Chapter 9

Penny

Cause and effect.

Behaviors and consequences.

The sentiments played over and over again in my mind like a skipping record, reminding me that every good deed didn't go unpunished. I'd reacted as any decent human being should, and now I was held prisoner in a rich monster's lair. It was all so unseemly, but here I was, lost in a combination of fear and the strangest sense of desire any human being had ever felt. I was certain of it.

I was trapped in his suite, in his hold even though he wasn't touching me. Yet. I could sense from the passionate kiss he would do what he wanted to me.

The law of attraction was a funny rule and one I'd never wanted to participate in, much like love at first sight or the notion there was only one person in the universe meant for me. It was all hogwash in my mind. However, there was something so intriguing and powerful about Kraven that even though he was pushing me into something I couldn't wrap my mind around, he was doing so with a sensuality that kept my body swaying.

How was that even possible?

I continued to shift from foot to foot, his eyes piercing mine as he attempted to keep his patience. "This is crazy," I said under my breath.

"This is life, Red Penny. If rules aren't followed in my world, people die."

"Why would people die in a world where the wealthiest people engage in partying until dawn, losing money so your bank accounts are padded?"

He was obviously amused by my question. "Perhaps I'm not who you think I am."

"I don't know you." I started to say I didn't want to know him but that wasn't true.

His expression turned darker. "Perhaps in time you will learn. At this point, you need to understand and accept that while I can be an extremely generous man, I don't like to be kept waiting."

"So you've told me." There was no getting out of this, no possibility of running from what he had planned. I realized I was inching as close to him as possible without thinking, as if the man had some hypnotic hold over me.

He took the decision out of my hands, gripping my hips and slowly lifting his head. While the look was stern, making me feel even more like a bad little girl, there was nothing fatherly in his eyes. His expression was completely carnal, his chest heaving as his nostrils flared. "Your spunk is admirable."

I wasn't certain whether to be surprised or horrified when he shifted his full attention to unfastening my shorts. Even worse, my voice was caught in my throat. Everything about what he was doing was entirely too intimate. Only lovers undressed each other, not strangers meeting only a couple of hours before. Yet here I was, allowing the blasphemous action to occur, unable to take my eyes off him. I hadn't paid enough attention to the two-day scruff covering his jaw, which only added to his evocative look.

I was doing my best to remain strong, but I could tell my resolve was slowly fading. This had to be a nightmare I'd soon wake from.

As much as I wanted to learn more about him, something in the back of my mind suggested I truly didn't want to discover what made him tick. And why he considered himself a bad man.

"I can do it myself," I finally said, jerking my mind back to reality.

His smirk was enough to piss me off, but I found myself still enthralled as I unzipped and closed my eyes.

"Pull down your shorts and panties."

The warm flush creeping up on my cheeks wasn't anything like the jolts of current flashing through every muscle and cell. This just couldn't be happening. I kept my eyes clamped shut as I shoved my fingers under the waistband of my shorts, forced to hold my breath when I lowered them. Only then did I amuse myself by thinking I was glad I hadn't worn my cheap panties I'd purchased from Walmart. Not that I'd been able to afford decent lingerie, but I'd purchased a couple of sexy numbers from Victoria's Secret after getting my first paycheck.

That seemed like years before instead of months. I was shaking, my stomach in knots, barely able to obey him. The terrible moment of humiliation was the kind of burden I wasn't used to. Even the way I'd been treated by my ex hadn't embarrassed me as much as this moment did.

No matter how Jake treated me in front of his friends, more like an animal than a human being, I'd never allowed myself to feel the shame he intended. I found myself concentrating on the fact I'd shaved my private parts that morning, only realizing the sensual beast had lowered me across his thick thighs when he jerked up my shirt.

Plus, he'd already had his fingers inside of me. What did it matter if he did worse at this point?

I gathered a whiff of my body's natural perfume, my panties soaked from desire and my core was heated to a thousand degrees, the longing to feel something dark and delicious stealing my breath. The fragrance was so overwhelming that was more of a reason to be embarrassed than being half naked around him.

Well, almost.

His breath was hitched, calling my attention even more. I folded one arm under me, surprised I was tingling from excitement instead of dread. I had no idea why I could feel that way after all the physical abuse I'd suffered but this was entirely different.

Possessive.

Dominating.

Sensual.

If that was possible.

"Thirty with my hand. That should suffice but I'll use something harsher if you attempt to get away."

His words were clear, without inflection and seemed to rock my entire world. And I'd be damned if I didn't almost address him as ‘sir.' Okay, so he was at least ten years older but offering him that kind of respect? Really? The entire last few days had obviously taken a significant toll on me.

When he adjusted me on his lap, a strangled moan left my lips from the feel of his thick, hard, and throbbing cock pushing into me. He was as aroused as I was? That made us both sick individuals.

Kraven brought his hand down four times, the brutal cracks of his hand catching me off guard more than the pain. However, we were both overwrought, his breathing continuing to match mine. I would think he did this all the time with his dozens of girlfriends or snacks, whatever he called all the women who clung to him like glue.

