A/n: This chapter contains VERY adult themes. Reader discretion is advised. Mild bondage but fully consensual.

XII

Sweet Surrender

Rumpelstiltskin threw himself down into one of the wingback chairs set before the hearth and raised his amber eyes to her, taking her in from top to toe. His nails dug into the upholstery of the armrest, his body vibrating with tension. His Belle stood before him, chewing on her lower lip, the only sign of her nervousness. The color in her cheeks rivaled the soft rose of her gown and he wondered if he could turn her arse the same shade. If she were to remain with him, she needed to learn he wouldn't tolerate her lackwit actions and put herself in danger. If she stayed with him after this night, he would be surprised.

"Remove your gown and come here to me," he said flatly, trying to keep the emotion he was feeling from betraying him in his tone.

Belle's eyes darted briefly to his hands where they curled upon the arms of the chair. She bit the tip of her tongue, realizing now would not be a good time to object to anything. She's already agreed to take her punishment and apparently, he hadn't been opposed to her teasing remark. Considering the pain she'd endured under Regina's control, this should be rather mild. She took satisfaction in seeing his eyes darken with need as she dropped her robe and pulled the gown over her head, tossing it to the floor.

Rumpelstiltskin's gaze was nearly a physical caress as it traveled over her lush curves, pausing for a bit at her breasts with their dusky pink nipples, then over her belly and hips. She fought the urge to cover herself with her arms, taking a hesitant step towards him. She squeaked nervously as his hands darted out to grasp her hips, pulling her to stand between his spread knees. A moan escaped her parted lips as he pressed his face to her belly, her fingers delving into his soft hair to hold him there against her.

He didn't protest her touch, enjoying the pleasant scratch of her nails as it was likely all he'd get. His callused hands ventured lower, caressing her thighs as his lips left a ring of kisses around her navel. He toyed with the silk ribbons at her hips, holding her lace knickers in place, as he cast a quick glance up, his eyes seeking permission. Belle drew in a quivering breath and nodded, trusting him implicitly. He groaned as the material parted, pulling it away from her to notice the soaked gusset. Gods, she was already wet, and he'd barely touched her.

Rumpelstiltskin sat back in the chair, breathing heavily as he stared up at her, trying valiantly to get his desire back under control. It was comforting to see she was no less affected. "Lie down on my lap, dearest," he croaked, the endearment falling unbidden from his lips. "Face down, please."

Belle did as he asked, her heart beating a rapid tattoo against her ribs. She stared at the floor, not wanting to risk him seeing the blatant desire darkening her eyes. Was she supposed to feel excitement at the prospect of having her master spank her? Was it normal for her core to throb with need at the thought of his hand coming in contact with her arse in a forceful smack? She bit back a whimper as his right hand trailed his dark nails over the smooth swell of her bottom, teasing as it mapped its way to her lower back. He prolonged her agony as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her tailbone, seconds before the first smack came to steal away her breath.

It was quickly followed by three more, and each time he'd take a moment to smooth his hand over her reddening flesh, caressing the sting from her arse. "Why are you being punished, my love?" he whispered, bending close to her ear and dropping a kiss to her shoulder.

Belle moaned, unable to help herself. The sensation of him caressing her arse and his deep voice whispering in her ear only made her want him more. "B-Because I was deceitful," she breathed, her own voice light and airy as she forced herself to answer. His hand came down again and again, each time alternating between cheeks, each smack accompanied by his callused spinner's fingers rubbing away the ache.

"How many times did you lie to me over the past month? Should I give you my palm for each time, my Belle?" he asked, his voice rough with desire. "Or should I stop now?"

Belle turned her head and nuzzled her face against his leg, her eyes filled with tears, lust, and unfulfilled need. She wiggled her hips, trying to gain friction where there was none, wanting somehow to relieve the ache building in her womb which made her core throb. When she failed to answer, he eased his hand over the backs of her thighs in soothing circles, the touch comforting. But she didn't want comfort. She wanted him. As exciting as this so-called punishment was to her, she wanted to feel all of him, skin to skin, his lips ravaging her flesh, his cock buried within her, filling her until she felt they'd never be parted again.

Her master groaned as his fingers brushed her folds, coming away wet and glistening. He could feel his cock swell and lengthen, likening his pants to some medieval torture device. Another smack and she cried out, the sound sending a shiver of want down his spine. "Are you going to lie again?"

She gave a feverish toss of her head. "No! I promise," she wailed, balancing on the edge of the precipice. "Please, master, again! Please … just once more!"

Rumpelstiltskin stared down at her cherry red arse and frowned. This wasn't at all going as he'd planned. Who knew his little love was such a wanton? He stopped, unable to give her release when this was supposed to be teaching her a lesson. Instead, he pulled her up and turned her around, reaching for the blanket off the back of his chair and wrapping it about her. Only then did he settle her on his lap, so he could simply hold her.

