“Still fighting me,” he mused, the words soft, but edged with something that sent a shiver down my spine. “Good. It makes it worth the effort.”

Another piercing crack filled the room, the sting more brutal this time, and my breath hitched again, my body jerking slightly against the table. My fingers curled tighter around the edge, my knuckles white as I fought to stay still.

Then another swat fell. And another. And another until my entire ass burned from the hot sting of his firm hand.

“Ronan,” I hissed, though my voice was more breathless than defiant.

“Keep saying my name like that,” he said softly, his hand resting lightly on my back, “and you’ll get fucked right here and now.”

The next several swats were measured, and they sent a sharp wave of heat through me, leaving my breath short and shallow. My heart pounded in my chest, my pussy clenching tight as he spanked me harder and harder.

I wonder if all the people sitting at their tables outside this room could hear me getting my bare bottom spanked.

I was hovering on the edge of something—tears, anger, surrender. But he didn’t push me over.

Instead, he stopped.

The silence that followed was deafening, the absence of his hand more overwhelming than the sting it left behind.

“Now, reach back and spread that bright red ass. It’s time I dealt with the naughty little hole I’ve ignored all night.”

I froze as the meaning of his words sank in.

Was he fucking crazy?

I turned to glare at him over my shoulder, my defiance sparking back to life.

As soon as I turned, his palm connected with the curve of my ass, the sting sending a fresh wave of heat across the sensitive skin of my bare cheeks. I let out a choked sound, the harshness of his response catching me off guard, and quickly reached back.

With trembling fingers, I obeyed him and spread myself.

His palm rested against the small of my back, steadying and firm, and I let out a shaky breath as his other hand slid between my thighs. The touch was soft, his fingers tracing along the crease of my pussy, and I bit my lip, willing myself to stay still.

“So fucking wet,” he observed, and I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the touch of his hands between my legs, but it was impossible.

I was too ashamed and aroused to say anything in response.

But Ronan didn’t seem to expect one.

His fingers brushed over the tight rim of my asshole, sending a jolt through me. He kept the touch light, and I shivered under the intimacy of it.

“You have such a pretty ass, love,” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. “So responsive. So eager.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whispered, though the words sounded hollow even to me.

He chuckled, the sound curling through the air and settling in the pit of my stomach.

“Oh, love,” he said softly, his tone almost gentle. “I know what you need.”