Chapter 17

Charlotte

I chewon one corner of my nail wondering if I can actually pull off what I’m about to do.

In the corner of my room, the nicest printer I’ve ever seen sits just outside its box. I don’t know when Mason bought it for me, but I can guarantee it wasn’t today.

I still can’t believe what happened with Professor Burke today or how Mason materialized in the nick of time.

I touch up my makeup, looking down at the lingerie I’m wearing.

Mason had bought me several sets of sleepwear from demure to downright sexy and I’ve opted to use his T-shirts every other night I’ve been here, but not tonight.

Tonight, I’ve chosen a silky black number that hugs my curves, barely covering my rear end. The piece is sheer enough that I can just make out my nipples in my reflection in the vanity. The heart neckline is only held up by thin spaghetti straps. I’ve never worn anything like it in my life.

I’ve washed my hair and redried it, curling it into loose waves that I think look very sexy with the shorter length.

I’ve never played the game of seduction before, nor have I offered myself up for a punishment I actually know I earned, but I’m about to try for both…

I apply a bit of gloss to my lips when I hear the elevator door open. Pushing back from my stool, I try to decide where to stand. I wish I’d thought this part out. Do I greet him in the kitchen or wait here?

Maybe I should arrange myself on the bed. Or better yet…

“Charlotte.”

Mason’s low growl sounds dangerous tonight and I jump. “In here.”

He’s angry. Why wouldn’t he be? Did I ruin everything or just his day?

I start to fidget. My mom left us, and I guess I always wondered why. My dad left too, not that he made the choice. But still.

Mason isn’t staying in my life, I know that. All he ever claimed to want was my virginity, which he’s very close to getting. Once he has it, does this all end? Or have I pushed him away before we can even get that far?

My door opens and I start toward it, trying to add a bit of sway to my hips. He stops when he sees me, his eyes darkening. “What’s this?”

I draw in a breath. “I…I wanted to apologize.”

“Accepted.” He stares at me for another second, then two, his gaze unreadable. “I’m going to take a shower.”

And then he’s gone. My heart jumps into my throat as it tightens painfully. It’s already happening. He’s angry enough that he doesn’t even care that I’m in lingerie.

Has the passion cooled that much already?

I start to follow, not sure if I’m actually allowed to enter his room. The only time I’ve been in it is when he invited me in this morning.

“Mason?” I call just as I hear the shower turn on.

He appears again, tugging at his tie and loosening his collar as I stand in his doorway. “What?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m tired. It was a long damned day that involved not one, but two physical altercations.”

I wince. “Leo?”

“Leo.”

“You don’t want me to make it better?” I nip at my lip as I slide my hands over my hips.

His eyes drift down me again. “Not right now.”

This is bad. Really bad. “Is our agreement over?”

He pulls off his shirt and when the fabric clears his face, his gaze holds mine. Steady. Even. “Of course not. You think I’d let anyone hurt you?”

My breath blows out in a rush, a little relief making my shoulders drop down a notch. “But you’re angry with me.”

“I’m not.” And then he starts to turn away.

I could cry out. I could chase him. Instead, I sink to my knees, parting my thighs as I do, so the black thong underwear I’m wearing is on clear display.

He stops in the doorway, going still, his eyes devouring me. I don’t lean forward, don’t lean closer. Instead, I lean back, resting on my hands, as I part my legs wider. I’m nervous…but even still, I can feel excitement stirring low in my belly.

Mason pivots back to face me, the intensity of his stare letting me know I’ve caught his attention.

“I know that I was bad today.”

His shoulders draw up, his back going stiff and straight.

“You told Professor Burke that he needed to take his punishment for what he did.”

“I should have ripped his throat out for what he tried to do to you.” That has my attention. There is a ferocity in Mason’s tone that is almost shocking. It doesn’t frighten me, instead, I feel protected. Safe.

He crosses to where I am on the floor until he is standing over me. Reaching down, he skates his fingers over my jaw. “It’s been a long day, sweetheart, and a traumatic one for you.”

