Someone slipped me a roofie, and I’m suffering from side effects.
That’s the only explanation I can come up with for why I’m standing here looking at the one man I can’t seem to shake from my memory, no matter how hard I try.
I blink once, but he’s still there, in khaki pants and a white button-down, his light brown hair combed into a tidy style, rather than the messy waves they were in the last time I saw him.
But those eyes…those eyes that are bright blue, narrowed and fixed on my face, watching my every move, are exactly as I remember.
“Holy shit,” I whisper and try to take a step back.
“Do you know each other?” Caleb asks.
Stay professional!
I shake my head and offer Brynna the best smile I can manage. “I’m so happy that you like the cake. It’s ready to go for you. Congratulations again.”
And with that, I turn to leave, but before I can even take one step, I hear, “Stop.”
As much as it totally pisses me off, my body halts and I stand still, my hands folded in front of me, and watch him warily. Just the sound of that one word out of his sexy-as-hell mouth has my nipples puckered.
Thank God no one can tell since I’m wearing this baker’s jacket.
I refuse to cause a scene here in front of all of these people, but what I really want to do is tell him to kiss my ass and stomp off.
Pinning me with his gaze, he grasps my arm and leads me away from the others.
“I’m happy to see you, Nic. You look beautiful. The new haircut suits you.”
His nose pressed to my ear, the clean, masculine scent of him surrounding me, has me turned inside out, and frankly, I can’t deal with it.
I can’t deal with him.
I’m breathing hard, and my cheeks are flushed as I wrench my arm out of his grasp, toss him an angry glare and storm away.
I’m not sure, but I think I hear him mutter, “Spank her ass,” behind me, making me move faster, praying that he doesn’t follow me.
And just like that, memories I’ve been fighting to forget come barreling back at me…
“Are you coming or not, little one?”
Bailey pushes me with her shoulder, and I stumble toward him, not able to look away from those incredible blue eyes.
“So, you want to give it a try?” he asks, holding my gaze.
I swallow hard and nod slowly.
Where the hell did my voice go?
“I need a verbal response, please,” he replies with a knowing smile.
“Yes, please.”
“Don’t worry,” he whispers as he leans his face close to mine. “This won’t hurt a bit.”
I offer him a small smile, and he surprises me by pulling his fingers gently down my cheek, then brushes his thumb over my lower lip, sending my body into overdrive.
My nipples have puckered, and I swear to God I need to change my panties.
And he really hasn’t even done anything yet!
He drags a black duffle bag across the floor to his feet and rummages inside, drawing out a long length of white rope.
“White will look beautiful against your clothes,” he murmurs, deep in thought. He scrubs his fingers over his mouth as he thinks, bouncing his attention between me and his bag of tricks.
I giggle at the thought, then cover my mouth with my hand as his head snaps around and he raises an eyebrow as he watches me.
“Something funny?”
I shake my head no, but he grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger, making me meet his hot gaze.
“Try again.”
“I thought it was funny that you were rummaging through your bag of tricks.” My voice is soft. Why do I feel the need to please this guy?
His lips twitch, and he releases me, and I’m shocked at the feeling of loss at having the contact of his skin gone from mine.
God, get a grip. I obviously need to get laid. It’s been…way longer than I am comfortable admitting.
“Wrap your arms behind your back and grab your forearms with your hands.”
“I don’t want my hands bound,” I reply quickly.
He stares at me for a moment and then steps to me, leaning in so his mouth is near my ear. God, he smells amazing, like spicy body wash and hot, unadulterated man.
“I can cut you out at the drop of a hat, little one. This won’t hurt you. Trust me.”
He pulls back, watching me, and I nod hesitantly, putting my arms around my back like he asked. I don’t know why I trust him, but I do. He’s not going to hurt me.
