I pulled away from the kiss, watching the desire in her eyes and the confusion on her face. It was unexpected; she hadn’t anticipated that I would disengage after she had allowed me to savor her lips so deeply. I noticed her mouth open slightly and then close again, yet no words came from her.

Now it was my turn to take control. I intended to punish her for disobeying me. “You have committed a great offense and will be punished severely,” I said, my lips brushing against her neck. A small ...