Owning His Bride (9 page)

He reeled back as if she’d slapped him, but kept a firm hold on her arms. She stopped struggling, knowing she wasn’t strong enough to fight him off. Tears formed in her eyes, burning and blurring her vision. If only she were stronger, taller, and braver.

If only she hadn’t been gullible enough to fall for Raymond’s charms. If only her parents hadn’t died. If only there hadn’t been something about her that caught the warden’s attention. She choked up with emotion as all the reasons for her current circumstances played through her mind.

“What are you talking about, Becca?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She sniffled. “God, I’m such a fool. After last night I thought you might see me as a real person, but you see me as an embarrassment.”

“Because of your Kemmius tattoos?” His brow furrowed.

“Yes, because of my tattoos!”

His stern expression softened as he stared at her. He tucked her hair behind her ears, his fingertips leaving behind a trail of tingling heat that made her feel positively lightheaded. She hated him for causing such a physical reaction in her.

Except she didn’t really hate him at all. She held back a sob, part of her once again wishing he would be cruel to her. It was dangerous how much she liked him and valued his opinion of her.

“Becca, your tattoos don’t embarrass me. Nothing about you embarrasses me. I would be proud to venture out in public with you by my side.”

“Yet you locked me up in this room for five fucking hours.” Her voice trembled as she spit out the words, tears streaming down her face. How stupid she’d been to think he would treat her like a human being instead of a possession, just because he’d kissed her and taken her to the heights of passion. Just because he constantly prepared her favorite foods in the synthesizer and kept sharing tidbits about himself, all the while prompting her to open up about her own life on Earth. Just last night he’d told her all about his former fiancée, about how she’d left him after his arrest, and in return Becca had told him about her experiences growing up in Wisconsin.

His gaze hardened and her stomach clenched at the look he leveled upon her now. She wished to run into the bathroom and hide for the duration of their trip to Merro.

“Becca, I am your husband and you will never speak to me this way again. When you are upset about something, we can discuss whatever’s troubling you in a civil manner. I would never curse at you or throw things at you, and I expect you to show me that same respect. You should be ashamed over your behavior, young lady.”

“Punish me if you must,” she said bitterly. “I have nothing else to discuss with you.”

He gripped her upper arms and brought her forward, once again flush against his hard body. “You were arrested and tried here, Becca. I know you don’t have a good memory of this place. I wanted to get in and out as soon as possible. I ordered supplies, which are being loaded onto this transport as we speak, and I finalized my plans with the island on Merro. I also bought you some clothing and shoes,” he said, nodding at the boxes.

She glanced at the pink boxes on the floor. Her heart thudded wildly and blood pounded in her ears. Had she really misread his intentions so horribly? She concentrated on taking in deep breaths, trying to calm herself lest she lash out at him again. As her anger waned, she realized the severity of the trouble she was likely in.

Her bottom tingled and apprehension twisted through her. Would Hunter bend her over the bed, force her to lift her backside high in the air, and whip her with his belt again?

“I… I will admit I misunderstood your reasons for leaving me behind.” She met his eyes. “But in my defense, you didn’t tell me why I had to stay here. You simply told me to behave and then you left, even as I called after you to take me with you. What was I to think?”

“I don’t want to be at the Interstellar Port any more than you do, Becca, because what happened to you here with your ex angers me. I didn’t think I needed to take the time to explain my reasons to you before I left.” He loosened his hold on her and his stare turned thoughtful, almost gentle. “I promised to be a fair husband to you, little one, and I intend to honor that promise. But you also promised to obey me in all things. If I issue a command, whether you like it or not, whether you understand it or not, I still expect you to obey.”

Her lip trembled. “I’m sorry for throwing a shoe at your head.”

“Two shoes,” he corrected, a glimmer of humor in his eye.

She lowered her head, shame heating her cheeks. “I’m sorry I threw
two
shoes at your head.” She sighed and slumped her shoulders. “I paced the room the whole time you were gone, wondering why you hadn’t taken me with you. I am glad my markings don’t shame you, that I don’t shame you.” A constant flutter had taken residence in her tummy. He was going to spank her, she knew it.

