Chapter Thirteen
Drastic Maneuvers
Eli
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R EACHING OUT, I CAUGHT hold of her shoulder strap and tugged her backward.
“I said no.”
Perhaps I hadn’t been clear enough when I’d spoken before. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“What makes you think you’re in charge?” Her brow creased as she glanced around to see what was halting her progress, and at any other moment—if she wasn’t about to act in total defiance to all sense and logic—I’d have found her expression insanely cute.
Her face was heated, much the same way she might have looked after the climax I’d ripped from her sweet cunt in the early hours, but I never had the pleasure of seeing her then. I’d felt her, though. Known the warmth of her body as, overwrought, she’d jerked and moaned through her orgasm, and God, how I’d wanted her. I’d intended to replace my slippery fingers with my rock-hard cock, but by the time I’d looked for consent, she was already fast asleep, her body limp in my arms.
As it was, the version of Erin who’d greeted me when I awoke had me riled up in an entirely different way. That time, instead of seeking my own gratification, my adrenaline was focused on trying to keep her safe. The woman was about to open the door to goodness only knew how much snow and bring it potentially crashing into the hut. She didn’t seem to have thought through her decision.
“Erin.” My tone was firmer that time. “Enough of this. You’re staying here with me.”
I yanked at her bag for good measure, pulling it from her shoulders despite her reluctance to cede it. Stamping her foot, she swung around as gravity took its weight to the floor between us.
“Why won’t you just let me be?” Her chest was rising and falling at speed, reminding me of the writhing pussy cat who’d taken me right to the edge and then promptly fallen asleep in my arms.
What had happened to that woman?
If I was honest, I’d been pretty disappointed with the way our spontaneous intimacy had concluded. My cock had been ready to explode as she’d spasmed around my fingers, and I wouldn’t forget how the teasing minx had favored sleep over reciprocation, but I much preferred that softened, sexy woman to the insolent version of Erin.
“Because it’s not safe!” How many times did I have to go through this? “Neither of us are going out there until we’re warm again, have eaten, and have a plan.”
I wasn’t exactly being unreasonable.
“But Chelle.” She stared at me keenly, as though she expected me to change my mind, but that wasn’t an option.
Not only was she the sole remaining person left in the party I’d been charged with leading, but in the hours we’d been forced together, I’d grown rather fond of the riveting brunette. Her actions didn’t always make sense to me, but I respected the way she stood up for herself and how much she cared for her friend. Of course, the fact that she had a great body and I knew how good it was to hold her also did nothing to assuage my desire.
I wanted her there with me, wanted more time with her. Whatever the weather, the moment that door was opened, the delicate shoots of that fantasy would be erased. Deep down, I feared that outcome. I wasn’t sure why I was so drawn to Erin—she wasn’t the first attractive woman I’d taken into the forest—but I sensed there was something special about her. Something I needed to explore.
“I can’t just leave her!” She was constantly on the edge of either tears, tantrums, or as I remembered, tantalizing climaxes. “Why can’t you understand?”
“I do understand.” That was a lie. Little of her behavior made sense to me. “But going out there and getting yourself killed won’t help anyone, least of all Chelle.”
She frowned, evidently wanting to argue and yet struggling for the right words. “Jesus!” Fresh tears emerged from her beautiful eyes as she slammed her palm against the door. “Why did you have to wake up? I just want to go.”
“You won’t last out there.” Resisting the urge to grab her hand and insist she come away from the exit, I folded my arms in front of me. “I know it and so do you.”
I tried not to take what she said personally, but glowering at her, I heard her words ringing in my ears.
Why did you have to wake up? I just want to go!
That hadn’t been the greeting I’d hoped for when my arousal had finally ebbed away, and I’d given in to sleep. I’d hoped for something warmer—a little gratitude perhaps, and a chance of pleasure for myself. The impertinent expression on her face made me wonder why I’d bestowed the carnality on her in the first place.
