Page 8 of In Service to the Duke

At that, Miss Gillet stills, sagging against the desk as if the fight is now drained from her. Lips easing up into a grin, I resist the urge to slide up her shift and show her just how much more painful this process can be. The next blow lands on the opposite cheek, sending her up on her toes.

To her credit, the only sounds coming from her are slight wheezes as she does her best to breathe through the discomfort. Someone like her could never endure my lusts, and it’s that thought which sobers me just as effectively as a splash of cold water to my face. This is mild compared to what I actually wish to do to her.

My heart clenches as the image of her standing there as Hunter reared back, prepared to stomp her into oblivion, passes through my mind. Despite the deviant desires thrumming through me, I possess an all-too-real fear for her. I was not merely exaggerating when I spoke of the potential harm ready to befall her.

Ire renewed, I strike the other cheek, making the blow a bit harder. Through the gag, her groan of discomfort sounds suspiciously like a wanton moan. Though her arousal confirms that at least part of her body enjoys it, her face is anything but pleased.

Tears roll down her cheeks, plopping down onto the smooth wood of my desk. My heart wishes to soften, but she needs to learn this lesson. Again, I strike the other cheek, precum pearling at my tip as her arse jerks forward in a pathetic attempt to avoid retribution. Unfortunately for her, the moment she relaxes, I’m watching and waiting primed to deliver another blow.

Soft sobs ripple from her stuffed lips as she rocks back and forth. “Just two more. I will make these quick and to the point.” Aiming a bit lower, I catch her just under the curve of her nates where her buttock meets the back of her thighs.

Two swats, one right after the other, before she even has a chance to think. She arches up, her howl of displeasure only tempered by my cravat. This won’t do at all. It’s a dangerous game we’re playing and made far worse by the racket she’s liable to stir up if given half a chance.

Tossing my crop back onto the desk, I turn her around. Her pale face is blotchy and wet, tear-stained in a way that makes my balls clench with unfettered need. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out a handkerchief and dab at her eyes, giving her just a touch of care after what I’ve put her through.

It’s not as much as I’d give my girls at The Rose and Thorne, but then, they take far more and with a grace absent from this wayward miss. After a moment or two, she calms down until she’s standing before me, tears dried up and body no longer jerking with heaving sobs. Slowly, I ease the cravat from her lips and toss it to a nearby chair.

“Now then, what lesson have you learned?”

Miss Gillet gives a soft hiccup as she looks away, another pretty blush staining her cheeks. “To be far more aware of my surroundings.”

“Very good. Let us see to this injury, so you may go back to your duties.” Though her arousal is still potent in the air, she seems far more reluctant to be inspected. Tipping her chin up, I give her a gentle smile. “That is, unless your ailment has passed?”

“N- no, Your Grace.”

My cock bobs at her response. “Then allow me to take a look. I could be both your master and your physician.”

The scent becomes thicker, far more full-bodied and intoxicating. Just like a fine wine allowed to age. It threatens to drown me, to overwhelm me. “‘Tis unseemly, Your Grace,” she murmurs again, the fight draining from her body.

“Show me.” I growl out the words, infusing them with my authority.

I temper the sound, not wishing to use the command all Alphas can wield. I want her to choose to submit to me and not be forced into it. Turning away, she gnaws on her bottom lip and points toward the apex of her thighs.

“Your abdomen?” I inquire, playing dumb as to what really is wrong with her.

“No, Your Grace. It is a bit lower than that. It’s at a place you’re not allowed to look upon. Please avail me of your doctor. Surely, he can advise me on what to do.”

Tsking softly, I shake my head. “Given the location, I must be quick to ascertain the severity. You do not wish to expire before he can even arrive.”

I’m not sure why I’m playing this game with her. I should cast her aside and be done with her. But it’s as if she’s weaved some spell around me, one I cannot break free from. And, if I’m quite honest with myself, I rather enjoy seeing the look of horror on her face as she contemplates the speed at which she might travel from this world.

“You have such knowledge of sciences and anatomy?” There’s a quaver to her voice, a lilt of hope.

Poor thing must be fighting a massive battle within herself. At least this proves she’s moral enough to govern my sisters. Someone of lesser standards would not struggle this hard to find the correct answer.

With a wicked grin, I ease her up onto my desk, stifling a groan as she winces and hisses the moment her arse comes in contact with the unyielding wood. “I can assure you I am more than qualified to make an assessment.”

She hesitates, her fingers fluttering over the stiff fabric of her dress. “And I won’t be sullied?”

Her question tugs at my heartstrings, an organ I thought long stamped out. “It all depends. How adept are you at keeping a secret?” I ease her skirts over her thighs, stopping just below the area I long to explore. “You must keep silent, so no one misunderstands and accuses you of doing something you oughtn’t.”

Her eyes shine with trust as she nods. In that moment, I feel like the worst cad on Earth. But my baser urges win out, desperate to see her, to touch her, to drive her from my mind as I gaze upon her flesh.

I will only allow us this moment. After that, I will drive her from this place to keep my sanity in check. Firm in my resolve, I cup the back of her head with my hand.

“Lie down so I may get a better view.”

With another nod, she allows me to ease her back. So soft, so compliant, so submissive. My jaw aches with how hard I’m clenching it. But I’ve come this far. I must see it through.