I’m rewarded with a bright smile, and if my panties weren’t already wet, they would be now. Holy shit, this man is amazing. As he turns away from me to gather his rope, I let my eyes wander down his body. He’s very tall, over six feet. His shoulders are broad and covered by a black button-down shirt, the cuffs rolled on his corded forearms. The shirt is tucked into black slacks, and he’s wearing black shoes and a belt as well.
The black should give him a daunting appearance, but it’s just plain hot. It fits him.
I suddenly want to lick him.
Down girl, you’re just here to try out the bondage thing.
Beside us, the other man has resumed tying his ropes around the other girls who were in line behind me. I look around for Bailey, but she’s nowhere to be seen.
“She’s not far,” the stranger murmurs, reading my mind.
“What’s your name?” I ask softly as he turns to me and reaches around me, tying my wrists behind my back. My nose is practically pressed to his chest, and I can’t help but breathe him in again.
He just smells so good.
“Matt.” He pulls the ropes around my arms and torso and smiles down at me. “You?”
“Nic,” I respond, watching as he begins looping and knotting the rope over my chest and stomach, making a perfectly symmetrical design over my chest, around my breasts, the ropes looking amazing against the red and black material. His hands are long and lean, and his fingers work deftly, quickly, easily making the knots and loops in the rope.
“You’re good at this,” I murmur.
He grins and continues to watch his hands as they move against me, the backs of his fingers brushing against the sides of my breasts, over my stomach.
My breath comes faster and my heart rate speeds up as he continues to work. My torso is done, and when I try to pull my hands, they’re tied tightly in place.
“Does it hurt?” he asks softly.
“No,” I reply honestly.
He nods as he reaches between my legs and threads the rope, loops it around my back and back through my legs again. I have to bite my lip to keep from moaning aloud.
Dear God, how is it possible that I’m this turned on just because he’s wrapped me up in some rope?
Finally, he ties a knot, making it blend in with the rest, so you can’t tell where the rope begins or ends, and stands back, crosses his arms over his chest and gently runs the tip of his forefinger over his bottom lip as his eyes rake up and down my body. His bright blue eyes are hot with lust and need as they meet mine. His breath is coming faster, matching mine, and I swear to the bondage gods, I feel an inexplicable pull from my gut to his.
If he doesn’t touch me—truly touch me—soon, I’m going to spontaneously combust.
Finally, he slowly moves to me, cups my face in his hands and kisses my forehead, before whispering, “Do you belong to anyone?”
The question should piss me off, but I’m so caught up in his spell, I can only shake my head no.
“Nic,” he whispers and kisses the corner of my mouth, then sweeps his lips down my jawline to my ear. “I don’t typically come on this strong, but I want to fuck the shit out of you right now.”
My breath catches and eyes widen as I lean back to look him in the eye.
Tell him no! Run away! Jesus, what kind of sick pervert says something like that?
But, instead, I find myself licking my lips and leaning toward him. “I live three b
locks away.”
He tears his gaze away from mine and nods at his colleague, grips my upper arm in his strong hand and leads me beside him, not behind him, toward the door.
“Wait! My friend…”
“Is right over there,” he says calmly, pointing through the crowd. Bailey is watching us with a knowing grin and gives me a thumbs-up and an obvious wink. “See? She’s fine.”
“Hold on.” I dig my heels in and pull us both to a stop. “You could be an ax murderer. A junkie. A rapist.”
His lips twitch, and he sighs as he sinks his fingers through my long hair, pushing it off my shoulder. “Good girl.”
“So, I’ll see you around…”
“Stop,” he commands softly, and I immediately obey, my feet betraying every instinct I have to keep going.
He walks to me, wraps one arm around my back and grips my bound wrists, holding me close to him. With just that one touch, my body flares to life, and I can’t help but press myself even closer against him.
He chuckles and brushes my nose with his. “I haven’t felt this physically attuned to anyone in a very long time. I promise you, I’m no criminal.” And with that, he covers my lips with his and sinks into me, exploring my lips, nibbling and tasting me, and I melt against him, submitting to his every desire.