And I had no doubt he could have a harem given his stunning good looks. I'd seen the jealousy in at least a half dozen pairs of eyes as he'd paraded me through the lobby. They'd wanted to scratch my eyes out.

He wasted no time, doling out the spanking with meaning, the discomfort shifting into real pain, which pulled me completely out of my strange yet lurid thoughts.

"Ouch. Don't. This is… horrible." I'd finally found my voice, squirming on his lap as he'd told me not to do. When I humped his lap in an effort to free myself, the effect was as disturbing as the round of discipline. My pussy was wetter than I'd believed, my inner thighs sticky and I had a feeling I'd stained his expensive trousers. Oh, well.

When I threw my arm back involuntarily, he caught it with one hand, effectively snapping his fingers around my wrist. He pinned my arm against my back, issuing the deepest rumbling growl I'd ever heard. And Remington was good at growling at squirrels and birds, whatever intrigued him. I heard my baby's tags jingling in response and was surprised he hadn't come to see what Mommy was up to.

"You deserve the pain, Red Penny."

I continued thinking about breadsticks and pizza, a horrible way to earn a spanking. Maybe that was better than thinking the alternative, all the lust-filled thoughts I should never allow my mind to engage in about a stranger. I wiggled again, enough he also threw one massive leg over both of mine. Now I was pinned in for the long haul.

He was methodical in his actions, using every square inch of his huge palm as he spanked one side of my bottom then the other. I'd lost count after the first four, but when he stopped, I was ready to launch myself free of him.

"Not so fast, pretty Penny." I could no longer recognize his voice, the husky tone deeper than before. "Ideal'naya penni."

The change to Russian surprised me but not nearly as much as the way he rubbed the tips of his fingers under my shirt, gently caressing my spine. If it was possible to combust from a single touch, I was close to proving it. There was no doubt my pulse had increased significantly. I hated the way my body was reacting, the continual jolts of electricity undoubtedly something he was feeling as well.

While the desire for him couldn't be denied, my crazy longings were not going to lead to a night of passion, which is what I truly suspected he believed would happen. Was he the kind of brutal man who'd force me against my will? And if he did, what then?

As he rolled his fingers down far too slowly, I found myself holding my breath. I also realized in another act of betrayal, my body was responding to the touch, my legs doing everything in their power to open, allowing him access. To my pussy? Incensed and furious with myself, I did what I could to snap my legs shut but in trying, I caught his attention.

He rectified the situation, forcefully pushing my legs further apart, even lifting the one holding me down so he could easily do so. It was another moment I held my breath as his fingers whispered across my swollen, slickened folds in a feathered touch. I wasn't positive he'd actually touched me until my pussy convulsed, clenching and releasing several times.

"What did you say?" I managed, trying to break the hypnotic effect the moment seemed to have on both of us.

"I called you my perfect penny. Shiny and hot to the touch."

His voice was more unrecognizable than mine. "I'm not a perfect anything." At least I was telling him the truth.

"Yes, you are. You truly don't understand my world or the women I deal with."

Deal with? He made it sound like fucking whatever sexy woman flung herself at him was a chore. I was certain all the women he was used to dealing with were glamorous while I was like the ugly duckling that everyone would hope might turn into a swan. The analogy was another leftover scar, Jake's surly words often more painful than any time he'd put his hands on me in anger.

Kraven seemed to catch himself before he pleasured me any further, pulling his hand back and resuming the spanking. This time, he was relentless, each hard swat bringing a moan made of pain and lust from my mouth.

I wasn't fighting any longer, far too stunned at how the hunger for him prickled my skin to find enough energy to care. Finally, I sensed it was truly over, the man rubbing my back as he whispered something else in Russian.

Why did I have a feeling he was calling me a good girl?

"Five more," he said and I was pitched into some surreal moment. His cock was rock hard and I was uncertain I could manage to keep sinful fantasies from my mind. With each final swat, I felt my resolve breaking, images of him defiling me slipping through my armor.

When he slowly eased me from his lap, keeping his hands wrapped around my arms, I was shocked by the way his chest continued to heave and that he had difficulty looking me in the eyes. He kept his tight possessive hold. I was lightheaded, the ache in my bottom and the heat forcing yet another flush across my face and neck.

"Don't you have a girlfriend or five?" I asked, which was entirely too inappropriate given the fact I was standing like some statue in front of him, my shorts and panties wrapped around my knees like a noose. I'd never been this vulnerable even while spending the length of time with my abusive ex.

"Women are a pleasant diversion in my life, Penny. Nothing more. I can't afford the weakness. Although I do enjoy receiving pleasure from time to time."

Now I was repulsed.

I almost asked what about sex in another moment of my inappropriate behavior. Thank God for little favors. "Now what? Am I supposed to say I'm sorry? Am I still supposed to beg for forgiveness?"

"You're not required to say anything, pretty Penny. I'm giving the orders. Remember?" He took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds. I could swear the color of his eyes changed, becoming darker just like his thoughts had become.

When he pushed me to the floor between his legs, I reacted immediately, shoving my palms against his chest. "What are you doing?"

"One taste is never enough for a man like me. But now, it's your turn to please me."