I can see his erection in his dress pants and my own body is aching with need. But I don’t reach out and touch him. This is my punishment after all. But his touch, the fact that he’s calling me sweetheart, has my chin lifting and my back arching up. His eyes skate down my body again.

“What is my punishment, Mason?” I want him to touch me and then I want him to make me cum and then I want to sleep in the circle of his very strong arms.

I’m not afraid of Mason, even after what happened with Burke today. Mason would never hurt me like that. But I’ll feel safest of all with his heart beating against mine.

He crouches down then, resting on the balls of his feet, his elbows coming to his knees. He brings one hand to his jaw and his knuckles are a mess, even worse than this morning, I swear.

I gasp, wanting to touch them but I’m not doing anything I haven’t been told so I hold still.

With his other hand, he reaches out and touches my bare knee, his fingers skimming up my thigh until he stops just before the thong.

I’m panting now, desperate for him to touch me more.

“Are you certain you’re prepared to take your punishment today?”

My sex gives a throb of anticipation at his words. “Yes.”

“Like I said, it’s been a very long day.”

I look into his dark brown eyes, so dark they appear almost black in this light. “I’m not afraid of your touch, Mason.”

I’ve been afraid of Mason. I was scared of what he’d do to me, what he’d threatened. But even two years ago, when he’d carried me from that club, I’d held onto him like a lifeline. I’ve never been afraid of Mason’s hands.

It’s an interesting revelation as Mason stands, kicks off his shoes, takes off his belt, and sits on the edge of the bed.

“Come here, Charlotte.”

I rise up from the floor, not scared, but not exactly rushing either. Am I going to like whatever he’s about to do? Not?

I did ask for this, but now that the moment is here, my stomach gives a strange swoop, as I stop in front of him.

He reaches out with both hands to grasp my waist and then slides them over my hips, tracing my body. The touch is soothing, gentle, and I know in that moment, whatever we do, it will not be anger that motivates Mason. I further relax, wishing that I could press against him, wrap my arms around his neck and drop my cheek to the top of his head.

I want to touch him so much I ache, but I keep my hands at my sides. His grip tightens on my hips to one that is firm and then I’m tumbling into his lap, belly down, my head hanging over one side of his knee, my legs over the other, my rear in the air.

I know what he’s going to do, but I’m not worried. In fact, I feel myself getting wetter.

He slides the thin fabric of my negligee up to my waist, the thong exposing both my cheeks. “Next time you have a problem, what are you going to do?”

“Talk to you,” I whisper.

“And are you going to confront a man on your own again?”

“No.”

He skims his fingers over the back of my thigh. “Good girl.” And then he traces over the rounded flesh of my bare cheek. He lifts his hand and suddenly, his palm comes down with a hard stinging smack.

I jump, the spank unexpected, the pain reverberating through me. But with it, comes a pulsing pleasure, an ache between my legs that only intensifies as has hand comes down again, and then again.

I lose count. I think maybe ten. It doesn’t matter because when he gives me the last smack, his hand immediately slides between my thighs, rubbing my seam through the cloth of my thong.

The pressure is so good, I cry out and the moment he presses against my clit, I start cumming.

But I barely finish the orgasm and he’s flipping me over. I’m putty in his hands as he stands with me cradled in his arms, spinning around to lay me on his bed.

He bends over me and I twine my fingers into the waves of his hair, so glad to be touching him again. The thong is off, brushing down my legs as he moves down my body and my fingers slip from his hair.

But the moment he gets the underwear off my toes, he’s climbing back up me, his shoulders parting my thighs as he grabs my hips and lifts me up to give me a long lick.

Panting, I give a low needy moan. It feels so good and the visual of his large hands grasping my hips and waist, his face between my legs is only making me hotter.

I reach for his hair again, pulling him closer but also just wanting to touch him.

I want this man to be mine. Always mine. My eyes close and my head falls back as I feel another orgasm building.