Page 69 of Tangled Control

I’m like a statue, back straight and arms resting in my lap, but with a ticking bomb at my core. My thighs are tense, desperate to seek relief for the growing need building between them.

It’s strange how different this is compared to when we’re at home in my or his apartment. There it’s give and take, laughs, teasing and emotions. Now, it’s role-play, where Rian is the director and I’m the understudy. The dark and stern boss and the compliant employee. It’s controlled and distant, and so intense I’m about to burst.

I don’t know which I prefer more, this intense role-play sex or the playful lovemaking. I hope I’ll never have to choose.

“I’ll try to make it…sure, see you then.”

Silence.

I fist the edge of my jacket in my lap. The anticipation is so thick that my head is spinning.

Silence.

Every breath is loud like thunder. My nipples scrape against my bra with every inhale.

Silence.

My thighs are clenched so tightly, I’ll be sore tomorrow.

The squeak of leather.

A drawer opening.

I struggle to take in air and sense his presence more than hear him. He appears in the corner of my eye as he opens thedoor and takes a step out into the open office, looking left and right. He locks the door. I stop breathing altogether.

He disappears from my view, behind me, but I feel the heat radiating off him.

“Catriona, Catriona, Catriona,” he says with a deep and deceptively soft tone. “You know what happens to naughty little girls, don’t you? Yet you just can’t help yourself.” I jostle as he pulls my chair out. “Stand up.”

And I do. Moving the chair away, he’s right behind me.

“Tell me,” he whispers. “Tell me what happens to naughty girls.”

I wet my lips but not a word passes through them. I want to lean back against his heat but force myself to stand still.

“Tell me, Catriona,” he insists.

“They – they get their little arse spanked.”The words he used weeks ago.

Rian makes an appreciative noise. “And how many spanks do you think would be fair?”

“Twelve. No—” I stop myself, remembering how hot I had been after twelve slaps. “Sixteen.”

He chuckles quietly. “Let’s start with twelve,hard, and if you’re very good, then I may give you sixteen.” His words alone cause my stomach to clench.

There’s a tug at my jacket and, slowly, it slides down my shoulders. I don’t move as Rian undresses me, item by item until there are none left. Only the cool air licks my skin as he deliberately avoids touching me. I should be worried about standing naked in his office, but the only thing on my mind is how desperate I am to have his warm hands on me.

“Arms behind your back.” The gruff edge of his tone betrays him. He’s caught up in this game too. I eagerly oblige, fold my arms and grab onto my elbows, pushing my chest out. There’s a thud as something drops on the table.

Rope.

Two bundles of thin, red rope, shining like beacons against the wood. Soft string wraps around my arms. My heart gallops and panic presses in pulses against my temples.

“Rian – we’re in the office! Y-you can’t tie me up here!”

I try to move my arms, but Rian grabs my wrists, holding them in place at my back.

“Ssssh…” He steps closer and finally lets me have some of the heat from his body that I’ve been craving. His lips brush along the hairline at my temple. “Breathe… That’s it. Again. Good girl.”