Page 56 of Echoes of Temptation
“I don’t regress that young,” I try not to sound as scared as I am.
“You do now,” Nick smiles. “And babies don’t talk.”
“If I can’t talk, how am I going to give my consent or tell you my safe word?” I ask desperately, backing against the wall. “It’s red, by the way.”
After we were pulled from the back of the semi, the girls were taken away while Nick tossed me into his car and brought me to what I can only assume is his apartment.
I’ve spent the better part of an hour begging to know if my friends were okay. He said that they were rescued and will be fine. I have no other choice but to believe him.
“I don’t require your consent,” Nick laughs. “Either do as I demand, or you will be punished.”
I’m the first one to admit that I’m submissive. I enjoy the power a Dom can hold over me. But only the ones that I know I can trust. Ones that won’t take advantage of that power.
Regardless of my fear of his threat, I shake my head.
“I’m not playing this sick game with you,” I mumble, not able to get my voice to sound firm. “I’m not going to do what you want.”
Nick’s face reddens and he tosses the diaper aside. Before I even register what he’s planned, he rushes forward, spins me, and slams me against the wall. I didn’t have time to turn my head and blood pours from my nose.
“I didn’t think I would get to punish you so soon, my baby,” he croons against my ear. “I’m kind of excited.”
Nick is a big man. He’s at least six foot tall and outweighs me by at least one hundred pounds. I’m helpless as he wraps his arms around me and forces me onto the dang Saint Andrew’s Cross that I’ve actively ignored since he brought me here hours ago.
“Please, don’t,” I beg, tears running down my face. “I’ll be good. I’ll do what I’m told.”
“I know you will,” Nick laughs. “But it’s too late to back out from the punishment I promised you. Your little misbehavior will all be forgotten afterward.”
I kick and fight, but no matter how hard I struggle, Nick manages to tie me face down to the cross.
“I’ll allow you to keep your pants on this time,” he tells me. “This isn’t going to be a spanking punishment, anyway. I thinkyou need something a bit more drastic this first time so that you don’t ever think about disobeying me again.”
My body jerks as he rips my shirt, exposing my back. This can only mean one thing.
Fueled by renewed strength, I twist and turn my body trying to get loose.
“Give up,” Nick laughs. “You won’t be escaping my knots. I think ten stripes across your back will be a good start.”
“PLEASE,” I scream. “RED. RED. I DON’T CONSENT TO THIS. PLEASE, STOP.”
But it's useless. Time stretches out like forever as that ominous whip sound cuts through the air. My heart slams to a sudden stop, and my breath catches. Even though the whip comes down fast, it's as if time slows down, giving me a brief moment to brace myself.
In the blink of an eye, everything rushes back - sounds, my frantic heartbeat, and my breathing. The crack of the whip hitting my back jolts my whole being, rendering me silent in the face of the intense pain playing out in my mind. By the time the second strike hits, I can't suppress the desperate plea for Nick to stop.
At the count of six, I can't deny the warm blood trickling down my back. By ten, the edge of unconsciousness looms. Each lash feels like a barrage of whips assaulting my back. I realize Nick is wielding a cat-o'-nine-tails, a cruel instrument historically used for punishment, especially in naval settings. Made up of nine knotted cords, each adorned with small metal balls or shards, it was crafted to mete out excruciating pain - something I now know all too well.
I surrender willingly as the waiting arms of darkness open, pulling me into its embrace.
***King***
Present Time
“Are you here for the young man?”
I glance over to the woman sticking her head out of her apartment door.
“What young man?” Ghost asks.
“The one that has been screaming in there since this morning?”