Page 25 of Fallen Dane

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, did you have any conversations with anyone who wasn’t Caroline, Margot, or Liz?”

I stare out the window. “I ordered my salad from the server.”

“Don’t get cute with me, Whitney. I saw Harrison leaving the restaurant just before I texted you. That seems like quite a coincidence.”

“Oh, yeah.” I wave him off, doing my best to steady my voice. “I forgot that he did come over to the table for a moment. It didn’t seem important enough to remember.”

“You are a bad fucking liar.” He takes my hand and rubs his thumb along the ring that he just gave me. “I will ask you again, kitten. Did you speak with anyone besides the ladies?”

“He wanted to congratulate us,” I say quickly. “He was being polite.”

“That fucker Lockwood is never polite.” His grip tightens on my hand. “What did you talk about?”

“Nothing. He’s upset that you outbid him. His pride is hurt.”

I force myself to look at Dane. His knuckles are white where he grips the steering wheel with his other hand. His jaw is clenched so tight that I can see every muscle.

Dane pulls the SUV off the main road onto a back road that winds into the woods.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

He pulls the SUV to a stop in a secluded wooded area and puts it in park. Then he turns to face me. “Have you ever fucked Harrison Lockwood?”

“No. I already told you I didn’t.”

“Then why are you lying about the conversation with him?”

“I didn’t lie—”

“Don’t lie again.” His eyes are cold. “The only reason you would lie is if you have something to hide. So either you fucked him, or you are planning to fuck him. Which is it?”

“Neither. I swear to you, Dane. I never fucked nor wanted to fuck Harrison Lockwood.”

“But you are lying about what he wanted.”

He is right. I’m lying. I just stare at him, willing him to just punish me and let this go. I want to be punished.

“Get out.”

“What?”

“Get out of the fucking SUV, Whitney. Now.”

I unbuckle my seatbelt and open the door. I step out onto the gravel, and Dane exits his side. He walks around to the back passenger door and opens it. He positions me so that I’m bent over the seat with my ass facing him and my toes barely touching the ground.

“You knew what would happen if you lied to me.”

My pussy clenches at his words. I know what’s coming. I deserve what’s coming.

Some sick part of me wants this. I need it. Being punished feels so much better than carrying the guilt of what I’ve done to fuck up my life.

Dane shoves my dress up over my hips. His hand runs over my ass.

Then his hand comes down hard. The smack echoes through the woods.

“You are never to lie to me.” He spanks me again. Harder this time. “Do you know what that tells me, kitten?”