“Fuck you!” Chest heaving, she jabbed a delicate finger in my direction. “I’ll do fine out there, but you won’t let me leave.”
“That’s funny.” I’d had just about enough of her attitude. I might have respected how feisty she could be, but there was a limit to my patience, and whether she realized it or not, little Erin was rapidly approaching it. “Fucking me was just what I had in mind this morning, but instead, I get this little song and dance routine.”
“There’s no way you’re fucking me.” The venom accompanying her hissed words hurt more than their meaning. “I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last man on Earth!”
Logically, I accepted she was angry at some perceived loss of liberty, although God knew why. I was trying to look after her, not harm her. But I couldn’t tolerate the way she thought it was acceptable to weaponize our arousal against me. I’d been there with her in the dark. I knew precisely how aroused she’d been, recalling her deliciousness in agonizing detail. Any inference to the contrary wasn’t only cruel, it was patently untrue.
“Watch your tone.”
“Or, what?” She leaned toward me, audacity glaring in her eyes as though she was daring me to bend her over and show her ‘what’ would happen. “What are you going to do, Eli?”
“I’m glad you asked.” I could have laughed at her performance. She was begging for someone to take her in hand, and that someone was me. “I’ll show you.”
I moved like lightning, wrapping my hand around her wrist and yanking her toward me. Lurching forward, her expression crumbled from temerity to shock. Apparently, despite her gall, she hadn’t expected me to respond. Turning toward the chair, I suppressed my growing glee. Things were only going to get tougher for stunned little Erin.
“Wh-what are you doing?” she gasped as I hauled her with me. “Stop it! You can’t do this!”
“Which is it, Erin?” Pausing suddenly, I smiled as she stumbled straight into me. “Are you asking what I’m doing, or do you already know?”
“What?” Her gaze flitted from the place I held her to my face, desperation flashing in her wonderful eyes. I’d have wagered she was contemplating whether she could prize my fingers from her, but her hesitation was smart. Even if I allowed the deed, it would not go unpunished. “Please, Eli. You’re hurting me.”
My attention darted to the same spot reflexively. “I’m not hurting you.” Yet. “But I am showing you what happens when you don’t speak to me with respect.”
Confusion flickered in her expression as she tried, and failed, to pull her arm from me. “So, why have you dragged me across the cabin?”
Smirking, I nudged the chair into place with my foot and perched on the edge of its seat. Refusing her frantic pleas to be free, I insisted she come with me, yanking her to my right side. Teetering on the brink of the moment I’d fantasized about since I’d first laid eyes on her, there was no way I was going to back down. Little Erin had pushed, apparently anxious for a response, and she was about to get one.
“Eli, please.”
“Much though I like to hear you beg, you can save it for now.” My grip on her wrist stiffened as her face blanched. “I’ll help you, Erin, but I won’t tolerate such flagrant disrespect.”
“I...” That stopped her in her tracks, her free hand rising in a conciliatory gesture. “Okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be such a bitch. I’m just worried about Chelle and...” Her voice trailed away.
“And?” My stare drilled into her. “And what , Erin?”
“And I’m embarrassed.” She twisted away from me, avoiding eye contact. “About what happened last night.”
“Embarrassed?” What did that mean? Did she regret what we’d done?
I’d assumed her behavior was down to her neurosis about her friend. It hadn’t even occurred to me that she was uncomfortable about the orgasm I’d inspired.
“Why?” Tugging her harder, the front of her thighs grazed the side of the chair. There was no way for her to avoid my gaze anymore, her focus forced back to my face. “ Why are you embarrassed?”
“Because...” She squeezed her eyes closed, her only remaining option to block out the sight of me.
I was definitely losing patience. “Because you seemed mightily fine with me looking after your needs last night. I don’t remember any complaints.”
“Fine!” She straightened. “Because I’m mortified that I fell asleep afterward!” She spat out the words as if they’d left a nasty taste in her mouth.
My lips tugged at her reluctant admission. “Is that all you’re worried about?”
