by Amy Redwood
“Leave?” He laughed, a rough sound that turned her fear of being alone into lust.
“Why did you come back?” She stretched out her hands to touch him, only to be reminded that she was cuffed.
“Do you know what I see when I look in this room?” He sat down on the bed, running his fingers over her legs. “I see a woman, spread out on my king-size bed, wearing next to nothing, breathing fast, wearing a too-tight blouse.” He brushed his thumb over her breasts. “And, the best part, her hands are tied over her head.” He leaned forward, his breath warm against her face. “I’d rather shoot myself than leave you alone.”
She shuddered at his words, yet frustration gnawed at her insides that she couldn’t get her hands around him to pull him close. He’d woken up too much tension with his few touches over her skin. She needed to touch him, too. “Take them off.” The leather around her wrists was like a dose of ice water for her lust.
He kissed her cheeks, kissing away her tears. “You’re suddenly not interested anymore in what I do for fun?” He kissed the hollow of her throat. “And I thought you wanted to know.”
“Take these fucking cuffs off.” Her breathing hitched when he brushed his fingertips over her mouth and traced around her lips. “I promise I won’t leave. I want to be in your bed.”
He trailed his fingers down over her blouse and opened the top button. He opened the second button and sighed. “Damn, buttons are annoying.” He slid his hands into her décolleté and pulled her blouse apart. A button bounced over the mattress as the fabric gave way with a ripping sound. “Knew you were braless.”
She stared down at her torn blouse, cool air streamed over her chest. He cupped his warm hand over her left breast, making her want to purr with pleasure, making her want to lash out at him. “I would have gladly opened the buttons for you.”
“But I’m having fun.”
She sucked in her breath as he licked her nipple. “Take the cuffs off!” She realized she’d yelled, but he irritated the hell out of her.
“You wanted my attention.” He circled his fingertips around her breast. “You were successful.”
“But not like this.” It was agony not being able to grasp his hands and put them were she wanted them. Not being able to wrap her arms around him and climb on top of him. “I never wanted it like this.”
“And I care what you want because…?” He laughed, his gaze dark on her face. “I’ll do whatever I want.” He trailed his fingers along her arm. “You look good in cuffs, by the way.” He bent down and bit her earlobe. “Why do you shiver?”
She moaned, shivering harder still under his hands. “Because except for one thing, you do everything right. And I want—” His mouth came down hard on hers, demanding entry, making her head spin and her spine tingle. She took everything he gave, but he broke the kiss too soon. She groaned, almost feeling pain at not being able to sink her hands in his hair to pull him back. “Brian, why did you push me away in the bar?”
“Loyalty conflict,” he said, closing his hand around her knee. “Stop kicking your legs.”
Loyalty conflict? Great. She hadn’t worded her email carefully enough. She could only hope he never figured out who really wrote him. “And you’ve changed your mind?” She heard her ragged voice as he sucked her nipples, tender at first, then stronger.
“Obviously.” He moved his hand up her leg and under her skirt. He clasped her center. “Damn, you’re hot,” he said quietly, his thumb brushing over her, and her hip jerked at his touch. He leaned forward. His warm breath feathered her neck, and he pulled her blouse farther away from her shoulders. His lips closed over her collarbone.
“Why did you change your mind?” He would leave a mark on her skin, and she closed her eyes in delight.
“Well, I’ve always trusted my intuition when it comes to business decisions.” He trailed his fingers around her stomach. “My instinct tells me that I can’t let you slip through my fingers tonight, no matter the consequences.”
“I’m not some business deal of yours,” she said, annoyed at his explanation. What happened to the good old Can’t live without you, get naked explanation?
“You’re not a business deal,” he said, kissing around her navel. “You’re so much better.” He withdrew, his gaze sweeping over her body. “You’re incredible.”
She drew her legs close but couldn’t really hide. “Brian, please, this isn’t what I want.” Not quite the truth, but she wanted him on her terms. Then again, who was she kidding? She’d probably burned his hand as he’d touched between her legs. “I need to feel you under my hands.”
