers on the floor for stability.

Without warning, he brought his hand down on her buttocks. “Sir!” Because she was wearing jeans, she didn’t feel the sting as much as if he’d landed on bare skin. “Gregorio!”

Frantically, she kicked and squirmed, and he clamped her legs between his stronger ones.

“I think that’ll teach you, my little Petal.” He helped her up, turning her to face him. “What do you think?”

“Yes, Sir,” she said obediently because he expected it, not because she meant it. She’d definitely learned something… To push him even harder. She adored seeing the crack in his iron control and knowing that she did it to him.

“Now, shall we continue?”

Pretending to be contrite, she kept her voice low and respectful as she responded, “Of course, Sir. Anything you say, Gregorio.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if questioning her response.

“In that case…” With his hands on her waist, he helped her to her feet.

But he remained where he was, sitting with an ankle propped on top of his opposite knee.

Heaven help her.

He was in charge and looking dangerously handsome. She could scarcely think when he looked at her through his deep, intense eyes.

“I’m waiting, little Petal.” Warning wound its way through his soft words. “Finish undressing.”

Emboldened by his earlier reaction to her, she took her sweet time unfastening the top button of her jeans and pulling the zipper down.

Then, her gaze on him, she wiggled exaggeratedly, slowly drawing down the jeans. Once they were around her ankles, she bent to pick them up. Then she tossed them in his direction.

He snagged them out of mid-air.

Wondering who this bold version of herself was, she turned her back to him and swayed from side to side as she lowered her panties. “Is my rear red, Sir?” She reached back to rub the skin. “I mean, it feels a little sore from your spanking. So I’m sure my skin has to be pink, at least.”

He growled, and she grinned triumphantly.

So that it appeared she was being the perfect submissive that he thought her to be, she unhooked her bra. Then, with the piece of lingerie dangling from a finger, she pivoted back to face him. “It must be cold in here, Gregorio.” She cupped her breasts and ran her palms over her nipples.

“Jesus.”

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