He could hear it, feel it, was experiencing all of it as she writhed and whimpered across his lap. The Shade was as lost as she was, awash in the symphony of her cries and as much a slave to her need as she was. His sadistic nature gloried in making her suffer and ache with pleasure, and the touch of skin on skin let him appreciate the sensuality of the way she gave herself up so readily to him.

The Shade let her endure a half dozen more smacks before he finally pressed a kiss against the nape of her neck and whispered in her ear, gut clenching so violently with desire it was all he could do not to throw her back down on the bed and lose himself in her body.

"Such a good girl...touch yourself, you earned it. I want you to come for me right here, my good little mage..."