Her Lord's Claim (The Forbidden Saga #4) - Maggie Ryan Page 0,14

eyes finally landed on the man she had chosen to be her life-mate.

Lucas shook his head. “You heard me, Lucille. Either come to me in the pretty dress you are wearing, or remove it and everything under it, and then come to me.”

“I-I can’t do that,” Lucy said, her voice trembling. “Lucas, I… I’d be… I’d be naked!”

Lucas nodded as if her statement was unnecessary. “Yes, I suppose so if that is the choice you make, but, little one, your bottom shall be naked either way when you come to me and ask me to spank it for your unacceptable behavior.”

Lucy felt as if her heart was about to explode from her chest. She could not believe what she was hearing. She had never expected this, though, in truth, she had known she’d be punished the moment she had begun her tantrum. The fact that Lucas had not immediately forced her over his knees was what confused her. He said he was not a man to play games and yet she felt that he was now the cat, and she was the mouse he was toying with.

“You said… you said I wouldn’t be spanked for not wanting to wear this dress,” Lucy said, her voice shaking.

Lucas shook his head. “No, Lucille, I did not. Every person in this room knows you earned a spanking the moment you opened your mouth. Your tantrum and your vulgarity are what will cause your bottom to be heated, not your clothing. I will give you that choice, however, young lady, the choice in disciplining you will always remain completely in my hands.”

He paused as she tried to assimilate all he had said. Lucy looked at Edward as if seeking his help. He met her eyes but gave her no indication of his thoughts. She looked back at Lucas and saw him watching her, patiently waiting for her to make her decision. She whimpered and looked back at her guardian.

“Sir,” she said, her voice shaking. “I… we… we aren’t yet wed. It wouldn’t be proper for Lucas to see me bare.”

Edward gave her a small shake of his head. “You know that Lucas is now responsible for you, Lucille,” he said firmly. “You made your choice and accepted his authority.”

Lucy was shaking her head as she spoke. “I-I do accept that, sir,” she attempted, desperate to make him understand. “I just… I mean if he feels he must span… spank me, can’t he do so over my clothing? I don’t want him to bare my…” She couldn’t finish her statement.

“Nonsense, young lady,” Edward said immediately. “You are well aware that all spankings are given on the bare.”

“But…” she began but stopped instantly as Edward’s sharp look reminded her that interrupting was also something she was aware wasn’t allowed. “I’m sorry.”

Edward gave a single nod and continued, “I trust Lucas to allow you to retain as much modesty as possible. Regardless, your professor has seen more of you than I believe your future husband will today, unless, of course, you decide you prefer your birthday suit after all.”

Lucy gasped, remembering the day Charles had witnessed her—not only baring her own bottom as she bent over the arm of a chair in Edward's study—but had watched as she spread her legs, rose onto her toes and lifted her bottom as she asked for the strapping she had earned. She found she could not speak, her face burning as the eyes of the man she loved with all her soul bored into her, his eyebrow quirking in question. She was very grateful Edward obviously hadn’t shared the information… until now.

“Make your decision, Lucille, as we are most likely going to be late for the very services where our banns will be announced,” Lucas said, his voice never wavering, his expression stoic.

Lucy desperately wished she could find some way to extricate herself from the situation. She wished she’d never placed herself in it to begin with but had absolutely no idea what to do. She didn’t move so much as a muscle as several minutes passed.

Lucas spoke even more softly, “Do you wish to remove your clothing, little one?”

Lucy gave a soft sob and shook her head. “Please, I-I…” she sobbed and then saw him finally move. It was a slight change in position as he leaned forward a bit and extended his hand to her.

“You are mine, kitten,” Lucas said softly.

Lucy immediately remembered his making the very same claim the evening before. She also remembered how her heart