Ultimatum(10)

I narrowed my eyes. “Because you are. You blackmailed me.” I tempered my tone and added, “I had no choice, Master.”

He rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. “I know I crossed a line with you, Kayla. I’ve had many women, and to be perfectly honest, they bored me. I wanted a woman who values self-respect, who is classy enough to refrain from bedding every man she meets. I wanted you.”

I wanted to ask how I’d gotten so unlucky to be wanted by him, but remembering my hope to call the hospital, I bit my tongue.

He held out a hand. “You can get up now.” I grabbed his hand and stood, then wiped the rice from my knees. Gage gestured toward the chair closest to him. “You can sit.”

I sat down and didn’t think twice about crossing my legs and arms. One look at his heated expression reminded me of his rules. I let my arms fall like noodles at my sides, then uncrossed my legs and opened them several inches so he could see all of me.

He gave an imperceptible nod of approval and pushed my plate in front of me. “Finish eating. I have a few more questions.”

I remained silent and bit into a piece of toast.

“How many men have you slept with?”

“Two, Master,” I said, then immediately shook my head. “I mean three . . . since you . . .”

A smile teased his lips. “That’s what I thought. I respect you for abstaining from the slutty behavior of most women. “Who were your lovers?

“My ex-husband and . . .”

Gage tapped his fingers on the table. “And?”

“A guy I knew in college, Master.”

He frowned. “Sounds like there’s more about this guy from college than you’re letting on. Did you love him?”

“That’s none of your business!”

His mouth flattened into a line, and I immediately regretted the outburst. “That’s where you’re wrong. If I say it’s my business, then it is.” He pushed his chair back and stood, his hands bunching at his sides. “Were you in love with him?” There was no bend to his expression, no room for sympathy. Certainly no room for compromise. I was his, and he’d do with me as he pleased. Even if it meant making me answer what should have been a simple question.

“Yes, Master. I loved him.” My rebellious nature rose, but I squashed it.

“Are you still in love with him?”

Oh shit. Would he believe me if I lied? Probably not. “It’s been years, Master.”

“That isn’t what I asked. Answer the question, Kayla.”

“Why does it matter to you?” Smooth move, idiot. Keep pissing him off and he’ll never give you access to a phone.

He jerked a chair out from the table and sat. “Come here now.”

I inched toward him. With swift agility, he reached out and pulled me over his knee.

My body tensed as his hand came down. “Are you in love with him?”

“Yes!” This punishment was more humiliating than painful.

“I want you to say ‘I will not backtalk my Master’ after every swat of your ass.”

Smack!

“I will not backtalk my Master.”

Smack!

I was wrong. Every strike of his hand grew more painful, and he didn’t stop after just a few. He counted the spankings, his voice cool and mechanical. I was openly crying, struggling to recite the words with a semblance of coherency by the time he passed forty. He released me at fifty. “Sit down, Kayla.”

I staggered back, then eased into my chair with a wince.

“Don’t test me again. You won’t like the outcome.” He picked up his coffee mug and took a sip. “Now, let’s see if we can have a civilized conversation free of outbursts.”

I was seething inside as I swiped the tears from my face. I scooped up a bite of yogurt before I lost my temper again.

“What is it about this man that has captured you so?”

I didn’t know how to answer. It’d been so long since Ian had been a part of my life, and we’d barely had a chance before a surprise pregnancy had tipped my world upside down and I’d made the mistake of going back to my ex. That mistake had cost me my first baby. “I can’t answer, Master. Not because I’m being difficult, but it’s been seven years. A lot has happened. I don’t know why there’s still a part of me holding on.”

“Did he satisfy you in bed?”

I felt my face grow warm. “Yes, Master.”

Gage went silent for a few moments, and I took the opportunity to broach the subject of a phone call. “Can I ask you something, Master?”

He considered me carefully. “Go ahead.”

“I’m worried about Eve. Would you . . . allow me the privilege of calling the hospital to check on her?”