High Risk

by Vivian Arend

  More? Curiosity rose. “You’re in charge.”

  “Exactly.” He paused. “Becki, I do anything you don’t like, tell me to stop.”

  She lifted herself on her elbows so she could meet his gaze. “Are you worried I won’t enjoy what you’re about to do?”

  “Oh no, I think you’ll enjoy it a lot, but I had to warn you. You have total control. Say stop, and I will.”

  “Go for it.” Saying stop was the last thing on her mind.

  CHAPTER 21

  Marcus brought her to the middle of the room, standing her on the soft area carpet in front of the fireplace. She smiled, head tilted to the side. He couldn’t resist pressing a kiss against her cheek before stepping away to flick on the gas control.

  Becki laughed. “Did I say decadent? Spoiled rotten is more like it.”

  “You get to enjoy the results. Are you complaining?”

  “Not so far.” She stretched her fingers toward the flame. “I should move to a tropical island or something. Why am I here in the Rockies where it’s still snowing in May?”

  He pulled over the footstool, placing it the perfect distance from the heat. “Because it’s the Rockies.”

  “Right.”

  She stared at him from under her lashes. Marcus waited long enough to make her squirm. “Sit.”

  Becki moved slowly, centering herself on the footrest. She sat with her legs slightly apart. She rolled her neck slowly, stretching the muscles lazily like a cat.

  “Comfy?” he asked, moving forward to squat at her side. He stroked his hand down her back and caressed her ass, circling up to trail his fingertips along her spine.

  Her words seemed to contradict the shiver that rolled over her. “The leather is soft and warm.”

  “Put your arms behind you,” he commanded.

  She caught her fingers together. The position brought her into a slight arch, firm breasts thrust out proudly. He stroked his forefinger up her body and between the smooth rounds, pausing to cradle one in the palm of his hand.

  Becki wiggled against him, obviously looking for more. And he was so willing to give to her. But first . . .

  He leaned in and kissed her again. Just a tease. Pulling away before more than a whisper of response escaped her. Marcus grabbed his gym bag and pulled out the soft hemp rope he had coiled inside.

  When he returned to the footrest, she was watching intently. Her smile was gone, replaced with something else.

  “Are you afraid?”

  She shook her head. Didn’t speak.

  He dropped the rope to the floor, the mass hitting with a solid thump. Becki never broke eye contact. Focused on him and him alone. She’d played with ropes before, that much was obvious. As was the way she felt about them. “I can’t surprise you, can I?”

  “I figured you knew your way around a rope or two.” She exhaled the words. Slow. Even. Already slipping into the mindset of being totally cocooned and protected.

  Marcus bent and grabbed the rope about a foot from the end. Brought it up and draped it over Becki’s shoulder. Dragging the weight forward so it stroked her skin.

  Becki squirmed, her intake of air a little more jerky. She caught herself before he needed to talk her through it, deliberately breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth—a climber’s refocusing trick, and Marcus smiled.

  She knew what she needed. She trusted him to give it to her.

  “Hold this,” he ordered, laying the rope end in her palms.

  She opened them wide for a second before closing her fingers over the cord. He pressed her shoulders down, making her shift into a more relaxed position, hands close to her ass.

  Then he began. He held the extra rope away by hooking it over his left elbow, allowing his right hand to control the loose portion. Up over her right shoulder. Across her torso and between her breasts. One loop settling around her body. The rest just above it. Trapping her in an erotic spider’s web.

  Her breathing echoed softly, mingling with the crackle of the fireplace. Rain splashed outside the windows. A hushed noise from the rope as he manipulated it. His own laboured breathing as the sight of her turned him on more and more.

  When he tucked the final loop into place so it wouldn’t come undone, he was as hard as a spike. “Still with me?”

  “Hmm, yeah.”

  Her eyes were closed as he knelt, her upper body swaying.

  “I’m going to touch you. Take care of you. Let me take you where you need to go.”

