Chapter 20: Lesson In Surrender

••~~MADDISON~~••

“Shit.”

I woke up with last night slapping me across the face. Not gentle. More like a body slam straight off the ropes.

Shawny.

The belly ring girl.

Club Bingo.

The drinks. The dancing. Ausley hauling me over his shoulder.

And then that damn document.

I groaned and clutched my head. It rang like church bells at a witch trial.

I looked down at myself.

Grey sweats. Loose shirt.

I leaned down, sniffed the fabric like a lunatic, and nearly moaned. It smelled like him.

Musk.

Ugh.

He changed me? While I was out cold?

My heart didn’t just skip. It spun in circles, threw on heels, and strutted across a runway.

Corian. God. I never know what to expect with him.

My eyes landed on the nightstand. A note and a platter.

I would much rather wake up to him but no, he makes me wake up to notes.

Eat. Drink. Come to the pool. –Corian

I squinted. Even his handwriting was bossy.

“Bossy. Bossy. Bossy,” I muttered, falling back against the pillows.

My stomach growled like a demon.

Fine.

I tore into a giant granola bar like it was my last meal. Big as hell, jaw workout included. Washed it down with milk like a good little omega.

Wait. What?

Never mind.

I brushed my teeth, slapped myself awake, and headed for the pool. Already plotting a dramatic entrance in case he was watching.

He was.

Of course he was.

Gliding through the water like he was Poseidon. Broad shoulders, calm power, every stroke smooth. I just stood there staring, jaw slack, heart racing like a stolen car.

He looked immortal.

Except he wasn’t.

That document I found?

A funeral arrangement. With his name on it.

Like he was planning his own death.

And my stupid heart clenched like we were already in love.

Why do I care?

Why does it feel like I’m already losing something I barely found?

I just met the man. I just want his money. Right?

God, I am a mess.

This is the part where Julia rolls her eyes and goes, You’re not in love. You’re bored and he’s hot. Take a nap.

Maybe she is right. Maybe I don’t care. Maybe he just reminds me of loss.

Dad’s death gutted me. Maybe that is all it is.

Or maybe I’m falling.

The fastest fall in history.

I stripped. Shirt gone. Jeans peeled off. Left in nothing but a thin bra and panties. Walked straight into the water like I had something to make up for. Because I did.

His eyes locked on mine. Hungry eyes... like he hadn’t eaten in years, and I just showed up as the full course.

The heat rolling off his stare, dragging me under harder than the water did.

Damn.

Chad never looked at me that way…

Nah. He’d just smirk, let his gaze crawl over my tits, and mumble some shit like, “Nice racks, shame it's just a waste.”

But with Corian it’s like I am a whole new woman.

Next thing I knew, I wasn’t swimming anymore. I was in his arms.

“Maddison Summers,” he growled against my neck.

Oh. Full government names this morning? Hot.

“How much trouble am I in?” I whispered.

“So much trouble,” he muttered. Then he bit me between my boobs. Not a nibble. A bite.

I screamed.

“Corian!”

“Last night was yours,” he said, lifting me like I was nothing. “Now it’s my turn.”

Next thing I knew I was dripping water on the floor of the mirror room. My body was shaking, whether from the cold or the anticipation, I didn’t know.

He set me down hard. My knees gave.

Then I saw it.

That bulge. His shorts clinging to him.

God.

That thing had ruined me twice already. And here it was again.

He caught my chin, made me look away from his crotch. “Not there. Look here.”

His eyes were black flames. Hunger. Punishment. Ownership.

He spun me so I faced the mirror. My reflection staring back.

“You are a stubborn student, Maddison.”

“Sorry. I’m not great at following rules. Guess I am just fun sized trouble.” The words rolled out daring him.

Bad move.

“On your knees.” He growled.

Oh Lord.

I dropped.

He bent too,

“On all fours Maddison.” He commanded.

My palms hit the floor, hair falling forward, heart banging in my chest.

