“Screw you!” Tristan thrashed again, but Zach ignored it, keeping him down with one hand while the other spanked him. The spanking hurt but nowhere as much as it could have: Zach was clearly holding back, mindful of his injury even now.
Another smack, and then another. His skin began to burn a little and Tristan heard himself whimpering and moaning softly, his world narrowing down to Zach’s hand and its heat. He felt strange, like he was floating, like he was floating around inside his body rather than wearing it, not a care in the world.
By the time Zach stopped, Tristan lay still and pliant over his lap.
Everything was eerily silent, save for Zach’s harsh breathing and the distant sound of traffic.
The weight of Zach’s hand on his bare skin felt almost unbearable. Tristan tried to say something scathing, but nothing came to mind. His mind was empty. He had no energy or inclination to bicker and fight. His body felt…loose. Floaty. He didn’t want to move.
“Tristan?” Zach said after a long silence. His voice sounded strange. Gently, he pulled Tristan’s briefs and pants up and turned him onto his back.
He could barely make out Zach’s face. He was glad, because he wasn’t sure what his own face would have revealed. He wasn’t even sure what he was feeling. Silently, Tristan scrambled off Zach’s lap and dropped back into his seat. He closed his eyes, pressing his hot cheek against the cool leather.
After what felt like an eternity, the door closed.
The engine roared.
The car started moving.
Tristan didn’t say a word.
Zach didn’t say a word, either.
When the car stopped again, Zach said, “Your place.” His voice was rough, uncomfortable, and yet there was something else there…something dark and intense.
Tristan didn’t move. Didn’t want to.
Seconds passed by in silence.
“That was highly unprofessional,” Zach said after a while, his voice stiff, clipped. “I don’t know what I was thinking. It won’t happen again, but you’re free to complain to Jared if you want to. I’m sure he’ll find you another physio.”
Tristan opened his eyes, opened the door, and got out.
The tires screeched and the car bolted forward.
Tristan walked toward his house slowly, his legs still a little weak and shaky.
He unlocked the front door, went in and leaned against it heavily, his thoughts in disarray.
And then it hit him: he really could get Zach fired. Finally, he had an excellent reason to get him sacked. Jared would be appalled if he found out what Zach had done: spanking a patient was beyond unprofessional.
He could get Zach fired.
He could get rid of him forever. No more lectures, no more of that high-handed attitude—and definitely no more spankings that left him feeling weird all over.
No more Zach.
Tristan’s brows furrowed.
Chapter 5
“Why do you keep looking at your phone?”
Tristan lifted his gaze and found Lydia watching him.
“Zach is late today,” he said. “You know I hate it when people make me wait.”
Her brown eyes studied him curiously.
“What?” Tristan said, fiddling with his phone.
“What’s going on with you and Zach lately?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I don’t know…Something has changed.”
Tristan gave her a pointed look. “Are you finished going through my mail? I don’t pay you for twiddling your thumbs.”
Visibly swallowing whatever snide remark she wanted to make, Lydia returned her eyes to the pile of envelopes in front of her.
Tristan looked back at his phone.
She was right, though. Something had changed. Zach had been…different. He no longer tried to control every aspect of Tristan’s recovery—and life. Zach left as soon as possible after checking Tristan’s groin and giving him instructions for the day. Even his attitude had changed. Zach no longer called him “little boy,” “baby,” or “brat.” There were no more wry smirks and jokes. In fact, his tone was neutral and extremely professional every time he spoke to Tristan.
And every time, Tristan wanted to punch him in the mouth.
Zach’s oh-so-correct behavior drove him crazy. It annoyed him far more than Tristan had expected. And it didn’t help that he was still horny and frustrated as hell. At least he had stopped feeling mortified when he got an erection while Zach massaged him. Because even seeing his erection got absolutely no reaction from Zach, not even a quirk of an eyebrow. Zach was professional to a T. Looking at Zach’s behavior in the last ten days, it was hard to believe the spanking incident had ever happened.
Tristan squirmed a little. They hadn’t talked about it, so the incident might as well have never happened. He hadn’t told Jared anything. He still wasn’t sure why.
“I like Zach,” Lydia said suddenly. “He’s such a nice guy. He invited me to his wedding.”
Tristan’s gaze snapped to her. “What? You’ve only known him for a few weeks.”
Lydia gave him a very sweet smile. “You mean he didn’t invite you?”