He shook his head. “Nope,” he said, easing her legs down again. “You’ll stay cuffed or you’ll stay, well, let’s call it un-kissed.”
“That’s unfair.”
“Maybe.” He closed his hand around her inner thigh and massaged her with light strokes then stopped suddenly. “What’s your choice?” He crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“Put your hand back on my leg.” Right now, only his gaze caressed her skin and that was definitely not enough.
He made a point of looking through the room. “The bar is nicely stocked. Do you want something to drink?” he asked and got off the bed.
“No and neither do you,” she called after him, cursing him under her breath. She heard ice clinking into a glass and liquid followed.
“Since you drank most of my whiskey,” he said, coming back to her, carrying a glass, “it’s only fair I get a new drink.” He leaned down and picked up one of her shoes from the floor. “Wow, you could kill a guy with these heels.” He shot her a glance. “Don’t want to rush you, but have you decided yet?” He sipped leisurely at his drink, gazing out into the bright night. “Did I mention that I could stand here all night and just admire Vegas?”
Oh damn, he really means it. He wasn’t going to touch her again until she agreed to wear the cuffs. He would stand in front of the window for the rest of the night, ignoring her. He wouldn’t kiss her, wouldn’t slide against her… This was even worse than not being able to touch him. At least she would feel his hands gliding over her skin. Feel him inside her. She moaned, heat rising along her skin.
“Have it your way then,” she whispered, and he turned to her. She looked into his eyes, and her nerves fluttered, but there was no sense denying it. She wanted him, no matter how.
“Sorry, I didn’t catch that,” he said, and slowly came to her. He placed his glass on the table next to the bed. “Did you just say I can do whatever I want with you?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
“So we have a deal?”
“Maybe," she whispered and closed her eyes, sighing as he stroked her legs. The mattress gave way as he sat down, and then he kissed her, tasting of whiskey and him, the feeling good enough to melt the last bits of anger she felt. She bit his tongue, and he withdrew, laughing quietly.
“That’s a yes,” he said, close enough to feel his breath on her face.
She smiled, saying, “Yes, damn it.”
“I’m so glad you like the cuffs, too,” he said, returning her smile. “If you had absolutely hated them, I would have taken them off and made sweet, sweet love to you anyway.”
“I hate them,” she said quickly, but he only grinned, saying, “Too late.”
Chapter Six
She groaned, feeling stupid for buying into his bluff, but his hands were sliding up her legs again, and she couldn’t hold on to her thoughts. Too slow. She needed him to be faster. “You’re mean.” She kicked her legs, willing him to touch her more fully.
“That’s payback. You’ve had your fun with me since you arrived at the airport.” He rested his hand on her panties. “But I’m not falling anymore for the girl sucking innocently at a straw.”
She laughed but stopped when he eased her panties down. “Too slow,” she said, breathing faster as he cupped her bottom.
“No, not too slow.” He stripped her panties, touched the silk lace before dropping the
m to the floor. “You had your fast ride earlier today. Now you’ll have a slow one.”
“I could do wonderful things with you.” She shot him a look from under her lashes and licked her lips invitingly. “But I would need my hands for that.”
“Nice try.” He stood up.
For a second, she feared he would leave her alone again. Instead, he shrugged out of his shirt, revealing a broad chest and flat abs. She groaned because all she could do was watch, no tracing his muscles, no helping by taking off his jeans, no touching of any kind.
“You’re still wearing too much.”
Placing his hand on her breast, he sat down next to her. “There’s something I’d like to know.”
“What?” His palm rested only lightly on her, but she was sure her heart hammered against his hand. Beat after beat her breath grew faster, and his brilliant green eyes searching her face made her squirm.
He brushed stray curls from her face. “Exactly when did you decide you wanted to sleep with me?” He leaned forward and kissed her neck, then trailed down to her shoulder, his mouth hot against her skin. “In the bar?” he asked, his mouth against her throat as his hand slid between her legs.
She arched against him, against the unbearable slow stroking of his fingers. When did I decide I wanted to sleep with him? Jolts of pleasure seared through her, making her moan. “Ten years ago.”
