Read Collared (Vegas Nights Book 1) for Free Online Page A

be punished for it, and move past it, was oddly freeing, and for some reason the freedom manifested itself in loud, wracking sobs.
    At the shift in her demeanor, she worried that Pax would have eased up, spanked lighter, or stopped altogether. The opposite was true. The swats fell faster and harder, with no time at all in between them, as if he had suddenly grown an extra hand. Every inch of her bottom was covered with heat. Blow after blow fell with no conceivable pattern, always leaving her wondering where the next one would hit.
    The sobs kept coming, until the bedspread beneath her was soggy, but she felt better than she had in years. She cried for the mistakes she had made last night, not even fully knowing the extent of them. She cried for her identity, living a life of literal hiding, and not being able to live like a normal carefree twenty something. Most of all, she cried for her mama.
    “That’s right, honey,” Pax crooned, finally slowing his pace, and the intensity of the swats, but not stopping. “Let it out. A good spanking is a powerful tool for what ails you.”
    She quieted, pondering the truth in his words. Had he known that she would react this way? She would have thought the intensity of her reaction would have scared him, but the opposite had seemed to be true. Once the tears had begun to flow, Pax had become more dedicated, a man on a mission to break her down, for the sake of building her up.
    He kept spanking, slowing and lightening as her sobs subsided, rubbing her back lightly through the thick robe with the hand that had earlier braced her in place.
    Finally, he stopped. Lowering her robe to cover her now throbbing back end, he helped her into a sitting position beside him, smiling when she winced as her bottom touched the bed for the first time.
    She wiped her tear stained cheeks with the back of her hand, and gave a piteous laugh. “I’m sorry. I must look a mess.”
    He shrugged it off. “No, you have that freshly spanked look. Slightly embarrassed, a little pouty, big wet lashes, and the most adorable tear-stained face. And you look a million times lighter. Besides, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”
    “I,” she faltered, searching for the words. “I didn’t know I would react like that. I’m sorry—and oddly grateful.”
    It was his turn to look slightly embarrassed—an expression that seemed oddly out of place on the large man with the chiseled rugged features. “Like I said, a good spanking can be quite cathartic. You obviously needed the release. I’m just glad you didn’t jump off my lap and slug me mid-spanking.”
    She laughed. “I’m not saying I didn’t think about it a time or two. But now, I feel… I don’t know that I can put it into words. So I’ll just say thank you, and leave it at that.” The absurdity of her response struck her. What an odd thing to say to a man she barely knew who had spent the last thirty minutes spanking the living daylights out of her until her ass throbbed and tingled. She wondered if there would be marks. She imagined it had to be pretty red at the moment. It certainly felt as if it were up in flames.
    Pax nodded. And she marveled at the understanding and compassion conveyed in the simple gesture.
    “So, are we on for tomorrow? What’s it going to be?  Move into the Rojo and consent to rules and discipline, or go home to LA? It’s nearly noon, so whatever your choice, you need to get moving.”
    “Yes, sir,” she agreed, sticking with the title even though she wasn’t over his knee any longer and it wasn’t required. It just felt right.  “I’d like to be a Rojo girl.”

Chapter Four
    At six o’clock in the evening, Pax finally left the top floor of the Jewel tower where his girls all had rooms. Diamond was settled in, and officially one of his girls. Paperwork had been signed, rules had been laid out, and details had been discussed. He was exhausted, but there was no time to rest. He had to meet Jason downstairs