Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
K iera
For a second, I just sat there, blinking.
I knew he’d said it, but somehow, I still didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that he meant right now.
“You’re not actually serious about this,” I said, glaring at him.
Ronan tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes fixed on me, unflinching. “Do I look like I’m joking, Kiera?”
“Yes,” I snapped, though my voice wavered just enough to betray me. “I mean—come on, Ronan! You can’t just… tell me to get naked and then spank me like I’m some kid who got caught stealing candy. This is ridiculous!”
“Ridiculous,” he repeated, his tone maddeningly calm. “What’s ridiculous is you thinking you can run your mouth, pick fights with men ten times as dangerous as you, and then call me to fix your mess without there being any consequences.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
“That’s what I thought,” he said. His lips curved into a faint smirk, the kind that made my stomach twist in a way I hated. “You called me because you needed me, Kiera. And now, you’re going to learn what that means.”
“I know what it means,” I muttered, shifting slightly in my seat. “It means you’re going to fix this. That’s it. That’s all this has to be.”
“No,” he said simply, his voice as unyielding as stone. “That’s not all this has to be. You’re going to face the consequences of your choices, whether you like it or not.”
“Ronan—”
“Stop.”
His tone was scolding enough to quiet me, and I swallowed hard, startled into silence. He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze pinning me in place.
“You’ve been running that mouth of yours for years, acting like the rules don’t apply to you. Well, guess what, Kiera?” His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “They do, and for the first time, you’re going to learn what happens to naughty girls with sassy mouths.”
I shifted again, my chest tightening as his words settled over me. My palms were sweating, and I hated how small I felt under his gaze.
“You’re not… you can’t actually think you can just do this,” I said, my voice quieter now, but still laced with defiance.
“I don’t think, Kiera,” he said, leaning back again. “I know. And here’s what you’re going to do: you’re going to stop wasting my time, stop pretending you’re in charge here, and take what’s coming to you like a big girl. Or…” He tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into that maddening half-smile. “I’ll take off my belt as soon as we get to my penthouse, and I’ll make sure your bottom is welted enough that you won’t be able to sit for a week.”
My throat went dry, and I couldn’t stop myself from glancing toward the car door.
“Don’t even think about it,” he said, his voice a quiet warning that sent a shiver down my spine.
“I wasn’t,” I lied quickly, my fingers tightening on the fabric of my jeans.
He chuckled softly, the sound low and almost amused. “You’re a terrible liar, Kiera.”
My breath hitched, and I hated how fast my heart was pounding, and how my stomach felt like it was tying itself into knots.
“You’re insane,” I muttered, though the words felt weak even as I said them.
“Maybe,” he said, his tone so calm it made me want to scream. “But you’re still going to listen to me. And if you keep fighting me, Kiera, I’ll make sure it stings twice as much.”
My jaw tightened, and I looked away, staring out the window like the quiet street would somehow save me from the inevitable.
“You’re unbelievable,” I mumbled.
“No,” he said softly, his voice carrying an edge that sent another shiver down my spine. “What’s unbelievable is you thinking you could call me, drag me into this, and not answer for it.” He leaned in slightly, his tone dropping. “I told you this was going to happen, Kiera. And now, you have two choices: you can make this easier on yourself, or you can make it worse.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the words caught in my throat. The look in his eyes made my stomach twist again, and I realized, with sickening certainty, that he wasn’t bluffing.
I was going to get a spanking .
Here and now.
“Fine,” I said at last, my voice barely above a whisper. “But you’d better fix this Benedetti thing, Ronan. All of it.”
His lips twitched, and for a moment, he looked almost pleased. “That’s the first smart thing you’ve said all night. Now strip like a good girl.”
“But…” I tried one last time.
“You’re going to get naked in the next ten seconds or I’m going to put you in a collar, then leash you and make you crawl completely bare in the middle of Central Park to a park bench where your spanking will finally take place instead of in the privacy of the backseat of my car,” he warned, and my heart dropped to the tips of my toes.
For a second, I froze.
And then he started counting.
“One.”
I rushed to pull my coat off, then dropped my fingers to the hem of my sweater. The fabric was soft against my palms, but the weight of what he wanted me to do made me feel like I was dragging myself through molasses.
“Two.”
I could feel him watching, his gaze searing into me. I closed my eyes and yanked the sweater over my head.