His head came up so fast, he knocked against her chin. “Ten years ago?” He stood up, staring at her incredulously. “Are you kidding me?”
“You laughed,” she said, annoyed with herself for telling him. She turned her head to the side to avoid his eyes. “You laughed when I kissed you.” He let himself fall back to the bed, making her bounce on top of it, and a quick glance at the grin plastered on his face confirmed her suspicion. He damn well remembered her kiss. “You jerk. You told me to wait ten years before trying to hit on you again.” She realized how strange it sounded when she spoke it aloud.
“I told you what?” His eyebrows rose. “Damn, that I forgot, but now that you mention it…” He shook his head. “You waited ten years for me.” A wide smile broke across his face. “Now that’s cute.” He took her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. “You’re a romantic.”
If she had her hands free, she would jump him. Sex was all she wanted. That and leaving him with a laugh on her lips. “I didn’t exactly wait for you.”
His eyes narrowed as he put his hand on her thigh.
“Jealous?” She laughed at the frozen expression on his face. Men, always so possessive. Usually not something she cared for. With him, though… She nudged gently against his back with her knee. “I didn’t come to Vegas to chat about good ol’ times if you get what I’m saying.”
He frowned, shooting her a sharp look. “It was Matt’s idea to get you a trip to Vegas, wasn’t it?”
“Take off your jeans and come to bed.”
“He’s in Europe, isn’t he?” he asked, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“Yes.” She cleared her throat because it had come out squeaky. “Can we please stop talking about my brother? Sort of kills my mood.”
He checked his watch. “He must have arrived by now,” he said, walking to his desk, which was scattered with laptops, stacks of paper, and cell phones.
“What are you doing?” she asked when he sat down in front of the desk. “You’re not working, are you?”
He ignored her and rampaged through things on his desk, then held up a phone. “I think I’ve figured out how your mind works.” He switched on the phone and pressed two buttons. “International roaming,” he said, grinning positively evil. “I wouldn’t go anywhere without having access to international phone calls. Matt’s just the same.”
“Don’t call.” She closed her eyes when he smiled wider, his finger over his mouth, telling her to hush.
“Hi, Matt, how was the flight?”
She opened one eye. He’s bluffing. He wouldn’t call her brother. Not when she was cuffed and half-naked in his bed.
“Why I’m calling, you wouldn’t believe who bumped into me here in Vegas.” She opened both eyes, staring in his face, and he winked, saying, “Your little sister.”
No way. “Brian, I’m not falling for that one.”
“No, I have no idea why she’s here…yes, I know it’s her birthday today…wait, I’ll put her on the phone,” he said, walking toward her with murder in his eyes. He held the phone close to her ear.
“Hello? Suzie? Happy birthday. No wonder I couldn’t reach you. What are you doing in Vegas? Hello? Are you there? Hello?”
Matt. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Brian snatched the phone away from her ear, and at least for that, she was thankful.
“Sorry, can’t find her, but I’m sure she’ll be back in a second.” He pinched her nipple.
She yelped as both lust and fear shot through her. What would he do after he hung up?
“Matt, would you mind if I take her out for a few drinks?” He listened and after another moment, laughed. “Better me than someone else, you say? I’m really glad you said that. Okay, speak to you soon.” He ended the call.
“Brian, I know you’re angry, but—“
“You,” he said quietly, opening the buttons of his jeans, his gaze locked on her face. “I will never take these cuffs off.” His voice was low, rumbling deep in his throat.
She closed her eyes, relieved that he wasn’t about to throw her out of his bed. She heard his clothes dropping to the floor, and she gasped as his hands closed around her knees. He moved between her legs, zipped open her skirt and pulled it down her hips, and moved slightly to pull it over her ankles. With a soft whoosh, it landed on the floor. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him down.
He leaned over her, pushed up on his hands. “You’re a bad girl.” He gazed down, his green eyes dark with lust.
“Story of my life.” She arched and rubbed against him, getting a low groan from him in return.
