Bound By Love

BOUND BY LOVE AN EROTIC SHORT STORY BY LORIBELLE HUNT

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PUBLISHED BY: Loribelle Hunt Bound By Love by Loribelle Hunt Copyright  2012 Loribelle Hunt Discover other titles by Loribelle Hunt at http://www.loribellehunt.com/.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Chapter One

“I’m here to see Rick,” she told the bouncer. “He’s expecting me.” A long line of hopefuls stretched out behind her, and she heard a grumble or two when she’d strolled to the front. She could have told them you practically had to have an engraved invitation to get in. She did, in fact, but she tried not to dwell on it. “Name?” he asked, indolently leaning against the door, arms crossed over his chest. He was tall and more beefy than muscular. A blond, blue-eyed California boy by the looks of him. Not a bad specimen, but definitely not her type. “Nikki,” she answered. She hoped Rick filled in his door help, so she wouldn’t have to use her last name or rank where so many people could overhear. The last thing she wanted or needed was for word to get out that she’d been to a BDSM club. He opened the door and spoke to someone on the inside before nodding her through. Two bouncers at one door? Rick took his security seriously. The second bouncer was a carbon copy of the first, and she blinked with surprise as she realized Rick had instructed her to dress just as his employees did; in boots, jeans, and a plain black t-shirt. She didn’t get much of a chance to look around as she followed the bouncer up a narrow set of stairs near the front door and into a glass enclosed room that overlooked the club’s ground floor. Her general impression of the downstairs was a large smoky room. Three men sat facing away from her, and she hung back as the bouncer leaned down and spoke quietly to one of them. When the man stood, she stepped around the bouncer. He was tall and lanky with shortcropped graying hair and reserved eyes. She approached and held out her hand. “You must be Rick.” “Yes,” he answered, pausing a moment before briefly clasping her fingers. “Nikki. This is a very unusual request.” “I understand,” she answered. “But the guy I’m looking for is one of my best people, and I don’t want to charge him with AWOL.” She shrugged. “Some of his platoon buddies told me I’d find him here.”

Rick nodded, the remote expression never leaving his face. She got the impression she had been judged before she even arrived, and found lacking. She arched an eyebrow. “I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here. With any luck I can find him quickly and get out of your hair.” Curiosity overcame her better judgment, and she walked towards the glass wall, looking down into the club while Rick considered her words. “Don’t want to partake of our hospitality, Nikki?” The amused drawl came from one of the other men seated behind her and she stiffened. She knew that voice. Damn. Slowly, she turned her head to look over her shoulder. “Mack. Why am I not surprised to find you here?” “Fate at work?” he asked in a sexy voice that skittered up her spine. She laughed. “Oh no. This is not my scene and you know it.” He did know, because they’d discussed it the first time he asked her out. She was in charge of a special military investigative task force, and he was in a similar position on another team. For the last six months they’d shared office space. The proximity was making her a little crazy, and her poor vibrator had been through the ringer. He infuriated her, he made her laugh, and he sure as hell turned her on, but she wasn’t about to risk her career to test an attraction for something most people considered taboo. In her book, dominance and submission definitely fell into that category. If anyone ever heard about it, she’d never be taken seriously again. Uh huh, no thanks. She had a soldier to find and then needed to get the hell away from the temptation that was Mack Chastain. She turned back to the glass. Maybe luck was with her tonight after all. “There he is,” she said, stepping toward the stairs. Mack scowled at her. “You don’t need to go down there. Stay here. I’ll get him.” He was back in minutes, towing Whitman behind him. Whitman stood sheepishly before her, a studded collar around his neck, but otherwise unremarkably dressed. A quick once-over showed her he wasn’t wearing his cell phone. She arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms. “We’ve been trying to get in touch with you for two days, Whitman.” “I’m sorry, First Sergeant,” he said contritely. “I don’t have my cell phone with me.” She snorted. “You know better. Leave’s been revoked. We have a mission next week, and everyone is to report in Monday at 0600.” She paused and gave him her most severe look. “Can