He smoothed his hand over her hair as she nuzzled her face into his neck, smiling faintly as she pressed a warm kiss to his throat. "Are you angry with me, little one?"

Belle shook her head. "That was mean, Rumpel."

He giggled, wrapping his arms tightly about her. "Well, it wasn't supposed to be pleasant. Hence the name … punishment," he snarked. His amusement died away as he thought of everything Regina was capable of, the many things she could have done to his Belle. "Why did you keep this from me," he asked, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze.

"I was trying to protect you," she sighed forlornly. "She forbade me to speak of it, but there were ways around her instructions. They were too vague, really. And if it's one thing you've taught me, it's to look for the loophole, pay attention to the fine print. I couldn't really try to look in the right places where you might have hidden it. If I'd come across it, I wouldn't have been able not to hand it over to her and I couldn't allow her to have that power over you."

He slipped his hand beneath the blanket and rested it on the curve of her hip, his thumb rubbing little patterns onto her already sensitive flesh. "You really care that much, don't you?" he said in an agonized whisper.

Belle lifted her hand to cradle his cheek in her warm palm, her expression softening more. "Of course, I do, Rumpel. I have for a long time. It was only recently that I realized how much."

She winced as he rose from the chair with her in his arms and bore her to the bed. "Lie down on your stomach, love."

She did so without hesitation, stretching her achy muscles to the limits of her endurance. Her eyes were heavy, and she was unable to hold them open despite how her body craved his touch. He didn't disappoint her, climbing onto the bed with her to sit at her side, a vial of rose scented oil in his hands. "What're you going to do with that?" she asked around a yawn.

"Just something to soothe you before we begin again."

Her head shot up off the pillow to glance at him over her shoulder in alarm. "Again?!"

He laid his hand in the center of her back to prevent her from rising. "Not that, Belle. But you can rest assured I'm not done with you. When I'm done, you will think twice before you lie to me."

"Rumpelstiltskin," she whined. "I only lied –"

"I'm sure you thought your reasons were valid, dearie, but I have to be able to trust you. Trust is not easy for me," he admitted as he began to massage the oil into her reddened flesh.

Belle settled back onto her pillow, her brow puckered worriedly. "I've never given you reason not to trust me until now, Rumpel. But I do understand your reticence. You've been hurt before, haven't you?"

"Many times, yes," he murmured lowly, aware she could hear the pain in his voice. "All with those I trusted. My father, my wife, my son, and my once lover. I'd vowed never to do it again."

"Until me."

"Until you, dearest." He put the oil away and took his place at her side, brushing a stray curl away from her brow. "How are you feeling?"

Belle smiled, seeing the concern so evident on his weathered face. He tried so hard to be the monster with her, but he had yet to succeed. He didn't have it in him to be cruel to her, which only convinced her of his love all the more. "Actually, I'm feeling rather exposed, while you are still fully dressed," she said petulantly, gesturing to his attire sans coat. She scooted a bit closer and pulled at his lacy cravat. "I'm also rather eager for you to touch me again."

"Oh, I plan to, my little minx. You may depend upon it," he teased, opening his arms to her.

She scrambled into his arms, the blush still riding high in her cheeks. She hoped the more they were together this way, the less her nudity would bother her. Having been raised so strictly and propriety being what it was - especially with regards to women - her modesty wasn't easy to dismiss. Her fingers went directly to the lacy cravat, deftly untying it and pulling it away so she could lean in and press a tender kiss to the hollow of his throat. His sharp intake of breath had her jerking her gaze to his to see what she'd done wrong.

"What is it?" she asked, her eyes wide and bright with questions.

Rumpelstiltskin took the cravat from her, a wicked smirk spreading over his lips as he regarded her. "Your willingness to touch me will take some getting used to, is all."

Her thumb brushed softly back and forth over the triangle of flesh revealed by the vee of his shirt. "You're beautiful, Rumpelstiltskin. Why wouldn't I want to touch you?"

He shook his head. "My little dearie and her affinity for monsters. I wonder if I'll ever understand you."

Belle leaned in to steal a kiss, grinning against his lips. "You already do, my Rumpel. You just haven't realized it yet."

The sorcerer took advantage of her distraction to pull her hands behind her back and secure them there with the cravat. It was his turn to grin devilishly as she pulled back from their kiss and narrowed her eyes on him. "Not too tight?" he asked.

She tested her bonds and gave a toss of her head to look over her shoulder. "No, it's fine. What are you planning? Or is it that you don't want me to know?" she teased, sitting back on his legs where she straddled him.