I can’t move my arms, and I desperately want to circle them around his neck, grip his hair in my fists and hold him to me. Instead, I press my chest to his and moan as his tongue plunders my mouth. He wraps his other arm around me and presses his pelvis against my stomach, making me well aware of his erection.
Fuck, he’s sexy.
“It’s your call,” he whispers.
“Let’s go.”
He doesn’t need to be told twice as he leads me out to his BMW and settles me into the passenger seat, buckling me in with my arms pinned behind me. It’s uncomfortable, and I have to lean away from the back of the seat, but I’m so damn turned on right now I don’t even care.
He smiles wolfishly before kissing my cheek. “I like seeing you restrained like this.”
Before I can respond, he shuts the door, hops into the driver’s seat and speeds away.
“Three blocks down on the left,” I instruct him.
“Above that bakery?” he asks and points.
“Yes. Nice car.”
“It was a gift,” he replies carelessly as he parks.
Who in the hell gives someone a car as a gift?
He finds parking and leads me up the stairs at the side of my building.
“You’ll have to pull my key out of my purse,” I murmur, turning so he can access my purse.
“Digging in a woman’s purse always makes me nervous,” he confesses with a grin. “My mother would have cut our hands off if we dared open her bag.”
“Well, I’m a bit tied up here,” I respond with a smile.
“That you are,” he replies as he finds my keys and opens my door. He lays my bag and keys on my table and leads me deeper into my apartment toward my bedroom.
“A couple of guidelines,” he murmurs gently. “If you say ‘no’ or ‘stop,’ it all ends immediately. I’m not a sadist, so I don’t want you to hurt. But you will do as I say, without question.” He leans down and pins me in those ice-blue eyes. “Are we clear?”
“I don’t have a say?”
“I didn’t say that. If you are in pain or uncomfortable, you say so. But I’m going to make very sure that you’re not.” He grins, pushes a finger in the ropes that cross between my breasts and tugs me to him.
“Do I need a safe word?” I ask.
“‘No’ is your safe word, little one.”
“Okay,” I whisper just before his mouth finds mine again. His mouth is hard and frantic, urgent. This is going to be fast and hard, and oh my God, I can hardly wait.
We reach my bedroom, and he flips on the bedside lamp, sending a soft glow through the room.
“I can’t take my clothes off with these ropes around me.”
Standing before me, he leans his forehead against my own and brushes his hands down my upper arms and my sides, down my thighs to where the edge of my thigh-highs meet my skirt.
“I don’t need you naked to fuck you. It would be preferable, but I enjoy seeing you in my ropes.”
I grin and tilt my head to the side. “Why?”
He shakes his head and covers my mouth with his as he unbuttons his shirt and tosses it aside. He steps away from me to open his belt and pants, steps out of them, and I’m shocked to see that he wasn’t wearing any underwear.
How that can shock me after everything I’ve seen tonight, I have no idea.
His eyes drift down my face, my neck to my breasts to where my nipples are pressed against the material of my shirt. He cups my breasts in his hands and bends over to pull the hard nubs into his mouth, shirt and all.
My head falls back as I feel the pull all the way down between my legs where the ropes are nestled against my folds. All he has to do is tug them and my panties to the side and he can easily slide right inside me.
“Want to touch you,” I whisper. I desperately want to grip his hard dick in my hand, make him as crazy as he’s making me.
He lays a hand on my shoulder. “On your knees,” he murmurs, guiding me down before him.
I greedily open wide, taking the head of his hard cock into my mouth, sucking and lapping at him like my life depends on it.
And damn if I don’t feel myself grow wetter when he growls deep in his throat.
I look up to find him watching me, his jaw clenched tightly and eyes narrowed, glowing bright blue.
