Page 5 of Punished by the Cowboy
She flushed. “Perhaps. Wednesday was slow, and I had lots of free time on my hands.”
“Bad girl. Someone ought to take you in hand.”
Her entire body heated at his words. She gave him an impish smile. “Yes, I suppose someone ought to teach me a lesson. Sometimes I have a difficult time…controlling myself.” She cleared her throat, unsure of what to say next. His intense gaze bored into her, and she squirmed in her seat as nerves flittered in her stomach and heat throbbed between her thighs. Finally, she came up with, “So, um, how did you get into the hotel business?”
“Well, I used to make chainsaw carvings for a living. I still do, but now it’s more of a hobby. My uncle left me the hotel, as well as a few other businesses, in his will five years ago.”
Weeks of intimate correspondence and Liz had had no idea Jacob made chainsaw carvings. No wonder his muscles seemed to bulge out from underneath his shirt. Wielding a chainsaw against a big chunk of wood probably gave him a better workout than lifting weights at a gym. She knew he desired a woman willing to submit to his authority, a woman who craved spankings and other punishments as much as she sometimes dreaded them, but she didn’t know much more about him. Hell, she didn’t even know his last name. They’d agreed not to reveal their true identities to one another until after they’d met for the first time, and it was mostly at his insistence, because he said she needed to be careful online and take precautions when conversing with men. She supposed he was right, and she appreciated his protection.
“I’d love to see your chainsaw carvings sometime.” She was intrigued by his artistic side.
He tilted his head sideways, as if appraising her sincerity. “Very well, Elizabeth, I’ll take you to the hotel lounge later. A few of my carvings are on display there.”
“Sounds great.”
Elizabeth. He’d used her full name again, as was his custom on the computer, but hearing it fall from his lips, in the quiet of the room, nearly caused her heart to stop. She took a sip of wine and peered at him over the glass. His movements were regal, and he emitted confidence, but not the arrogant kind of confidence a quiet people-watcher like Liz could spot a mile away. No, his was a calm, sexy confidence that gave him the perfect air of authority.
Her pussy clenched, not for the first time in his presence.
Was it time for dessert yet?
They finished their meal, and the waiter returned to clear the table. Next, he brought out a large slice of tiramisu with two forks. The sweet coffee and mocha flavored cream melted in Liz’s mouth, and she couldn’t repress a moan after the first bite.
“Should I be jealous of the dessert?”
Flushing, Liz dabbed a napkin to her mouth to hide her slight embarrassment. She returned the napkin to her lap and met his gaze, willing herself to be brave. The atmosphere in the room transformed as she stared into his eyes. Maybe it was the wine or maybe it was the full moon, but the statement that came out of Liz’s mouth next was so bold she wondered if an invisible devil on her shoulder had fed her the words.
“Jacob, I have no doubt you can make me moan far louder than the tiramisu.”
His fork clattered on the plate. Silence hung heavy in the air, and time seemed to stand still as she awaited his response. The waiter returned to clear the rest of their plates, and Jacob remained quiet as he stared down Liz from across the table. His expression took a predatory turn, and he rose to his feet with masculine grace.
Not breaking eye contact, he methodically rolled up his sleeves. He looked menacing and full of resolve. Even better, he looked like a no-nonsense man preparing to spank a naughty girl.
Liz gasped with realization, and a spasm of heat rolled through her.
He smiled. “I might have said I’d give you a sound thrashing the next time you were late, but I never said Iwouldn’tgive you one tonight as well. Of course, there’s the matter of your misbehavior at work to consider, too. You’ve been quite the naughty little girl lately, haven’t you?”
