by Anne Rainey
Moving to the entertainment cabinet, Haley perused the massive thing and was suitably impressed with
Dr. French’s taste in electronic equipment. He had it all, including Bose surround sound. She opened a
door and located DVDs galore. But that wasn’t what had her eyes going wide and her mouth dropping
open.
There was a video camera. Complete with blank, recordable DVDs. What would it be like to tape Jay
making love to her, bringing her to climax, watching him climax? They could watch it together afterwards.
The very thought made her blood run hot and her lungs suddenly felt starved for air.
The last time she’d videotaped a man having sex, it had been Eric and his girlfriend. Haley would dearly
love to get that image out of her head for good. And what better way?
She smiled and picked up the video camera and searched for the batteries. She found a battery pack,
still on its charger, the green light indicating it was ready to go. She lifted it off and attached it to the back
of the camera. After inserting a DVD, Haley powered the thing on. That’s when she heard Jay clearing
his throat. She took a deep breath and turned around, still holding the video cam. Jay stood behind her
holding a food tray. He pointedly looked at the camera, then back at her. His eyebrows arched and a
devilish sideways grin appeared. She had the feeling she’d just unleashed a lion from its cage.
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He moved to set the tray, laden with fruit, cheese, crackers and, of course, hot chocolate onto the coffee
table situated in front of the huge brown couch. He started toward her and Haley gulped. Y ikes.
“That thing work?” Jay asked in a low voice that slid over her body like warm velvet.
“Uh-huh,” she squeaked.
“You thinking of using it?” He was only a few steps away now. Close enough to touch.
“I, well, maybe,” she stammered. “If you wanted to, I mean.”
“Oh, I definitely want to.” He reached her finally, took the camera from her and looked it over before
gazing back at her. “But, I meant it when I said we’d eat first. I want to get to know you a little better
before we take this thing,” he indicated the camera, “upstairs.”
“Oh, right, of course.” She felt silly now, embarrassed and dumb for thinking he was as turned on as she.
He’d already gotten what he wanted from her and now he was just being nice.
Jay placed his fist beneath her chin and forced her to look at him. Haley tried for a nonchalant attitude,
but she wasn’t pulling it off very well. She’d never been all that great at hiding her emotions.
“I can practically hear those wheels turning, baby, and you’re wrong.”
That made her angry. As if she was just so transparent! “Oh really? Well, smart guy, what am I wrong
about?”
He smoothed his thumb over her lips and murmured, “You’re wrong that I’m through with you. Not
even close.”
Okay, well, he could read her mind…sort of. “That’s good, then, I’m not quite through with you yet
either.”
He looked her over and licked his lips. “Besides, I still plan on using those handcuffs on you and the
thought of videotaping you while you’re securely tied to my bed is enough to give me a permanent
hard-on.”
Haley suspected her face had turned the color of her mother’s beets and her body went liquid with
desire. She looked down the front of him and her eyes bulged at the erection tenting his sweatpants. Yep,
she’d let the lion out of the cage all right.
Chapter Six
Jay managed to talk her out of using the video camera—at least for now. They sat on the couch drinking
their hot chocolates and listening to a soft, sexy saxophone emanating from the stereo cabinet as he
regaled her with tales of cases he’d helped solve. His life as a detective both fascinated and scared her.
Haley hated the idea he put his life on the line. But the passion in his eyes as he talked about his job made
her see he loved what he did.
“Enough about me. Tell me about you, Haley.”
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She hadn’t figured on that. “Well, you know I’ve been married and divorced. What else do you want to
know?”
“Everything,” he rasped out, his voice a hot command.
Jay had started a fire in the fireplace and now the crackling of the flames mixed sensually with the music.
The evening felt even more imaginary than before.
“Well, you already know I work for a software company as a software developer. I love my job, but it
can get demanding as I’ve already said, and very tedious.” She stopped, wondering if she’d bored him to
tears yet, but he only motioned for her to continue. “My boss can be a real pain in the butt, but he’s fair
and believes in rewarding his employees.”
“Any friends? Lovers?”
“There’s Candace, Gretchen and my best friend is a woman named Janice. We all work together at
Berlitz and Kent. Janice is awesome. She tells me when I look fat and when I’m being a total witch.” She
smiled, thinking of what Janice would say if she knew Haley was spending the weekend with a gorgeous
stranger.
“And lovers?”
He was persistent. She sighed. “Pathetically, no. I’ve been asked out a few times since my divorce
became final, and my friends have tried their best to fix me up, but I’ve not really wanted the hassles of a
relationship.” She shrugged. “I guess Eric sort of soured me on the whole idea.”
He was quiet a moment, then very softly said, “I’m glad you haven’t had any lovers. I wouldn’t want
anyone coming here and claiming you as their own. That would severely piss me off.”
“It would?”
“Severely.”
