Taken by Passion: King of Hearts (Wonderland Book 1) by Jaymie Holland, Cheyenne McCray Page B

how easily the answer came to her, and why she didn’t question it more. Somewhere along the line she must have lost her mind, because there was no doubt within her that at least in intimacy she could trust Jarronn. She was certain he wouldn’t physically harm her—which seemed odd considering he was caressing her with a flogger for cripes sake.
    “Yes, Milord.” She trembled as he pressed the flogger against her. “I trust you.”
    “Trust must be absolute.” He lifted the flogger away and then brought it down against her hip, just enough to sting a little and cause her to gasp in surprise—and pleasure. The heat from the swat radiated through her flesh.
    “You must trust me, no matter what I might order you to do.” He trailed the flogger over the skin still tingling from the lash. “Trust must be unequivocal, regardless of whether I am commanding your body or in matters of my kingdom.”
    Alice nodded, but yelped when he lashed her again, this time a little harder. “Yes, Milord.” Her words came out in a rush. “I trust you in anything. Everything that you might command of me.”
    Jarronn gave a nod of approval and stepped away. At once she missed his presence and the warmth of his body close to hers.
    “On your hands and knees.” His command made him sound more like a king than ever.
    Alice bit the inside of her cheek and winced. It was still sore from when she’d bitten it earlier. She hesitated only a second before she eased down onto the grass and she trembled at the thought of what she knew he was going to do to her. Would it hurt? Would he make her scream?
    Yet even as she wondered this, her arousal magnified.
    “Lower yourself so your head and shoulders are below the level of your hips.” He lightly trailed the flogger’s soft leather straps over her back and she shivered as she complied with his demand. Scents of grass, rich loam, and orchids filled her senses. The chain attached to her collar slid forward and pooled on the ground beside her face. As she pushed herself lower to the jungle floor, the crystal hearts dangling from her nipples pressed against her breasts.
    “Very good, wench,” He said in a satisfied tone. “Now widen your thighs so I might better view your delectable folds.”
    She was sure she’d never stop blushing. Her ass was probably bright red from the embarrassment that flushed through her body. Which would be even redder once he got through with that flogger, no doubt.
    “You are exquisite,” he murmured while he caressed her skin with the flogger, along her spine and down to her ass.
    She had always thought she had a fat rear end, but right now she felt beautiful and desirable and wanton all at once. She relaxed, enjoying the sensuous movement of the soft straps as Jarronn swished them over her hips and down along each of her thighs. She couldn’t help but moan.
    “Do you remember why you are being punished?” Jarronn asked as he raised the leather away from her.
    “Yes, Milord.” Alice’s voice trembled and she dug her long fingernails into the moist earth. “For disobedience. And for bringing myself to climax without permission.”
    “Very good, Alice.” His voice was firm as he added. “If you make a sound, I will have to add lashes.”
    The first lash fell across her ass and she cried out. He growled low in his throat and she clenched her teeth in an attempt to hold back more cries. She waited for the next lash. He kept her off balance and on edge by making her wait.
    When it fell it stung, but she held back from crying or moaning aloud. Tingles erupted over her skin, and to her surprise she began to enjoy the stinging pain. In fact, it felt kind of good, and so stimulating that she wondered if it was possible to climax just from being flogged.
    Another lash fell and another over her well oiled flesh, on her buttocks, her thighs, and her back. Each lash seemed stronger than the last, none falling in the same location consecutively. The stinging