Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 30 - Punishment

Adam

I led the way to the designated scene room. She followed a few steps behind.

She was resolute and accepting of her punishment.

This made it a little easier to swallow.

When we stepped into the room, I pulled out the thin bamboo paddle with several sized holes drilled throughout it. It was well-made, had a beautiful leather handle and rounded edges. She'd picked out the paddle, I reminded myself, knowing this was going to be more painful than any other tool I'd used in our scenes. I was used to a more pleasurable scene, even if we did use paddles or floggers. It had been used in conjunction with sensual and s****l toys.

There was none of that here.

Just pain.

I wanted to understand what shifted to make her resort to such a ... punishment.

I figured that would come in time, as we unpacked her time with Silas and his pack.

Jadea slid out of the lavender dress, set it on the dresser, and then laid down on the edge of the bed, her bottom and legs hanging over the edge, her feet planted on the floor. Laid out like this...

I swallowed hard—closing my eyes to chase away the visions of us making love—and forced my resolve to take hold. "You will receive the full sixty thwacks with the paddle," I stated strongly, knowing that was a lot.

"I understand and accept this," she responded softly.

Stepping up to her, I couldn't help it. My hand ran down her spine. Her bones were still showing. I knew it would take time before the weight would come back. I hated seeing all of her ribs, each vertebrae, and the sharp points of her hips. All I wanted to do was kiss and worship her. To breathe life back into her.

We are breathing it back into her. We are doing it her way, my wolf said comfortingly. We just have to be patient.

"We will break it up evenly into thirty counts. After the first set, we will pause, assess and determine if you are okay to continue for the full set, or if you need a longer break before the second set of thirty. If you are able to take all sixty without needing a pause in between, I will reward you." I couldn't help it. This was going to be almost as hard on me as it was on her.

She nodded her consent and understanding.

"You will count them aloud."

Lining myself up, I lifted the paddle and swung. It landed with a resounding thwack on her right cheek. The paddle left an angry red mark with dots from the holes. I heard her sharp intake of breath at the stinging sensation. "One." She said strongly. In her mind, she welcomed the pain. She didn't flinch from it.

I continued on, moving across both cheeks and down the backs of her thighs. I was embedded in her mind, making sure I wasn't going too far or too hard. I was in tune with her. Even though it hurt, I felt the intensity of it as therapeutic. The repetitive motion numbed everything. It allowed a moment of serenity in the midst of the storm we were both in.

By the time the first thirty were done, her skin was an angry red, and I was feeling calmer and more centered than I had been in a long time.

"How are you feeling?" I panted after a moment.

"I'm feeling better," she admitted. And she did. She wasn't berating herself as hard as she had been. The punishment worked well on her mentality. "I am okay to keep going, if you are sir." I felt her brush my mind. While she was the sub, it was still in her nature to ensure everyone in her care was okay. Even if that meant checking in on the Dom.

My heart softened.

I leaned over and slowly kissed my way down her spine. I felt her shudder underneath me, a moan catching in her throat. I took my time, kissing and rubbing my shortly trimmed beard over her sensitive skin. I knew she liked the rough feeling of it. Or at least she had before.

"Sir?" her voice had dropped an octave. I could smell the desire on her.

"You're my good girl," I told her, standing back up. It was a small reward, but one I hoped would light a fire.

"Thank you," she breathed, settling back down. I felt the warmth spreading through her at my compliment. Good.

"Are you ready for the second set?" I asked.

"Yes, sir."

I continued on. She continued to count. As we got closer to the end, her hands fisted in the sheets and I could feel the pain becoming almost intolerable. "Baby girl," I paused. "Do we need to stop?"

She shook her head, her hands still fisted in the blanket. She took a deep breath. "No, sir. I can do this."

I decided to go a little easier for the last ten, though I wasn't sure if she comprehended that. The pain in her ass and thighs from the strikes was intense and overwhelming. When I was finished, I stepped back drenched in sweat, breathing heavily like I had just sprinted a long distance. A peace settled over my mind as I stood there and studied her. She would be sore for the rest of the day, and most likely tomorrow. There would be some bruising, but with how quickly us werewolves healed, she would be right as rain in the next day or two.

"Are you okay if I leave the room for a moment, baby?" I asked, leaning over to brush a few strands of hair out of her face. She looked exhausted, but in a good way.

She nodded.

I walked into the connecting bathroom and started filling the tub. I poured in some of her favorite soaps and continued to allow the tub to fill while I went back to get her. Scooping her into my arms, I carried her to the tub and set her down in its warmth. The warmth did sting initially on her bottom and thighs. However, it soothed the pain after a few moments. Rolling a towel, I tucked it under her neck. She relaxed into the water's warmth, closing her eyes.

Standing there next to the tub, I stared down at her, just studying her. She was really here. She was safe. And that was all I needed. Everything else would fall into place. No matter how long it took.

As she relaxed, I prepped the room for after her bath. I pulled the covers, set out an outfit for her. I changed into clean sweats, and decided to continue going bare-chested. She seemed to really enjoy the skin-to-skin contact. And I wasn't opposed to it at all. Then, I returned to her side. Picking up the soap bottle, I squeezed some of the liquid into my palms and slowly started a full body massage on her. As my hands continued to work her body, I felt the warmth inside her re-k****e. Her palm caught my cheek, turning my face towards her. Her lips catching mine in a slow, sensual kiss.

One hand dipped to her core, the other snaking around her shoulders, that hand burying in her hair so I could knot my fingers in the soft tendrils. Slanting my lips over hers, I deepened the kiss, our tongues dancing. My fingers played her, teasing every erogenous zone around the very core of her body. Her whimpers were caught on my lips as I stroked her, taking my time because I could. There was no rush as I slowly carved every part of her back into my heart and soul.