He tipped her chin up, and she melted at the affectionate look he bestowed upon her. She vowed to try her best to submit to his discipline this time, without any kicking or screaming, even if she felt he should’ve clarified his reasons for locking her in their quarters.

“I will promise to make an effort to explain my decisions to you in the future, Becca. I’m sorry you spent the day worried that I was ashamed by you. I locked you in here to protect you, little one.”

The last embers of her anger cooled, and she felt exceedingly foolish and guilty, considering he’d gone out of his way to buy her new clothes. She studied the boxes and her guilt deepened, so much so that a part of her actually craved his punishment. She placed her hands on his chest, not to push him away, but to touch him, to derive comfort from the heat of his closeness. His warm breath mingled with hers, and she wished she hadn’t lost her temper. If she’d calmly discussed her upset with him, the air wouldn’t be so thick with unresolved tension.

“And I pr-promise to speak with you about what’s bothering me from now on, rather than make assumptions about your feelings toward me and, well, throw things at you in a rage. I am terribly ashamed I behaved that way. I’ve never thrown anything at anyone in my life before.” It was the truth. Why had she gotten so furious with him? Even after Raymond betrayed her, she hadn’t felt so hot with rage. Why did she persist in caring what Hunter thought of her? He was a Kemmius guard, a man who had taken a service job at a prison on the cold planet knowing one day he would be offered a wife from amongst the thousands of inmates.

He stroked his hands through her hair, prompting endorphins to rush from the top of her head and down to her toes in a wave of delicious tingles. She couldn’t repress a delightful shiver, couldn’t restrain a whimper. He wiped at the remaining moisture on her face and pressed his lips to her cheek, giving her the briefest and softest kiss. She wanted to lace her arms around his neck, but she held back, wondering what kind of chastisement awaited her. She didn’t know him very well yet, but she knew him well enough to realize he wouldn’t tolerate her childish display of anger.

“Becca, I am going to spank you for your behavior when I arrived back at our quarters. I’m not spanking you because you were upset with me, but because of how you acted. Do you understand the difference? You are allowed to be mad at me and I will never punish you for your feelings, but you must learn to comport yourself like a lady, a married lady whose husband won’t put up with such outlandish displays of anger.”

The next two breaths she took didn’t seem to reach her lungs. She closed her eyes for a second, letting his message sink in. “Yes,” she said, blinking up at him. “I understand the difference. I understand why you must punish me.”

He cupped her face and nodded. “I’m glad you understand. Now, are you wearing anything under this shirt?”

“No, sir.” She’d tried on a pair of his briefs, but they kept falling down, so she’d settled on the long shirt with nothing on beneath. She became aware of her tightened nipples tenting the fabric and she flushed.

“Lift up the shirt, keep holding it at your waist, and stand in the corner over there, little one.”

She hoisted the shirt up and turned. He followed her as she moved slowly to the corner he’d indicated.

“Nose to the wall and spread your legs a bit. That’s it. Good girl. Now, you will stand here and think about how naughty your behavior was just moments ago, and don’t dare turn around until I summon you.”

* * *

Becca presented a tempting sight with her bare bottom on display while she stood in the corner like an obedient little girl. Her legs were spread, just wide enough for him to glimpse her pink pussy lips, so smooth and perfect.

He watched her from the center of the room, considering the specifics of her punishment. He thought of the other items he’d purchased today that rested in the boxes next to her clothing: the butt plugs, lubrication, and a vibrator.

A shudder rocked her shoulders, but she remained in position with her nose pressed to the wall. He looked at her bottom and imagined forcing her cheeks apart to punish her quivering rosette, perhaps by using one of the small plugs.

Yes
. That’s exactly what he would do. His cock grew thick and long, imaging her wide, pleading eyes and whimpering protests.

“Your corner time is over now, Becca.”

She peered over her shoulder and met his gaze. Her features were tense, her expression one of adorable, nervous innocence.

“Keep holding the shirt up and come here,” he said, his tone commanding.

