Free His Secret Muse: An Alpha Billionaire Romance by Linnea May

body tries to process the pain.
    But I don't run.
    I don't avoid his hits, and I don't yell at him to stop. I am determined to take this, to show him that I can take it and that I am perfectly capable of handling this. Of handling him.
    Just as I am beginning to doubt my own strength, he finally stops. He doesn't say a word and just stands behind me quietly. I can feel his eyes on me - and I hear him breathing almost as heavily as myself.
    The pain on my behind slowly changes, now that my skin is finally given a rest. The burning sensation that felt like a knife cutting into my ass cheeks is slowly turning into a warm throbbing, painful at first, but growing more and more bearable. Enjoyable even.
    My hands are clawing into the fabric of the backrest. Tears are dropping down on them left and right. I am sobbing.
     

Chapter Twelve
     
    I don't care what he thinks. I don't care if he believes me to be too weak for this, or if he thinks that I am pathetic.
    It might be too much after all. Not the pain per se, but what is happening to me now.
    Why am I crying?
    The feeling is overwhelming. I am not used to confronting such strong emotions. I feel drugged. It is as if he put me on a weird high. I am dizzy, confused - and terribly aroused.
    I don't dare to look at him and remain in my position until I feel his hand on my left shoulder. I flinch, but his touch his soft.
    "Come. Up," he whispers.
    I keep my face low while I climb down from the sofa, taking the helping hand that he offers to me.
    I fear that he will make me stand in front of him again. Naked, helpless, exposed and crying like a baby.
    But instead he pulls me close and wraps his arms around me.
    I sigh with relief as his warmth and wonderful smell embrace me.
    "Good girl," he whispers. "You did very good."
    He lifts my head up by placing his index finger below my chin. I must look terrible. The few make up items that I possess and use are of the cheaper kind and certainly not waterproof. My mascara must be running down my face in ugly black streaks.
    He gently wipes away another tear on my cheeks with his thumb and smiles down at me.
    I am still shaking and feel incredibly dizzy. My ass cheeks are still burning, reminding me of the intense pain he has put me through just a few moments before.
    "That was for the glass," he explains. "And for forgetting to reply. And for that bratty attitude. All in one. You took it well. You did great, Renee."
    I want to say something, but my voice has left me. Nothing but throaty croaks escape my lips as I try to reply. My vertigo only increases, so much, that I am beginning to wonder if he put anything in my drink. Or the food?
    His eyes fixate on mine again, observing every breath I take with great attention. I don't even dare to blink.
    "Perfect," he whispers. "You have no idea how beautiful you look right now."
    "Thank you," I breathe. "Thank you, Sir."
    I am still shaking, and I am beginning to understand what caused it. I am literally shaken from the brutal spanking - and he only used his hand. I cannot even imagine what it must feel like if he decided to use something else. A belt, for example.
    But there is something else that causes my body to shiver as if I was cold, which I am not.
    I am dizzy with arousal. My center throbs with anticipation. I need release. I need him. I seriously need him to fuck me.
    And I fear that he is not going to do it until I ask him to.
    He wants me to beg for it.
    His arms are still wrapped around me, his dark eyes on mine. Waiting.
    I know he is less shocked at my current state than I am. He wanted me to be where I am right now. I know what he wants me to do next.
    I am reluctant to go along with it. I hate to be predictable.
    But in the end, I am mostly harming myself.
    "Fuck me," I whisper.
    My voice is so low that even I can hardly hear myself speak. So, I am not surprised at all when I hear him say: "Louder. What do you want?"
    I close my eyes. "I want you to fuck me, please. Sir."
    "Is that