“Need a little reminder of what’s at stake here?”
Sean’s tone was sarcastic, and one glance was enough to warn me—if I didn’t play ball, he would make my life a living hell. Not that he hadn’t already, but apparently, he intended to do an even better job. Blowing out air through my nose, I ignored the ache in my jaw, envisioning what he would do if I refused to sign. Sean would be so angry, I didn’t doubt he’d follow through with the threat he’d made, forcing me to endure a debilitating spanking in front of not only Crane but probably half his staff. Trepidation twisted in my tummy. The idea seemed unbearable, more than I could tolerate, but glancing around, was it really? I was already here, naked and on my knees, already forced to be silent.
So many of my rights had been stripped away. What difference would this one additional disgrace make? Maybe it would be worth my defiance? Perhaps whatever Crane had been driveling on about for the last few minutes was worthy of the ordeal? Sean wouldn’t have dragged me here unless it had been something important. He’d been happy to leave me tied up in that godforsaken place until now, more than content to leave me suffering while he—
“Hilary.”
I leapt at the volume of his voice, Sean now only inches from my face.
“There won’t be any more warnings.”
Glancing to meet his eyes, I noticed the way his jaw tensed as I considered my options. I wished my mouth was free, so I could have spat in his face. As it was, the best I could do was headbutt the arrogant arsehole, but my head was giddy, the ordeal taking its toll more than I wanted to admit.
“Can we skip this part?” Sean sighed, turning back to his lawyer. “I can get her to sign them later and courier them to you today.”
“I’m afraid we can’t proceed until Miss Mantle has signed in the relevant places.” Crane’s voice was matter-of-fact. “We’re already bending the rules by not having her signature witnessed.”
“Witnessed.” Sean’s brow rose. “That’s a thought, Mr. Crane. This really should have witnesses.” Standing, he jerked the leash still in his hand, the deed forcing my body to lurch in his direction. “Come on you.” Swooping, he collected the paperwork and pen in his other hand before turning and striding away.
With little time to contemplate his action, I struggled to keep up, my hands and knees scuttling after him as he dashed toward the door. Before I had the chance to take stock, catch my breath, or decide what fate awaited me, he dragged me into the sleek hallway, calling out to passing office workers to ensure my maximum denigration.
“Ladies and gentlemen!”
I stared up at him with horrified eyes. Why was he doing this? Even as the question flew around my brain, I acknowledged the answer. He was doing it to punish me, to reprimand my hesitation, for the way I showed him up in front of Crane.
“Gather around, please.” His voice was raised so loudly, no doubt the worker at the farthest desk could hear him. By the time I lifted my chin, half a dozen faces had already appeared in my line of sight, the perfectly made-up Polly one of them.
“Is there a problem, Mr. Hyland?” she asked sweetly, stepping forward. “I’m so sorry I haven’t brought your coffee yet.”
Sean raised his hand, flashing her a smoldering grin. “This is not your doing, Polly.” His voice oozed with that warm purr he’d used on me in the past. “But I’d love that espresso once we’re finished here.”
“Anything I can help you with?” Her gaze fell to me, her smile widening as she took in the look of me naked and leashed.
“How kind of you to ask.”
By now, another four people had arrived, pushing past the initial arrivals.
“I’ll need somewhere comfortable and public to spank this one.” Sean’s voice whirred on, each word burning me with its humiliating sting. “Do you know of anywhere?”
“We have a common staff area,” she replied as if this was a totally normal request at the offices of Crane and Crane. “Maybe that will suffice, sir.”
“Show me.”
Sean was moving again, following the diminutive Polly’s suggestion and insisting I follow. The pressure at my neck meant it was impossible not to comply, but the fact there were multiple sets of eyes on me was excruciating. Numerous strangers, men and women, subject to my every mortifying movement. The burn of embarrassment on my cheeks, the way my breasts hung in front of me, and the awkward, clumsy way I was forced to scuttle behind on my hands and knees. I dreaded to think how I must look from behind, bent over and exposed.
