Chapter Twenty Two

Kana

The car ride back home was eerily silent. Kyoya seemed to be lost in his own thoughts after we left the restaurant with promises from Tamaki that he would be at my house within an hour. The moment we stepped inside however, Kyoya spoke.

"Are you sore? Hurting?" His voice was low.

"My ass still stings a bit." I admitted. I made my way into the kitchen, where I intended to make another pot of coffee. I would need it if I was going to be dealing with Tamaki all night. My mind was still reeling from the day's events: losing my virginity, seeing my mother, and stepping into what could prove to be a dangerous dynamic with Kyoya. It was almost too much to comprehend.

"Good. Good." Kyoya followed close behind me, acting as my shadow as I moved through the house. "Do we need to talk?"

"Later." I shook my head as I prepared the coffee. Talking was the last thing on my mind. Kyoya would understand that. We were the same in that regard. We both withdrew from conversation when we were overwhelmed or emotional, and instead found other outlets. For me, it was coffee, cigarettes, my computer.

I wasn't prepared to find out Kyoya's personal outlet. I let out a surprised cry when I felt his hand circle my neck from behind. He jerked me to his chest and held me there, squeezing my throat tightly.

"Same rules from earlier apply, pet." His teeth grazed my ear. "Tell me to stop now if you're not willing. You wanted me to stop holding back, right?"

"Yes Sir." I managed to gasp. My heart thudded in my chest. I felt a mixture of fear and desire rise in my stomach.

"Such a good girl." His hand snaked down the front of my jeans, beneath the waistband. His fingers quickly found my clit. He stroked it once, twice, then gave me a rough pinch that sent a shockwave through my core. I could feel my knees growing weak. "Strip. Now."

He shoved me against the counter, allowing me space to quickly pull my clothes off my shaking frame. The look on his face was one of pure, controlled anger.

Our eyes met as I stood naked before him. It was in that moment that I truly grasped the situation. He needed this as much as I did. He needed to take out his frustrations, just as I needed to escape from my own. The air shifted between us. The look in his eyes told me that he knew that I understood what he needed.

Then he slapped me.

I couldn't hold back my scream as his open hand collided with my cheek. I barely had time to register the pain from my stinging face before he grabbed my arm and twisted it behind me. With one motion he pushed me facedown on the counter and held me there, bent at the waist. I heard the unmistakable sound of his belt being slid from its belt loops.

"I need you to tell me if this isn't what you want." I felt the sensation of leather tracing along the backs of my thighs as he spoke. He released his grip on my arm, giving me the opportunity to move if I wanted.

I didn't have to consider. I wanted this. I could only nod against the counter, willing him to go on.

"Answer me, pet. Verbally."

"Please us your belt on me, Sir." I whimpered.

"And what will you say if you aren't able to handle it?"

"Red, Sir."

With that came the first SMACK across my thighs. I bit my lip, trying not to cry out. Kyoya paused for a moment, as though he were waiting for me to protest. When I didn't, he continued until the stinging turned into a warm, dull pain.

I could feel the welts raising on my skin. A swell of emotion bubbled up within me as my brain caught up to what was going on.

My mother had met Kyoya.

Kyoya knew my most well-kept secret. He didn't know the extent of my former reliance on medication to surpress my appetite, but he knew.

I was essentially being babysat by a group of men all thanks to my mother's actions.

I couldn't hold back the sobs. I was never one to cry, but for once in my life I was truly overwhelmed. Everything that had been happening lately came crashing down on my shoulders as Kyoya whipped me, as though the physical pain was allowing me to finally process my emotions.

Why did I enjoy this? Why was this helping me?

The tears didn't stop. I heard Kyoya drop his belt to the floor.

"My darling." I felt his strong arms wrap around me. He cradled me in his arms like a child, picking me up and letting my head rest against his shoulder. He held me as I cried, spilling my tears on his shirt. "There's nothing wrong with you. You've done beautifully."

"Thank you." I whispered, unable to manage much else. He held me close and hummed softly until my tears finally ran out.

"I've done a number on you, pet. Can you give me just a few moments to care for you?" His voice was soothing, far from the angry tone he held earlier. When I nodded, he carried me to my room and carefully placed me on the bed so that I was laying on my stomach.

I drew my blanket to my chest. I heard Kyoya leave the room. My mind wandered as I listen to him move through my home. I could hear him whisper quietly into his phone, telling Tamaki to give him more time before he arrived. I heard the sounds of ice falling into a glass shortly before Kyoya returned to my side.

"I apologize, pet. The ice is going to help, but you're going to be left with quite a few marks." Kyoya rubbed my back gently. He began delicately tracing ice cubes along my stinging flesh, offering relief to the damaged skin.

"I didn't mean to cry, Sir." I murmured. "I don't know what's wrong with me. Why am I enjoying this?"

"You've been through so much, Kana. I struggled too, when I realized my sadistic tendencies." He continued rolling ice over my thighs as he spoke. "Please, tell me your thoughts. Are you afraid of me now?"

"No." I answered truthfully.

"I'm afraid of myself sometimes, especially when it comes to you." His admission came quietly. "I feel that I am failing you. This is a world so new to you, and I fear that I'm manipulating you into the submissive creature I desire."

"What if I want to be manipulated, Sir?"

His hands stopped at my words. "Kanami, I won't allow you to make that decision right now. I fully intend to let you consider this over the next few days. Longer, if you need. Once you are ready we'll truly discuss our relationship."

"I understand, Kyoya." I sighed.

"You're going to be very well taken care of over the next few days, but if any of them make you uncomfortable I'll be by your side in an instant." He pulled me to his lap, holding me so that I faced him. "I need to sort out my own feelings for you."

"Your own feelings?" Heat rushed to my face. "I thought that-"

"I did too." Kyoya gave me a hesitant kiss, showing restrain that I had yet to witness from him. "I'm not an emotional person, Kanami, and I understand if you don't share what I feel, but I need to give you the space to decide."

It was my turn to comfort him. I held his face in my hands and stroked his cheeks with my thumbs. "Are we still under the pretence of business?"

"Outwardly, yes." He leaned into my touch. "I have to admit, I thought that these feelings would disappear once I had slept with you."

I didn't know what to think. I hadn't considered the possibility that Kyoya might actually feel something more than a physical need for me. He was so guarded, so calculated. Could his proposal of angering our families have been an excuse to get closer to me?

"We'll figure this out together, Kyoya."