Heat bloomed across my cheeks, and I felt like I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs. My thoughts were spinning out of control, a chaotic tangle of humiliation and anger and something else, something I didn’t want to admit.
Desire.
I heard him inhale slowly, and the sound sent a rush of arousal pooling low in my belly.
“Three.”
The sweater hit the floor of the car, and I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to keep myself steady. His gaze was a physical thing, like a touch that made every inch of me burn.
“Four.”
I hesitated for a split second, realizing that I was actually doing this, and then I fumbled with the buttons of my jeans, pushing them down my hips and then past my knees as I kicked off my shoes.
“Isn’t this enough?” I asked quietly.
“Five,” he counted.
My hands shook, and the sound of my own heartbeat roared in my ears as I slid the denim off the rest of the way.
I felt naked.
Exposed.
And, God help me, it wasn’t from being nearly bare. It was the look on his face, the hunger in his eyes as his gaze roved over me. Biting my lip, I reached behind my back and unclasped my bra. The cups pulled away from my breasts and my blush deepened.
I couldn’t believe I was doing this.
That he was making me do this.
“Six,” he said. “Seven. Eight.”
My nipples pebbled against the cold air of the car, and I fought the urge to cover myself. Instead, I reached down and hooked my thumbs under the waistband of my panties, hesitating for a split second before pulling them down, too.
“Nine,” he said, his voice thick.
I kicked them off, the fabric landing on top of the rest of my clothes. My heart was pounding, the rush of blood echoing in my ears, but somehow, I forced myself to meet his gaze.
His eyes were dark, ravenous, like he was devouring every inch of me. He let out a low whistle, his gaze lingering on the bare curve of my breasts before trailing down, tracing the line of my waist, the flare of my hips.
“Ten,” he said, his voice softer now.
He was quiet for a long moment, and I resisted the urge to shift under his scrutiny. The leather seat was cool against my skin, but the look in his eyes made me feel like I was on fire.
“Ronan,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “Please?—”
“Shh,” he murmured, reaching out and stroking the curve of my jaw.
I sat there, my breath shallow and fast. Ronan hadn’t said anything for a moment, but his gaze was fixed on me, ruthless and unyielding. He leaned back slightly, his posture as relaxed as if he were lounging in his penthouse instead of in a car with me, naked and vulnerable in his front seat.
“You’ve always been stubborn, Kiera,” he said finally, his voice low and measured. “Always pushing, always testing how far you can go. Tonight, you’ll find out exactly where that line is.”
My stomach churned, the mixture of dread and something else I couldn’t name swirling together. “Ronan—” I started, but he held up a hand, silencing me with nothing more than that simple gesture.
“You called me,” he said calmly, his eyes locking with mine. “You knew what that meant, even if you didn’t want to admit it.”
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “I didn’t think you’d?—”
“That’s the problem,” he interrupted, his tone harsh enough to make me flinch. “You didn’t think.”
I shifted uncomfortably, the leather seat cool against my skin, but his gaze kept me pinned in place.
“I get it,” I muttered. “You’ve made your point.”
“No,” he said firmly. “Not yet. Move to the backseat.”
“What?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You heard me,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. “Get in the backseat.”
My heart pounded as I stared at him, my body frozen with nerves. But I knew better than to argue. With shaking hands, I turned and climbed awkwardly over the console, the cramped space making every movement feel even more humiliating. I knew his windows were tinted, but I didn’t know if they were tinted enough to hide my body from the eyes of anyone that happened to be out at night in this part of the city. I felt the car shift slightly as Ronan opened his door and stepped out.
I barely had time to adjust myself in the backseat before the opposite door opened, and he slid in beside me. The space seemed to shrink instantly, his presence filling it with an intensity I could feel with every single gasping breath of air I managed to pull into my lungs.
“Over my knee,” he said, his voice calm, but unyielding.
My breath caught in my throat, and I hesitated, my hands gripping the edge of the seat. “Ronan, I?—”
He cut me off with a single look, his dark eyes narrowing just enough to send a shiver down my spine.
“Kiera,” he said, his tone quiet and firm. “Don’t make this harder than it is already going to be.”
I swallowed hard, my cheeks burning as I shifted closer to him. My whole body felt like it was vibrating with nervous energy as I placed myself over his lap, my skin brushing against the rough fabric of his jeans. The position made me feel completely exposed, completely vulnerable, and my chest tightened.
