A Shot in the Dark by Christine D'Abo

you to keep your eyes closed and concentrate on your breathing. I’m not going to go easy on you, but I will check to make sure you’re okay. Understand?”
    “Yes.”
    He slapped her ass hard, and Paige cried out.
    “ Sir. Yes, Sir.”
    “Good girl. I want you to count like you did before.”
    The comforting presence of Carter’s body beside her disappeared, causing Paige to whimper. Unlike before, he didn’t touch her body as he moved into position behind her. Again he waited and Paige knew he was waiting for her to do as he’d asked. She let her head hang and started to count the breaths.
    In and out. One.
    In and out. Two.
    In and out. Thr—
    The crack of the wood hitting her ass was almost as loud as the scream she let loose. God dammit, that hurt! Paige let out a small sob and gave her head a shake. “One.”
    “I want you to think about the reasons why you walked away from this, Paige. You had one, a serious one if I had to guess. I need you to consider if that reason is still valid.”
    The sting had morphed into a burn, her already sensitive flesh and ragged nerves not ready for the hit or the question. Still, she let her mind wander to Rick. He’d hurt her, hadn’t listened to what she’d needed, when she’d needed it. He’d been after his own pleasure, using her as a tool to get off rather than a partner to share a life with.
    But not Carter. This was all for her.
    The second smack was as hard as the first, but the burn had shifted into a numbness that heated her entire cunt. She was wet as the tingling traveled down her thighs. Fuck, she hadn’t been this turned on in years. Light pressure against her clit would be all she’d need to make her come. Not even Rick got her this hot in their time together, and he’d done a whole hell of a lot more than paddle her ass.
    After the third smack, Carter stepped in and ran a hand down her back. Paige was sweating beneath the corset, the fabric scratching against her skin as she adjusted her stance. Her legs shook and she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to hold herself up much longer.
    Carter slipped one hand around her hip to hold her steady, while he dipped the other between her legs. Her clit was swollen and it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. Fuck, she needed to come badly, or else she might possibly go mad. Teasing her opening with his finger, Carter hummed in her ear, nipping at the lobe.
    “You’re standing there taking it. You’re listening to me and doing what I want. But we’ve only started, haven’t we?”
    “Yes—” she swallowed, “—Sir.”
    “Are you ready?”
    Paige couldn’t answer verbally. Instead she nodded and pushed her ass back toward him. Carter’s soft growl was the only acknowledgement he gave. He pulled back and landed two hard smacks in rapid succession. He didn’t hold back, and yet he wasn’t trying to break her.
    “Four. Five.”
    “That reason for you not coming here, I want you to think about it again. If it’s not an issue for you any longer I want you to say goodbye to it and let it go. Do you understand me?”
    She nodded again.
    Smack!
    “Six.”
    Rick was long gone. He’d moved to Montreal a few months after she’d kicked him out and changed her phone number. She’d been scared and angry for a long time after that. Scared she’d find herself back in another emotionally abusive relationship, when she needed pain as a release. Angry for having been too blind to appreciate the difference.
    Smack!
    “No!” The tears were flowing down her face again, but this time it had little to do with the physical pain. Rick had taken this from her. This was what she’d wanted, needed, and she wouldn’t let the specter of her past relationship control her any longer.
    “No what, Paige? Who are you saying no to?”
    “Rick. Fucking asshole.” She wouldn’t let him continue to win.
    “That’s my girl. Let it go.” The kiss to her bare shoulder. “He’s not here anymore and you are