and I didn’t want to find out. “Look. I was having a bad day.”
“Liar.”
“What do you want me to say?” I burst, fed up with his bullshit. “That I misspoke? I meant every fucking word. I should’ve kept it to myself. I should never be honest with you.”
“Don’t turn this on me. You screwed up.”
“I told the truth!”
“You keep saying that, like honesty gets you far in life. It fucking doesn’t, Li. Look at where you are. Bent over, humiliated, about to be punished. Just because you couldn’t smile and kiss my cheek.” His featherlight touch became a swift burn as the leather swatted me. “I’m the boss. You are an unmarried woman. We aren’t equal. You belong to nobody.”
“Michael—”
“Michael isn’t here, and you can’t hide behind him forever.”
This was spiraling out of control.
Since Vinn took over as boss, his arrogance had soared to dangerous heights.
He thought he could get away with this?
I struggled to free myself, but he shoved my back.
“You’re good right there.”
“Vinn, please. You’ve made your point.”
“I have yet to make an impression on you.” He palmed my ass, giving it a rough squeeze.
A hot ache grew in my throat. “Vinny!”
“Don’t Vinny me. That hasn’t worked for a while.”
A surge of heat consumed my body as though I’d been shoved into a furnace. “I’ll go to Michael!”
“I’m not afraid of your brother.”
Vinn wound the belt around my wrists, cinching the knot. Then he pulled the excess leather like a leash, forcing me to hover.
My heart pounded as he explored my curves, his hands soft. A sheer black fright kept me riveted. I ignored the strange pang ensnaring my limbs as Vinn played with my thong. He hooked his finger, snapping it. The sound was like a gunshot to my heart.
When did my childhood crush become a nightmare?
“Stop now, Vinn. I won’t mention this to Michael. Any of it.” My voice broke as I bargained for control. “Go any further, and that’s off the table.”
“I’ll pass.”
I bucked forward. “You’re a fucking lunatic!”
“You were doing so well with the pleading and negotiating.” He tutted, tracing my lips with his forefinger.
“Vinn, take a breath. Think about what you’re doing!”
“Oh, I am.” He yanked my arms, pinning me against his chest. “You’ll remember me whenever you sit. When you step out of the shower. When you meet my gaze at a social function and I smile.”
A spanking?
Oh my God, he couldn’t be serious. Shame flooded my cheeks as I pictured my flayed body underneath Vinn’s. My pulse throbbed so hard that he probably felt my fear.
“Fuck you,” I growled, hating myself for trembling. “I will get you for this, Vinn Costa. I swear to God, I will ruin you.”
He smiled a rare grin that would’ve made me melt like butter if he weren’t such a monster.
“We both know I run this town. I’m untouchable. You, however…” Vinn palmed my back, bending me. “You’re begging to be slapped, groped, and fucked.”
He gave my ass a condescending tap. Then his palm lifted.
WHACK!
Agony burst across my skin. He landed another blow. The force knocked the protest from my mouth.
Vinn’s big hand struck me. Pain returned with a flash. I jumped forward, gasping with the fierce sting. Agony spread from cheek to cheek as his palm rained hellfire. He hit me—I couldn’t believe it. Humiliation flushed my neck and face as he unleashed his rage. The more I struggled, the harder he smacked. He alternated between open-palmed blows and sharper swipes, hitting me so hard that tears slammed into my eyes. I bit my lip to keep from crying. It hurt, but the shame of a man I’d held a torch for beating me into submission was a thousand times worse.
Vinn stopped. He stroked the raw skin as I clung to the table, shaking. A thrill knotted in my stomach as his fingers scraped my thong, pulling it to my knees.
“What are you doing?”
Vinn answered with a brush of his fingers on my inner thigh, the sensual touch lighting me on fire. He continued to spank me. With each strike, he was a little bolder, following my curves to intimate places.
Oh my God.
“Vinn, please. Please let me go.”
“Tell me you’re sorry and that you’ll be a good girl.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll be…” I trailed off, swept in the heat blooming in my body. “Jesus.”
He pinched me. “Say it.”
I gritted my teeth. “I’m sorry I told the fucking truth!”
“Li, I can give it to you much harder.”
I bit my lip against the delightful shiver of wanting.
Do it.
The