  She nodded.

  He gazed at his handiwork. The ropes crossed above and below her naked breasts, two strands running between them to frame and lift the tender mounds like a rope bra. The rest of it was coiled around her abdomen, locking her arms in position. He leaned in closer, stroking one breast, then the other. Smooth motions, avoiding her nipples. Paying attention to all the soft surfaces before moving in and caring for the tight tips. He covered one with his mouth, wetting it and sucking the tiny ring. Switching sides, listening to the changes in her breathing and sensing how she pressed forward looking for more.

  She spread her thighs when he tapped the inside of her legs.

  “God, you’re wet,” he praised, before drawing his fingers along her folds and finding the tight bundle of nerves at the top. Marcus played with the clit bar, stroking it gently even as he returned to tasting her breasts. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  She shuddered and came far quicker than he’d expected. Head thrown back, a groan of pleasure escaping her lips. He stood and adjusted her, guiding her to lie belly down over the footrest. Her ass bent over the edge, thighs spread wide.

  He ran his hand over her wet cunt, dipping his fingers in. Enjoying the evidence of how turned on she was. Sitting on the floor, he covered her with his mouth.

  “Oh yes.” Becki wiggled under his attention, small noises sneaking from her, somewhere between moans and gasps as he licked from top to bottom, lapping at her. Playing with her clit before dragging all the way to the tight rosette of her ass. Her taste filled him. Drove him mad. He speared his tongue into her, fucking her with it. Eating greedily as she grew wetter for him. Because of him.

  Then he rose over her and lined up his cock, dragging the fat crown up and down against her opening until she arched as hard as possible. Pressing her ass toward him, trying to get him to enter her.

  He gave her what she wanted and angled in. Slowly, captivated by the sight of his cock vanishing into her warmth, relishing the sensation as her body wrapped around him like his rope was wrapped around her.

  Tight heat. Slick wetness. He caught hold of the ropes and used them as an anchor. Becki called his name and her cunt squeezed him, catching him by surprise yet again.

  “So beautiful.” So responsive. He drove all the way in and paused, savouring the rippling of her body as her orgasm rocked on and on. Every time the pulses slowed, he dragged back and pressed in again, prolonging her pleasure like some hedonistic torture.

  When she finally sighed lustily, he thrust. Pushing her to the limits. Pounding into her, the fronts of his thighs slapping against her legs, balls banging her clit on the end of every stroke.

  His climax approached and he exploded, her tight passage tearing pleasure from him, ripping his seed loose and making his mind go blank for a moment.

  He covered her with his body, surrounding her, holding her close, pushing away the hair that lay over her sweaty cheek. Still intimately connected, hearts racing. The presence of the rope between them barely registered, it was so soft and warm from her skin.

  He withdrew, moisture following him as her cunt tightened in response, and Becki moaned. He lifted her. Untied her. Let the rope fall unminded to the floor as he carried her to the shower and held her in his arms, waiting for her to come back from the place she was.

  His embrace replaced the rope. The warmth of the water replaced the fire. He waited patiently, wondering why thoughts of tying her up and never letting her leave him were so very strong.

 
; * * *

  Water hit her face. Protected and at peace, Becki didn’t fight the euphoria still holding her in its grasp. Just accepted it. Went with the sensation.

  She knew Marcus was caring for her. He’d known how to tease and control her body as he’d brought her to orgasm. He’d perfectly handled the rope that had held her so tight she didn’t have to worry what came next.

  As she leaned against his chest, part of her was aware she stood in the shower with him, but she could have been anywhere safe and warm. The reality of here and now fell away. The only things that remained were emotions. Driving into her like the pulse of his heart. One beat after another.

  Safe.

  Guarded.

  I’ve got you.

  Cherished.