Oh, my God. This was happening.
This was really, truly happening.
His hand rested lightly on my lower back, holding me in place gently, but firmly enough that I instinctually knew I wouldn’t be able to escape, and I could feel the warmth of his palm against my skin.
“Do you know why you’re here?” he asked, his voice low and deliberate.
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.
“Say it,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“Because I messed up,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
“That’s right,” he said, his hand brushing lightly over my skin, sending a rush of heat through me. “And because you need to learn what happens when you make mistakes.”
I closed my eyes, my breath shaky as I braced myself for what was coming next. Every nerve in my body was on edge, the anticipation almost worse than the coming punishment itself, or so I thought…
His hand brushed against my ass, and I stiffened, immediately on alert for what was coming next. My skin felt extra sensitive, and I ignored the fiery trail of pleasure that raced straight to my core and made my pussy clench tight.
I couldn’t be enjoying this. That would make me crazy. Positively deranged… Right?
The first swat landed with a piercing crack, the sound echoing in the confined space of the car. The sting blossomed almost immediately, scalding hot and searing, and I sucked in a breath, my fingers clenching against the leather seat beneath me. My heart was already racing, but now it felt like it might pound straight out of my chest.
Holy shit.
That hurt more than I thought it would.
I bit the inside of my cheek, heat flooding my face. I wanted to snap back, to argue, to say something, anything really, but the words were stuck in my throat, tangled up with the unexpected rush of emotions sweeping through me. I wasn’t just embarrassed—I was mortified. Ashamed. Angry. And yet… there was a building desire swirling in my core that I didn’t want to face.
The second swat came harder, jolting me out of my thoughts. My breath hitched, and my body tensed, instinctively trying to pull away from the sting spreading across my skin. But Ronan’s hand on my lower back kept me firmly in place even when I tried to crawl off his lap.
“Stay still,” he said quietly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re going to take this like a good girl.”
I gritted my teeth, my hands fisting on the leather seat as I forced myself to stay where I was. My pride was screaming at me to fight back, to tell him exactly what I thought of this whole thing, but the sizzling burn radiating across my bare cheeks kept my defiance at bay.
It was hard to be sassy or defiant when you were over a man’s knee getting your bare bottom spanked this hard.
The third swat landed, followed quickly by the fourth and fifth. My breath came faster now, shallow and uneven. The sting wasn’t unbearable, but it was relentless, each swat leaving a fresh bloom of heat on my skin.
“You don’t think about the consequences of your actions, do you?” Ronan said, his voice low and steady as his hand came down again. “You act first, and then you expect someone else to clean up your mess.”
“I didn’t—” I started to protest, but my voice broke as another swat landed, cutting off my words.
“Yes,” he said firmly, pausing just long enough for his words to sink in. “You did. You didn’t think. And now, you’re here. Over my knee. Because you couldn’t keep that smart mouth of yours in check.”
The spanking continued, getting harder and faster with every subsequent smack. I struggled over his knee. I tried to remain strong, to take it gracefully, but the sting was far more than I’d expected.
I snapped my lips shut, telling myself I would keep quiet, that I wouldn’t let him know that he was getting to me, but as soon as he started striking the backs of my thighs, I lost my battle almost instantly.
His palm was like a plank of wood, spanking my bare cheeks over and over again. There wasn’t a square inch that he missed from the tops of my cheeks to the middles of my thighs, which I very quickly learned stung more than all the rest.
The spanking went on for far longer than I thought it would, and I started to panic. The sting was unlike anything else—brutally harsh, searing hot, and impossible to ignore. Each swat sent a jolt of fire across my skin, radiating outward until it felt like my entire backside was ablaze. The heat built with every strike, an unrelenting burn that left me breathless and squirming, desperate for relief that wouldn’t come.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I blinked them back, refusing to let them fall. My skin felt hot, raw, and my chest tightened with a mix of frustration and unwanted desire. He was right—damn it, he was right—but admitting that felt like surrendering something vital.
“Ronan,” I said, my voice shaky as I tried to twist around and meet his gaze. “I get it, okay? I messed up. Can we just?—”
The next swat silenced me, harder than the ones before. I gasped, my body jerking slightly against his hold, and I could feel a single tear slipping down my cheek despite my best efforts to keep it together.
