Four Erotic Series Collection: Bounds Of Passion, Sexed Up/Tied Down, Spectacular Stranger, The Proposition

by Lucia Jordan

  “Well hello honey, looking good,” said a gruff, somewhat slurry voice behind her. She glanced round and saw two men, one white and the other black, both grinning wolfishly and both looking less than sober.

  Choosing to ignore them, she made to walk on. Only to have her arm grabbed as she was twisted round sharply. “Ow!” she cried angrily.

  “Hey! My pal was talking to you, sweet cheeks,” the black guy said. They both looked like unruly college students, who’d had too much to drink at the neighborhood bar. She scowled up at both of them.

  “Take your hands off me,” she gritted, glaring up into the dark man’s face.

  “Aw come on, don’t be like that,” the guy said, as his friend smirked, walking up to her and tipping up her chin.

  The white one, who had floppy brown hair, said, “So pretty. I always did have a thing for the hot punk type chicks. See, green eyes, we just got stood up by our dates and we’re feeling kind of lonesome. Why not make our night? There’s this frat party just blocks from here. And don’t you mind if there’s two of us baby, JT and I don’t mind sharing…”

  As the dark one called JT chortled in agreement, Hailey’s eyes darkened and she forcefully shoved them away. “Get lost,” she snarled. Now she wished she hadn’t lingered at the coffee shop instead of coming back home on time. But she’d been prolonging going back up to the lonely apartment which, though filled with all the luxuries, was still an empty room.

  JT glanced at his friend, before turning to Hailey, his tone ominous, “Now see, it’s chilly enough out tonight without you going all ice princess on us. You think you’re too good for us?”

  Oh for fuck’s sake, Hailey thought, settling for simply turning around and walking away. Maybe if she kept on going and didn’t look back, they’d be at a loss and just leave her alone.

  “Hey! Not finished talking to you!” the one called JT said, and this time when he grabbed her arm, he twisted it high up behind her back, making her yelp in surprise and fear.

  She turned, struggling helplessly, only to hear a resounding “crack”. A large fist had come out of nowhere and landed in the black guy’s face. He toppled to the floor without a sound, knocked out.

  His friend looked down in shock, and then turned to face the tall, broad shouldered man standing there with them. Hailey heaved a sigh of relief when she saw it was Ethan Wolf.

  He was looking threateningly at the guy still standing, who raised up both arms in the universal sign of surrender, before quickly reaching down to hustle up his now groggy friend. “Hey JT, let’s get out of here.”

  Hailey watched the two guys stumble away into the rainy darkness before she turned to face Ethan Wolf. Where the hell had he come from? What the hell did it matter? He’d showed up in the nick of time. She gave him a warm, grateful smile. “Thank you.”

  *

  Ethan felt so mad he could break something. He really wished he’d actually broken that dumbass’s nose, not just knocked him down. When he’d turned the corner and seen Hailey getting molested like that, he’d seen red.

  Now he watched the two guys stumble quickly away into the rainy darkness. Only then did he turn to face Hailey. She was looking up at him with a warm, grateful smile. The melting glow in her face at that moment was enough to steal his breath.

  Jesus Christ the things he wanted to do to her…

  But then he shook off those amorous thoughts. Now was not the time, considering how she’d just been in the process of being attacked by those two goons.

  “Thank you,” she breathed.

  “That’s okay. Those dumb kids – too much money to blow on booze and not enough sense to know when a lady’s not interested. Are you alright?” he asked in concern, brushing off a stray lock from her face. She looked damned hot that night, whether she knew it or not. She was wearing a leather jacket, unbuttoned to reveal the cropped grey sweater she wore underneath. There was just a hint of concave belly before her thighs and legs – endless and slim and encased in black and white patterned leggings – ended in a pair of knee high black lace up boots.

  He felt a stirring in his loins and he wondered to himself why on earth she had such a power over him. She was nothing like he was used to dating. She was different, promising excitement and something fresh to a guy getting seriously jaded by the same kind of women who never held his fancy for more than a few hours or at best, a week. But this girl called Hailey…she magnetized him. For weeks he’d had her fleeting through his mind, and every time he saw her he only wanted her more. He wondered how long this would continue before he acted out what his very soul wanted him to do.

