Bunny and the Beast(Divine Creek Ranch 22)(27)

There was no teasing in her at all when her lower lip pooched out in a baby pout and tears flooded her eyes.

“Now that is too damned adorable,” Samson said in his gravelly old big bear voice, and he put his brawny arms around her.

Up until a few minutes ago, he’d been a virtual stranger to her. She’d introduced herself, and he’d nodded at her and then had gone right back to sipping his beer and staring off into space. He’d looked like a big ol’ teddy bear, and she’d determined right then that she would make him smile. But she’d quickly come to understand not all Doms handled sassiness the same way Joseph did. He’d gone easy on her. She should be furious. Samson had just set her ass on fire, but there she was, sniffling and snorting against his chest while he patted her back.

“I think that’s enough aftercare, Samson,” Joseph muttered in a grumbly voice from behind her, and she grinned while her face was still hidden. She might enjoy listening to her Dom go a little territorial, but she knew better than to show it. She’d learned her lesson.

Wait. What? My Dom? Everything was happening so fast. She put a bookmark on that thought to ponder later.

Joseph cleared his throat. “Don’t you have a sub around here somewhere waiting to be beat on?”

Samson released her so she could turn to Joseph, but he stroked the tendrils that had come loose from her bun during her spanking, and said, “You know damn good and well I don’t, Joseph. Is she yours?”

Bunny’s cheeks grew even hotter as Joseph’s unreadable gaze searched hers, and then he said, “We’re negotiating that right now, Samson.”

Samson turned her face to him and stroked her cheek with his callused thumb. “If you ever want someone to play with, little brat, you come and see me. Just no more playing with my hair or cheekiness, unless you want to feel my whip across your ass. I went easy on you this time,” he said with a wink as he patted her achy butt and then gave it a good squeeze.

She squealed as she left his side and cuddled close to Joseph. “That was going easy on me…Sir?”

Samson chuckled, a deep sound that rumbled in his chest. “You’ll find out when I deliver your birthday spanking.”

It’s a good thing my birthday was last month!

As they walked away, she whispered to Joseph, “Sir, would you point out all the other Doms so I can steer clear from now on? I wish you guys wore a T-shirt or something.”

“A T-shirt?” he asked with a chuckle.

Encouraged by his easy smile, she nodded. “Yeah, like something that says, ‘I Beat Sassy Girls and They Like It’ or something along those lines.”

He paused and smiled down at her as he caressed her chin. “Did you like it?”

With big eyes, she shook her head, secretly enjoying the simple, commanding touch of his finger on her chin.

“Not at all?” he asked, arching an eyebrow as he searched her face.

Honesty, remember?

“Not from him, Sir.” From you? Totally different story, handsome.

She followed him back to the elevated sitting area where they’d been earlier, her hand held snugly in his, taking notice of the club members who watched them with expressions ranging from pleased surprise to outright shock.

Averting her eyes, she followed him up the short flight of steps. He indicated for her to take a seat, and she gasped and popped right back up when her inflamed posterior touched the cushion.

“Come here to me, fiammetta.”

Wondering what he intended to do next, she put her hand in his but pulled back when he patted his lap, frowning at him. She couldn’t believe he thought she was ready for more.

“Easy, Bunny. No more spankings for you tonight. I just want to inspect the damage.”

Ignoring the club members who were still looking their way with curiosity, she let him pull her over his lap again. This time he positioned her elbows and her knees so they rested on the cushions and she could at least look over her shoulder and watch what he was doing.

“You were teary earlier,” he murmured as he tugged down her panties again.

“I was embarrassed, and my God, that man has a strong swinging arm.”

“You should see him wield a whip. He really did go easy on you. I know it’s not much consolation to hear that, but you’ll learn fast,” he stated as he ran a rough thumb gently over the welt across her butt. Heat expanded outward from his touch. “Your ivory skin marks beautifully.”

She hissed as the heat in that stripe renewed itself, communicating to other parts as she watched him gaze at her ass. She bit down on the smart comment that came to mind.

Joseph chuckled and flicked his gaze at her. “You’re learning fast, fiammetta. I hoped you would.” She rubbed at the tensing muscles in her neck, and he added, “Relax for a moment. Let me take care of this.”