CH.22

I tensed up for a beat and waited for the explosion of rage that was sure to follow my defiant tone.

To my surprise, it never came.

Karl let out a soft huff of laughter instead and shook his head almost indulgently. "Such a smart mouth on you tonight, my dear. I do hope you're not getting too bold and forgetting your place again."

The reminder of who held all the power in our relationship landed like a punch to the gut and effectively deflated what little bravado I'd managed to muster up.

My shoulders slumped slightly and my previous spark of spirit dimmed when the old, familiar sense of dread and resignation washed over me once more.

"Of course not," I muttered but was not quite able to meet his eyes. "I know my place."

"Mmm, I certainly hope so." Karl's tone took on a silky, predatory edge that made my skin crawl when he pushed himself off the bed with lean, powerful grace. "Because you know how I detest having to...reinforce those lessons."

My breath caught in my throat when he beg