She turned, still holding the shirt around her waist and giving him an unrestricted view of her bare mound. She crossed the room and stopped before him with her chin tucked down, her gaze on his chest.

“You misbehaved so badly that I had to send you to the corner like a naughty little girl, didn’t you, Becca?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You threw a fit and your behavior has earned you a spanking, Becca, and your little bottom hole is going to be punished as well.”

Her head shot up. “Wh-what?” Those pretty eyes of hers became round and wide.

“I’m going to take you over my knee and spank your bare little behind, and then you’re going to take a small plug into your tight bottom hole. I am certain such a punishment will stay with you for some time and remind you to remain on your best behavior.”

“Oh, please don’t put anything in my bottom! A spanking I understand, but the other thing…
please,
not that.” She clutched the shirt so hard her knuckles turned white.

“This isn’t up for negotiation, Becca. You did wrong, and after I discipline you, all will be right between us again.”

“It’s not like the shoes even hit you!” she screeched, backing up. She dropped her hold on the shirt and cupped her bottom. “Don’t I get any leniency for having terrible aim?”

“Enough talk, Becca. This is happening whether you come to me willingly or not.”

She whirled around and headed for the bathroom. Silly girl. Did she not realize it didn’t have a locking mechanism, and even if it had he would’ve disabled it long ago? He growled and ran after her, winding an arm around her waist and dragging her backward, toward the bed. In a matter of seconds he was seated and had her flailing body arranged over one knee. He covered her kicking legs with his free one and trapped her wrists together behind her back, subduing her completely.

He tossed her shirt up and began spanking her without further ado, applying firm slaps to her bum. She cried out and fought against him, but he didn’t loosen his hold on her. This wasn’t a game. He was her husband and protector now, and it was his duty to ensure she understood her place in this new life. As his wife, she needed to trust him and be quick to follow his lead. Merro was a wild planet with many exotic animals and unpredictable weather patterns. Her obedience wasn’t an option; it was a requirement if he was to keep her safe, especially until they became accustomed to the new land.

“Naughty wives get spanked, Becca,” he said, not slowing as he moved to concentrate on her sit spots. Her cries turned to earsplitting shrieks, but he didn’t lessen the impact of his blows, not stopping until the backs of her thighs and bottom cheeks glowed dark pink.

She went limp over his lap and sobbed into the covers.

Hunter released her wrists and smoothed her hair down her back, then caressed her inflamed flesh, rubbing her bottom and upper thighs while she released her tears. Finally, her shoulders stopped heaving and her sobs receded. She sniffled a few times and turned her face to the side, gasping in air as her breathing calmed in slow measures.

Careful of her tender backside, he arranged her to sit upright on his lap. “The spanking part of your punishment is over now, sweet Becca.”

She allowed him to hug her to his chest for a long moment, before she pulled back and shyly met his gaze with her red-rimmed eyes glistening under a fresh sheen of tears. “Are you really going to put something in my bottom?”

“Yes, little one, I am. You must learn to be more obedient.”

She lifted her chin and blinked away most of the moisture in her eyes. “I-I’m ready now, sir.” She wrapped her arms around herself and a tremor coursed through her. “I just want it over with. I want so badly for everything to be right between us again, just like you promised.”

“All right, Becca.” He helped her off his lap and stood her between his legs. The bed was so high that even though he was still seated, her eyes were level with his. “I want you to bend over the foot of the bed while I fetch the items I need. Can you be my good girl and do that, little one?”

Her face reddened and she nodded. “Yes, sir.”

She moved to comply while he sorted through the boxes, searching out the smallest plug and a bottle of lubrication. He approached her then and placed the items next to her. A tiny gasp left her when her gaze fell upon the dark blue plug. He’d bought the plugs to train her to accept his cock in her ass, but he wasn’t going to divulge that information yet. The idea of stretching her tight, shy entrance with a plug as part of her discipline hadn’t come to him until she was standing in the corner.

“Now, I want you to keep being a good girl for me, Becca, and reach back and pull your bottom cheeks apart. Show me the naughty hole I’m going to punish.”