“No.” She tried futilely to free her wrist again. “I’m worried about Chelle. I was just trying to avoid having this conversation with you, that’s all.” Her concentration fell to the floor. “I was wrong. I should have stayed to talk before I left.”
“Yes, you were wrong.”
The way she swung from one emotion to the next fascinated me.
“But you have nothing to be embarrassed about.” My free hand rose to capture hers, our digits enmeshing as I continued. “I bloody loved pleasuring you.”
A spot of rouge pooled on her cheeks. “I’m not good at this, Eli.”
“Telling the truth?” My tone was wry. I was the last person in a position to lecture her about honesty.
“Maybe,” she mumbled. “Not where my feelings are concerned, anyway. I just wanted to get out there and help Chelle.”
“Okay.” My thumb stroked the side of her hand. “I get that Chelle was your focus, but it still doesn’t mean you can indulge in outbursts like that around me.”
“Why?” Her breathing had accelerated again, as though she instinctively understood how risky that line of argument was.
“Because there are consequences.” My fingers closed over hers.
I’d intended to drag her over there and haul her pretty little ass over my lap for a well-needed spanking, but her sudden contrition had altered things. She was still going to have her ass tanned, but I was more inclined to talk her through her mistakes rather than only act.
“What kind of consequences?” Her tone had shifted to little more than a teasing purr, suggesting she might already know the answer.
“The type that sees your backside red and sore.”
Her eyes were the size of teacups. “What?”
Obviously, I’d been wrong. She hadn’t seen my answer coming.
“You heard me.” The excitement whipping around me had morphed into that same visceral energy that had seen her surrender so beautifully in bed. “I’m going to spank you.”
“I’m not a child.” Her protest was weak by comparison to her earlier outrage, and I noticed how she no longer tried to pull away.
“No.” Unable to suppress my smile, I met her gaze. “I can confirm you’re most definitely not.”
“You don’t spank grown women.”
I swore her body swayed closer as she caught her lower lip between her white teeth. Every fiber of her being was focused my way as I gave my answer. “I do.”
“Eli...”
Yep, her voice had that same rasping quality I’d heard when she’d opened her legs for me. Erin’s body was surrendering, even if her mind was struggling to catch up.
“What?” My free hand left hers and settled on her ass. The perfect cheek beneath my palm tensed, and I waited to see what she’d do next.
“We both know you deserve to be spanked for the way you behaved.” My brow rose, challenging her to counter the point.
“I’ve never been spanked in my life!” She inhaled as I took the additional liberty of squeezing her delectable cheek.
Fuck.
The act spoke directly to my cock, which was still unhappy with denial. It sensed an opportunity, though, there in the cabin—a chance to finally right that wrong. The room should have been cold. There hadn’t been a fire for hours and there was nothing but snow-covered terrain in all directions for miles, but somehow, the temperature seemed to be rising.
“Then this will be your first time.” My palm skimmed to her upper thigh, clutching her gently. She was fucking flawless, and in the morning light, even the contradictory parts of her nature that riled me only amplified my desire.
I wanted her, and she wasn’t going to get away again.
“You can’t be serious.” She glanced around as though there was someone else to come to her rescue, but I had bad news for Erin. It was only her and me in that cabin, and I’d been left waiting for long enough.
“I’m deadly serious.”
One little push. That was all she needed, and in a heartbeat, my hand rose from her ass to her lower back to provide it. She went with a yelp, tumbling over me with such grace that I couldn’t believe she hadn’t known it had been my plan all along.
“Oh, God!” She twisted back to glance at me, but rather than the recriminating glare I’d expected, concern danced in her eyes. “Eli.”
“Hush.” My palm pressed against her backside again, taunting my dick with the object of its desire. “You’re getting spanked, Erin, and I’m not promising to be gentle.”
“But...”
Lifting my hand, I ended her sentence as I brought my palm crashing down hard over her leggings-covered ass.