LORD DECADENT'S OBSESSION (13 page)

She raised an eyebrow but complied without protest. "Are you sure no one will

see us out here."

"I'm absolutely sure, for as far as you can see, this is my property. The tenants

stay where they belong, and no one comes near here unless I request it. We are alone,

which, by the end of the day, you will consider either a blessing or a curse."

He had alluded to any manner of activities for the day, which had only served to

peak her interest. "I look forward to whatever it is you have planned."

"I do hope so."

He led her out the door, and onto a path behind the folly. It was such a lovely

day, the sun warming the ground as well as her body. If one must run around naked,

this day was the perfect time to do so.

They walked for several minutes, finally coming upon a sun-dappled spot under

a copse of trees. Nature's sounds surrounded them, birds chirping, small animals

rustling in the underbrush and the occasional cawing of a predator bird as it captured

its prey.

Prentice walked to a tree stump and picked up a bag, alerting her that he must

have come here as she slept. "What is that?"

He held a knife, which gleamed in the sun. "I want you to take this, cut a switch,

and bring it back to me."

"A switch?"

"I believe you heard me."

He'd taken on the persona of master. "Yes, sir." Her quim wept at the thought of

the sting a switch would produce. She'd had her legs switched as a child by a

governess, who was possessed of scant patience for a dreamy-eyed girl such as herself.

A new thrill came over her as she scampered off into the woods. She cut and tested

several against her legs until she found the one that produced the proper feeling.

When she returned to the copse, Prentice stood with his legs apart, his arms

across his chest. There was nary a smile on his face, which struck a humorous chord

with Desiree. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. After all, they each

had a role to play.

She handed the knife back to him, and he dropped it into the bag. Then she

brought forward the flexible, thin twig, which he tested by bending it several times, and

swishing it through the air.

"Oh, this will do quite nicely. You are in for a treat. Now, I wish for you to go

over there, and face that tree." He pointed to the other side of the clearing, and she did

as he bid, her body trembling with anticipation.

He arranged her with her legs back, hands against the trunk.

"Poke your bottom out. Yes, that's it." He struck her, with the tip just kissing her

cheek. She flinched but soon realized there was no reason. He repeated this many times,

never really landing the harsh, swishing sting she'd expected.

He walked to her, placing his hand on her buttocks. "Nice little red kisses. How

does it feel?"

"I expected more."

"Oh, my dear, never fear. You shall have more; just not with this." He tossed the

green switch away and then got very close to her ear.

Chapter Thirteen

"You seem to enjoy pain."

"Yes, I do."

"That's very good, very good indeed, because I enjoy inflicting it, but only in a

most pleasurable manner, of course. Do you enjoy new sexual experiences?"

"Yes."

He detected hesitancy. "Is it really yes or aren't you sure?"

"It is really yes. I gave you carte blanche when we met."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes, I do, completely."

"Good girl. I would never do you harm. I only seek your pleasure."

"And your own."

He swatted her bottom. "Cheeky girl."

"Yes, I believe I am."

His voice was deep, velvety, seductive. He was snaring her in his sexual trap,

and she wanted just that. She wanted his wicked games. He thrilled her with his

awareness of her needs. She wanted a spanking, and at this point it didn't matter what

he used. Should I beg, she wondered, her body still in the same position against the

tree.

As if he had read her thoughts, he said, "Tell me what you want me to do to you,

Desiree. Later on, I will not ask, but right now I want to give you what you need the

most."

His face was so close to her own, his warm breath washing over her, seducing

her. She swallowed hard, the need in her about to control her every action. "I want you

to strap me, hard. Don't stop until I tell you to."

"You are sure?"

"My God, yes."

Prentice brought his hand down to cup her quim. "You are so wet."

Desiree closed her eyes, praying he had brought the strap in his bag. As he

snapped it against his leg, she let out a sigh of relief. "I was afraid you hadn't brought

it."

"I suspected we might have need of it."

"That I do. Please sir, now."

"As you wish, my dear."

As was his habit, he struck her lightly the first two or three times. They stung,

barely, but readied her for what was to come. She dug her bare feet into the ground,

reaffirming her position. Then she closed her eyes. With every stroke, she felt her quim

clench. Her breathing escalated, but she took deep, cleansing breaths, then expelled

them upon impact. She became lost in the sound of the leather impacting her bare skin.

Even the slight whooshing as the strap went through the air excited her, bringing her to

new heights of awareness and satisfaction.

Her head lolled forward between her outstretched arms. The only sounds she

made were moans of approval.

Prentice became concerned. Desiree had asked that the spanking end only upon

her request; however, he had struck her the requisite number of times, and she

appeared to be in thrall. He feared if he continued he would break her skin.

He stopped. She remained still. He walked to her and gently touched her face.

"Are you all right?" He whispered.

"Yes, I am, but why did you stop?"

"It was too much."

"I never said it was too much."

"I will harm you should we proceed, and I don't wish to do that."

She nodded slightly though she seemed immersed in her thoughts.

He picked her up, holding her close as he walked back to the folly. He would put

a soothing balm on her deeply reddened bottom and allow her to rest.

A surge of guilt coursed through him. He hadn't liked her request that she be the

one to determine when she'd had enough. Having done this for so many years, he knew

how much a woman could stand before it became too much, before she went into

herself, much as Desiree had done. Harm should never come to one who submits to

sexual games. He feared in his willingness to please her, he had allowed his judgment

to become clouded.