She just didn’t know what to make of him. He could be so flirtatious and easygoing one minute, then so
intense the next. But it was a good mix, an exciting mix. Jay was so different from her ex. Eric had always
been fun-loving, unless he was in a rage. There was no mild mannered in-between. She’d walked on egg
shells around him the entire time they were married. Already she felt more comfortable with Jay than she
ever had with Eric. Odd.
“What about your family, Haley? Any brothers or sisters?”
“I’ve got one brother I haven’t seen in awhile. Rick lives in California. He comes home on Thanksgiving
and stays through Christmas.”
“You two close?”
“We’re only a year apart in age so, yeah, we’re pretty close.” She smiled, thinking of Rick. “He’s
married. I’m not crazy about his new wife, though.” Haley had had the pleasure of meeting the silly twit
last Christmas and she wasn’t impressed. She shrugged. “She seems a bit too into herself to me. But if
that’s what he wants, I’m happy for him.”
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“What did he think of Eric?”
“He never cared for Eric. Rick used to call him The Salesman because he seemed a little too smooth.”
He nodded. “And when you divorced, did you tell Rick about the abuse?”
“Yes. Rick wanted to kill him, too. Like any good big brother would, I suppose.”
Jay smiled ruefully. “I’m glad he didn’t. I’d have hated arresting him for murdering the asshole.”
She laughed and playfully waggled her eyebrows at him. “But then you and I would have met a lot
sooner.”
“Mmm, yeah, that would have been a definite plus.” He paus
ed and said, “Tell me some of your
favorites. You know, favorite color, favorite flower, favorite movie…that sort of stuff.”
Haley was charmed. She couldn’t believe how nice it was to have a man so interested in what she had to
say. “Okay, this one’s easy. First, my favorite color is yellow. It reminds me of sunshine. My favorite
flower is the tulip, because they can stand so tall and sturdy alone, but they’re even prettier in a group.
My favorite movie… I guess that would be ‘No Man of Her Own’.”
Jay reached toward her, lightly touching her cheek, and muttered absently, “Never heard of it. Is it
new?”
She laughed. “Lord, no. It was made in the thirties. It’s a romantic comedy, so I’m not surprised you’ve
never heard of it. Not exactly a guy movie.”
Jay looked at her thoughtfully. “Why that one in particular?”
She shrugged. “Partly because I love old movies. There’s something pure about them. And because it
fascinated me that the lead actress and actor were married in real life. That sort of gave it more of a
romantic feel.”
They were both quiet a minute and Haley asked, “What about you? What are your favorites?”
He arched a brow at her. “I don’t have a favorite color and I definitely don’t have a favorite flower.”
They both laughed. “Well then, how about a favorite movie or band?”
“Not a lot of time for movies, but my favorite band would probably be Van Halen.”
She pushed at him teasingly. “Careful old-timer, your age is showing.”
“Hey, I’m only thirty-two. I’m in my prime, woman!”
She harrumphed. “Well, I’m a mere twenty-five and you’re way too old for me.”
Jay’s eyes smoldered as he whispered, “My experience is your gain.”
They both fell silent after that erotic promise. Haley finished off the last of her hot chocolate and set the
empty mug on the coffee table. Belatedly, she realized Jay was staring at her.
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“What?”
“How about you tell me more about this dream of yours.”
Her face heated. “What’s there to tell?”
Jay fingered a loose tendril of her hair, causing her heart to beat erratically. “For starters, who’s the
other woman?”
“Marissa isn’t real. At least not physically.”
His left brow rose a little. “How do you know she’s not real? I was in your dream and I’m real.”
Sure of what Marissa symbolized, Haley didn’t have to think about her answer. “She’s a part of me. A
part I’ve kept locked in a cage for too long.”
Jay nodded. “Ah, your naughty girl side, you mean.”
“Yeah, something like that,” she consented, tickled by his description.
“In that case, I’m glad you found the key to the cage and let her out to play with me this weekend.” He
was like a predator suddenly scenting prey. “We’ve had our food, hot chocolate and conversation. Now
I want you in that bed upstairs, handcuffed and at my mercy.”
She swallowed hard at the picture his words invoked. “Now?” she asked, trying not to sound quite so
excited.
“Now,” he whispered. He put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her toward him.
His kiss tasted of sweet chocolate, and Haley melted. She let him take her mouth. Let him, yeah right, as
if she had a choice in the matter. Her body had overridden her brain the minute she’d set foot in his
cabin. She was helpless to him. At his mercy. She didn’t need to be tied down, she’d gladly do whatever
he asked. When had she become such a little glutton? But then she’d never met a man who sent her body
into overdrive with just a look. She’d never met a man who had the power to make her body plead and
quiver with just a kiss. Only Jay could do that to her.
He ended the kiss and left the couch. When he leaned down to take her in his arms, she balked. “I’m
way too heavy for you to carry up those stairs.”
He stilled and grew serious. “Now you’re calling me a wimp?”
