Page 55 of Their Shared Mate
“She also gave injections and drew blood so her colleagues could analyze the effectiveness of their treatments,” Victor added. His gaze gleamed like molten gold as he stared at her.
“Injections ordered by her superiors.” Claire met his gaze for a moment then turned her attention back toward her primary accuser. “Heather was so far down the chain of command that most didn’t even consider her part of the team.”
Raphael pointed to the bed. “Bend over. I’m finished with this conversation.”
No longer willing to submit, she snapped, “This hasn’t been a conversation. Information flows both directions during a conversation, and you haven’t told me a goddamn thing. Do you know where Heather is or not? How badly has Patrick hurt her?”
Rather than reply, Raphael unbuckled his belt and slowly drew it from the loops in his pants. “I gave you a directive. This is your only warning. Do as you’re told, or your punishment will intensify.”
His intransigence only fueled her fire. Submission required trust and she didn’t trust either of these males at the moment. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “If you don’t know, just say I don’t know. Do we always have to play these stupid games?”
“You know the rules,” Raphael persisted. “Disobedience results in harsher punishments. The choice is yours.”
Fueled by her heightened emotions, a worst-case scenario took shape within her mind. “Is Heather dead?” Claire demanded. “Is that why you won’t answer my questions?”
Clearly exasperated by her stubbornness, Raphael released an audible sigh and folded the belt in half.
“Patrick would never intentionally harm a female.” Victor’s statement earned him an angry glare from Raphael. Victor ignored the warning and added, “We would never allow true abuse.”
Raphael tapped the side of his leg with the folded belt as his gaze locked on hers. “Heather will be punished for her part in their captivity, but her life is not in danger.”
Claire heard the finality in Raphael’s tone. He might be finished with the conversation, but she wasn’t! “You’re comfortable with that dynamic?” she challenged. “They can do whatever the fuck they want to her as long as they don’t kill her?”
Raphael lunged for Claire. Grabbing the back of her neck, he urged her down over the side of the bed. “Heather is not your concern. This is happening because you refuse to accept that.” He brought the belt down across her behind, no warmup, no further warning, just a biting sting.
Claire gasped and then cried out as the intensity forced the sound from her lungs. “Heather is being abused by your brother,” she yelled, her hips twisting to avoid Raphael’s next swing. “You’re the leader of this fucking village. It’s your job to protect its inhabitants.”
Raphael splayed his hand against her back and continued to belt her squirming bottom.
Heat built with breath-stealing speed. It spread across her cheeks and sank into her pussy. She’d been spanked with a belt before, but this was unusually harsh. Each strike jarred her body and forced aching need into her core. She clenched at the bedding and twisted sharply to one side and then the other. The contrast confused her. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to kick and scream or slip her hand between her thighs and get herself off.
“Did you have permission to enter Gabriel’s home?” Raphael persisted.
She kicked at him, but was unable to draw up her leg high enough to reach him. “You don’t have permission to whip me!” she shouted as she tried to twist out of his grasp. He pressed down harder, holding her firmly against the bed. “I was trying to protect my friend. Somethingyoushould be doing.”
“Heather.” He emphasized the word with a swing of the belt. “Is.” Another swing. “Not.” Swat. “In.” Swat. “Danger!” Three harsh swats accented the final word.
Tears streamed down Claire’s face. Her muscles were so tense that her legs shook, and her knuckles had turned white. Her ass throbbed, an inescapable reminder of her miscalculation. “If she’s not in danger, why did you beat the shit out of Gabriel?” It was a guess, but Raphael’s immediate reaction assured her that she was right.
A fast flurry of spanks followed, then he tossed the belt aside. With lightning fast movements, he kicked her feet apart and found her entrance with the tip of his cock. “Your conclusions are insulting.” He pushed half his length into her wet pussy, forcing her to open for his dominating thickness. “If Heather were in real danger, I would be tearing this village apart looking for her.”
His angry words rang true, and Claire let out a defeated whimper. She’d been angry and afraid when she found out about Heather. She reacted without considering her options. “They said you stood there and did nothing while Patrick carried her away.”
“Why didn’t you ask me what happened before you headed off on your own?” He thrust the rest of his length into her pulsing core.
Desire swelled making her groan despite his obvious displeasure. Their minds might be in conflict, but her body was more than ready to surrender. Her clit tingled and her inner muscles rippled. He pulled nearly out then slammed in, drawing another gasp from her mouth. It felt so damn good to be filled by him, to be taken and controlled.
“You already decided that Victor and I are guilty of neglect and cruelty, yet you haven’t even heard our side of the story.” He drove into her fast and hard, using his cock to demonstrate his disapproval.
“So, tell me now,” she pleaded. “Why wouldn’t you help me?”
He drew out of her pussy and positioned himself against her other opening. Claire closed her eyes and forced herself to relax. She wasn’t surprised by his actions, had expected further punishment. She’d challenged him, doubted him, and revealed to others that she didn’t trust him.
He pushed in slowly, stretching her open until her bottom burned and stung. “Why am I punishing your tight little ass?”
“Because I didn’t trust you,” she whispered, unable to hold still. She twisted sharply to one side and then the other.
He grasped her hips and thrust his entire length into her reluctant hole.
