"I know that." He laid one warm, solid palm on her bottom and rubbed a large circle around her left cheek. "I was thinking more of what is happening in your head. You need only to feel this, not think overmuch about it."
"I... I will try, Jarl." Her voice fell to a breathy whisper. Her bottom was still tender from yesterday and as he pressed her delicate skin those sensations returned. How much more punishment could she take?
"You know why this is happening." It was a statement, not a question.
"I disobeyed you."
"Yes, though I now rather think you misunderstood my instruction rather than deliberately disobeyed. You should have checked, asked me to clarify."
"I will, Jarl. Next time."
"I shall make sure of it. So, are you ready?"
"Yes," she breathed. "Yes, I am ready."
The first volley of spanks were light, teasing almost. Gunnar rained slaps down on both her buttocks, covering the sensitive globes and causing her to clench and writhe on his lap, but not to cry out. It was painful, but not overly so and there was pleasure in it too, especially when he paused to caress her smarting skin. Now she moaned, but in startled delight rather than pain.
"You like that?"
She nodded, but then realised he may not have seen her. "Yes, Jarl."
"Will you spread your legs for me?"
"Of course." On one level, she had no choice, he would make her do as he wanted though he did phrase the command most politely. But on another this was exactly what she desired, what she had hoped for. Punishment, submission, sensuality – these were a heady mix and she no longer knew quite how to separate them, or even if she wished to. So she parted her thighs and lay still.
"So pretty, and so wet." He slid his hand between her thighs and stroked her soaking folds. Mairead tensed under the sudden wave of lust which seemed to engulf her. "Did I hurt you?" His voice was soft now, and achingly seductive.
"No, it was ... more pleasant than I remembered."
"I see. And this?" Now he toyed with the pleasure nub he had awakened yesterday. Mairead stuffed her fist in her mouth in an attempt not to squeal out loud.
"Answer me. Is this nice."
"Mmmmm."
Her muffled response clearly did not suffice. He dropped two hard slaps, one on each buttock. "I expect you to talk to me, to answer if I ask you a question. If you do not understand what I want of you, you may tell me that since I know our tongue is still new to you."
"It is very nice, Jarl." She blurted the reply out fast, fearing another onslaught of slaps and craving them at the same time.
"And this?" Now he circled her entrance with his finger tip.
"That too, Jarl. It feels so good..."
"This?" His finger entered her, just to the first knuckle she thought. "Any pain?"
"No, it feels wonderful. Perhaps you might... I mean, maybe a little more?"
"Can I trust you to tell me if I hurt you?"
"You have hurt me. You are spanking me, Jarl. It is meant to hurt, is it not?"
"The spanking, yes. Not this." He swirled his finger between the swollen, sensitive lips. "You only gave birth a month ago."
"I am healed, truly I am. The birth was easy, and... oh! Ooooh." She let out a sob as he slid his whole finger into her.
"Tell me, Mairead. Is this painful?"
"No. No, it is ... wonderful. Please do not stop."