Panting around the gag, I pushed the thought away, unable to tolerate the intense ignominy of the image. In my mind’s eye, I contemplated rising to my feet and yanking the leash from his hands before I pulled the gag away and screamed at them all. Before I poured scorn on Sean for putting me through this and on all the others for their audacious impotency. How could they think this was okay? I hadn’t agreed to this. No one would ever consent to this madness!
“Here, sir.”
Up ahead, I could hear Polly’s voice, and finally, Sean slowed, his unhurried pace barely manageable as I scrambled on my hands and knees behind him. Whatever happened, I would have sore palms and knees to come for some time.
“Will this work for you?”
“This is perfect.” I could hear the glee in Sean’s voice, an ominous sound if ever I’d heard one. “Thank you, Polly.”
One sharp tug at my neck guided me to the plush carpeted area as Sean sat on an oversized leather couch.
“Last chance to sign the papers and save yourself some blushes.” Waving the forms in front of me, he gripped the end of the leash tightly and laughed. “Although you’re blushing a lot already, darling.”
Fuck you.
I sent the message to him with one hard stare and again considered yanking the plastic from my lips and appealing to him, to any of them. What difference did it make if he was pissed off if I removed it? He was about to enact my worst nightmare and chasten me in this least private of places. He’d already stripped and led me around like a fucking animal.
“I’ll take that as a no.” Wrenching me forward by the leash, he pulled me to my knees, lowering his face so we were only inches apart. “Remember, you asked for this.”
“Fuck you!” I snarled, or at least, I tried to, the sounds every bit as humbling as my current predicament. From somewhere behind me, a rumble of laughter echoed, the ridicule tightening the knot of apprehension in my belly. I couldn’t believe this was happening, couldn’t process the extent to which the disgrace was damaging, although deep down, I knew it would be. The scene Sean was creating would leave scars.
“She’s a feisty one, Mr. Hyland.”
I lifted my head to see a man I didn’t recognize grinning down at me.
“She only needs her wings clipped.” Sean’s tone was determined. “And I’m just the man to do it.”
“Oh, I bet.” The stranger beamed, folding his arms over his chest. “Well, go right ahead. Don’t let us stop you.”
Sean’s lips curled as he acknowledged the invitation, then as though time had sped up, he reached for me and hoisted me over his lap. Squealing around the gag, I squeezed my eyes shut, kicking my legs. This was crazy—it couldn’t be happening! Why hadn’t I acted earlier to stop this lunacy? Why hadn’t I kicked Sean in the nuts and run away? There had been no time, just as there was little now to assess my failings. I’d done the best I could with the little I had at the time, and even in my wildest nightmares, I’d never actually expected him to go through with his cruel threat. It was awful enough he wanted to spank me in private, but to do so in front of so many complete strangers? My hands balled into fists as one of his hands pinned my legs down. This was easily the most appalling thing that had ever happened to me.
Crack!
I screeched at the first strike, not because the hurt was intolerable but because of the cheer that rose from the assembled throng. Having each swat encouraged by the maddening crowd would make this already excruciating ordeal all th
e more insufferable.
“We talked about this.” Sean’s voice rose above the excited tones of the strangers. “I told you what would happen if you didn’t do... As. You. Were. Told.” Punctuating each final word with a fresh smack, a round of applause broke out at my cry. “Now, look what you’ve done.”
Swatting my right cheek hard, he forced me to wince, toes curling as the pain passed through my body. “Fuck.” I spat the word around the gag, teeth clenching, biting down on the plastic.
“Now you’re going to pay the price.”
Chapter Twelve
Sean
IT WASN’T EXACTLY HOW I’d envisaged the meeting going. I’d hoped for more, for better, that she’d cede and do as I’d asked. She’d been reasonably compliant at the penthouse, the good girl I’d needed each time I’d come home, so foolishly, I’d assumed the obedience would continue once we’d left the four walls, but I’d been wrong. I’d learned the lesson and wouldn’t be making the same mistake again.
