Rather than risk changing my mind, I grabbed my purse and headed for the lobby. I locked the double doors, then placed my keys in Jordan’s desk, pushing them to the far back behind some stuff. I would call him tomorrow and let him know they were there.
I did my best to ignore the way my heart was shattering into pieces, the shards piercing my very soul. As I stepped into the elevator, it became difficult to breathe. This wasn’t what I wanted.
Then again, not getting what I wanted was something I was familiar with.
It was time I accepted that fact.
It was time I moved on.
As the elevator descended to the main floor, breathing became more difficult. I was doing my best not to cry. I didn’t want anyone to see me breaking down. I would reserve that for when I got back to my apartment. At the very least, until I was in my car.
The second the doors opened on the main floor, my eyes widened when I noticed Landon and Langston standing there. It was as though they knew that I was coming.
Landon held up his phone.
I couldn’t see what was on the screen, but I figured it was my emailed resignation. Damn it. I knew I should’ve printed it off and put it on their desks.
“Going somewhere, pet?” Langston asked, his tone hard, his eyes narrowed on my face.
“I’m going home. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I said politely, trying to move around them.
They stopped my progress and redirected me back into the elevator.
“What are you doing?” I hissed. I was trying not to make a scene, but they were pushing my limits.
“Where’s the letter?” Langston asked.
“On my desk,” I snapped. “Unopened.”
“Looks as though our little sub is looking for some punishment,” Landon stated coolly, his hand curling around my elbow, while Langston did the same with my other arm.
“I’m not yours,” I countered.
“No?” Landon didn’t sound as though he believed me.
“I need to get home,” I told them.
They weren’t listening and the elevator was going back up to the thirty-second floor.
When I tried to pull away, their grips tightened. It didn’t hurt, but it was enough to ensure I knew they weren’t letting me go.
When the elevator stopped, they led me into the darkened lobby.
“Go get the letter,” Langston instructed me.
“No.” I was done with this crap. “I quit. You can no longer tell me what to do.”
Landon spun me around to face him, his hand curling around behind my neck, his thumb beneath my chin as he tilted my head back.
“Did you think we only told you what to do because you worked for us?”
Langston left us there, heading down the hallway.
“Yes,” I lied. “And I’ve given my notice. You can find someone else to put up with your crap.”
Even as I said the words, I hated speaking to him that way. Although the man thoroughly confused me, he’d never been mean. At least not when I hadn’t deserved it.
“Keep it up, sweetness. You’re gonna get your little ass paddled.”
For whatever reason, I felt the need to push him. This was the most reaction I’d ever gotten out of them and I wanted to see how far they would go. I felt alive for the first time in a week.
“If you think you’re man enough,” I goaded.
The next thing I knew, I was laid out across Jordan’s desk.
“Lift your skirt,” he commanded.
I didn’t move.
“Do it,” he insisted.
I remained still.
“I won’t tell you again. Either use your safeword or lift your skirt.”
I wanted to defy him, but my inner submissive was terrified he would walk away forever. Although that was what I’d been planning to do, I hadn’t expected this.
With trembling hands, I lifted my skirt. My bare ass was on display and I knew if anyone stepped off that elevator, it would be the first thing they saw.
“We’ll start with ten,” Landon said, his tone harsh. “Count.”
Smack!
“One,” I ground out, pretending not to be affected although my ass was smarting from the sting. Landon certainly wasn’t being gentle.
Smack!
“Ow! That hurts!”
“It’s not supposed to feel good. Did you count?”
“Two,” I hissed.
Smack!
I sucked in a sharp breath as his hand landed on the bottom curve of my ass. “Three!”
Smack!
“Four,” I choked out on a sob.
Smack!
“Five.”
The sound of footsteps had me turning to see Langston returning, the envelope in his hand.
Smack!
I squealed from the shock. “Six!”
Smack!
Tears were forming and I couldn’t hold them back. “Seven.”
Smack!
“Eight.” I sobbed, letting the tears come.
Smack!
“Nine.” My voice was raspy from the tears clogging my throat.
Smack!
“Ten.”
Warm hands caressed my stinging ass before Landon helped me up. He adjusted my skirt, then turned me to face him.
“Are you ready to have a conversation?”
I didn’t respond.
“We can go for ten more.”
I shook my head. “I’m ready to talk.”
“Good, then let’s go home.”
I had no idea what home they were referring to, but at the moment, I was on emotional overload. I didn’t care where they took me or what happened. I needed a few minutes to compose myself.