  * * *

  The trees were gone. Before her was nothing but rock, the wide ledge on which she sat solid and flat as a table. Her head ached, and she climbed gingerly to her feet, muscles protesting. Hell, all of her was protesting. Her fingers stung as she used the cliff behind her to help haul herself upright—that hurtful moment when blood returns to too-cold digits making her swear. The weight of her pack dragged at her as she found her balance. She unhooked her helmet, tempted to let it fall to the ground. Habit forced her to stretch protesting muscles to reach around and clip it to an out-of-the-way strap.

  Her fingers brushed past her harness, the . . .

  . . . world blurred.

  Becki stood motionless. Her heart raced as if she’d completed a sprint. She looked around, checking for signs of danger. The soft sounds of the wilderness greeted her. Nothing to indicate why she fought the rush of adrenaline panic flooding her veins. The weather had turned, full-out rain falling, and her face was wet. She adjusted her hood to guard herself from the full deluge as she examined the territory.

  There was a clearly visible track leading off to the right. Not anything remotely like a maintained park trail or even a well-traveled climbing route. It was more likely an animal path, but it was something to follow nonetheless.

  Walking along the narrow cliff gave her something to focus on. She had to concentrate to keep from slipping as the rocks underfoot grew rain-soaked and slick. She’d gone for a couple of hours at least, stopping and taking drinks, constantly making her way downward. She had to approach one of the high-traffic paths eventually.

  Rounding a corner and coming face-to-face with two very pale-cheeked teens barely surprised her. What else could this mountain throw at her?

  They were stuck, of course. On a ledge—one of those lovely looking pitches that were easy to get up and the devil to get down without training or a healthy dose of chutzpah. Becki stepped forward and waved.

  * * *

  Becki sucked for air, opening her eyes to discover that she had Marcus clutched around the neck with a death grip.

  “Hey, shhh, you’re okay. I’m here. You’re good.” He kissed her temple and squeezed her close.

  She wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry. “Marcus, I remember. The accident.”

  He shut off the shower, all his attention focused tightly on her face. “Explain.”

  “Not everything, but I remember finding the girls. The rescue. And a few hours before that.” She accepted the towel he wrapped around her shoulders, her insides buzzing with a strange mix of sexual hangover and giddy enthusiasm. “Holy shit, I remember.”

  Somehow Marcus had her sitting on the bed as he finished drying her off. “Well, not the normal reaction I get to tying up a woman, but if you’re happy, I’ll take it.”

  Becki threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight. When she let go, she caught his grinning face in her hands and kissed him solidly before pulling back far enough to allow their foreheads to rest together. “The sex was wonderful. Thank you.”

  He stared at her, the blue in his eyes shining bright like a summer day. “You okay to get dressed? We’ll get something to eat and you can tell me about it.”

  She nodded. Caressed his face carefully. “I enjoyed myself completely.”

  “No complaints over here, either.”

  As they separated to find clothes, Becki sorted through all the images in her brain, including the new ones, the ones that had been hiding from her for so long. There were still things she didn’t understand, but the fact that a bit of the missing information had chosen to come to light encouraged her a ton.

  She pulled a clean shirt over her head and stared across the room at Marcus as he dressed.

  The memories were awesome and thrilling, but the sensation of being completely and utterly cared for by him? It wasn’t as if she could compare the issues, but she was so pleased she’d gotten to experience both.

  She joined Marcus as soon as she was dressed. He had leaned down and nabbed the end of the rope, coiling the long section in a smooth motion by wrapping it around his arm. Had it been too soon for them to be playing games? Not as far as she was concerned. Sex had always been fun, but Marcus took it up a level way past fun. There was no hiding the shiver that took her as she watched him handle the cord so expertly.

  He’d seen it as well. Her response.

  “If you don’t stop grinning like that, I’m going to call you the Cheshire cat,” she warned.

  “Meow.”

  She smacked him on the shoulder as she slipped past toward the kitchen. Something bubbled inside, between her mental delight and physical satisfaction.

  She’d remembered. Holy cow, so incredible.

