Page 95 of Maddox

She shook her head several times. Water cascaded down both our heated bodies, drops spilling past her long lashes as she stared up at me. “I’m not under your command.”

“I told you when this thing started that you needed to follow every order I gave you. And you agreed.”

“Reluctantly.”

The woman needed to learn a harsh lesson that might help her remain safe when I wasn’t around. If that was possible.

We were at a strong impasse.

She gently pushed me back, throwing open the curtain. “I’ll be glad when this is over so I’m not such an interruption in your life.”

Hanging my head, I had no clue what to say to her at this point. She grabbed the single towel hanging on the bar in the room, storming out. I took a deep breath and rinsed off, turning off the shower and stepping onto the floor while I stared at her standing just outside the door in front of the vanity mirror.

I didn’t need to hear the words she was spouting off to know she was cursing under her breath. No woman in my history had ever driven me this insane before. Not one. And I’d been involved with several who’d rattled me to my core.

My blood was hot, but not from anger. Another wave of desire rolled through my system like jet engine fuel, but I did my best to ignore it as I took two long strides toward her, crowding her space against the vanity.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you busy?” she barked.

“We need to come to an understanding.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“I was hired to do a job and I plan on fulfilling my obligations even if you don’t like the ramifications or my actions. It’s not for you to say how I handle performing my duties.”

“You’re so full of yourself.”

My God. The venomous glare in her eyes was starkly appealing even if her insistence she could take care of herself remained infuriating. The long strides continued as I headed into the bedroom, grabbing my pants off the floor. Without looking in her direction, I whipped the belt from the loops.

When I approached once again, she narrowed those pretty eyes of her. “What do you think you’re doing?” She deftly tucked the towel around her naked body, not bothering to turn around and face me. I could easily read her thoughts.

She hated me.

She craved me.

The confusion was driving her as insane as her actions were doing to me. “I’m teaching you a lesson in responsibility along with providing you an example of what happens when you ignore the rules.”

“Excuse me?”

With one hand, I ripped the towel from her body, forced to inhale from the sight of her. Just a single look could derail any man. “I’m giving you a hell of a spanking.”

“Like hell you are.” She tried to turn around, but I pressed her over the edge of the vanity, immediately folding the thick leather strap. Before she had another chance to object, I brought the belt down across her backside.

“Ouch! You can’t do this.”

“I can and I will. You’re under my protection and I’ll do what’s necessary to keep you safe. Including from yourself.” I issued three in rapid succession, thoroughly amused at the chastising expression on her face.

Her eyes were what held my brief but rapt attention. My God. They could burn a hole into a man. Right now, it felt as if every inch of skin was on fire. Maybe it was.

Turning my attention to the deed at hand, I cracked the belt against her bottom two more times, marveling in the beautiful rose color blooming on both cheeks.

“I swear to God, Maddox. If you don’t stop…”

“Then you’ll what?” I repeated the previous action, the sharp cracking sound forcing her to jump.

“Hate you even more than I do.” She gripped the edge of the counter, taking several shallow breaths. After doling out three additional strikes, I gathered a whiff of her desire. The scent caught me off guard.

“You know you deserve this,” I breathed, no longer recognizing the sound of my own voice.

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