Neutral Zone Trap - Bianca Sommerland Page 0,34

his knees and slide his lips over it, but first he needed to know what Ryan wanted from him.

“Fuck, I love it when you look at me like that.” Ryan reached up and smoothed Braxton’s hair back from his face. “I’m going to enjoy you tonight, but there’s still a punishment to get out of the way, yes?”

Chewing on his bottom lip, Braxton nodded. He’d managed to push that aside with how easy Ryan had made everything, but it would be hanging between them until it was done. And this was something he’d asked for. Sure, Ryan had mentioned it, but more like he needed to know what Braxton would be comfortable with and make sure he wouldn’t blindly go along with every suggestion.

He wouldn’t, but Ryan agreeing to punish him was…was a way to show he cared.

“We’re still learning much about one another, Braxton, and even punishments shouldn’t go beyond your limits. There are two kinds that I’ll usually stick to. Spanking and isolation.” Ryan’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think isolation would be good for you in this instance, but I don’t know if you’re ready to be spanked.”

If anyone else was saying that, Braxton would’ve laughed it off. But Ryan was serious and he didn’t think this would be the playful kind of spanking.

He also didn’t think it was a coincidence Ryan had brought it up when they were both in the shower.

Swallowing hard, he met Ryan’s eyes. “Here?”

Ryan inclined his head. “It will hurt more, but the effects won’t last. Except in the way they’re meant to.”

That doesn’t sound like much fun. Braxton took a deep breath. “But when you’re done, it’s over, right? You won’t be mad anymore?”

“Damn it, pet.” Ryan pulled him close, delving his fingers into his hair and kissing him in a way that was so tender Braxton’s eyes teared. “I’m not mad at you now. You worried me, but it wasn’t my place to protect you. I’m hoping it will be now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.” Ryan shook his head. “I won’t enjoy this, Braxton. And if you tell me you’ve changed your mind, I’ll accept that.”

Braxton believed him, but it didn’t matter. The dynamics between them were becoming something he craved and he didn’t think Ryan truly saw that yet. This would put what he’d done behind them and prove he was ready for the kind of relationship Ryan wanted. Prove that Braxton wanted the same thing.

“I haven’t changed my mind.”

Nodding slowly, Ryan brought their lips together one last time before stepping back and squaring his shoulders. “Hands against the wall then, and brace your feet apart in a position you feel secure in. We’ll go with ten this time. Keep things light.”

Following Ryan’s instructions, Braxton lowered his head between his arms. Braced for the first impact.

Instead, Ryan ran his hand over Braxton’s ass, as though to make sure he was prepared. He spoke softly. “Count for me.”

The first strike made Braxton’s knees buckle and he bit into his cheek to keep from crying out. He wasn’t sure what Ryan’s idea of ‘keeping things light’ was, but they clearly weren’t on the same page. Not that he minded, even though he fought the automatic instinct to swear at the man.

Ryan was a Dom. And he was taking Braxton seriously as a sub.

This was good.

Fucking hurt, but…still good.

“One.”

Another smack, this one echoing through the room, the sting spreading over Braxton’s flesh. He let out a rough sound in the back of his throat.

“Two.”

The next five were just as hard, but he’d adjusted to the pain. He kept counting, hissing in air through his teeth, proud of how steady he was holding through the whole ordeal.

But then Ryan stopped.

Repositioned himself. And slapped Braxton’s thigh.

This time, Braxton couldn’t stop the sharp cry. Or the tears that filled his eyes. Damn it, why had he been so stupid? He’d thought Ryan walked away when he was on that stage because he didn’t give a fuck, but instead he’d been concerned and forced to let Pischlar and White step in. If he’d tried to drag Braxton off that stage that night, where would they be now?

“Ei…eight.”

Probably not, because Ryan would feel pressured and he’d have been pissed. Because Braxton had acted like a bratty kid who hadn’t gotten his own way.

A slap on the other thigh. His legs shook and he sobbed. “Nine.”

“Shh, you’re doing so good, baby.” Ryan rubbed away the sting. “I’m so fucking proud of you. One more. One more and then you’re going to