“Are you aware of how painful it would be if I took your arse with no lube?”

Her butt clenched involuntarily. “Yes, Sir.”

He walked toward her; each thud of his footstep seemed to vibrate through her body. “There is one thing certain about how this ends. And that’s with you bent across the island with my cock up your arse.” He roughly took her chin and lifted her face. “The only question is, will I allow you lube or not?”

Holy fuck! He wouldn’t try anal sex without lube, would he? She didn’t think the Cole she knew would, but that man seemed so different compared to the one currently with her.

She tried not to flinch away from his cool gaze. “I’m sorry, Sir.”

His low chuckle sounded downright evil, and she feared what he would say next.

“It’s going to take more than I’m sorry for you to earn the lube back.”

She didn’t know what he meant. She didn’t move.

“You definitely won’t earn it by just sitting there.”

Oh.

She thought about asking for permission to suck him off. Based on the way his pants were tented, she could safely say there was one part of his anatomy that wouldn’t object. All she would have to do is come up to her knees and unbuckle his belt.

She froze. His belt. Of course.

“If it pleases you, Sir.” She stood and moved to stand in front of the island. “I believe you told me once before what happens to disobedient slaves in the kitchen.”

He didn’t say anything, but appraised her with his unwavering, intense gaze. Watching her—no it was more than that. He was studying her. Weighing her reply. Testing it. She straightened her spine, not wanting him to find her lacking.

“That would go a long way in earning it back,” he said in a low, controlled voice.

She was surprised, but pleased he didn’t ask if she was sure.

“Once you’re prepared, bend over the island.”

He was letting her decide how she’d prepare for him, not something he’d ordinarily do. She wouldn’t let him regret it. Under his piercing gaze, she reached behind her back and unhooked her bra. She shrugged out of it, one shoulder at a time and didn’t miss the hungry way he watched.

Knowing she had his undivided attention, she shimmied the lacy panties down her hips and stepped out of them. Wearing only the garter and hose, she turned away from him and draped herself across the island. Though she expected the granite to be cold, she still gasped when her bare breasts touched the cold stone.

She listened for the telltale sound of a belt being unbuckled, but it never came. Had she somehow missed it? She braced for the first blow and flinched when instead two warm hands cupped her shoulders.

“So jumpy.” Both hands ran down her back, squeezed her ass, and stroked back up. “I’m touching you because it pleases me to do so. To know you’re here and you’re mine for the next two weeks.”

He didn’t say anything else, but his message was clear, and the weight of his words sunk deep into her mind, even as his hands woke her body to his touch. His massage lulled her into a relaxed state she wouldn’t have thought possible moments before.

The first slap of his hand against her backside nearly had her moan in pleasure. Over and over he spanked her, sometimes hard and sometimes light, but always making her need grow. She squirmed in an effort to give her clit some friction.

The crack of the belt on her ass stopped her fidgeting.

“Be still,” he said. “You’re earning the lube back. Don’t even think about coming.”

She braced herself for leather, but only the warmth of his skin followed. He’d told her once before he would keep her off balance. He was right and it was useless to try and determine the whys and hows.

She turned her cheek so it rested against the cool granite and closed her eyes. He took his time working her over and though she expected pain, he also gave her pleasure. Between the belt and his hands, both sensations merged together and within minutes, she craved both.

“What color?” he asked bringing the belt across her backside and then followed by circling her clit with two fingers.

“Green, Sir.”

The belt landed harder, but so did his teasing of her flesh. She forced herself to be still and accept what he gave her. She wasn’t certain how much time passed. For that moment, there was nothing in her world but him and the feelings he drew from her body.

“Last three will be hard and fast. Take them in stillness and silence and I’ll allow you to get the lube. Understand?”

Three. She knew she could take three more. She only hoped she could do it quietly and without moving. “Yes, Sir.”

She didn’t have time to prepare, the belt made contact almost before the words left her mouth.

One.

Two.

Three.

Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them back.

“Breathe, little one.”

She took a large gulp of air. Could she move yet? Should she wait for permission?

The decision was taken from her as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her up and turning her to face him. She didn’t know whether to expect tenderness or harshness, but he showed her both when he crushed his lips to hers in a quick, possessive kiss that left her reeling.

“Nothing makes me harder than knowing I’m about to fuck an arse I just belted.” He bit her earlobe. “You have sixty seconds to get the lube and bring it back. You best not fail.”

He stepped aside to let her pass and she darted around him and flew up the stairs. She didn’t slow down as she grabbed the tube from the bed and hurried back to the kitchen.

He stood by the island, naked, and she only had time to run an appreciative glance over his body before dropping to her knees before him. She held the tube out.

“Three seconds to spare,” he said. “Not bad. But I don’t want the lube. You use it.”

On him?

He fisted his cock. “Better hurry. I’ve waited about all I’m going to wait. Your arse is mine.”

She squeezed some into her hands and coated his cock.

“Make sure you use enough, it’ll be tough enough to take me the first time. Don’t make it more difficult than it has to be.”

She took the tube and squeezed a liberal amount directly on him. He chuckled.

“I think that’s enough for now, little one. Hand the rest to me.”