you manage that, or do I need to send you in now? Because it’d be a real shame to be charged AWOL on Monday morning, don’t you think?” He straightened to attention. “Of course, First Sergeant. I’ll be there.” She nodded. “You better be, Whitman. Dismissed.” When he cleared the stairs she turned and smiled at Rick. “See? That was quick and painless. I’ll just be getting out of your way now.” She was almost to her car before she realized Mack was behind her. He plucked the keys out of her hand and had her in the passenger seat before she could blink. Not sure if she should be ticked or amused, she watched him slide behind the wheel and turn the switch. He casually rested his hands on it and stared out the window. “Did you want something?” she asked. He gave her a piercing look she felt clear to her soul. “Other than you, you mean?” She sucked in a breath. She knew he just said things like that to egg her on, but it hurt— this offer of the impossible. She shook her head. “Why do we keep having this conversation?” He shrugged and smiled slightly. “Because you keep pushing me away?” She rolled her eyes. “Then you turn around and flirt with me,” he added, raising his eyebrows. The man had lost his kinky little mind. “I do not. I talk to you. Friends talk. We are friends, aren’t we, Mack?” He was silent a long moment, and she reached for his hand. Couldn’t she at least have that much? “Mack?” “I don’t think I can be just friends with you anymore, Nikki.” Remorse and a sense of impending loss nearly overwhelmed her. She nodded toward the door of the club. “Well, we’re at an impasse then, because I can’t do that.” She choked over the words, but forced them out. “And we’re both adults. We both know how important a satisfying sex life is in a relationship.” “How do you know you can’t? You’ve never tried it.” She hadn’t, and oh, was she tempted.

“You’re thinking about it,” he said with a sexy grin, as if he read her mind. She grinned back. She’d never hid her attraction from him. “About sex, sure. But I have no interest in being dominated or having no control.” Liar, liar, pants on fire. “That’s not what it’s about, Nikki,” he said. “It’s about you trusting me enough to let go of control. We can stop anytime you want to. I’d never push you farther than you’re willing to go.” She stared out at the night, thinking about it. If she closed her eyes she could see them together. She had the sneaking suspicion it would be ten times better than her fantasies. And she had plenty of them involving giving Mack total control. A shiver ran up her spine. “Say yes,” he whispered, bringing her knuckles to his mouth and nibbling lightly. Tendrils of heat curled through her, and she stopped fighting it. She’d decided when she walked into that club tonight and saw him there. Without turning to look at him, she slowly nodded her head. “Okay.”

Chapter Two

Mack drove, wordlessly accepting her reserve, her confusion and anxiety. She had no idea what he had planned and serious misconceptions about what he expected. That was his fault and he owned up to it. When he met her he’d thought she was a submissive. But he didn’t realize at the time it was an instinct she buried to survive in their world. He intended to educate her. And keep her. After the first few times she turned him down, he’d changed tactics. She knew him better than anyone and he now knew her better than she knew herself. It had been a long six months, but he sensed he was wearing her down. She had no idea how determined he really was. He was out of patience with this just-friends game. Rick’s call to verify her identity was just the impetus he needed. He dropped his other plans and arranged to ambush her on his own turf. She fell right into his lap and, seeing a weak spot in her usual calm demeanor, he finally managed to get her where he wanted her. Almost. The silent drive—him anticipating, her nervous—was like an aphrodisiac. It pushed all his buttons. The thought that he would be the one to initiate her, and he fully intended on keeping her after that, was making him crazy. His control was clearly being tested. It seemed like forever when he finally turned on his street. He watched her taking it in from the corner of his eye. It was an average tree-lined road, full of average Middle American houses. His was on a cul-de-sac, and he pulled into the drive trying to see it as she might. It was an L-shaped ranch with the garage in the front and the door tucked back in an alcove. He grinned. It no doubt did not fit her image of a sex-crazed dominant. He parked and ushered her inside, straight down the hall to the bedroom. No point in delaying was there? God forbid she change her mind. He firmly shut the door behind him and stalked her across the room until the backs of her legs hit the edge of the bed. He leaned close, crowding but not touching, and lightly bit at the pulse pounding in her neck. Though he was dominant by nature, he didn’t actively participate in the lifestyle. A passing conversation on that subject months ago had obviously left her confused on his preferences. Quickly formulating a plan, he went with his favorite fantasy of her. “Why don’t you take off the boots?” he asked, though it was clear to them both the request was more along the lines of an order. He set his hand on her shoulder and gently pushed

