Page 42 of Kazzon's Human Bride
He brought the leather down four more times, barely pausing between lashes. She counted and a sob of relief ripped from her chest once he reached the fifth one. Over. It was finally over. And just as he’d promised, she had survived it.
But would he forgive her for disobeying him? He’d seemed extremely disappointed in her when he’d caught her. The disappointment had bothered her more than his anger.
She heard him return the strap to its drawer and waited, unsure if she ought to stand up and go to bed. What happened now? Did they go to sleep and move on as if nothing of importance had just occurred between them? Uncertainty brimmed in her heart. She wanted his forgiveness, to feel his strong arms wrapping around her, but she wouldn’t dare ask for his comfort.
Just as she started to push up from the bed, he reached her side and helped her stand. He then lifted her in his arms and carried her over to the chair in the corner of the room. More tears sprang to her eyes, because he had a tendency of bringing her to this chair when he wanted to hold her, when he wished to cradle her in his lap.
He sank down in the chair, holding her close to his chest. She snuggled into him and he wiped at her tears, making soothing noises in his throat. Concern shone in his dark eyes as he peered down at her.
“I am sorry,Xerr,” she said, her throat tight, as she tried very hard not to break down into tears once more. “I won’t do it again.”
He studied her for a long moment, and she prayed no black mist had appeared around her face in some accident of nature. Because she truly meant it. She was very sorry and wouldn’t even entertain the thought of touching herself without permission again.
She reminded herself that Kazzon treated her well. Yes, he was dominant and had a lot of rules for her, but she craved his control and if she were being honest with herself, she would feel utterly lost without it. Perhaps that made her weak, but she decided not to follow that train of thought, because she was happy with him and she wasn’t sorry he’d caught her that night in New Leesburg. She couldn’t imagine being mated to another Tarrkuan, not even Varro, the alien male the Allocators had originally decreed to become her mate.
Kazzon completed her, filled that emptiness inside her that had plagued her for longer than she would like to admit. His strong presence sometimes threatened to consume her, but she only wanted to drown in it, to immerse herself in this life that was always meant to be hers, even if she used to profess a desire to remain unmated.
An emotion that seemed awfully close to love beamed inside her, warming her chest and causing her breath to catch in her throat. But maybe it was love. She couldn’t bring herself to say the words aloud, however, because she couldn’t be certain how Kazzon felt. By his actions, she could tell he cared for her, but she couldn’t be sure his feelings for her ran as deeply as hers did for him.
“Am I forgiven?” she blurted, unable to hold back the question, even as she feared his answer. She had to know, had to be certain. She held her breath, awaiting his response with a level of anxiousness she’d never experienced. It was even worse than waiting for him to start her punishment.
A look of surprise entered his dark gaze, and he tilted his head slightly, leaning his face closer. “Yes, little human.” His deep voice rumbled over her. “Yes, you are forgiven. You were naughty, but you received your penance, and you took your punishment well. It’s over now, and now is the time for comfort and forgiveness.”
Relief swept through her and she nodded her appreciation as more tears rolled down her face. She couldn’t help it, she was so overcome with emotion. “Thank you,Xerr,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
He wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead. Then he gathered her close and rested his chin atop her head. She breathed in his familiar masculine scent, feeling at peace, and melted into his warm embrace.
Chapter 31
Kazzon awoketo the feel of his wrist comm vibrating. He gently extracted himself from Caylee, not wanting to disturb her, and got out of bed. The message on his wrist comm announced theCorranneliawas expected to land on Xollnax soon.
He dressed quickly and turned to stare down at Caylee. Though she appeared peaceful, he didn’t wish to leave without saying goodbye. She’d appeared worried when he’d informed her about the change of plans regarding Xollnax, due to the continued mystery of the missing ambassador and his crew, and he didn’t want to give her any extra cause to worry. He would tell her goodbye and assure her that all would be well.
He sank down on the bed beside her and peeled the sheets off her little body. She stirred in her sleep but didn’t wake fully, so he took the time to examine her punished bottom. Most of the redness from her spanking had faded, though five distinct marks from the strap crisscrossed her backside.
His cock lurched at the sight and he allowed his hand to trail lightly over her punished flesh.Fluxx, she was beautiful, with her hair in disarray and spilling over the pillows and her tiny but firm bottom showing the evidence of a thrashing at her husband’s hand. At his hand. A sense of power and responsibility flowed through him. Caylee was his in every possible way.
He’d married her, claimed her as his mate, and now she bore the marks of a punishment delivered at his hand. Gods, how he longed to strip his clothes off and rejoin her in bed. He ached to sink himself inside her inviting tightness, to climb atop her from behind and pump into her while he grasped ahold of her backside and pulled her cheeks wide apart, so that he might glimpse that shy pucker of hers while he shot his seed into her depths.
But his wrist comm buzzed again, reminding him that he didn’t have time. He bit back a curse and gently shook Caylee.
“Wake up, little human.”
She sighed and her eyes fluttered open. She peered at him in confusion but quickly realized she was uncovered and scrambled to pull the sheets back over herself. Her sense of modesty both amused and aroused him, because he loved watching her squirm in her nervousness when he pushed her limits. He smacked at her hands and pulled the covers completely off her.
She rolled onto her side, her bottom facing away from him, and gave him an abashed look that made his cock thicken further. If only he had time right now, he would pound into her sofluxxinghard.
Reaching around her, he gave her bottom a squeeze. Then he met her eyes.
“We will arrive on Xollnax shortly.” As if on cue, the ship shuddered and the light in the room shifted. He glanced over his shoulder at the blue-green planet that suddenly filled the viewscreen.
Caylee saw it too, and she sat up quickly and peered over his shoulder. “Wow. It looks like Earth. Well, I mean it looks like what Earth used to look like. Before all the wars.” When he gave her a curious look, she continued, “I used to spend a lot of time in the library in New Leesburg looking at old pictures of Earth, at the landscapes, photos of old cities, and even images of the animals that used to call my planet home. It was a bit of a hobby, I guess you could say.” Excitement brimmed in her eyes and she no longer seemed concerned about her nudity.
His gaze fell to her bare breasts and he again wished he had more time to spend with his little human bride this morning.Fluxx, the things he would do to her.
He reached for her, cupping her lovely face in his hands.
“I must leave you now, Caylee, and prepare for our arrival. It is my hope that with the help of my team of guards, I will be able to locate the missing diplomat and his comrades quickly. I am most eager to bring you back to Tarrkua, to bring you to my home.”Ourhome. He almost said it, but something held him back.
