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ear, Nat murmured, “I’m not stupid. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, mistress.” Emily’s bare whisper contained a trace of fear, but her excitement was more than obvious. The scent of her arousal permeated the scant space between them, and Nat could feel slick wetness painting her skin where their lower bodies touched. Emily shifted, grinding her ass into Nat’s hips. “You’re right, mistress. I’m sorry.”
    “You’re sorry a lot, aren’t you?” Enjoying the way Emily squirmed against her, Nat waited a moment before reluctantly releasing her right hand. “Show me what you were looking at.”
    Emily hesitated before pointing at a peach-colored dildo. “That, mistress.”
    It wasn’t the biggest cock on the table, but not the smallest, either. Interesting. Nat knew from Emily’s questionnaire that tonight would be her first experience with strap-on play. She appreciated the bold choice. “Very nice.” Tracing a fingernail down the length of Emily’s arm, she said, “Did you look at anything else?”
    Emily nodded.
    “Tell me,” Nat demanded.
    Emily’s hand shook as she picked up a leather paddle. “This, mistress.”
    Nat didn’t bother to suppress her grin this time. “Is that why you disobeyed me? You wanted to be punished?”
    Biting her lip, Emily turned her head to briefly meet Nat’s gaze. “No, mistress.”
    “But you know I need to correct you now. Don’t you?”
    Emily exhaled. “Of course, mistress.”
    Nat stepped away from the table. “Come on, then.” She walked to the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress, then patted her thighs. “Lie across my lap.”
    Emily’s face reddened. Precious, Nat thought, considering that she was the one who had requested an over-the-knee spanking. She leered when Emily folded her arms over her bare breasts, so innocently demure.
    Earlier Emily had needed reassurance, but now she seemed to need an unwavering show of strength. “I’m not asking.” She waited a beat. “The longer you wait, girl…” Since Emily’s imagination would fill in the blanks better than she ever could, Nat left the threat unfinished.
    Emily took a tentative step forward, playing with her fingers nervously. Hesitating, she took a deep breath. Nat could practically hear her internal pep talk. After a moment, Emily threw back her shoulders, exhaled, then crawled onto the bed and across Nat’s lap.
    “Goddamn,” Nat murmured, taking a moment to survey the sensual, feminine landscape of Emily’s body. Her bottom was deliciously round, perfect for spanking. Nat rubbed light patterns over one cheek, then the other, drawing out the anticipation of the first blow. “You are a sweet little thing, aren’t you?”
    Emily’s breathing hitched. “Yes, mistress.”
    “I’d use that paddle you were eyeing, except I want you to feel my hand warming your ass. I’m not going to lie—I plan on enjoying every second of this.” Nat used her free hand to grip the back of Emily’s neck and hold her against the mattress. The heat from Emily’s flushed skin scorched her fingers and unleashed a surge of primal desire. Deciding to take a chance and ad-lib slightly, she issued a command from her own BDSM repertoire. “Count off each blow.”
    “Okay, mistress.” Now Emily’s voice was a bare whisper.
    Delighted by the way Emily trembled under her caress, Nat drew back and delivered a firm smack with a cupped hand. The blow was meant to be felt, but not cause real pain. She would start out slow and, depending upon how Emily reacted, increase the intensity by degrees.
    Emily whimpered. “One.”
    “Good girl.” Nat rubbed the spot she’d just slapped, then drew back to smack the other cheek. She waited for Emily’s breathless “Two” before saying, “You have a lovely bottom.”
    “Thank you, mistress.” Wiggling, Emily spread her legs slightly, allowing Nat to confirm that she wasn’t the only one enjoying this.
    Pleased that Emily was beginning to relax, Nat