“You’re not done yet,” he said, his tone softer now, but no less firm. “You’re going to take this, Kiera. Every last bit of it.”
My breath hitched, and I pressed my forehead against the cool leather of the seat, trying to focus on anything other than his stinging hand and the heat spreading across my bare cheeks. But it was impossible to ignore—every swat, every sting, every inch of contact burned into my mind, every droplet of arousal coursing down my thighs.
The swats came harder, faster, with a ruthless precision that left no room for anything else. My thoughts, my pride, my defiance—everything faded into the searing sting spreading across my skin. I couldn’t hold back the soft gasps that escaped my lips, each one louder than the last until the sounds escalated to full-throated desperate cries.
I bit my lip hard, tears threatening again. The sting was relentless, radiating through me with every deliberate swat. I tried to focus on my breathing, to push past the growing heat and discomfort, but it was impossible. Every nerve in my body was alight, humming with a mixture of pain, shame, and even more reluctant arousal.
“Ronan, please,” I gasped, my voice trembling. “I—I get it. I understand. You don’t have to?—”
Another swat landed, this time on my upper thigh, cutting off my words and pulling a desperate cry from my throat. My hands curled into fists against the seat, my body tensing as the tears I’d been holding back finally began to spill.
“You don’t get to tell me when we’re done,” Ronan said evenly, his hand steady on my lower back. “This isn’t about what you want, Kiera. This is about what you need. What you’ve earned.”
The words sent a fresh wave of humiliation coursing through me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, the tears slipping down my cheeks faster now. I wanted to argue, to fight back, but the sting was too much. My defiance crumbled as his hand spanked my bare ass over and over again.
“I’m sorry,” I choked out, my voice breaking. “I’m sorry, okay? Please?—”
He didn’t stop. The swats kept coming, each one firm and measured, driving his point home with an unyielding certainty. My breath came in ragged gasps, and I could feel the sob building in my chest, thick and unavoidable.
When it finally escaped, it felt like a dam breaking. The tears came swift and hot, streaming down my face as my body trembled under his firm grip. The stinging heat on my skin was unbearable now, every swat a fresh reminder of just how thoroughly I’d lost control.
“There it is,” Ronan murmured, his voice softer, but no less steady. “That’s what I needed to hear.”
He slowed then, the hard cracks of his hand giving way to firm, steady smacks that made the lingering sting even more pronounced. My sobs came faster, shaking my shoulders as I pressed my forehead against the leather seat, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all.
I thought it was almost over. I was wrong. He just spanked me harder.
By the time he finally stopped, my body was trembling, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The stinging heat on my skin was overwhelming, but it was the silence that hit me hardest—the heavy, loaded quiet that filled the car as he rested his hand lightly on my lower back.
“Good girl,” Ronan said softly, with a surprising gentleness.
I let out a shaky breath, the tears still slipping down my cheeks as I struggled to pull myself together. My chest ached, my pride was in shreds, and yet… there was a strange sense of relief settling over me, like a weight I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying had finally been lifted.
“Sit up,” he said after a moment, his hand moving to help guide me. I winced as I shifted, the cool leather of the seat against my freshly scalded backside sending a fresh rush of sensation through me.
I avoided his gaze, my cheeks burning as I wiped at my face with trembling hands.
“I fucking hate you,” I muttered, though my voice lacked any real venom.
“No,” Ronan said simply, his tone calm. “You hate that I gave you exactly what you deserved.”
I glared at him through watery eyes, but the fight had gone out of me. He wasn’t wrong—not about any of it—and that realization stung almost as much as the punishment itself.
“Let this be the last time I have to do this,” he said, his voice low, but firm. “Because next time, Kiera, it’ll be much worse.”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight as I nodded. “Okay,” I whispered.
His gaze softened just slightly, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw something almost protective in his expression. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by the same calm, unshakable presence he always carried.
“Good,” he said simply, leaning back in his seat.
“Are you happy now?” I asked with a deliberate pout, and he glanced in my direction before palming his cock over his pants.
My mouth went dry as I stared. He dragged his fingers up and down his thick length before he reached down with both hands, unbuttoned his slacks, and pulled his big cock out.
He was hard. Really fucking hard.
“Don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy that, love. We both know your pussy is leaving a wet spot on my leather seat right now,” he declared, and I gasped, but I couldn’t take my eyes off his cock.