her into a sitting position, and then he walked to the dresser and rummaged in its top drawer. He looked over to see her eyeing the door and crossed his arms. “Thinking of escaping?” She studied it a minute and he watched her elegant throat gulp. Finally she shook her head no and bent to the boots. He returned to the drawer and pulled out two silk ropes and, after a moment’s hesitation, a blindfold. In the mirror he saw her set her boots aside, stand, and hesitatingly reach for the snap on her jeans. “Did I say to remove anything else?” he asked casually. Her hand dropped, and she met his gaze in the mirror. “No,” she answered, lifting her head. He almost smiled at the look he recognized in her eyes. He’d seen it often enough. She’d decided to endure, to just get through whatever was coming. As far as he was concerned that was not in the spirit of the bargain. His didn’t speak as he approached. He turned her around and pulled the elastic out of her hair. The auburn tresses fell halfway down her back, and he lifted a handful and breathed the vanilla scent deep. After a moment, he tied the blindfold around her eyes and she gasped. “Okay? Not too tight? No light getting through?” She shook her head no, and he lightly swatted her on the butt. She jumped, but didn’t say a word. “Always answer me verbally if you’re able,” he whispered close to ear, leaning in behind her. “Next time you’ll have to be punished.” She started to nod again and quickly said, “Ok. Yes. I understand.” “Sir.” “Excuse me?” she asked incredulously and he smiled. “Sir. Or Master,” he said as an afterthought, pulling the T-shirt over her head and admiring the smooth skin of her back. She held her breath when he lightly ran his fingers up her spine and hovered over the hook of her bra strap. Red lace. If he hadn’t seen it for himself, he would never have believed the always practical Nikki wore red lace undergarments. He popped the catch and slid his hands around her, under the material. She responded beautifully, goose bumps rising under his touch.

He barely bit back his groan of delight when her nipples hardened beneath his hands. When he plucked them, she shivered and thrust into his hands. “Don’t move,” he said softly, waiting for her response. “Okay,” she said in a breathy voice, belatedly adding, “Sir.” “Poor Nikki. Are the rule’s so hard to follow?” he asked lightly. “Shall I bend you over my knee? Spank that luscious ass of yours? I think I will anyway for tempting me so long.” A charming flush spread up her neck. “No, sir,” she whispered. It sounded like a halfhearted protest to his ears. “Hmm,” he answered, hands gliding down to the button on her jeans. He opened it and slowly dragged down the zipper. The jeans were a relaxed fit and easily slid down her legs. Again he was surprised to find a red lace thong. She was full of surprises, his Nikki. He grinned. He definitely needed some excitement in his life. He left the thong on. He sat on the bed and took her hands in his, placing a kiss on each palm. Trying to inject a note of sadness in his voice, he tugged her over. “Punishment first, don’t you think?” he asked, laying her over his lap. He lightly ran a hand up the back of a thigh, noticing the tremor that went through her. He imagined his mark on her and the anticipation almost had him trembling with her. He started playfully, dropping a hand on her butt, enough to get her attention but not enough to sting. Enough to lull her into stillness. When she relaxed, he delivered the first sharp swat. She winced, but kept quiet. He wondered how much she would take or how far she’d be willing to let him go, but not as much as he wanted to know if she liked it. Normally doling out punishment wasn’t alluring, especially if his partner wasn’t into it, but she’d put him off for so long he was looking forward to it. He was not a stickler for rules. He couldn’t care less if she called him sir or master. He’d much prefer hearing her scream Mack when she came. When she didn’t automatically answer in the traditional submissive way, however, it occurred to him as a pathway to the punishment she did deserve it for keeping him at arm’s length for so long. He dealt a series of sharp slaps that had her gasping. Giving her a brief respite, he ran his hand over the stinging area, down her thighs and back up to the juncture in between. He paused a moment before nudging them apart and sliding his hand between her legs. He found her pussy

