Chapter Six

Ciska

T he sky dungeon of NY Club Decadent Skies...

"If this is what you call a spanking, I have my doubts about the qualification levels of Domness," Ciska smirked as Jax landed the fourth strike against her thong-covered bottom. Since she was classified as a troubled youth, she had a good share of spankings from foster parents. All of which was a hell of a lot more painful than what he was submitting her to.

"Since my end goal is for you to return often, I don't want to scare you off too quickly."

His amusement tickled the annoyance inside her. It was one thing to spare her pain but quite another to make fun of her... or to give the impression to the crowd watching that she was receiving preferential treatment.

"So, in the process, you would rather make a mockery of my commitment to embrace being your submissive for the night. Not to mention turning me into the club clown for all to laugh at as the one who can't withstand a proper punishment." She glowered at him over her shoulder. "This is what you're doing, right? Punishing me for diminishing you in public, thereby being insubordinate?"

"Ah, there it is. What I've been waiting for," he rasped in a much deeper voice— that dark, dangerous, devilish voice that stirred fear deep inside her, or was it excitement? Suddenly, the thread separating them was impossible to distinguish.

"I'm happy to see that you paid attention. Seeing as you just admitted as to why you're being punished, we shall commence."

His breath brushed against her cheek as he leaned over her back, stealing her breath with the heat of his hard body covering hers from bottom to shoulders where she was draped over a spanking bench. The skirt of her minidress was pulled up over her hips, baring her buttocks to the people watching avidly.

"This was merely to warm your skin and prepare you for the pain. Better brace yourself, Nanja. A Dom spanking with his bare hand is very different from being spanked as a child."

Then his heat was gone, leaving her shivering in its wake. She wasn't sure whether it was from the loss of his closeness or fear of what he was promising.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

"Holy freaking bull bullocks!" The scream was torn from her chest as her backside exploded with pain. Scorching and burning from where he had landed each hit, all the way through muscle to bounce against the bones deep inside... only to settle in a demanding throb of lust inside her.

Holy shit! How is that possible? The wail in her head sounded desperate, as if the surprise wasn't that at all... rather an expectation of a promised exploration of her sexuality.

"What was it you were saying about qualification levels of Domness , again?"

Ciska didn't answer, not because she recognized it as a rhetorical question, but because her mind was in shambles, scrambling to decode the conflict of sensations rushing through her as he continued spanking her.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Pain, surprise, but most of all, the unexpected spark of desire every subsequent hit awakened inside her scoured through her. As if that wasn't enough, her clit now throbbed in anticipation of every strike.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

"Shitting frogs, that hurts," she wailed, desperately squeezing her eyes shut to keep the tears from falling. She refused to show that level of weakness. Yes, her ass burned as though it had been splashed with lava, but she'd be damned if she cried.

Ciska Farlow never cried— not over lost opportunities, rejection, failed endeavors, or lost love. She sure as hell wasn't going to show such weakness over a freaking spanking.

But hot damn, she was very close!

"Last set, little one." His deep voice resonated along with the sound of his hand slapping against her skin as he delivered the final promised folly.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

"Motherfucker," she cried hoarsely, a first for Ciska since she hardly ever cursed, except perhaps when she was very angry. To allow such a word to explode from her lips in public was a total no-no. Not since one of her very first foster parents had drilled it into her— with the assistance of a thick leather belt and burning cigarettes.

"There, there," Jax crooned as he untied her and gently tilted her upright from the spanking bench to pick her up and settled on a chair in the corner, with her on his lap. With gentle, circling motions, he spread a soothing gel over her glowing bottom while wrapping his other hand around her waist to cuddle her close.

"You did so well, Nanja, especially since it was your first punishment. I'm very proud of you." She moaned as he stopped rubbing her ass cheeks to tip back her chin. "Now, after a punishment, a good submissive always admits to her wrongdoing and asks for forgiveness."

A frown of annoyance slashed across her forehead. "Why didn't you say so before you spanked me? I would've apologized, and all of this effort could've been avoided."

"If you felt your actions were wrong and apologized without being prodded, it may have prevented punishment. You didn't, though, and you know why?"

"I'm sure you're about to enlighten me," she said in a snippy voice.

"Because brats hardly ever acknowledge their actions. They tend to keep pushing until their Doms take matters into their own hands and—"

"Blister their asses. Yeah, I got the message."

"I'm waiting, Nanja."

The automatic reaction was to sass him and scorn his expectation of an apology, especially after scorching her buttocks— unnecessarily hard, in her opinion. Logic prevailed, or perhaps the dark warning in his voice lured the non-existent submissive to the surface. The words tumbled from her lips without her brain ordering them to form.

"I'm sorry for being dismissive and disrespectful, Master J. Please forgive me. I assure you it won't happen again." His smile seemed all too satisfied, which, of course, awakened the little devil inside her. "Notwithstanding the fact that I'm new and didn't really—"

"Don't spoil it, Nanja. A true submissive never justifies misbehavior. I suggest you rather pay close attention to the lessons you're being taught." He tapped her under the chin. "Believe me, your buttocks will thank you in the long run."

"In the long run won't matter. I'm not coming back, remember?"

"We'll see, little one."

Ciska wasn't impartial to the confident undertone in his voice, almost as if he had already concluded that she would return.

"Come, you need something to replace the energy you expunged during the spanking. I ordered a Belgium chocolate lava cake for you, which I believe is the perfect solution."