  Marcus came and directed traffic as they put together sandwiches and soup. A simple task, which was good because she was distracted sharing the bits she’d seen.

  She’d barely finished when he pulled the pickle jar from her fingers and stole one. “Does everything you told me line up with what the rescue crew reported?”

  “Pretty much. I don’t think I’m remembering a told memory, though. There were too many details that weren’t mentioned. Like the colour of the girls’ jackets, and where we met the first team of searchers.”

  Marcus nodded. “It does sound promising.”

  Becki carried their plates to the table. “Doesn’t tell me anything more about what happened to Dane.”

  “Give it time.” He held her chair, then sat. He stared across at her for a moment.

  “What?”

  Marcus coughed. “Tell me honestly. Was that too soon to break out the ropes?”

  She couldn’t stop her smile. “We’re climbers. I’m surprised we didn’t start with ropes.”

  “I’m serious.”

  He looked so grave and solemn that she laid her hand on his arm. Was it too soon? She made herself pause. Pushed away the euphoria of the aftermath, concentrated instead on the actual sex. On being with Marcus.

  Only a few days before she’d been unresolved about getting over Dane. Why had moving forward with Marcus felt so right?

  She spoke slowly. “I think we’re in a strange situation. Someone looking in might see things as going fast, but we didn’t start this relationship at zero. We’ve got a history, even though it was a long time ago. And maybe some of the things we’ve got in common make us click.”

  Marcus stroked her arm, his strong fingers squeezing hers briefly. “Good. I’m not asking because I don’t think it was right, but I want to make sure I wasn’t off in left field.”

  “Baseball analogies now. Fine, then, you knocked it out of the park.” His mouth twisted up into the smile that made her want to stop talking and start all over again with the sexing. “But thank you for checking. It’s one of the reasons I trust you.”

  He leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs toward her and casually tangling their limbs together. “Plans for the rest of the day?”

  “Want to go for a walk?”

  Marcus glanced out the window and grimaced. “In the rain?”

  She shrugged. “We won’t melt. I should get back to the dorms afterward anyway.”

  He nodded, busying himself cleaning their dishes. Becki stared at the rain
marks trickling down the window and wondered how long it would take before she learned everything that was missing. Wondered if as the memories returned she’d be able to face the wall again without having heart palpitations at the thought of doing an actual climb.

  Marcus loaded her bag into her car, and they drove in separate vehicles to the trailhead of Lake Minnewanka.

  It was only after they were thoroughly soaked and she was back in her dorm room alone that she realized he’d been strangely quiet all afternoon. They’d discussed local climbing routes and trips they’d enjoyed, but she’d probably done the lion’s share of the talking.

  Becki pulled a few sheets of paper from the desk and took notes about the new things she’d remembered about the accident, but writing the details down didn’t give her as much satisfaction as she expected.

  Frustrated, she collapsed onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, flipping through all the reasons for the sudden itch under her skin, and it hit her. What she wanted was to be seated in the same room as Marcus. They didn’t have to be talking, or fooling around. Just there. She wanted to be able to look at him and have him smile back at her before he returned to whatever task he was working on.

  The realization simultaneously pissed her off and made her wonder.

  CHAPTER 22

  The dreams returned that night, leaving her confused and bewildered. Small teasers into what might have happened plus the new play-by-play all mixed together and shook her until she once again woke in a cold sweat.

  There wasn’t enough coffee to deal with a morning like this. She stirred the dark liquid again and again, wondering where the line was between being pleased that her memories kept moving forward, and being scared to death.

  Her phone rang—and the way she reacted to the tone she’d assigned to Marcus emphasized how much she’d appreciated having his comforting touch the previous time she’d had a nightmare.

  Stupid reactions. She was a grown woman. He couldn’t hold her hand all the time. Time to distract herself and redeem the rest of the day. “Morning, Marcus. What evil things have you devised for your team today?” she asked.