Page 77 of His Forbidden Duchess
And, strangely, she wanted more.
“This is what happens when you disobey me,” he said, his voice a low, alarming murmur. “When youdefyme. Do you understand?”
Eloise’s breath came in shallow, uneven gasps, her mind spinning as she tried to process the sharp mix of pain and pleasure.
She was caught between the impulse to push him away and the overwhelming pull to stay exactly where she was, to surrender to the new and thrilling power he held over her.
“Yes, Your Grace,” she managed though her voice was barely more than a whisper, her body trembling as she spoke. “I understand.”
Felix’s hand paused, resting on her bare skin, his touch gentle for a moment as though rewarding her compliance.
“That’s it. Good girl,” he said after a growl of satisfaction.
Without warning, he spanked her again, even harder this time, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out, the shock of it reverberating through her and mingling with an intense wave of desire.
“You will not dance with other men,” he continued, each word punctuated by another firm smack. “You will not let them touch you, laugh with you, or look at you the way I do.” His hand paused, his fingers splayed against her hot, reddened skin, holding her steady. “You are mine, Eloise. Do you understand that?”
Her head spun and her heart pounded. She forced herself to breathe slowly, the raw need in her making her clench. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I am yours.”
Felix’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Good,” he said softly, his hand finally caressing the heated, enflamed skin of her exposed buttocks, soothing where he had stung. “Because I will not tolerate any more games, Eloise.”
His stroking became more fervent, more probing, and to Eloise’s unremitting shame, he chuckled when he noted the moistness between her legs.
“It seems that this was a pleasure as much as it was a punishment,” he said.
He released his grip, and Eloise slipped off his legs as if she were made jelly, slithering to the floor. She knelt before him, looking up into his amused eyes as she fought to steady her breath and make sense of the heady, confusing mix of sensations swirling through her.
“Well?” he demanded, eyebrows raised. “Was it a pleasure?”
Eloise hesitated for a moment. What was she supposed to say? Could she admit the truth?
But then again, she knew she could never lie to Felix. She was his after all.
“Y-yes, Your Grace,” she uttered, thrilling herself again with her use of his title.
He smirked then leaned in close, his cheek brushing against hers. “Good,” he whispered into her ear. “Remain still.”
As he leaned back, Eloise made sure not to move a muscle. She kept her eyes focused entirely on his face, her body stiff with anticipation. Except for her burning cheeks, her flesh hadbecome chilled in the cool air of the room. He folded his arms and stared at her, examining her, his head tilted to one side.
“Tell me, Eloise,” he said, his ever-present smirk fixed on his face. “Have you pleasured yourself since the last time I touched you?”
Eloise blushed and looked away.
“Look at me,” he said firmly. “Do not take your eyes off me.”
She obeyed him, turning back to look at him. “I don’t know?—”
“Don’t lie, either, or I shall have you over my lap again.”
Eloise pressed her lips together, her eyes firmly on him.
“Yes,” she admitted. “But… but I have not been able to make myself feel as good as you did.”
Felix chuckled. “Stay there,” he demanded and got up from the sofa.
She could hear him moving about the room, her excitement building from the mere fact that she had no idea what he was doing.
Felix dragged a chair over to Eloise. “Sit,” he commanded as he reclaimed his position on the sofa. “Show yourself to me.”