warm and wet and realized with gratification that she didn’t find this the turn off she claimed. She groaned and moved against his hand. He grinned and raised an eyebrow she couldn’t see. Letting her move rhythmically on his fingers, he dropped the hardest slap yet on her ass. Followed by another and another, leaving a satisfying trail of handprints in their path. He continued with the spanking until she was keening and clenching around him with her first orgasm. He left her to shudder around his hand, lightly running the other over her to sooth the burn he’d brought. When she calmed, he picked her up and laid her in the center of his bed. She moved to curl onto her side, but he stopped her. Moving up her body, still fully clothed, he pressed close enough for there to be no doubt about his erection. He caught her hands and lifted them above her head. “Oh, I’m nowhere near done with you tonight, sweetheart,” he whispered in her ear. He sat up, straddled her hips, and tied her hands together with one of the silk ties. With the other he secured her to the headboard. She lay mostly naked and replete under his avid gaze, and he nearly growled with a sense of possession. Mine. All mine. He’d waited a lifetime for this woman. Now he just had to convince her they were perfect for each other. He wanted an equal partner in his life, a strong independent woman. Everywhere except this room. If she could trust him enough to give him that, he’d make her deliriously happy. He was as certain of that as he was certain the sun would rise in the morning. “Comfortable?” he asked when she tested the bonds. “Not too tight?” “No, sir,” she said, her resistance of the honorific easy to read. “Mack.” He laughed huskily, leaning down to capture her lips. “Always call me Mack,” he whispered. “I just wanted an excuse to spank you, for keeping us apart so long. And you enjoyed it, didn’t you?” “Yes.” Her voice shook. “Surprised?” She snorted, some of her equilibrium returning. “Damn straight.” “Hmm…there’s more to come,” he said.

*****

She shivered with a combination of uncertainty and anticipation. How much more could she take? She could ask him to untie her, and she knew that he would let her go. But did she really want that? Her darkest fantasies couldn’t have conjured that spanking. Well, it could, but not the pleasure from it. And now she was tied up. Would he cover all her secret fantasies in one night? The blindfold was a nice touch, too. She’d started out an intelligence officer and knew all about sensory deprivation, although it never would have occurred to her to use it quite this way. Without the use of her sight, everything was more intense. Her skin seemed more sensitive, and she strained to hear every rustle of movement. The soft oldies station on the radio flowed over her, and his scent permeated the air. The bed shifted and a draft of air swooshed over her. His shirt, she thought, when it was followed by the rasp of a zipper. Then it was silent. She strained to hear over the sounds of music and caught the creak of a door. Footsteps lightly slapped the floor in an adjoining room. Bathroom. When he returned, he rolled her onto her stomach, and cold baby oil dribbled down her spine. The soft powdery smell reminded her of lazy days on the beach, and she drifted as his firm hands kneaded her knotted muscles. She sighed and started to loosen up. She could get used to this. “So tense,” he murmured. “Hmm,” was all the response she could muster. The tension was from months of fighting her attraction to him. She wasn’t about to hand him that ammunition. If he had any idea how much he affected her, she’d be toast. She loved him, but he was just playing a game. What a mess. She felt the stinging rip of her thong as it tore and a cool bite of air as he slid it out from under her. The backrub turned sensual as wicked fingers traced the sides of her breasts and danced over the sting he’d left on her butt. When he slowly pushed one in her anus, she gasped. Anal sex was something she’d dreamed of trying. Unfortunately, the men she’d dated were so staid. The one time she dared ask, she was met with disgust and summarily dumped. Clearly she needed more men like Mack in her life.