"Perhaps it's better if you don't," he replied breathily, his hands curled over her hips to drag her forward. He groaned as her hot core came in contact with his burgeoning erection. "But first I want to ask you a few questions."

"Rumpelstiltskin, are you blushing?" she asked, her brows disappearing somewhere near her hairline, her eyes widening as his cheeks turned a darker gold.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he drawled in a bland tone, refusing to admit to the heat suffusing his face.

"You are!" she choked out amidst a girlish giggle. She was enjoying this playfulness between them where they'd never indulged in it before. It was amazing what happiness could be found now that they – well, she – had admitted their feelings for one another.

"Beside the point!" he growled, giving her hips a light squeeze.

"Alright, my master," she purred once her giggles had subsided. "Ask away."

"Erm …" he mumbled, trying not to get distracted by her charms on display or the way she was practically eating him with her eyes. "Before … your betrothed … he, um …"

"… never touched me, Rumpel," she assured him, a shudder of revulsion running through her. "I was never happy with our betrothal. He was arrogant, superficial and boorish. I knew he'd expect nothing more of me than a vessel to carry his sons. You can well imagine I wasn't thrilled with the match."

Rumpelstiltskin pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her brow. "I wouldn't have judged you if you had lain with him, Belle. But I can't say it doesn't please me … to be your first."

"It rather pleases me as well. At least I know you'll be gentle with me," she said confidently.

He rested his hands atop her shoulders, his thumbs caressing the sides of her neck before trailing over her arms. Belle shivered, gooseflesh erupting on her arms and spreading over her body. "I'd never hurt you, my Belle."

"I know that. Even when you spanked me, it was more arousing than painful," she said, ducking her head shyly as her teeth pulled at her lip. "I hadn't realized I felt like that about such things."

He moaned, feeling his cock twitch as she wriggled her hips. He was never going to succeed in his plans if he didn't get ahold of his desire quickly. "It's a child's punishment, dearest. You weren't supposed to enjoy it as much as you did."

"But you didn't finish," she accused him. "I didn't get to … well, you know."

The Dark One caught his tongue between his teeth before grinning at her. "Oh, yes, I do know. And just how would you know? Do you touch yourself, Belle?" She closed her eyes, refusing to look at him as her face flamed a darker shade of crimson. He arched a brow at her, amused with her shyness. "I'll take that as a yes." He removed his hands from her arms, trailing his fingertips lightly over her breasts.

"Rumpel …" she breathed, letting her head fall back as he moved to her nipples. She arched into his touch, gasping as he took one into his mouth, sucking gently while his talented spinner's fingers toyed lovingly with the other. She ground her hips down, her clit rubbing against the leather-covered bulge of his erection … and he stopped.

He chuckled at her frustration and spread his legs wider. Her legs being on either side of him widened more, leaving her folds open and exposed. Her inner walls throbbed in protest. He kissed a path to her other nipple, murmuring against her skin. "What do you think of when you touch yourself, Belle? A prince to rescue you from the beast? An offer of your body to repay him for his chivalry and daring?"

Belle cried out, thrusting her hips forward in search of the friction she so desperately needed as he sucked harder than before. "No! I d-dream of my beast … I dream of him taking me to his b-bed and loving me. Golden skin … his claws mapping my body with his touch. You, my master!"

Rumpelstiltskin trailed his fingers over her side and across her hip, the other holding her firmly as she bucked a writhed, desperate for release. He cupped her mound, removing his mouth from her breast to gauge her reaction. She was panting in her need, unable to touch herself or him. Her eyes were wild and dark and oh, gods, he'd never wanted anything more than to shuck his clothes and bury himself in her sweet heat. But that wouldn't be ideal just now when he wasn't quite finished with her punishment.

She'd remember this and never … ever … lie to him again. However, he couldn't be unfair – not with his Belle – and would have to give of himself as well. That's the part he was deathly afraid of, if he were being honest with himself.

His fingers slid through her wet folds, avoiding her clit in favor of thrusting gently past her tight ring of muscle to tease her just a bit more. She couldn't bite back the whimper which escaped her throat, her eyes pleading where her lips could not. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, "Rum … RumRumRumRumRum! Please!" she gasped, thrusting her hips, chasing his hand as it sought to elude her. And all the while he watched her, read her body like one of her favorite books, knowing just when to withdraw to deny her release.

Rumpelstiltskin leaned back against the mound of pillows at his back and folded his hands behind his head, offering her a sly smile. "You seem to be in a bit of distress, dearie."

Belle stared back in him in stunned disbelief, her mouth agape. "Y'think?! Why'd you stop? Did I do something wrong?" If her hands hadn't been firmly secured behind her back, she would have smacked him. Her eyes narrowed on him suspiciously. "You're toying with me and I want to know why, Rumpelstiltskin."