  “I’m fine,” she said, nodding. Though he could sense she was somewhat shaky when he gently took hold of her elbow.

  “Come on, let’s get inside, the weather’s getting worse,” he said, and she didn’t demur or pull from his touch. She seemed grateful for his support and he actually felt she maybe leaned on him a little as they made their way into the apartment building.

  “I’ll see you up to your room to make sure you’ll be all right,” he said courteously, then saw her eyes widen with…panic? What?’

  “No, there’s no need. I’ll be okay, really. Thanks.” They were inside the elevator now, and he pressed the number to his floor as the door closed.

  He turned to her to say mildly, “Tell you what. I’ve got some fabulous Irish brandy I’ve been dying to crack open but never had the motivation. But now, I’ve had a rough day and I need some picking up. Seems like you do too. Why don’t you join me up in my place for a drink? I’ve got a fantastic balcony view.”

  She smiled, shaking her head and looking away. “Look, Ethan, I don’t think…”

  “Or hey, you can invite me to your apartment and offer me something to drink – coffee, tea…anything to warm me up from the rain and chill. It’s the least I can ask after fending off two irate hoodlums in defense of your honor.”

  Now she hiccupped on a laugh, before rifling her fingers through her gorgeous long hair with the buzzed side portion. He heard her sigh deeply. “I think that brandy of yours sounds like a better idea.”

  Ethan grinned, and hoped he didn’t have too much of a gleam of triumph in his eye. He vowed to keep his hands to himself and not frighten her off. But even with her standing this close to him in the enclosed space of the elevator, he couldn’t stop thinking of pulling her to him and kissing her. Only lord knew what he’d feel capable of doing once he had her alone in his place…

  *

  It was like walking into the tiger’s den.

  Hailey was no fool. The carnal energy was coming off him in waves. Heck, she was probably reeking of it herself. Arousal, hot and thick, had swirled between them in the elevator. Every nerve ending in her body had tingled at his nearness and it was a good thing they’d had to spend only moments in there or anything could have happened. The sexual detonator could well have already been set off by now…

  “Your coat,” he said courteously, smiling as he stood behind her and helped her out of her damp combat jacket which reached below her knees. Now, in just her cropped sweater, tight skirt and even tighter leggings, she felt strangely vulnerable. Especially when his gorgeous brown eyes swept over her with such frank admiration.

  “Thanks,” she said, as he put the coat up next to his, then indicated that she proceed into the apartment before him. Hailey walked in, and saw that his apartment was at least twice the size of hers, and definitely far more luxurious – which was saying a lot. There were a lot of wide, open spaces, the furniture far from cluttered and screaming high expense. She peeked a grand piano standing in the next room, which intrigued her as she wondered if he played. One whole wall was just windows that seemed to lead outside to a balcony. Every kind of modern contrivance designed for comfort seemed available in his ultra modern apartment and yet, still managed to not look over-extravagant. Classy, stylish, and simplicity at its best.

  “Nice,” she said, turning to him as he emerged from the elegantly appo
inted bar by the far wall. He’d poured out the drinks and now held out her glass. She took it from him with thanks, and cradled the tumbler as he smiled and went to the impressive sound system and with a touch of a button on the remote, filled the air with music. It was just the right touch to get her relaxed; there was no singing, just instrumentals from a song Hailey recognized was by one of her favorite bands.

  He came to stand right in front of her, his eyes watchful, his smile speculative. “So tell me, Hailey; who are you? You’ve intrigued – and evaded me – for weeks. And now that I have you, so to speak…”

  Hailey bit on her bottom lip to stifle a giggle. Quickly, she took a sip from her drink and felt the warm, golden flavor smack into her senses almost instantly. Whoa. It had a kick to it that was deeply sexy, rough and hot. She’d never really liked brandy but with this, she could see herself becoming a fan.