She frowned. Men and their testosterone. “Well, of course not, but—“ She was cut off as he pulled her
high into his arms and started out of the room. Okay, a girl could get used to being carted around like a
princess. Haley kept reminding herself this was all quite temporary. Come Monday, she’d be back at
work and Jay Pickett would be out of her life. She would not cry when that happened either. She simply
refused.
Jay did indeed make it up the stairs and to the bed. He wasn’t even breathing heavily. If that didn’t just
make a woman’s heart flutter. He laid her down and growled, “Stay put while I get a few things.”
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She nodded, more eager than she wanted to admit to herself. Haley knew what things he meant. He was
going for the camera and handcuffs. Oh, lord, this was all so wild, so fast. Did she trust him enough to be
at his mercy in such a way? Would he be kind, gentle?
Jay came back into the room and stopped mid-stride. “I can see those thoughts as clear as day, Haley.
You would make a terrible con.”
She resented that. “I’d make a terrific con. I’m actually very adept at lying when the need arises,” she
teased, hoping to distract him.
Jay rolled his eyes. “Bullshit. I can see every single thought in your pretty little head as if they were
etched on your forehead.” He crossed the room and sat on the side of the bed. He stared at her with
such tenderness it caused her heart to flip-flop.
“I won’t hurt you.” His voice was so genuine and sincere, it made Haley want to tell him he’d already
won his case, but he went on anyway, causing her to fall just the tiniest bit more for the big softy.
“I’ll be real easy. We’ll not do a damn thing you don’t want to do, I swear it.”
“I’ve just never done this before. I’m a little nervous.”
“Would you rather not do the handcuffs?”
He started to set them aside and Haley stopped him by placing her hand over his. She did want the
handcuffs. Nervousness was ever-present, but so was excitement. She liked the idea of being open and
his to do with as he wished. She liked it a lot. Moreover, he’d already proven to be an attentive lover.
Giving him total access to her body would guarantee her endless pleasure in his very capable hands. Two
very big thumbs up to that idea.
“I do want them.”
Jay’s intense gaze was just this side of wicked. “I’m glad, but how about if I give you the key? That way
you’ll feel a little safer.”
The sweet gesture filled her with warmth. “Thank you, I think I’d like that.”
He leaned down, kissed the tip of her nose then murmured, “Always so polite. Christ, that really turns
me on, baby.”
Caught off guard by his odd admission, Haley asked, “It does?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, go figure.” He left the bed and began fiddling with the camera. Once it was ready,
he set it on a chest-of-drawers directly across from the bed. It was just the right height, causing her to
wonder about Dr. French and his seducer’s cabin. Then she caught sight of the red recording light
blinking rapidly. Haley forgot all about the good doctor and blushed.
Jay came back to the bed and stripped her bare, then took his sweet time taking off his own clothes. He
pulled the shirt up little by little, revealing his lickable, sculpted belly and chest before tossing it away.
He
lowered his sweats and Haley’s blood heated as his erection sprang free. Her mouth went dry as she
stared at his cock. He was so big. So incredibly hard and beautiful. The bulbous tip was engorged and
the veins that traveled the length pulsed with vitality. He looked powerful and masculine. Her whole body
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heated. She ached for him to fill her. Haley badly wanted to taste every inch of his body. She swore that
before the weekend ended she’d have her wish come true.
“Give me your left hand,” Jay demanded. She did and the cold metal slowly closed around her wrist. He
did the same with her other hand. Once she was bound, he gave her one more thrilling order.
“Hold onto the headboard for me. Don’t let go unless I tell you.” She did as he instructed and Jay kissed
her. This time his warm lips caressed hers lightly. Like butterfly wings against her skin.
“Such a good girl,” he praised, “deserves a proper reward.”
Jay pressed a finger against her wet opening and used his knee to push her legs apart. He stroked her
slick, swollen folds and she wiggled, desire mounting. She was nearly dying to have him enter her fully.
As if reading her thoughts, he murmured, “Not so fast. I want to play with you for awhile. Your body is
so soft, sweetheart. I want to touch every inch of you. I want to find all your secret little spots.”
He stroked his thumb over her clitoris and she moaned, the camera, the handcuffs, everything, forgotten.
Only her dark-haired lover with wonderfully talented fingers existed.
“Jay, oh, God!”
“That’s it, baby,” he murmured. “I fucking love the way you say my name when you’re aroused. My
sweet little wanton.”
She moaned louder as his finger entered just the slightest bit and her body squirmed. Arching up off the
bed, she inadvertently let go of the headboard. Instantly he halted his exploration and Haley cried out her
displeasure.
“Oh, no, please. Don’t stop!” she begged, dignity abandoned.
“Be a good girl and put your hands back on the headboard for me, baby.”
Haley complied and nearly came when his long finger slid all the way into her tight heat in one quick
stroke. He leaned down, licked the plump underside of her breast, and his breath tantalized her nipple as