CH.6

Karl's grip tightened around my arm without allowing me a chance to react. He hauled me toward the table that sat ominously in the center of the room.

I felt the breath leave me as he forced me down on it, my stomach pressed against the cold wood while my feet remained rooted to the floor.

His hands roamed over me, their touch invasive and violating.

I could feel them exploring every inch of me, venturing into areas that made me shudder with disgust and fear.

I tried to shut out what was happening but when I finally opened my eyes, reality came crashing back.

Karl stood, removing the last piece of clothing that served as a barrier between us. "You have quite an attractive butt," he commented casually, his words dripping with lewdness.

He punctuated his statement with an unwelcome slap to my behind that drew a sharp intake of breath from me.

He stepped away momentarily before returning just as quickly while I remained frozen in place on the table.

His grip was unyielding and left no room for escape; I had never felt so trapped or powerless.

Karl leaned in close to my face until his hot breath washed over me, "It's time for your punishment: five lashes." He whispered menacingly.

The threat hung heavy in the air between us. "You're expected to count each one out loud. If you don't... well then, we'll just have to start all over again now, won't we? Do you understand?"

I met his gaze head-on and spat defiantly in his face—a small act of rebellion in this sea of powerlessness.

His expression darkened instantly. Fury seethed beneath his surface calm. "Your insolence has earned you more pain," he declared icily, "Now your punishment is ten lashes instead of five."

His words took a moment to sink in, but when they did, it was too late. The whip cracked against my skin and the pain was so intense I couldn't help but scream. It felt like fire tearing through my flesh and I knew without a doubt it had left its mark.

A single tear escaped from the corner of my eye as I bit back a cry. Ten lashes came and went, each one more agonizing than the last. But I refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing me count or beg for mercy.

The tears were flowing freely now, tracing hot paths down my cheeks as I tried to endure this torture.

The pain was so intense that it numbed my lower half completely.

After the eleventh lash, I could take no more. My stubbornness crumbled under the weight of the pain and I began to count aloud, each number a surrender of sorts.

I was at my breaking point; every ounce of strength had been stripped away by his relentless assault. And through it all, Karl wore a satisfied grin on his face – he had achieved exactly what he'd set out to do.

The echo of the last lash reverberated in the room as I finished my count with him.

Exhaling sharply, he tossed the whip aside as if it were nothing more than a child's toy.

"Untie these bloody cuffs," I managed to croak out, my voice barely above a whisper.

The pain radiating through me was so intense it felt like every nerve ending was on fire.

I propped my head up on the table for support, my muscles screaming in protest at even that small movement.

"Why would I do that? We're far from done here." His response came back cold and hostile.

My heart pounded in shock at his words.

"What?" It came out as a disbelieving gasp.

Karl reached out then, his fingers curling around the restraint binding me, pulling me closer to him with a jerk that sent fresh waves of pain coursing through me.

His gaze met mine and he saw my surprise mirrored there.

He studied me for a moment before reaching out to gently stroke my face with his free hand. His touch was unexpectedly soothing against my raw skin.

He seemed deep in thought for several moments before pulling me even closer by the restraints binding my hands and wrapping his arms around my waist.

I was helpless against him. Any attempt to resist or move away futilely wasted energy. All I could do was lie there under his scrutiny, feeling exposed and vulnerable.

My eyes were swollen and red from crying yet I still looked at him, hoping maybe this display of vulnerability would soften his cold heart. But instead of sympathy or regret, all I saw in his eyes was curiosity as he continued to explore my body at will.

A whirlwind of emotions swept over me - helplessness, anger at myself for ever trusting him enough to give him my heart, regret... And yet despite all this negative emotion swirling inside me, part of me couldn't help responding to his touch.

My body seemed to have a mind of its own, anticipation prickling across my skin at his every touch.

After what felt like an eternity, I felt the cuffs loosen and fall away from my wrists.

I let out a sigh of relief as blood rushed back into my hands and feet.

However, that relief was short-lived as Karl replaced the steel cuffs with his own large, powerful hands.

A shiver ran down my spine when I felt his muscular chest press against my back.

His hand reached for the clasp of my red lacey bra but I reacted quickly, moving his hand away.

"I'm not ready," I whispered, clutching at the material protectively.

Karl stepped back then, scratching his chin thoughtfully as if trying to figure out how to navigate around this unexpected obstacle.

He scrutinized me for a moment before letting his gaze wander down towards the space between my thighs.

Heat flooded my face and I looked away in embarrassment, wishing fervently that the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

Then something caught my eye - his jacket carelessly discarded on the couch where he'd been sitting earlier.

Relief washed over me as I quickly grabbed it and wrapped it around myself for some semblance of modesty while simultaneously adjusting my bra straps so they wouldn't slip off again.

My heart pounded in my chest as Karl, without uttering a single word, took a seat on the expansive couch that occupied the center of the room.

The silence was deafening as he casually lit a cigarette, placing it between his lips with practiced ease.

He drew in a puff of smoke, letting it fill his lungs before exhaling slowly.

I perched myself on the lone sofa next to me, quietly studying his every move.

The last wisp of smoke from his cigarette dissipated into the air before he extinguished it beneath his shoe.

"Come closer!" he instructed gently.

His tone was surprisingly soft and soothing. It sent shivers down my spine and made my heartbeat accelerate even more.

"Come close!" he repeated louder this time, taking me by surprise.

I responded with an almost imperceptible shake of my head.

With an exasperated sigh, he reiterated for the third time. "Come on now," he coaxed patiently, "I promise I won't hurt you."

His eyes held desperation as he struggled to regain control over himself when I still resisted approaching him.

"Lavinia!" Karl murmured exasperatedly after another heavy sigh escaped him. "You better come closer before I lose my temper again...I told you I won't do anything hurtful...just come."

Despite his reassurances, I remained rooted to where I sat on the sofa, wrapping his jacket tighter around me for comfort.

Finally relenting under his persistent gaze and coaxing words, "Alright...I'll come close but remember your promise." I warned him cautiously. My voice quivered slightly with apprehension as I hoped against hope that he wouldn't hurt me.

I inched closer to him with caution etched into every step taken until I finally stood by his side.

Karl gestured towards his thighs and my eyes widened in shock. Was he seriously suggesting that I should sit there?

I was about to voice my disbelief when I saw the frustration etched on his face.

Biting back my retort, I slowly lowered myself onto his thighs. A sudden warmth spread across my buttocks, causing a low groan to escape my lips.

A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he placed one hand on my waist and began gently stroking my cheek with the other. "Are you uncomfortable?" he asked, concern lacing his words.

I chose not to respond and remained silent. Sitting on his thighs was one thing but engaging in conversation was another - and it was a line I wasn't ready to cross.

An involuntary shudder ran through me when Karl started tracing his fingers up my thigh.

My body stiffened at the unexpected contact. "What are you doing?" Panic seeped into my voice as I questioned him, but the look in his eyes said everything that needed to be said.

"Oh, honey… We have not yet had our first night!!" he murmured with a wicked glint in his eyes.