by Leah Brooke
The leather straps in his hands appeared as if by magic, his eyes darkening with a blazing hunger as he attached them to her wrists.
Staring into her eyes, he attached them to a metal loop over her head, one she hadn’t noticed.
Standing with her arms bound above her head left her vulnerable and completely unable to cover or protect herself from whatever Sin had planned.
She’d never seen him look at her in such a way before and couldn’t even imagine what kind of naughty things he would do to her.
He paused behind her again, and instead of touching her the way she’d expected, he slid a blindfold over her eyes, plunging her into darkness.
Even more vulnerable at not being able to see him, and therefore unable to anticipate what he would do, Veronica found her senses heightened and sharpened in a way that she’d never felt before.
For several long seconds, she heard nothing except her own harsh breathing and found herself listening intently for him.
She hadn’t heard a sound—hadn’t heard him move at all—and suddenly felt something soft moving lightly over her arm.
At first she thought it was his hair, but then his lips brushed hers.
She tried to lean into him, but her bonds held her in place as he moved away again.
Whatever he stroked her with suddenly moved over her breasts, the soft caress moving back and forth over one nipple and then the other.
Writhing, she cried out and tried to move closer to it, but once again, the bonds prevented it.
It moved over her belly and to her other arm, always moving, but she never knew where it would be next.
He was driving her insane.
Trembling helplessly, she tried to lean into his decadent caress, her breath catching when his lips closed over her right nipple and the softness once again brushed against her left.
Her stomach muscles tightened when his lips moved lower, the feel of his hot breath against her stomach while the soft caress of his instrument of erotic torture moved back and forth over her breasts.
Her clit and nipples ached unbearably, and when his hands moved to her hips and began to slide her panties down, she almost came on the spot.
“Sin! Please!”
She felt more than heard him move away, and a split second later, the sharp sting of leather hit her bare ass.
“Ahh!” She jerked away from it, so stunned by it that she would have fallen if she hadn’t been held upright.
“Shh.”
His voice, barely a whisper, came from right next to her ear, the warmth of his breath making her shiver again.
The soft, silky, almost hair-like feel moved over her ass where it stung, the erotic combination too much to take in.
Suddenly, she felt him everywhere.
A sharp sting on her thigh.
The silkiness against her breast.
His lips on her back.
She never knew what to expect—or where.
Every inch of her body felt the sting, the silkiness, his warm lips.
Her bare mound, breasts, and ass burned under his ministrations, every erogenous zone in her body screaming for relief.
She could see or hear nothing.
She could only feel.
Fire licked at her everywhere, every inch of her body trembling with need.
With pleasure.
With a hunger that had her crying out over and over, her tears of frustration absorbed by the blindfold.
On the verge of coming, her insides clenched, sharp talons of need clawing at her.
His hands closed on her knees, parting them wide and hooking them over his wide shoulders.
Shaking helplessly, she let her head fall back, crying out at the feel of his tongue against her throbbing clit, the friction and heat all that she needed to go over.
She couldn’t move except to yank at her bonds, her entire body his to enjoy however he wished.
Relentlessly eating at her, he forced another orgasm on her before he rose, lifted her legs high and wide and plunged into her.
Gripping her ass cheeks, he fucked her hard and deep, his low groans like nothing she’d ever heard from him before.
She couldn’t even hold on to him, able to do nothing except absorb his sharp thrusts.
Hard. Deep. Hot.
Her cries and his growls mingled in an erotic song of need and pleasure.
She had no defense against such erotic decadence and gasped as another orgasm slammed into her, this one not as strong but lasting longer, dragged out by Sin’s continued thrusts.
His fingertips dug into her ass cheeks as he thrust deep and stilled, his ragged groan of release vibrating against her neck.
Ripples of pleasure continued to wash over her, slowly fading, his lovemaking leaving her as limp as a rag doll.
Still holding her, he freed her hands, letting them fall to his shoulders, his voice low and deep as he spoke only one word.
“Mine.”
* * * *
Dressing for work the next morning, Sin watched her sleep with a smile, loving the sight of her in his bed.
With her dark hair spread over the pillow, her lips still swollen from his kisses, and her skin flushed with sleep, she had to be the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
He knew she needed to sleep, especially after the week she’d had, but he couldn’t let her wake up alone.
Lowering himself to the bed beside her, he leaned over her, bracing himself with a hand on either side of her pillow, and brushed his lips over hers.
To his delight, she rolled to her back and reached for him in her sleep.
“Sin.”
She breathed his name on a sigh, arousing him in an instant.
Unable to resist, he slid his hand down her body, slipping his fingers between her folds to stroke her clit.
Her eyes opened, her smile immediate. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, baby.”
She moaned and spread her thighs on a moan, the dawning memory of the previous night widening her eyes.
“Oh God.”
Delighted at her blush, which spread slowly to her breasts, Sin smiled and continued to stroke her.