He reasoned that she had gone beyond the pain; he could have beaten her

bloody without her realizing it was happening. He'd be more careful, and use his

common sense with her. She had a tremendous pain threshold, something he admired

and yet also feared.

As he laid her on the bed, she came into herself. "Why did you bring me back

here?"

"You must rest, Desiree. You aren't thinking clearly, or you would have stopped

me."

"I didn't want you to stop."

She sounded like a petulant child. From now on, he would use his own

judgment, for clearly, when it came to spankings, she had none.

"Your ass is nearly blistered. If I'd continued, you would be bleeding."

That caught her attention. She touched her bottom. "Oh, my, it is on fire."

"That's what I have been trying to tell you."

He reached for some ointment, rolled her over, and liberally applied the soothing

unguent.

"That feels nice."

Of a sudden, it struck him that she was as ass-obsessed as he was. That was the

only answer.

"Can I talk to you seriously, Desiree?"

"Of course."

"Had you ever been spanked before you came to me?"

"Only as a child."

"What made you decide you wanted to be?"

"I've explained this already. Since seeing my father's erotic drawings, I've been

thrilled by the idea of someone lifting my skirts, baring my bottom and spanking me.

The pain increases the pleasure. I don't know; it's difficult to explain."

He laughed aloud, feeling oddly liberated. She was no run-of-the-mill woman

who sought punishment. She craved the pain and pleasure as he did. Did he dare speak

as frankly to her about his deep-set desires? No. He dismissed the thought. That

perversity would remain between him and Lucien.

"I understand. Not everyone experiences sexual arousal the same way. That is

why the Sapphire Club exists. You can always be yourself with me, Desiree. I wish to

please you."

"You were pleasing me this morning, before you stopped. I am at loose ends

right now."

"Are you now? Well, I can assist you in tying them, if you'd like."

"I had no doubt you could, sir. This might be a good time to shuck out of those

clothes."

* * * * *

To Desiree's delight, they spent the afternoon in bed, fucking like rabbits. Despite

what Prentice Hyde thought, he'd be strapping her again, just the way he did this

morning. The spanking had produced the greatest orgasms she'd ever known, and she

wasn't about to forfeit that reward in exchange for his misguided conscience. She

thought it odd that he even had a conscience.

The heat, stinging and aching, emanating from her bottom, was delicious.

Despite her hurt at his abandonment of her ten years before, she felt remarkably

at home with him. Who else could she share her sexual peculiarities with? They

understood each other, and on the face of it, that made her happy. However, it

undermined her purpose, leaving her with a dilemma.

A huge part of her wanted this arrangement to go on indefinitely, but she

wouldn't allow that to happen. She'd get her fill and leave him, without as much as a

glance back. These glorious days would have to last her a lifetime. She'd marry some

nice gentleman and forget about Lord Wycroft, but not now. He was beside her on the

bed, his eyes closed, though she knew he wasn't sleeping. With any luck, she could

convince him to stay a few days longer before returning to the real world, for when they

did, he would, once again, become a part of her past.

* * * * *

Prentice had something he wished to do, and he was almost sure Desiree would

love it. Despite what had already transpired between them, he'd kept this to himself, for

fear of frightening her.

They'd had a simple dinner, provided in the basket Mrs. Polton had sent to the

folly early that morning. Prentice had kept Desiree naked as he'd promised to do, taking

her to the lake to bathe and frolic, then taking his pleasure in her sun-warmed body. Of

course, he'd seen to her pleasure as well. By the look of her, she was well-satisfied.

She'd not stopped smiling. She was cow-eyed, and she touched him a lot. He'd put it all

in perspective at another time. To have these stolen days to themselves was a rare gift,

leaving no time for recriminations or second guesses.

Desiree washed the dishes while he slipped into the bedchamber to light a candle

or two and stoke the fire. The evenings and nights had begun to get a bit chill. When he

returned to the parlor, he took the opportunity to study her. She stood at the table, back

to him, doing the menial work of cleaning up after a meal.

Her bottom had lost little of its redness, and he cringed when he observed the

clearly delineated marks made by the strap.
Damn, and blast.
Guilt seared through him.

He'd prided himself on never leaving marks, now he had.

He admired her pluck, though. She had an innate ability to go after what she

wanted. She endured his punishment, because it ultimately gave her pleasure. He

wasn't so jaded that he couldn't understand that. He found himself wanting to give her

more enjoyment, more pleasure, and if pain was a part of that, so be it.

She bent over to place the dishes on a shelf. It was then Prentice knew he must

have her. Her bottom was perfectly heart-shaped. It invited his attentions.

"Come," he said, startling her. He sat and patted his lap.

She went to him, placing her bare bottom on his thigh. Absently, he rubbed her,

wanting more, while holding off the urge to take it.

"You have beautiful breasts, do you know that?"

"It isn't something I've ever thought about, really."

"Quite alright, I'll do that for you." He then sucked a nipple into his mouth,

pulling until she squealed with excitement.

They kissed, something they were not terribly accustomed to doing. Prentice felt

a closeness to her this night, and before the sun rose in the morning, he prayed the

barrier he'd spent so long building around his heart would have been breached.

With their lips still engaged, he rose from the chair, and carried her to their

chamber. When he placed her on the bed, she protested the release of his lips.

"Desiree, I wish to show you something else, something that could be quite

pleasurable for you but painful as well."

"You have my rapt attention."

He busily arranged two pillows in the middle of the bed. "Settle yourself upon

the pillows, with your bottom in the air."

She did as he asked. "What are you going to do?"

"I feel it is best to show you. You may stop me at any time, just like with