"Are you trying to fatten me up, Master J?" Ciska wasn't concerned about picking up weight from eating sweets since she never had to check what she ate. She had a naturally fast metabolism, and even though she wasn't a fitness freak, she did have a relatively regular exercise routine. Well, it qualified more as a lazy stroll through the gym, but at least she got her heart rate up a few times a week.

"I sincerely doubt a couple of hundred calories would fatten you up. Besides, since you're about to burn through them during our scene, I would be derelict in my duty as your Dom should I not ensure you are prepared. I don't want you fainting on me."

"Fainting? What exactly is this scene you have in mind?" Ciska's skin sparked alive with goosebumps at the thrilling thought that she might have some proper action tonight— of the sexual kind, of course.

"Soon, Nanja. For now, follow me."

Ciska had the presence of mind to remember the form she was to present as she walked slightly to his left back to the entertainment area.

"Good girl." And wouldn't you know it— she basked in his praise as he noticed her perfect stance when he stopped beside a private alcove encasing a cozy two-seater bench and a table. The intimate space was nestled against the wall, partially obscured by elegant drapery that offered a sense of seclusion. Soft, ambient lighting cast a warm glow over the polished wooden surfaces, creating an inviting atmosphere.

"I see the dessert is already here. I'll have to give sub Clara a treat."

As Ciska sat down and drew a deep breath, the rich, intoxicating aroma of dark chocolate enveloped her senses. The scent was deep and complex, with notes of cocoa mingling with hints of vanilla and a subtle earthiness that promised an indulgent experience. Beneath the dominant chocolate fragrance, she detected a whisper of espresso and the sweet aroma of caramelized sugar that made her mouth water.

"Goodness," she said in awe. "This is a work of art." The lava cake sat before her on a pristine white plate, a perfect round of deep, dark chocolate. Its surface was slightly cracked, hinting at the molten treasure hidden within. A light dusting of powdered sugar adorned the top, contrasting beautifully with the rich brown hue. A small dollop of fresh whipped cream rested beside it, crowned with a single, perfectly ripe raspberry.

She licked her lips as she gazed at the dessert, already anticipating the flavors to come. Then his words registered. Her gaze was razor sharp as she looked up.

"What kind of treat?" Ciska cursed at how possessive the query sounded.

"Don't worry, little one. I'll think of something she would enjoy."

Giving the sub coordinator something to enjoy brought a vision of pulsing bodies and sweaty sex to mind— one that didn't sit well with her. Not at all.

Jax chuckled as he nudged her to sit down. "Not that kind of treat." The hesitation was brief, as was the flash of male satisfaction at the anger she couldn't keep from her eyes when he continued. "At least not tonight."

Ciska's brow furrowed as an unexpected wave of jealousy washed over her. She shifted uncomfortably on the seat, her lips pressed into a thin line as she struggled to suppress the unfamiliar emotion. The intensity of the reaction caught her off guard, leaving her feeling unsettled and confused.

This possessiveness was entirely new territory for her. She had always prided herself on her independence and emotional detachment, particularly when it came to men. She'd never been one to feel territorial or envious and always maintained a cool detachment in her relationships. Yet here she was, bristling at the mere thought of another woman's involvement with Jax.

The conflicting emotions left her reeling. Part of her wanted to dismiss these feelings and regain the composed demeanor she usually wore like armor. But another part, a part she was only beginning to acknowledge, reveled in the depth of her response to Jax.

Ciska found herself questioning her own nature. Had she always had this capacity for jealousy, lying dormant until now? Or was there something uniquely potent about Jax that was drawing out sides of her she'd never known existed? The uncertainty of it all left her feeling vulnerable, a sensation she was far from comfortable with.

If something as simple as this evoked such a strong response, what other emotional depths might this powerful man unlock within her? The prospect was exhilarating, as much as it challenged everything she thought she knew about herself.

"I... er..." She cleared her throat, desperate to regain her composure. "Perhaps you shouldn't reward her just yet. There's only one cake."

"I only ordered one. You can feed me some of yours."

"Feed you... you expect me to... oh, for Crickey's sake," she muttered while struggling to keep from rolling her eyes. Cheesy wasn't the word for the scenario unfolding, except the powerful Dom didn't quite fit such a picture.

"Yes, it's easy. All you need to do is scoop up a piece and gently put it in my mouth."

"I'm not an idiot, Master J. I know what feeding you means." She moaned as she took the first bite. The slight resistance of the cake's exterior gave way to a rush of warm, velvety chocolate. There was an interplay of bitter and sweet, of the intense cocoa notes balanced by a subtle sweetness.

"Hmm," she moaned as the silky-smooth texture coated her tongue. Warmth spread through her mouth, carrying with it complex flavors that unfolded gradually with a touch of sea salt to heighten the sweetness. "Wow, this is amazing. I've had my fair share of lava cake, but this is out of this world."

"Hmm... until I get my bite, I'll have to take your word for it."

Ciska adroitly ignored the hint and took a couple more bites before she reluctantly lifted a spoonful to his mouth.

"I would think as a man of many conquests, it was the one thing you have learned over the years."

"Which is?" He watched her with raised eyebrows as she kept the spoon just out of reach.

"One never, and I mean ever , ask a woman to share her chocolates. It's a sacrilege, I tell you." His expression remained amused, but he didn't take the bait. Mumbling intelligibly about a supposed caring Dom who took the food from her mouth, she all but shoved the spoon into his.

Before he could ask for a second helping, she wolfed down the last of the cake. Her cheeks exploded with red blotches as he burst out laughing.

"Well, now I know."

"Know what?" she mumbled around a mouthful of chocolate dessert.

"Never to come between you and your chocolates."

"Let it be known that you're a fast learner, Master J."