Punish Me, Daddy!

Marina’s POV

The cool night air hit my skin as we stepped outside. The waiting limo gleamed in the shadows, its black paint catching the streetlights. Adrian opened the door and guided me in, his movements as precise as always.

The leather seats swallowed me whole as I sank into them, the silence pressing close around me.

Adrian closed the door behind me, then circled to the front. He slid in beside the driver without another word, his profile unreadable.

The leather interior of the limo wrapped around me like a cocoon, though it did nothing to quiet the storm inside my chest. Before I could gather myself, Vale reached for me, cupping my face in his gloved hands. The soft black leather pressed against my skin, a familiar comfort and a wall he always placed between us.

“I was so worried about you,” he said, his voice low, almost tender. “For a moment, I thought I would never see you again. After all the work you put into my birthday, it’s a shame it had to be ruined by Victor’s petty rivalry.”

His words made my heart twist. I had been the operating manager of Velour for years, and Victor Lacroix had never dared to attack us so directly. Tonight had been different, reckless, and far too precise. I knew I would be punished for breaking the silence Vale demanded of me, but I couldn’t stop myself. I leaned into his touch and whispered, “Vale, I was worried about you too. The attack came so suddenly. How did Victor even know we were there?”

His gloved finger pressed to my lips, silencing me. “Hush, princess. You have nothing to be afraid of. I have everything under control.”

But he always saw through me. He always knew when my fear lingered beneath the surface. And tonight, it was stronger than ever. I turned my face away, but he didn’t let me hide for long. His gentle touch hardened into iron as he gripped my chin and forced me to face him again.

“Do I have to prove it to you?” His eyes were dark, merciless. “Do you need a show of power to feel reassured?”

The air caught in my throat. Heat pooled low in my belly, betraying me. His dominance ignited something I couldn’t fight.

“Should I punish you?” he asked, his tone a razor against my skin. “Is that what you need?”

I swallowed, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I deserve to be rewarded after all I’ve done for you.”

His grip tightened, the leather biting into my skin. “I ordered you to stay silent, and you disobeyed. That doesn’t sound like reward to me.”

He pulled me into him and kissed me deeply, a kiss that stole the air from my lungs. But before I could surrender fully, his hand fisted in my hair and yanked me back. Pain shot across my scalp, and I gasped.

“Tell me about the pain,” he demanded.

A shiver rolled through me. “I love it.”

“I know you do,” he murmured, his eyes never leaving mine. “It clears your mind. It focuses you. Doesn’t it, my princess?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

With effortless control, he drew me across his lap until my head rested on his thigh. I trembled at the vulnerability of the position, but the anticipation was worse than fear.

“Tell me what you want,” he ordered.

The words spilled out before I could think. “I want you to play with my nipples.”

His fist tightened in my hair as his other hand found its mark. He teased me through the thin fabric of my outfit, fingers circling, pinching, until my breath came in ragged gasps.

“Don’t stop,” I moaned.

His chuckle rumbled against my lips when he kissed me again, rougher this time, his gloved fingers rolling my nipples until I arched in his grip. “Your body never ceases to amaze me,” he said. “You’re so stunning, Marina.”

My skin burned as he stripped me bare. Every inch of me ached for him, red hot and desperate. His hands claimed my breasts, his mouth devouring mine, his laughter a cruel kind of sweetness against my lips.

“Kneel,” he commanded, guiding me down between the seats. “Spread your legs wide.”

I obeyed, trembling as his gloved hands slid up my thighs, inching closer, closer.

“I’m going to make you come now,” he said, voice like silk and steel. “But don’t you dare fall. I want you upright. Just like this.”

When his finger pressed against me, I nearly collapsed. Pleasure pulsed through me in sharp waves, my body fighting to remain upright while he pushed me toward the edge. My moans filled the confined space, shameless and raw.

“Can you do it, princess?” he asked, his voice breaking through the haze. “Can you show me how good you are at following orders?”

I gasped his name, clinging to the seat for balance, determined to obey. The torture of holding myself together made the release all the more violent when it finally came. I shattered with a cry, my body convulsing under his control until there was nothing left of me but pleasure.

When it was over, he helped me dress again, his movements surprisingly careful. Then he opened his arms, and I fell against his chest, utterly spent.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice softer now, brushing against the edges of tenderness. “Do you now believe me when I tell you I’ve got everything under control?”

“Yes,” I breathed, too weak to resist. “I do.”

The fear that had haunted me all night slipped away, replaced by exhaustion. My eyes fluttered shut, and I sank into him, letting sleep claim me.

But in the quiet corners of my mind, another desire stirred, one that had nothing to do with Vale. As darkness pulled me under, I found myself aching for something far more dangerous.

I wanted to be worshipped by Lucian.

*****

Talia breezed into my room the next morning without knocking, balancing a steaming mug of my favorite coffee in one hand and her laptop in the other. She set the cup on my nightstand with a flourish.

“Did you sleep at all last night?” she asked, cocking her head, her dark braid sliding over her shoulder.

I groaned and sat up, rubbing my eyes. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead. You have something for me?”

Her grin widened. “Always. Are you ready for my security report?”