“Fuck, you’re good at that,” he groans and gathers my long hair in his hands, pulling until he’s just tugging, not quite hurting me, and begins to guide himself in and out of my mouth. He never pushes in hard enough to choke me. He’s in complete control, enjoying my mouth on him.
“There is nothing sexier than this. You, on your knees, in my ropes, with your sexy mouth wrapped around my dick.”
God, I love his dirty mouth.
I moan in agreement and slide my tongue over the long vein on the underside of him. I can’t help but grin to myself when I feel the fingers in my hair shake.
Suddenly, he guides me to my feet and bends me over the bed. He hikes my skirt up over my ass, parts the ropes and pulls my thong to one side. Instead of pushing inside me like I’m expecting, he kneels and buries his face deep into my folds, sucking and licking and making me see stars.
“Holy shit!” I squeal and try to stand, but he plants one large hand between my shoulder blades and holds me down as he assaults me with his mouth. It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever felt.
He presses two fingers inside me and massages my clit with his thumb as he stands behind me, opens a condom with his teeth and manages to roll it down his length one-handed.
He quickly pulls his fingers out of me and replaces them with his cock, pushing in until he’s seated balls-deep, making us both moan. He grips my bound hands and begins to ride me, hard and fast.
“God, you feel so good.” His voice is rough and broken. “So fucking tight. How long has it been?”
I shrug. Jesus, he wants me to think now?
“Answer me,” he commands and slaps my ass with his hand, making me squeal.
The pain surprises me but is quickly replaced by an erotic heat that makes me want to squirm beneath him.
“I don’t know. A year?”
“Fuck me,” he whispers and continues to pound inside me, as though he’s running a race, and the finish line is in sight. He keeps his hand tightly gripped to my wrists, and with the other, grips on to my hair and pulls me back until my chest is off the bed and I’m completely at his mercy.
“Does this hurt?” he asks, his mouth pressed against my ear.
“No,” I gasp. God, this angle makes him feel even bigger. I want to rotate my hips, to push back against him, but I’m defenseless with my arms pinned and my torso being held off the bed.
>
“Am I pulling your hair too hard?”
Yes.
But I like it.
“No,” I reply and gasp when he pushes into me even harder, bucking his hips against my ass. I feel the tension building, settling in the small of my back.
“Do not come until I tell you,” he commands, his teeth clenched.
“But…” I begin, but he grips my wrist tighter.
“You heard me.”
I swallow and try to concentrate on something else. Grocery shopping. The orders I have to fill for tomorrow. What to send to my grandmother for her birthday next month.
But it’s no use. My body is on fire, and there is no turning back.
Finally, with a roar, he pushes inside me and yells out, “Come, Nic!”
And I do, succumbing to the most intense orgasm of my life. My hips jerk against him as he comes inside me, our bodies moving in sync, perfectly attuned to each other.
Finally, he plants a gentle kiss between my shoulder blades as he releases my hair and wrists and begins to untie me.
“You could just cut me out,” I whisper, resting against the soft cotton of my duvet.
“I prefer this,” he replies softly.
As he loosens the knots, he massages my skin gently, and my body is just one big ball of sensation, from the intense sex and the sweet way he’s touching me now.
When my arms are free, he helps me to my feet so he can finish untying his intricate knots.
“I liked it,” I murmur, watching his hands.
“Did you,” he responds with a half smile.
I nod shyly, feeling my cheeks heat.
“No need to get shy on me now.”
I chuckle as he pulls the last of the rope away.
“Thank you.”
His eyes find mine, and he frowns. “For what?”
I tilt my head to the side, finding the words. “For this…new experience.”
Matt smirks and raises my hand to his mouth where he plants sweet kisses on my knuckles, then yanks me against him. He’s still naked as can be, and I’m fully dressed, but I finally get to touch him. His skin is warm and smooth beneath my hands as I glide them up and down his back, his arms, up into his thick hair.
“Your hands are dangerous,” he murmurs against my lips.