His eyes brightened with some of his manic energy and his nose wrinkled as it usually did when he was attempting to intimidate her with his dark humor. "Well, dearest –"

"Don't even think about playing the Dark One with me, Rumpelstiltskin," she threatened.

He pursed his lips, taking her warning to heart. "Alright, fine. I want to propose a wee deal."

"A deal? Now, of all times, you want to make a deal? Ugh!" she scoffed. She whimpered as his thumbnails traced little circles along her thighs, leaving little red lines along her sensitive flesh which faded after a moment or two. "Stop that! I can't concentrate when you do that."

"That's the point, dearest," he chuckled, his grin growing more wicked. She scowled blackly at him, which he thought was absolutely adorable. He admired her bravery in the face of his dark nature; he always had. "Won't you even hear me out?"

Belle gave a haughty toss of her head, her chestnut curls falling to cover her breasts. "Very well."

He clapped his hands once and steepled them before himself, his index fingers pressing briefly to his lips. "Here is what I propose. I am denying you release because I want you to be able to recall the sweet agony any time you choose to lie to me. Now you have a choice," he twittered in his deal-making impish voice which normally would have her rolling her eyes to the heavens. "I will give you what you want … release, pleasure, satiation … or you can quench your curiosity rather than your lovely body and ask me a question of your choosing. I cannot demand honesty from you if I'm not willing to give it in return."

Her heart sped with excitement at the prospect of having her master open up to her, to share things with her he'd never shared with anyone else. Yet, she wouldn't let him slip away through one of his infamous loopholes. "So, if I'm to understand correctly … for every release you deny me, I can ask you one question and you will be honor-bound to answer with the truth?"

"Lovely wording, dearie," he remarked appreciatively. She really was getting rather good at dealing. "But yes. You will receive only the truth."

"Not just what you perceive as the truth? But the actual factual truth?" she persisted.

His lips turned down in a frown. He hadn't thought of that.

"And no lying by omission?"

"Damnit, Belle!"

"Hah! I knew you wouldn't be so easy as to stick to the deal, despite it being your idea." She smirked at him, the gesture filled with smug satisfaction. "And now you're upset because I happen to be a bit cleverer than most of your clients."

"You are that, yes. You will take the deal if I agree to your amendments?" he asked slyly, eager for her acceptance.

Her gaze softened at the hope evident in his eyes. "Y'know we could always just make love like normal people … talk and share and love like nor –"

"Where would the fun in that be?"

Belle shook her head sadly. He was still so afraid. She could see it easily. "Alright, Rum, I'll take your deal. You do realize you'll be suffering the effects of my frustration just as acutely as I will?"

"Yes. I didn't think it would be fair for you to suffer alone."

She leaned in and pressed her lips to his for a tender kiss. "And you call yourself a monster. Pfft!" she scoffed, giggling when he growled for effect. "I can ask any question of my choosing, correct?"

"Aye, dearest, anything you like," he agreed. "And I'll be generous. If you can't think of a question, you may request something you desire."

"Might I have both?" she asked, stunned. She felt she might press the advantage just this once.

"Don't push it, Belle."

"Well, I think there should be limits. Can one die from sexual frustration?"

"Belle …"

"Say three questions and one request?"

"So sure you can last that long?"

"Can you?" she challenged.

He regarded her warily, suddenly nervous by her confidence. "Very well … three questions and one request. That's four times I'm allowed to deny you. We'll see who breaks first."

Belle leaned in again, balancing herself on her knees in order to press her brow to his. "Is it any wonder I fell in love with you? I've never had anyone to challenge me as you have, Rumpel. Not only do you fill my heart, but my mind, too."

Rumpelstiltskin wrapped his arms about her, pulling her roughly against his chest as he buried his face in her hair. "Oh, Belle …"

She tilted her head up after a moment, looking at him expectantly. "May we begin?" At his nod, she didn't hesitate. "Was I mistaken or are you in love with me?" she asked, hope filling her cerulean eyes.

"You would have to start with the hardest question," he grumbled, clamping his lips shut.

"Why is it so difficult to answer? You either do or you don't … and you promised to be honest. Now answer the bloody question, Rumpelstiltskin," she said sternly. Or as sternly as she could manage sitting naked on his lap with her hands bound behind her, still burning with fire in her veins from his touch.

"I … I do love you, my Belle. I'd forgotten what it felt like to feel this way for another person," he whispered hoarsely.

It had taken great courage for him to admit what was in his heart and she wouldn't prolong his fears with her silence. "I love you, too, Rum. Thank you for telling me." A loving smile bloomed on her lips. "Don't be afraid to tell me … often. I don't think I'd mind hearing it at all."