My mouth went dry as I watched him stroke his massive length, slowly and deliberately, his dark eyes never leaving mine. Heat pooled between my thighs, and I couldn’t help but squirm under his intense gaze.
His cock was incredibly long and thick, the tip glistening with pre-cum, and I bit my lip, fighting the urge to lean closer. His grip tightened as he worked his shaft, his pace steady and even.
“Ronan,” I breathed, unable to keep the desperation from my voice.
He smirked, his hand never faltering. “Do you want something, Kiera?”
“No,” I blurted out, my cheeks growing infinitely hotter.
He chuckled softly, his grip tightening as his strokes became quicker. “Don’t lie to me, little girl.”
I gulped, torn between the last vestiges of my pride and the overwhelming desire coiling in my gut. “I…”
“Open your legs,” he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
I hesitated, torn between the urge to defy him and the need burning deep inside me. I squeezed my legs even closer together, desperate to hide the arousal coating my thighs.
It would glisten in the faint lights of the streetlamps outside the car.
I turned my head away, ignoring him, but he didn’t let me escape. Not this time.
He leaned closer, his voice a low, dangerous growl. “Don’t make me say it again, Kiera. Not unless you want my belt across that tight little ass next, which I might just do because I want to.”
A shudder raced through me, and I did as I was told, letting my knees fall apart.
The cool air caressed my thighs, and I bit my lip, unable to stop the moan that slipped out.
Ronan’s gaze never left mine, his dark eyes intense and unwavering. His pace quickened, his breath coming faster, and I could feel the tension mounting inside me, like a rubber band about to snap. He let his hand fall to the wayside and cocked his head in my direction before letting his gaze fall between my legs.
He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. We both knew what he was seeing…
That I was soaking wet.
I swallowed hard, a sudden batch of nerves spiraling through me like a firework.
“Put your hand on my cock.”
My pulse stuttered, and I couldn’t hold back a whimper.
“What?”
He smirked, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. “You heard me. Put your hand on my cock.”
I hesitated, torn between the urge to obey and the desire to hold onto what little remained of my dignity.
“Do it,” he commanded, his voice a low, dangerous growl. “You’re edging very close to a very real belting, love.”
My fingers trembled as I reached for him, the heat of his shaft pulsing against my palm. He groaned, low and deep, and the sound sent a thrill racing through me.
I watched, wide-eyed, as he thrust his hips, pushing his hard length into my palm. He was so big, so thick, and I could feel the blood rushing in my ears as the reality of what I was doing sank in.
“Now does it feel like I’m happy?” he asked, his voice dark and poignant.
I nodded my head up and down, my breath catching as he pushed harder, the slickness of his shaft sliding between my fingers.
“Good,” he said, his eyes flashing with something primal and possessive. “Because this is what makes me happy, Kiera. When you’re under my control. When you’re at my mercy.”
My cheeks burned, and I fought the urge to look away.
I couldn’t believe this was happening.
That I was letting it happen.
But what could I do? He had the power here, the control. And deep down, a small part of me knew that I’d let him have it. That whatever happened next, it was exactly what I needed.
Exactly what I’d earned.
What I deserved…
His hand wrapped around mine, his grip tightening as he guided my fingers along his shaft. The friction sent a shiver racing down my spine, and I could feel the pressure building inside me, like a storm about to break.
“Tell me you’re sorry,” he demanded, his voice low and rough.
I gasped, my breath coming faster as he pumped his cock with my hand, his gaze never leaving mine.
“I’m sorry,” I breathed, the words slipping from my lips before I could stop them.
“Tell me you’ll be a good girl,” he growled, his hand moving faster, the slickness of his shaft dripping over our joined fingers.
“I’ll be a good girl,” I whimpered, heat blooming across my cheeks.
“Good,” he said, his grip tightening as he drove into my hand, his pace relentless. “Because that’s what makes me happy, love. Knowing that you’re mine. That you’ll do whatever I say. Obey whatever order I give. That you don’t get to tell me no.”
I went to pull my hand away, anger searing through me, but he didn’t let me.
“Now, we are going to go back to my estate where I’m going to finish what I started with my belt.”
He didn’t say another word. Just tucked his cocked away, opened the door, climbed out, and got into the driver’s seat.
Finally, he looked back at me in the rearview mirror.
“Put on your seatbelt.”