I understood punishment, appreciated it even. It wasn’t meant to feel good, and it didn’t, but I would endure because I had earned it.
When he landed the eleventh blow, I sobbed in earnest, but I didn’t beg him to stop. On fifteen, my ass felt as though it was blistered, the pain more intense than anything I’d ever felt.
But when Isaac climbed into bed with me, pulling me into his arms, I went willingly, holding on to him even as tears continued to streak down my face. They weren’t from the pain at that point. They were emotions draining out me, the things I bottled up without knowing. He’d informed me of that one time and I had never thought about it that way. But it made sense.
“Sleep, fairy princess. I’ll wake you in a bit.”
“My Liege?” I mumbled, exhaustion pulling me under.
“What, love?”
“I love you,” I whispered, then gave myself over to sleep.
EIGHTEEN
IAN
As we stood in the shower, Heaven leaned back against me. I soaped her hair, rinsed it, never moving from where I was. I kissed her neck as I filled my hands with body wash, then coated every inch of her with the sweet-smelling stuff she liked.
While I was sated enough to sleep, I’d figured it was more important to spend time with Heaven. Not because I needed it but because she had just indulged in a rather intense scene. Processing the emotions it might’ve unlocked was as important as the scene itself.
She turned in my arms and I couldn’t resist kissing her, cupping her smooth face, enjoying the way her soft hands slid over my back.
“Why don’t you get dressed,” I murmured. “I’ll finish up here, then we’ll grab something to eat.”
“Oh, thank God,” she groaned. “I’m starving.”
I laughed as she trotted out, snatching a towel.
“I didn’t eat nearly enough earlier and … well, I need to get my strength back.”
I rinsed my hair, opened my eyes, and realized she was staring at me as she patted the moisture from her hair.
“What?” I asked, turning to face the spray and wash my face.
“Nothing. I just like looking at you.”
She made me smile. The sweet tenor of her voice, her chipper attitude. Had I not been head over heels for Everly, perhaps I could’ve come to care about Heaven. Thankfully, I didn’t get the impression she was developing feelings for any of us. Quite the opposite, actually. I’d felt her detachment the entire time she’d been here. And sure, she was willingly exploring her own sexuality, but doing so without consequence. Based on what she’d told me of the douchebag ex-boyfriend, that had never been an option before.
I shut off the water, grabbed a towel, and stared off into space.
“If you don’t hurry, I’m going to eat without you.”
I pulled myself out of my thoughts and smiled. “Go on. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“If you insist,” she said in a singsong voice. “But I’m going to cook if that’s all right.”
“It’s fine.”
She blew me a kiss, again making me laugh before she danced out of the room.
I took my time getting dressed. When I stepped out into the hallway, I heard a scream come from Isaac’s room. A loud smack and another scream followed. I smiled. My brother was dishing out the punishment. One thing he didn’t tolerate was coming without permission. That, and he knew it was one of the easiest restrictions for a dutiful submissive to break.
Figuring they would join us when they were finished, I headed to the kitchen. Heaven was moving around, grabbing things from the refrigerator and pantry.
“I’m making pork chops and potatoes au gratin,” she announced. “It’ll be a little while.”
“I’m going to check on Dante,” I told her.
Her face flushed as she muttered, “Good idea.”
She turned away quickly.
“Uh-uh. Don’t try to hide from me. What’s on your mind?” I stepped around the island, stopped her frantic movements by taking her wrists, holding them still.
“Nothing.”
“Your cheeks are pink. I don’t think that’s nothing.”
She shrugged.
“Talk to me.”
Her eyes met mine, her glare cute. She didn’t like that I was bulldogging her about this.
“Fine,” Heaven said with a temperamental huff. “I’m embarrassed, okay?”
“First of all, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” I lowered my voice. “You were beautiful.”
More color highlighted her cheeks.
“Why are you embarrassed?”
She glanced around us, probably ensuring we didn’t have an audience. “I’m embarrassed because I had sex with my friend. And I enjoyed it.”
“Enjoyed what?” I stood tall, took a step back, and leaned against the counter.
“All of it.” She suddenly found the floor fascinating.
“Look at me, Heaven. Talk to me. What did you enjoy about it?”
“All of it. The role-playing … I liked being able to escape from my own head. Be someone else for a little while. The frisky maid.” She smiled shyly.
“Do you regret participating?”
“You mean do I regret fucking Dante?”
