Free Hidden Heart (Windy City #1) by Measha Stone Page B

comforter as a hard slap landed on the down curve of her ass, a tender spot.
    He paused the spanking to stand and move his position. She clenched her eyes shut and tried to will her cunt to ignore the sensations he was causing. Her ass was on fire, but she could feel the wetness between her legs in response. Her mind did not share the arousal her body did, but she had lost control of the physical elements of the situation.
    He unrolled the belt. “Are you ready?” His voice was tender.
    “Yes.” She nodded, keeping her eyes focused on the bedding. Her fists crumpled the comforter with their grip. Every muscle tensed in anticipation of the first strike.
    She didn’t have long to wait. The intensity of the burn shocked her; an electric shiver ran up from her ass through her spine. She stood upright, unaware of her actions.
    “Back over.” He sounded calm, all business.
    She complied, swallowing hard and taking deep breaths. She felt the surge of fire from the second lash before she heard the swish through the air. With the third, a cry escaped her before she could contain it. She wanted to jump out of her skin.
    Her shoulders tensed, and her fingers ached from the tight grip they had on the bedding. She gulped at the air and tried to ready herself for the next lash. It came softer, higher on her ass. She rested her forehead on the bed and readjusted her feet on the floor. Her legs began to shake from holding herself in the position with such intensity.
    “The last is always the worst,” he informed her, running his fingertips over her ass.
    She imagined horrifically what he must be seeing. Convinced her cheeks glowed a dark red, her mortification continued. She felt as though angry welts were popping up; she was sure she looked a mess.
    “Let me know when you are ready.” He removed his fingers from her.
    She took another deep breath. To ask for the last one, it was too much.
    “I can wait.” His words ran over her skin.
    Her mind raced. She braced herself and willed her voice into action. “Okay. I’m ready.”
    The belt crashed across both cheeks at the curve—too close to her thighs to count as a slap on the ass. She yelped and shook with the tension of her body and slowly allowed herself to relax.
    She felt the tears on her cheek and realized the whimpering she heard came from her. A release valve had been triggered with the last lick of the belt. The tears wouldn’t be fought against, her emotions bubbled over until they couldn’t be held back any longer. Resting her face on the bed, she pulled up her legs and curled into a ball.
    He sat beside her and rested his hand on her back. He said nothing, but he remained.
    After a few moments of quietly shedding tears, she unraveled herself and sat up. Concerned eyes met hers and she leaned into him, resting her face in the crook of his neck. Her safe place. “I’m sorry.” She sniffled.
    He wrapped his arms around her, tucking her beneath his chin. “Me too. I really wanted to ravage you this morning.” His words only twisted her stomach further.
    She’d ruined what could have been a wonderfully sexy morning.
    “Another time.” He kissed the top of her head and rubbed his chin against her.
    “Do you still want me to answer your question?” Her voice was soft.
    “Yes. Would you like to get dressed first?” He rubbed her bare shoulder.
    “No, that’s okay.” The vulnerability of being naked eased the way to being vulnerable in other ways as well. As long as she didn’t have to look at him at the same time.
    He kissed her again and tightened his hold on her. “Were you ashamed of what we did? Or that you enjoyed it?” His question was given in a manner that made her feel as though she should be sitting in a witness box and swearing an oath of honesty before answering.
    “I don’t understand why I enjoyed it. I guess that’s a little scary. Not understanding your own feelings. I mean, the clamps hurt but in a good way. That makes no sense. The