“Now you discover who makes the rules, little one.”
“This is fabulous!” Crane’s son, Ed, clapped with enthusiasm. “So much more than I’d expected when I came to work this morning.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying the show,” I hissed, glancing up to meet Ed’s eyes before my palm landed against her prone arse again. My balls ached as our skin collided, and I took the opportunity to caress the underside of her flesh, dipping a digit over her lips and enjoying how wet she was. Fuck, she was perfect. Loathe me she might, but her body conveyed the truth—she bloody loved the way I dominated her.
“Ummm!” she mewled, writhing over my expensive suit.
I wasn’t hurting her, not really. The spanks raining against her skin weren’t hard, but I’d been willing to bet the sheer humiliation was arousing her. Hilary was into that. It had been obvious right from the beginning when I’d stripped and pleasured her in Zander’s basement. She’d come alive as Johnson watched her and got even wetter when I’d dragged her through the halls half-naked. I believed her when she said she didn’t know much about herself, that being snatched by me was her awakening. It pleased me, meant I was significant, that whatever happened, I wouldn’t only be her husband, but a man who had changed her irrevocably.
“Is this really necessary, Mr. Hyland?” My hand paused at the sound of the senior Crane’s voice, and somehow, I dragged my attention from her lustrous backside. The old man in the gray suit stood behind the throng, nose crinkling at the sight of Hilary.
“It is.” Hadn’t I already told him this? “I’m sending a message.”
“You’re distracting my entire staff.” His gaze traveled around the space, narrowing at his son. The two had a fractious relationship. I’d ascertained that much from the limited experience I’d had with the firm. Clearly, Crane was proud his spawn had followed him into the family business but didn’t always approve of his proclivities. It wasn’t a problem I’d ever had with Zander. “This is a place of law, Mr. Hyland, of business. I can’t condone this type of behavior.” His stare landed back on me. “Has Miss Mantle signed the papers yet?”
Glancing at the pile of papers at my thigh, I sighed. No, she hadn’t.
“Ready to sign yet, sweetheart?” I squeezed her left cheek lovingly. “Or do you need more encouragement?”
Twisting her body, those wild eyes locked with mine. The intensity swimming there was fierce, though I couldn’t be sure what message she was trying to deliver.
“I think maybe she’s ready.” I smiled, peering up to meet the grins of those still assembled. “Polly, can you hold the papers for her?”
“Of course, sir.” Polly teetered over on her sky-high heels, clasping the papers in front of Hilary’s upturned face and presenting her with the pen. “Here we go.”
“Hilary.” I employed the deeper tone she usually responded so well to. “Are you going to be my good girl?”
A wave of sniggers resounded from around us, and I smiled. It was fun to punish her in front of an audience, exciting to feel their validation and know how much she despised it, how much it drove her wild with lust. Reaching around to her face, I eased the ball gag from her lips.
“Speak, Hilary,” I encouraged. “Speak while you have the chance.”
“I fucking hate you!” She spat the words at the paperwork, slumping over my thighs. “I fucking hate all of you.”
Crouching by her face, Polly’s gaze rose to meet mine, her eyes wide at Hilary’s outburst.
“I know you do, darling.” I stroked her lower back lovingly. She was so beautiful. I was a lucky man to be taking her as my wife—to have and to hold—and God knows, just as soon as I got a ring on her finger, I was going to have her. “But that wasn’t the question. Are you going to be good and sign the papers?”
“Wh-What do they say?”
I smiled. Crane had walked her through the whole legal framework, and she hadn’t heard a damn word he’d said.
“Mr. Crane.” I turned to meet my lawyer’s exasperated eyes. “Would you mind running Hilary through the details again?”
“Certainly.” He stepped forward, slamming his palms together in one thunderous clap. Everyone in the room stopped, turning to him as if the gesture had a secret meaning only his employees knew. “I want every single person back to work.”
He didn’t even raise his voice, yet every one of them moved, scrambling to get back to their places. It was priceless, a masterclass in authority, and at that moment, I actually admired the wiry old man.