  She took another drink, a longer one this time, almost finishing it off, till he placed a hand to draw it down. “Hey, easy,” he said with a teasing grin. “That’s some potent stuff.”

  You’re telling me, she thought, letting him take the glass from her grasp as he placed it next to his on a nearby side table.

  “So…I take it you’d rather not talk about yourself,” he murmured, once more turning to her. Hailey couldn’t register much right then, not when she was too busy staring at his lips as they moved. The liquor had proved intoxicating enough but it was nothing compared to the intense excitement she felt pumping in her veins right then for this hunk of a man. She…craved him. More than she’d craved anything, ever. And now that they were alone, now that it had boiled right down to it, she was ready to at last discover how much of her fantasies could be brought to life…

  Chapter Four

  Hailey moved forward, closing the few inches gap it took to have her body pressed up against his. She heard him hiss in a shallow breath through his teeth as he felt the soft push of her full, clothed breasts.

  “You’re right; I don’t really want to talk about myself; not tonight,” she breathed, inching even closer and lifting her head till her lips almost grazed his. He was tall, much taller than she’d first imagined, and it was a good thing she had some good heels on her boots. It made it easy for her to feel each hard, sinewy length of him evident even beneath the layer of his clothes. His tie lay loosely tied around his throat, a button undone. Damn, he looked so fucking sexy in that tie. She wrapped her fingers around it and tugged on it slightly. His brown eyes darkened and became hooded with a lust that mirrored hers.

  “And I’m all for sharing great conversation, but I’m sure there’re better things we could be doing other than talking. Am I right, Mr. Wolf?”

  She loved that low, growling sound he made deep in his throat. She loved how his strong arms caught her up and crushed her even harder against him till they were wedged perfectly together – two pieces of a jigsaw. And oh, she loved his hot, sweet breath swirling around her nostrils as his mouth parted and feathered close to hers. Instinctively, her tongue snaked out to moisten her lips in sensual expectation.

  “Baby, you have no idea,” he rasped, still just keeping back from kissing her. “The things I’ve done to you a thousand times in my mind…It’s tough enough for me to not rip your clothes off right now and fuck you where you stand.”

  Hailey whimpered, her arms lifting to wrap around his shoulders, but he seized her wrists, keeping them down in a powerful grip. She gasped, thrilled by his strength and the sense of being suddenly, inescapably, in his control.

  “Hailey…Hailey,” he said again and again, dipping to press a kiss to one corner of her lips, and then the other. “I’ve come to the conclusion that you’re dangerous to my peace of mind. I need you – I just hope you feel even an iota of the same.”

  The raw hunger in his voice made her heart pound against her chest like a drum. Heaven help her she was ready to melt into a puddle right then. The sexual chemistry in the air was impossible to either ignore or deny. This man was lethal. She’d thought so before and now, in his arms, his lips just a breath from hers, she reiterated the fact to herself.

  But this wasn’t going to happen.

  She knew she surprised him when she suddenly broke away from his grip. “Hailey?” he said, but she turned away from the tempting picture of his handsome, desire-flushed face, and turned sharply on her heels.

  “I can’t…I can’t do this,” she said, throwing it over her shoulder as she made for the door. Was she crazy or stupid? What the heck had been in that brandy anyway? Because she was acting so out of character. Men like Ethan Wolf meant only one thing for a girl like her – trouble. More worldly, experienced and tougher, he’d bring her just the kind of hassle she’d been avoiding all these months. No sex, no pain. And Hailey wasn’t like him; she didn’t change sexual partners like socks. It couldn’t be more than a week since she saw him with that sexy woman in the vampy skirt suit. She didn’t want to be that girl, she decided.

  She’d grabbed her coat and was already turning the door knob when she felt the weight of his hand pushing the door closed. She gasped when she felt the solid heat of him close behind her, imprisoning her against the door. Hailey closed her eyes for a moment at the sensation of a hard, warm and powerful body pressing up against her and robbing her of breath.

  She caught the whiff of his expensive cologne, blended in with his clean, mouth-watering aroma, and she had to suppress a moan. Every one of her female cells became conscious of the man behind her, now nuzzling her neck and scraping the sensitive skin there with his slight stubble. Even trying to swallow became a superhuman task, and she went stiff as a statue.

