Page 10 of Filthy Little Lies

She opens her mouth then snaps it shut. A second later, she decides to test my patience even further. “It’s not my fault if you didn’t have the items tested for authenticity before you bought them. That’s on you, not me.”

When I don’t respond, she takes it as a win and keeps pushing.

“So, since that’s not on me, and you aren’t out any money from today, you should just let me leave, and I won’t tell anyone about the kidnapping.”

How generous of her. Though I’m a little tempted to ask who she thinks would help her if she were to waltz into a police station with her accusations. A lot of my businesses may operate on the wrong side of the law, but there are plenty of corrupt police officers and politicians to help me stay safely on my side.

“You’re not leaving.”

“Yes, I am.”

“You tried to scam me; do I look like the sort of man who allows that to go unchecked?” I hook my hands on my waist, my thumbs running along the thick leather belt in my jean loops.

Her eyes flicker to my hands. “What do I have to do for you to let me leave?”

“Take your punishment like a good girl, and we’ll discuss your release.”

I slide my hands to the buckle of my belt.

Her eyes narrow. She’s thinking it through. I give her the second she needs to come to a decision—but only that.

“And then you’ll let me go?”

“Then we’ll have a discussion about it.” I unbuckle the belt slowly, pulling it through the loops until the long strap dangles at my side.

When I don’t move to unbutton my jeans, her brow wrinkles. Whatever she thought was going to be her punishment, she’s realized it’s not that.

“Pull down your pants and your panties and bend over the end of the bed.” I gesture toward the foot of the bed. “You can use a pillow if you want something to scream into.”

“What…what are you going to do?”

I fold the belt over in half, caressing the leather as it runs through my hands.

“I’m going to punish you. Now bend over or it doubles.”

CHAPTER 4

Savvy

He has lost his mind. Although, given the fact that he’s kidnapped me and is holding me hostage, I’m not sure he’s ever been in full possession of it. He’s a madman.

A lunatic.

And what does that make me? I’m standing in this room with a mammoth of a man holding a leather belt and promising to spank me with it, and my panties are getting wetter by the moment.

I’m just as twisted as him.

“I’m going to give you a tip. Do things the first time I tell you. I’m not a patient man.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” Cassie was right about my mouth, too. I can’t help it. When I get nervous, the snark just flies out.

“Do you need help obeying?” he asks when I’m still frozen to the floor.

“I…I don’t want you to—I can’t believe I’m even saying this—I don’t want you to spank me.” I shift my weight from one foot to the next.

“Good.”

“Good?”