“Should I go, too, sir?” Polly had risen to her feet, her focus flitting between him and me.
“For now.” Crane moved closer, dismissing her with a flick of his wrist. “I’ll call if you’re needed.”
“Yes, sir.” With a lingering glance in my direction, she was gone, hips wiggling as she dashed back to her desk.
“Miss Mantle.” Crane sighed, peering down at her forlorn body. “Let’s go through this again, shall we?” Pressing her palms into the carpet, she turned to glance at him. “This time, I’ll make it the abridged version.”
I laughed. The old man was starting to grow on me.
“The papers Mr. Hyland wants you to sign are standard in the circumstances.”
“The c-circumstances?”
I smirked. No doubt, it was one of the most bizarre meetings of Crane’s life. It was probably one of mine.
“Up you get.” I hoisted her from my lap, easing her back to her knees by my side, then shrugging off my jacket, I wrapped it around her shoulders. Naturally, it was enormous on her, the fabric covering most of her chest. Glancing up at me with grateful eyes, she clasped the collar, dragging it closer to her body.
“Thank you, Sir.” She offered me a furtive smile, and for a moment, a casual observer may have believed she actually liked me, that we were really in love.
“Take a seat, Mr. Crane.” I patted the seat beside me. “You can go through the details again.”
“Here, sir?” He peered around suspiciously as if he expected half his workforce to be waiting on my every word, but to my ego’s disappointment, it wasn’t the case. His impromptu chastisement had done the trick, and everyone appeared to be back in their places.
“Why not?” I shrugged. “There’s nothing confidential to relay, and everyone has already enjoyed the show.”
Crane’s jaw tightened. “Yes,” he agreed. “That much is true. Fine.” Blowing out a breath, he stepped around Hilary and eased himself onto the couch. “Let me take you through this, Miss Mantle.”
Settling back in my seat, I watched her take in his words, and this time, I could tell she was listening. Her chin was high, hands still clutching what little modesty my jacket offered, and from time to time, her gaze would dart to mine. It wasn’t approval she sought on those occurrences... far from it. Steely scrutiny burned in her irises as she gleaned more information about the man she was set to marry.
“Any questions?” Crane sounded exhausted when he finally drew to a close. On
ce again, Hilary glanced in my direction.
“It sounds as if these papers basically deny me the normal rights of any wife?”
What was that in her voice—a tinge of hurt... betrayal? Her eyes were like daggers, expressing the accusation her question had thinly veiled.
“To be clear,” Crane continued. “These only take effect in the event of a divorce, Miss Mantle.”
Which she won’t be getting—not unless I want one.
“What about death?” Her voice was quiet.
“What about death?” I clarified.
“If you die, what happens to your money?”
There was no respect in her tone, only that steely resolve I’d come to know so well.
“In the event of Mr. Hyland’s death, his assets will be held in trust,” Crane interjected the formal response before I had time to answer her.
“In trust?” She turned back to him. “Why in trust, Mr. Crane?” She fidgeted on her knees. “Why shouldn’t I—his wife—have those assets?”
“You would have access to some of them,” he corrected, glancing over his spectacles at me.
“You’d have money to live,” I told her. “I would still look after you.”
“How sweet.” She smiled, but her tone dripped with disdain.
“I would watch your mouth, little one.” I leaned forward, our faces almost grazing. “Mr. Crane might have had enough excitement for one morning, but I most certainly have not.”
“It seems, Sir.” She shuffled toward me on her knees. “That these documents offer me no protection at all.”
“Not true,” I insisted. “You’ll be well looked after, Hilary.”
“While we’re together,” she reiterated. “While you still want me, but not under any other circumstance.”
I nodded. She’d more or less summated the purpose of the papers. I hadn’t left my home in Nice to come here, fall for the first leggy blonde, and give away half of Zander’s empire. I was smitten with Hilary, maybe I’d even fall in love with her, given enough time and hot sex, but I was nobody’s fool.
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