“Ah. I see you remember your first trip to my playroom.”
He bent to kiss her parted lips and eased back slightly to watch her. “The first of many.”
“Sin!”
His cock hardened and lengthened as he watched her come, love for her grabbing him by the throat.
Slowing his strokes, he eased her down, unable to take his eyes from her.
Her shy smile filled him with male satisfaction.
“I like having you naked and flushed from an orgasm.”
He sat up, sitting next to her hip, and couldn’t resist running his hand down her body again. “Beautiful.”
Reaching into his pocket, he drew out the small box he’d been carrying since coming back from the island.
“I wanted to do this last night, but you fell asleep on me, and I can’t wait until tonight for your answer.”
She jerked into a sitting position with a gasp, her eyes going wide. “You want to marry me?”
Grinning, he took the ring out of the box, a square-cut diamond surrounded by rubies that reminded him of the red dress that she’d worn the first time he saw her—the red dress he’d peeled off of her the night before.
“Oh, Sin!”
“Is that a yes?”
Throwing her arms around him, she started crying. “Yes! Oh, Sin! Are you sure?”
Easing back, he slid the ring on her finger. “Positive—and you’d better be positive, too, because you’re mine now.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he drew her onto his lap.
Lifting her hand, he kissed the ring he’d placed there.
“We’ll get married this weekend.”
“I don’t have a dress!”
Sin glanced toward the chair in the corner, draped with her red dress and her sexy lingerie.
Giggling, she hug
ged him. “No! I’m not getting married in that dress.”
“Pity.” Standing with her in his arms, he set her on her feet.
“Relax today. I’ll have Mrs. Fredericks start your breakfast.”
She glanced at his bedroom door, looking slightly panicked. “Someone’s here?”
Sliding his hands down her body, Sin smiled.
“Mrs. Fredericks is my housekeeper. She’ll fix you something to eat, and she has some things to do. Just relax today, sit by the pool, whatever. I’ve got meetings scheduled all day, but I’ll call you and let you know when I’ll be home. We’ll go out to dinner and celebrate. I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too.”
“Even after last night?” Sin held his breath.
Giggling, Veronica blushed again.
“Especially after last night.” Stroking her fingers over his tie, she looked up at him through her dark lashes.
“It’s a scary room. All those whips and restraints hanging all over the place and those benches and things with ropes and cuffs.”
Sin ran a hand down her hair to her luscious ass.
“So those were moans of fear and cries of pain I heard from you last night?”
“Not hardly.” Veronica cupped his jaw, searching his features. “What the hell are you doing to me?”
Pulling her close, Sin sighed, the strength of his love for her overwhelming him at times.
“Making you mine, Veronica, in every way I need you to be.”
Running a finger down her cheek, he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
“That’s something you’d better come to grips with. I need to love you. I need to protect you in any way I can. You know that I intend to take you to my playroom often, but just because we’re not in that room doesn’t mean I don’t have every intention of watching over you.”
“I love how you take care of me.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Sin nodded.
“Good. I’ll make some calls today and arrange for us to be married as soon as possible.” Patting her ass, he smiled. “Relax today. Call your boss and quit. Tonight I’m going to take you back to the playroom.”
* * * *
After showering and eating breakfast, Veronica wandered around Sin’s house, overwhelmed by its size and opulence.
She couldn’t stop looking at the ring Sin had placed on her finger only hours earlier, the butterflies in her stomach still going strong.
When she reached the door to the playroom, she paused, listening to the sound of the vacuum running upstairs.
She had a feeling she wasn’t allowed to go in there without Sin, but reasoning that if he hadn’t told her to stay out, she wasn’t breaking any rules, Veronica reached for the knob, unsurprised, but disappointed to find it locked.
She hadn’t seen enough of it the night before and had to admit that she was curious about its contents.
Her trip inside had been one of the most incredible experiences of her life.
She’d never have believed that doing something like that could make her feel even closer to Sin, but love had made all the difference.
Her reality proved far more than any fantasy.
The sound of her cell phone jarred her out of her musings, and she rushed down the hall to Sin’s bedroom to answer it.
Because it was her old cell phone, she knew it wouldn’t be Sin, a glance at the display telling her that it was a cell phone from Maryland.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Veronica Sands?”
Frowning, Veronica ran her fingers over the already made bed. “Yes. Who’s this?”
“This is Mark Simmons of Star Realty. We have a full offer on your grandmother’s house, and we need you to sign the papers today. I went by your house, but you weren’t home.”
Veronica dropped to the bed, struggling to understand his gravelly voice. “I thought the sign just went up today.”
“It did, and a nice family wants it, but they’re also looking at another house. They put in a full offer, but they want a decision today. She’s expecting a baby any day now, and they want to get this settled.”
Scraping a hand through her hair, Veronica rose again. “But I’m in L.A.”
“Oh. So should I tell them to move on to the next property?”
