Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,54
I feel about it.
Then I hear the door opening and closing again, but instead of it being followed by silence, I hear someone else’s footsteps walking in my direction. And by their pace and the cologne that starts invading my nostrils, I know perfectly to whom they belong.
As I feel another cooling texture being gently applied on my skin, I say half sleepily, “Maria already applied some.”
“This one is better.” An uncomfortable silence grows between us as he keeps rubbing my skin. “In a few hours, the redness will be gone.” I don’t feel like saying “thank you” or anything else though. “Petra?”
“Hmm?”
“I’d like to tell you something.” He keeps his husky voice low, despite our being the only two in the room. My attention goes to his face, and I realize his expression is just as serious, grave, and laced with disappointment as before. But I can’t understand why. His brows creasing together, he takes a morbid second before muttering, “I loved spanking you.” His tone is laced with shame, and it seems like the truth is hurting him somehow. “I’ve pictured that moment many times in my mind—how it’d feel, how much you’d whine, how your ass would look afterward…” He closes his eyes for a second, letting out a breath while shaking his head. Then he looks at me again, his piercing blue eyes glued on mine, and says, “But reality turned out to be so much better.” I blink twice, gaping at him, but I’m so stunned by his revelation that I remain speechless. “Your attitude at standing up for what you believe in, regardless of what others think, is truly remarkable.” Okay, so Sebastian or Maria must have made some remarks about me. Alex pauses for a beat, considering me. And I see a faint smile settling on his lips. “I’m madly and terribly in love with every side of you, Miss Van Gatt.”
Everything in me drops upon hearing this. My heart feels so tight right now that I jump on him and kiss him hard. Alex welcomes me with a little gasp as I press my lips to his, devouring his mouth. Then I look him in the eye and say, “And I’m just as madly and terribly in love with every side of you, Mr. Van Dieren.”
He gives me one of his charming smiles—the one I’ll never get tired of seeing. “I want to ask you something,” he starts. “And before you say yes or no, I want you to think about it as long as you need to.”
My brows raise, and I’m completely taken aback by his statement. “Um, okay.”
Alex draws in a breath before saying, “I’d like your permission to discipline you from now on.”
But my jaw falls again just as fast. “My what?”
Chuckling at my expression, he repeats, “Your permission—”
“I know,” I cut him off as I close my eyes for a second, trying to find the best words to articulate what I’m thinking, but the only thing I manage to say is, “And, um, how do you intend to discipline me in the future?”
His smile twists into a racy one. I guess he was not expecting such a question. “Depends… If you do something really naughty, I might use the belt.” Fuck, I nearly moan at his words, and I don’t think I’m supposed to feel like that. “But you have to misbehave very badly for that…” Somehow it sounds like an invitation for me to do so. “I’ll never do anything out of anger though. I want you to know that.”
Before I can say something more, he presses his lips to my forehead. “Now get some sleep and let me know your decision when you have thought this through.”
I close my eyes, reveling in his kiss as much as I can, and as I lie in bed, the sting feels nearly gone.
Chapter 13
Hudson Valley, September 13, 2020
Emma Hasenfratz
I’ve never looked forward to a polo lesson like I am today. With my parents and the housekeeper out, Yara and I will have the entire house to ourselves. Cameras are disconnected, and I’ve made sure the housekeeper stays in the city long enough, buying shit I don’t need. As Yara gets out of the car, I notice she’s already wearing a marine blue polo shirt, white breeches, and boots. Well, she truly lives for her passion. Her chauffeur goes to the trunk and takes out two big brown leather bags, which must contain her polo gear.