Page 73 of His Dark Pact

Chapter Twenty-Three

Objectified

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TIME STRETCHED OUTaround her, an unquantifiable foe. Her head was cloudy as she pressed her palms onto the rug, her senses alive with her electrifying surrender. Even given everything she’d endured since her arrival, that moment seemed significant.

That she would kneel for him willingly and accept the weight of his ankles was something she’d never considered before.

A footrest?

Nothing but a piece of equipment for his comfort.

The subdued part of her was disgusted at her tolerance of the act, but that larger, more dominant facet of her that Kyle had inspired approved wholeheartedly.

She wanted this.

Even though there was no reasonable way to agree to such objectification and even though she knew she merited better. A smile curled at her lips as the realization landed over her. She could logically rationalize all of those emotional responses, but there was no denying—shestillwanted this.

Who knew I was such a freak?

She bit down on her lower lip. Certainly, her late husband hadn’t known, but then she couldn’t blame Graham. She hadn’t acknowledged those things about herself until Kyle had crashed into her life and flipped everything inside out.

He’d told her she’d be judged on her performance, and the thought buoyed her when her shoulders and knees started to ache. She’d spent a lot of time on her feet as a professional cleaner, but she wasn’t used to being on her hands and knees. This was different. It was harder.

Relax.

She forced air from her lips as she willed herself to settle, but however much she tried to focus on stillness, her limbs felt alive with energy, as though her body knew what was at stake.

Pleasure.

“Stay still, little girl.” Kyle chuckled, and from the corner of her eyes, she saw him place his now empty tumbler on the floor, the weight of his feet shifting as he moved.

His warning held no genuine fear, but damn it, she found she actually wanted to do a good job. It was like she’d told him. She took pride in her work, whatever its requirements.

Even kneeling for his feet.

“Sorry, sir.” Her eyes fell closed. “I’m having trouble.”

“I can see that.”

“I’ll do better,” she promised, her heart rising to her throat, although she was sure the growing trepidation was more about her arousal than anxiety.

Whatever his judgment, she knew what Kyle would do. He’d illustrated the consequences clearly enough. She was either going to get a spanking or an orgasm, and even though she’d bemoaned the physical rebuke, the idea of the former was far more enticing than she’d admitted to him.

“No need, little girl.” His feet were gone from her in seconds, his lithe body towering over her a moment later. “I’ve seen enough.”

Shit.Her nipples hardened at the implied threat, even though Kyle had said nothing to overtly indicate his disappointment.

“Are you upset with me?” She turned to look at him, eager to know her fate.