Blowing out a breath, Veronica retrieved her laptop from her suitcase, thankful that she’d brought it.
If she was going to marry Sin that weekend, it would be one more obligation she could get rid of in Annapolis.
“No. Let me see if I can get a flight out and a return flight today. I’ll call you back.”
“Okay. I can meet you at your grandmother’s house.”
“Fine. I’ll get back to you.”
She made her reservations, relieved that she’d managed to book a return flight later that afternoon and would be home in time to have dinner with Sin.
Remembering his claim to have business meetings all day, she made up her mind not to bother him, especially since it was her first day in L.A.
After calling a cab, she scribbled a note to him in case he got home before she did and went in search of Mrs. Fredericks.
* * * *
In Annapolis, Robert Kincaid disconnected from the burner phone he’d purchased and used the key he’d copied weeks ago to let himself into Veronica’s grandmother’s now empty house.
In just a short time, he’d finally have the bitch who’d caused him so much trouble.
She hadn’t fooled him at all.
Once he fucked her and made her come over and over, she’d be his.
She’d testify on his behalf, and once he was exonerated, he’d have all the time in the world to show her just how much she needed him.
Chapter Twenty
Sin looked up when the door of his meeting room opened and his assistant appeared, frowning at the interruption.
“What is it?”
Moving to his side, she bent low to whisper in his ear.
“There’s a Detective Simms from Annapolis on the phone for you. He says it’s urgent.”
Thankful that Veronica was safely ensconced in his home, Sin nodded.
“Thanks. I’ll take it in my office.” He rose, and all eyes turned in his direction. “Excuse me. I’ll just be a minute.”
Once in his office, he took the call, furious by the time he slammed down the phone.
“Fuck!”
Even though he knew Veronica was safe, the need to hear her voice had him picking up the receiver again.
He smiled when his housekeeper answered, wondering if Veronica felt uncomfortable answering his phone.
“Hello, Mrs. Fredericks. Can I speak to Veronica?”
“Oh. Mr. Majors, I thought you knew.”
A cold knot formed in his stomach. “Knew what?”
“She got a phone call earlier, something about an offer on her grandmother’s house. She said she had to sign today.”
Sin didn’t remember standing but suddenly found himself on his feet, panic setting in.
“What? That’s ridiculous. The realtor knows she’s out here, and if she had to sign something, she could have done it by fax.”
The sudden realization that someone else had called had Sin’s heart pounding nearly out of his chest. “How long ago did she leave?”
“Oh, it had to be almost two hours ago. She said she left you a note and that she hoped to be home before you got home from work.”
He didn’t remember hanging up, but he was already headed for the door.
Robert Kincaid had shot two cops and escaped from jail, and Sin was over twenty-five hundred miles away from Annapolis.
Robert had to be the one who’d called her.
And Veronica was on her way there.
Sin called her cell phone, but got no answer.
He made another call, and all of his fears were realized.
No one from the realtor’s office had called Veronica.
Not knowing if Jordan was in the middle
of a meeting or not, he texted him.
Need the jet. Now.
Pausing just long enough to tell his assistant that he’d be gone the rest of the day, he looked up as Jordan rounded the corner.
“The jet will be ready by the time you get there. What happened?”
“Kincaid shot two cops and escaped custody, and Veronica got a call this morning to tell her that they got an offer on her grandmother’s house but she had to sign today. She left the house almost two hours ago.” Scraping a hand over his face, Sin rushed for the elevator, with Jordan texting and following close behind.
“I called the realtor. They don’t even have the house listed yet, and no one from the office called her.”
Jordan finished his texting, his eyes dark with concern.
“Sam will meet you at the car. Be careful. If you need anything, I’m only a call away.”
Sin nodded and rushed onto the elevator. “Thanks.”
Bracing a fisted hand on the wall of the elevator, he waited, his heart pounding furiously as he tried to call Veronica again.
Cursing when she didn’t answer, he straightened and drew out his keys just as the doors opened to their private garage.
When the elevator opened, Sin rushed to his car, where he found Sam already waiting.
He called Detective Simms, his hands shaking as he informed him of the situation.
He was in the air within minutes, terrified when his repeated calls to Veronica went unanswered.
He didn’t know how the hell Kincaid had managed to escape, but he would bet M&K Air that the bastard would be heading straight for Veronica.
* * * *
Seeing an unfamiliar car in her grandmother’s driveway, Veronica breathed a sigh of relief that she wouldn’t have to wait around for the realtor.
Her flight had been delayed, and she worried about making her return flight.
She wanted to finish and get back to L.A., smiling when she imagined Sin’s reaction.
She’d tell him over dinner, and he’d give her one of those devastating smiles she loved so much when he realized that she’d broken another tie to her life in Annapolis.
She’d called her boss that morning and had already quit her job.
Once she’d settled in L.A., she’d find another one.