Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,77

turned, my breath was once again cut short.

Alessandra walked tentatively into my room, holding a towel wrapped around her. I watched as she took calculated steps before turning to face me. With her wet hair and bare feet, she looked vulnerable and innocent.

Although I knew she was neither.

She was strong, both in mind and body, her spirit unbreakable. Or so she thought. “I’m here, sir, as requested.” Her voice was little more than a whisper, the playfulness all but gone. Perhaps she understood that I wouldn’t so quickly forget her disobedience, even after her valid attempt at seduction.

I enjoyed seeing studying her as I always did, watching the subtle change in her emotions. She was my kryptonite, a woman capable of breaking through my chains. Hell, Jefferson would say I was becoming unraveled, refusing to handle business even as the stocks continued to slide. I wasn’t concerned. The land deal would go through, the acquisition the ultimate feather in my cap.

“As I told you this afternoon, your infraction can’t go unpunished.” I’d wanted nothing more than to cut a long switch, covering every inch of her beautiful skin with marks, but I’d waited on purpose. As I’d said to her before, the anticipation was almost as delicious.

For both of us.

I’d heard the subtle words she’d whispered earlier; the very statement I’d thought I’d never hear again. The truth was, I wasn’t entirely certain I wanted to hear them, but my heart had soared the minute she said them. Even her touch against my face was enough to yank away additional layers of pain and sin, rage and hatred.

If only for a few minutes in time, a blip and nothing more. She couldn’t love me. No woman could.

“Yes, sir,” she whispered, her lower lip quivering.

I moved quickly, yanking the chairs away from the small table.

“Remove the towel and come here. This will do nicely for what I have in mind.” I kept my tone even as I walked to a small cabinet, opening both doors. I heard the slight gasp she emitted, obviously noticing the contents. I allowed my eyes to roam my collection, salivating at the combination of implements I’d amassed.

All carefully handmade by artisans and craftsman, each one of a kind.

Tawses.

Canes.

Quirts.

Paddles.

My heart raced from seeing them once again, my mind reeling from the realization that this was the first time I’d have the opportunity to use a single one of them.

My selection for the night? A beautiful birchwood cane. As I snapped my wrist, the whooshing sound was like sweet music to my ears, almost as much as her moan from before. When I turned around, I wasn’t certain whether to anticipate that she’d obeyed me, but she had.

Her long body was draped over the dark wood of the table, the contrast against her porcelain skin provocative as hell. I found it difficult to breathe as I approached, my blood pulsing. She was tense, her body rigid and her eyes were closed.

“Anticipation is one of the greatest aspects of discipline,” I stated as I moved behind her.

She clenched her fists in response, taking several deep breaths.

I rolled the tip of the cane down the length of her spine, moving it into the crack of her ass.

“Oh,” she murmured and pressed her face against the wood, her lips twisting.

A single inhale brought me a sense of peace, the fragrance of her sweet pussy invigorating. I wanted to bathe in her juices, have them stain my skin for long hours. I smiled at the thought before opening her legs, positioning them several inches apart. The sight of the anal plug also brought me pleasure. At least she was capable of obeying me on certain terms.

Her terms.

That was about to change.

“I’m using a cane tonight, your infraction significant enough to warrant such a harsh punishment. As quickly as I can give you pleasure, I can also take it away.”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t control myself,” she whispered as she studied me, still searching for any sign that I had a heart or a soul.

“Control is vital for both of us. In time, you will learn.” I continued my exploration, sliding the cane down the inside of her right leg, tapping the bottom of her foot. She curled her toes, her breathing coming in short pants. “If you want something, you may ask.” I eased the tip up the left leg, this time tapping her bottom.

Alessandra flexed her hands, sliding her arms up in order to grip the edge of the table.

“Twenty for your