  “Please, Ethan,” she begged, raising her eyes heavenward in a silent plea. She mustn’t give in. She dare not give in. Any man who could turn her to jelly without really trying was bad news in her book. She didn’t want to feel like this. Her experience in the past had taught her that if she caved in with her body, she’d regret it soon enough with her heart and soul.

  But how to fight her own treacherously raging hormones…

  “Don’t leave,” he said softly, his lips parting over her skin and sucking moistly, hotly. She sagged against him as a sudden boneless sensation overcame her.

  Trailing his lips up to her ear, he whispered, “Not until we try to find out if this is real. This magic.” Taking hold of her shoulders, he twisted her round to face him. Reluctantly, she looked up into his eyes and her fate was sealed.

  Because Hailey knew in her heart that he was right. It was magic. That special combination of attraction and destiny that only few people could find. It might not mean anything tomorrow; it might fade even in the space of hours. But for that moment in time, it was the Promised Land. It was fate.

  With a whimper, she threw her arms around his neck as their lips met in a fevered clash. Hands gripping her waist, he swept her off the ground. Hailey felt like a bag of feathers as, ravaging through her mouth with his tongue, he turned and led them straight through the living room to the bedroom beyond.

  Chapter Five

  He’d laid her on her back in the middle of the bed, their lips clinging. Swiftly, Hailey helped him to get her out of her clothes. She peeled off her crop sweater over her head, and lifted her hips so he could help her out of her boots, skirt and leggings. When she was left in her lacy bra and panties, she felt a blush steal over her skin at the way he gazed down on her with frank admiration and lust.

  “Exquisite,” he breathed, and she’d never felt so beautiful in her life. He took hold of her wrists, and spread them wide on either side of her head. But she didn’t become aware of the cuffs attached to the bed till he clamped one wrist and then the other, imprisoning her arms.

  Instinctively, she made to spring up her body, but he held her down gently with his weight. “Trust me,” he said softly, compellingly holding her gaze.

  Relaxing with a shuddering sigh, she nodded, her heart pounding with thrilled delight. She looked to the left and right and saw that it w
as some kind of under-bed restraint system. Whetting her suddenly dried lips, she watched as he attached her ankles to the straps on either side of the foot of the bed. Experimentally, she tugged at her ankles and wrists, and found that though she was effectively trapped, she wasn’t uncomfortable. The restraints were made of nylon and didn’t chafe. But suddenly, knowing that she was tied up in Ethan’s bed gave her the true sense of surrender and submission. Now, she was completely in his power and more helpless than ever.

  “Hmm…think by cuffing me to your bed, you can make sure I can’t change my mind again and leave?” she teased, as he straightened from over her lower body. He came to lay by her side, still dressed in his shirt and dress pants, though he’d taken off his tie.

  Ethan smiled, trailing his hand down one side of her face as his hooded gaze swept all over her. “Actually, these restraints are mostly for your benefit. I want you to simply lay back and enjoy the feel of being teased and pleasured by me…without worrying about returning the favor.”

  “How…gallant,” Hailey said on a breathy voice, squirming as his hands feathered down her collarbone to the upper mound of her breast as it surged from its cup of lace.

  “On the other hand…there is a big percentage of me that loves the phenomenon of having the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, tied down to my bed and waiting to be used for my pleasure,” he growled, causing a shudder of excitement to slice through her.

  Oh, fuck….Hailey thought helplessly, watching his head lower to her left breast. He pushed at the lacy edge of her bra, and out popped her nipple, pink and fat. He groaned, and instantly seized it in his mouth.

  Hailey jerked at her restraints as if shot; the hot sensation of his wet, demanding mouth on her aching nub almost sending her straight into orbit. It became impossible at this point to resist the deliciousness of his touch. Her whole body screamed from ecstasy as he tugged on one nipple with his teeth while his other hand fished out the other from its cup. He tweaked it in his thumb and forefinger while his mouth and tongue trapped its twin in heat and moistness.