He slid my panties down slow, dragging them over my legs.

The position was filthy. Humiliating. Thrilling.

His hand slid over my ass. Slow. Almost lazy. Every stroke made my thighs squeeze. When he dragged close to my folds, heat shot through me.

My breath shook. I hated how much I loved it.

Then his hands left.

The loss made me whimper.

But then he returned.

And this time his palm was coated in something hot.

He spread it over my ass, rubbing it in slow. Burning, tingling. My legs shook. Then lower. Between. Over my folds. Over my tightest spot. Circling. It tingled. It made me wet. It was maddening.

“Corian,” I whimpered. My voice sounded wrecked.

He stayed silent. Just kept working me until I trembled so bad I could barely stay up.

I was soaked. I could feel my slick coating the tops of my thighs, smearing across the insides.

I should have moved. But I couldn’t.

I melted under his hands.

“You are going to learn, Maddison,” he said, dragging the balm lower, right over my folds. “How to surrender.”

“Stay.”

His palm pressed me down when I twitched.

I stayed.

“How do you feel?”

God. How was I supposed to speak?

The sting on my ass burned. But it was not pain anymore. It was fire. It was need.

“Hot. Stingy,” I panted.

“Good. How much pain can you take?”

“My mother once slammed a bottle in my head.”

His hands froze.

Shit. Did I just trauma dump? Now?!

Too late.

He grabbed my chin, forced me to look at the mirror. My reflection was a mess. Hair tangled. Lips swollen. Eyes wet.

“I am going to spank you,” he said, heat flooding me. “You are going to count.”

“Yes, master.” I swallowed, heart racing wild in my chest.

The first smack landed. Mixed with the burn. Sent fire through me.

I hissed loud.

“Count.”

“One.”

“Good girl. That is for going rogue.”

Another smack.

“Two.”

“For walking out half dressed like you were free to show yourself off.”

The third made me gasp, my clit throbbing.

“Three.”

“For letting men touch what belongs to me.”

Tears pricked. My throat tightened.

The fourth angled down my thigh. I half sobbed.

“Four.”

“You broke every rule last night. Did not eat. Got drunk. Puked all over me. And went digging in places I told you not to.”

Smack.

“Five.”

His hand stayed firm.

“Rules have consequences, Maddison. Do not forget who you belong to.”

Smack.

“I am sorry.” I cried out.

“Do not apologize. Obey.”

Smack.

I lost the count. “Please!”

“You will wear a bra every time you leave this house.”

“Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“Yes, master.”

He yanked me up, pressed my back against his chest. His arms locked me in.

The mirror showed me wrecked. On my knees. Begging.

“You signed the contract. You are mine. I will do with you as I please....” His breath seared my neck.

“Yes, master.”

“And you will obey me.”

“Yes, master.”

“Good girl.” His voice dropped lower.

He held me tight as I came apart. I was still shaking, my reflection a mess.

“Easy,” he whispered, kissing my temple, brushing my sweaty hair back. “I’ve got you.”

My lashes fluttered. My face was hot. My lips wouldn’t stop trembling.

“Corian…”

“Shh.” He laid me down on the bed. My ass stung, my thighs were shaking. He grabbed some gel and rubbed it where I was sore.

I whimpered. Tried to move.

“Stay still. This helps. No scars.”

I let out a shaky breath. My body eased under his hand.

He rubbed slow circles. “How do you feel, Maddison?”

I forced my eyes open. “I think I hate you.”

He smirked. “Good. Lesson learned.” Then he bent close, his voice rough in my hair. “Be a good girl and maybe next time I’ll be inside you.”

My chest jerked. I curled tighter into the sheets, breathing hard, my head spinning.

“I’m lifting you now,” he said, sliding his arms under me.

I curled into him on instinct, clutching his chest like I didn’t ever want to let go.

He carried me into his room. I could tell right away.

But he never shares his room…. So why would he for the second time?