“I can’t believe you sent me that email.” He moved his hand between them. “I can’t believe you came here to fuck me.”
He stroked a finger along her, making her sigh as lust spread through the rest of her body. When she gasped, he closed his mouth over hers, taking her breath. He grew heavier on top of her, and she welcomed his weight on her breasts.
He kissed her, deep, his tongue thrusting in her mouth. She moaned and parted her legs farther in reaction of his kiss, but as much as she shifted, she couldn’t take him inside her. Everything tightened inside her, and she gasped, her body so tense, she’d forgotten to breathe.
“Screw foreplay. I want you now.” She arched her hips, knowing he would feel her wetness. “I can’t wait—”
He kissed her mouth shut, and she lost herself in the heat. She sighed when he broke away. He moved down to her breasts, over her stomach, and farther down. His cheek rasped against her thigh, and she thought she would die of sheer pleasure. But it wasn’t what she wanted. “Brian, now.” She wanted him inside her, filling her.
“I want you to scream.”
She moaned as his tongue slowly drew circles. “Not enough.” She moved her hips against his mouth. “I need more.” Her hip jerked as he licked her again, and then a finger slid inside her, stroking her, in and out, teasing her with slowness. “Faster,” she said, breathing hard. “You’ll never make me scream at this rate.”
“I’m patient.” He laughed against her skin and trailed kisses over her stomach to her breasts.
No, why couldn’t he stay farther south? “Take the cuffs off,” she whispered, and bit back a gasp when he sucked her nipple. “I’m good on top.”
“I’m sure you are.” His weight pinned her hip down on the mattress. “We’ll do that some other time.”
“If you want me to scream with frustration, you’re getting pretty close.” She drew in a sharp breath, irritation washing over her body.
“I have a feeling you too often get what you want, Suzie.” He moved off th
e bed.
“Come back!” She stamped her feet on the mattress, causing her body to bounce. “And don’t call me Suzie.” He stood naked in front of the window. Damn, he had a nice backside. He turned around. “Come to me,” she whispered.
“Stop staring with that hungry look in your eyes.” He walked over to his desk and switched on his laptop. He was typing, but she couldn’t see what he was doing.
“Brian, I’m losing my interest here.”
“That’s a lie,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “I’ll be with you in a minute, and we’ll be working toward your screaming abilities.”
“Empty words.” She almost smiled back at him. “What are you doing?”
“Something I should have done a long time ago.” After another minute, he closed the laptop and turned around. “Where were we?”
She shook her head, not looking at his face. “No idea.”
“You’re still staring at me.” He stepped to the bedside table, opened a drawer. “I’m sure you’ll like this.”
She craned her neck to see what he held in his hands. Something dark, it was a— “I warn you, don’t do that.”
He slipped a dark sleeping mask over her head. “Can’t have you looking at me like that.”
Darkness wrapped around her. “You’ll pay for that,” she said as he moved his hands over her body, and she closed her eyes beneath the blindfold.
His breath feathered over her skin. Tickling, he made her laugh out, and a moment later, turned that laugh into a gasp. Unable to anticipate his next touch, her breath skipped. He switched from soft kisses to hard strokes. Gave her sharp nips along her neck. She bit her lip, denying him the satisfaction of hearing her moan. His finger slipped inside her, stretching her. She swallowed her cry. She drew in the scent of his skin when he kissed her, heard his low growl as she bit his neck. Heat built and he whispered in her ear everything he did, how tight and wet she was, how hard she made him, and that he wanted her to scream for him…
She moaned when he stopped, and inhaled sharply when he licked her, his mouth sucking gently, making her shudder. His tongue flowed over her skin, bringing her slowly to the edge, holding her there. “More,” she breathed, her heart pounding while she turned to liquid under him. Soft ripples of pleasure vibrated through her body. She arched against him, lifting her hips. Almost there, almost there… “Harder,” she gasped, twisting, her thighs clenching around his head. He gave a low, rough laugh, spread her legs wider, and covered her with his hand. Pleasure, hot and sharp, shot through her, and she sucked in air.