Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Was this really happening to me? Was I going to let a man lay hands on me in punishment?
Magnus guided me toward the armchair before the fire, his hand firm at my back. My knees locked, and for a wild instant I thought I might bolt again. But Leighton's hand wrapped around mine held me steady. There was no escape. Not this time.
"Over you go, filly," Magnus said, his voice a low command that went right through me and vibrated in my chest. He sat, tugging me gently but unyielding down across his lap. The position alone had my breath stuttering, shame and heat tangling in equal measure.
"This isn't right," I whispered, barely audible, even to myself.
Magnus's palm smoothed over my back, down the curve of my hip. "No, filly," he murmured, his tone soft but cutting through all the tension. "Nothing else has ever been more right. And deep down, you know that. You crave it."
He stroked down my hip again, but that time, when his hand came back up, he brought my skirts with it.
Within moments my drawers were exposed to the air, and he was tsking at the fabric obstructing him.
Leighton helped him remove my undergarments, and by the time they were done, my face was flushed.
This time, with nothing but embarrassment at being exposed so.
"Do you want to know what else?" Magnus continued to murmur to me, his husky voice only serving to increase the ache building between my legs.
"What?" I breathed out.
"Once you give yourself over to us completely, acknowledge that you belong to us... that's when you'll feel more free than you ever have in your life. Because with us guarding you, protecting you, guiding you, you'll no longer be constricted by societal norms. You can just be."
Dear lord.
It sounded amazing.
I was still lost in his words when the first sharp crack landed, a shock that had me yelping and gripping the edge of his knee. My face flushed even hotter than the sting blooming across my flesh. Magnus continued to rain down sharp, hot smacks on my backside as he spoke.
"For running from us," he said evenly, his hand soothing over the ache he'd caused.
For a brief moment I thought we were done, but he lifted his hand again.
The next set of smacks echoed in the study, harder this time, stealing the breath from my lungs.
"For eavesdropping where you had no right," he continued, each word punctuated with his palm coming down on me.
"For letting fear dictate your choices instead of trusting us.
" After each sentence a caress followed, achingly gentle.
His fingers carefully stroking my sensitized skin as though he couldn't bear to truly hurt me.
Another sharp sting made me squirm, whimpering despite the dampness gathering shamefully between my thighs.
"For working as a tavern wench." Magnus growled this out, the bite of his hand sharper for that offense. "Do you have any idea the filth you put yourself among? Those men should count themselves lucky Leighton and I didn't take out their eyes for the leers they'd directed your way."
My rear was on fire. But he wasn't done. Not by a long shot.
He soothed the ache, but with how sensitive I was, the motion of his hand on my skin was almost too much. Or not enough.
"Do you have any idea the danger you'd put yourself in? We could have lost you!" His voice broke on the last sentence.
My eyes burned with the tears I refused to shed. I couldn't take this. It was too much. With every minute my punishment continued my guilt somehow became less but my hunger... only grew.
"And lastly," his hand pressed low on my back, holding me still, his voice roughening, "for making us worry for your safety, for tearing us apart with the thought we might never see you again."
The final smack landed, fierce and resonant, leaving me gasping. Then his hand stayed, cupping the heated flesh with a tenderness that undid me completely.
"There now, Lisa, darling. It's all over. You took your punishment so well."
The words of praise were so contradictory to what I'd just endured... enjoyed... that my shocked gaze jumped up to him to see him smiling at me. Not with cruelty but with a soft pride that made my chest burn.
Leighton leaned forward, eyes shimmering with emotion, and brushed the damp hair from my brow. He lifted me with practiced ease and set me on my feet as though I were precious and breakable. "Come, love,' he murmured, fussing with the hem of my sleeve before taking my hand in his.
Magnus's fingers lingered once more at the small of my back before he stood, a slow exhale escaping him. "Now that's done, sweet little filly, we can reward you for being such a good girl," he said, the promise in his voice sending another shiver down my spine. "Time to take care of you."
I didn't want to feel this way. Didn't want to be a hungry, achy mess. But he was right.
After my punishment, I did feel better. Most of my angst and guilt had somehow taken a hike. But there was still something left unsaid...
"I—" I paused and swallowed past the lump in my throat. "I owe you both—"
Leighton silenced me with a kiss to the forehead. "No need, love," he said softly. "Everything is forgiven. Now we'll retire to our rooms, and take proper care of you."
They led me down a short corridor to a large suite that was obviously the master bedroom. Leighton shut the door and drew the curtains, and for an instant the world narrowed to the soft glow of the lamp and the two men who had reshaped my life.
I knew I should be nervous, or at the very least rethinking my life choices, but I couldn't make myself care.
All I wanted in that moment was to be owned. By my Daddies.
All I needed was to be ruined. Ruined in the best way possible.
Proper society and its perceptions be damned.