One finger became two and then he was whispering in her ear again. “Have you ever had anyone here?” “No,” she moaned, testing the sensation with a small backwards movement. He chuckled. “But you’d like to.” How could she deny it when her body seemed to move of its own volition with him? His words were not a question, so she let her body respond for her. Sheets rustled with his movement, and his shoulders pushed her thighs wider apart. When his mouth closed on her clitoris, she felt the beginnings of her second orgasm stir through her. All the tired old clichés drifted through her mind—tidal waves, crashing, explosions—all right and not right. When it came, it was a sweet shuddering that started in her pussy and spread out through her limbs. He kept her on that peak with his talented tongue for what felt like hours. “Mack! I can’t take anymore,” she cried, trying to move out of his grasp, tears squeezing from the corners of her eyes. “Shh, shh, relax honey.” Rolling her over, he removed the blindfold, and she blinked in the harsh light. He quickly flipped the switch and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. A soft amber glow flooded the room, and she studied him while she tried to slow her racing heartbeat. His cheeks were flushed and his breathing deep. Tension etched lines around his eyes. She closed hers against the intensity of his gaze. His focus unnerved her more than she already was. She heard the rip of foil and in seconds his erection pushed at the entrance of her pussy. He nudged barely an inch into her, and she held her breath waiting for him to fill her. “Look at me,” he said roughly. Her eyes flashed opened, and she was arrested by the look in his eyes, dark with passion and possession. She was so wrong about not wanting this. She just hadn’t met the right man before. Softening under him, she was suddenly ready for whatever he had to give. A tick appeared in his jaw as he slowly sank to the hilt inside her. The sense of fullness was exquisite, and her eyelids drooped again as she sighed in appreciation. “Look at me, Nikki,” he said, his voice a warning. She wanted him deeper and faster and tried to lift her hips, but he moved his hands to hold her still. Pinned at wrists and waist she couldn’t do anything but moan under the tortuous assault. She was unable to voice her desires and tried to plead with her eyes.

“Don’t look at me look like that,” he groaned and cupped her face in his hands for a soulsucking kiss. As his tongue thrust deep in her mouth, he moved his cock exactly as she needed. He gradually built the tempo and she added depth when she wrapped her legs around his waist. Finally, he drove fast and furious into her. The sound of skin slapping skin filled the room, and her last orgasm claimed her. She vaguely registered his cry of release before, overcome by exhaustion, she sagged back into the bed. In a dreamlike state, she felt him release her bonds and pull her against him. And for the first time in months she slept the sleep of the dead.

Chapter Three

“Wake up, sleepy head.” Cracking an eye open, she saw weak sunlight filtering through closed blinds. She pulled the sheet over her head and attempted to pull her sleep-fogged brain together. Her body was sore in places that hadn’t seen action in a year or more, and some that never had. The night flooded back. Blindfolds. Ties. Spankings. Mack. Her eyes flew open, and she stifled a groan with the pillow. “Come on, Nikki. You’ll miss breakfast.” He paused. “I went out and got cappuccino.” “French Vanilla?” she mumbled into the pillow. She might come out and face him for her favorite coffee. He chuckled. “Of course. Why don’t you grab a shower while I finish breakfast? I stopped by your place while I was out and picked up some of your clothes. They’re in the duffle by the door.” She stayed still until she heard his footsteps in the hall. Eventually she crawled out of the warm covers to sit on the edge of the bed, shivering under the blast from the air conditioner vent. Now what? As far as one night stand mornings after went, this was out of her experience. Instead of him being remorseful and mumbling about mistakes, he’d gone and gotten her clothes. He was even cooking her breakfast. None of it jived with the love ‘em and leave ‘em image she had of him. The chill finally forced her to move into the bathroom. She hadn’t seen it last night and looked around in wonder. Cool marble tile lined the floors in a sunburst pattern and climbed halfway up the walls in a soft honey color that accented muted yellow walls. The long counter sported double sinks, and there was a separate glass enclosed shower stall with a small bench seat. It was the Jacuzzi tub that grabbed her full attention, though. Set in a recessed alcove and surrounded by windows, it was elevated and seemed more part of the outdoors than the house. Two steps, three feet long, led to its rim, and small potted plants edged the stairs and windows. It seemed so unlike Mack that she assumed it was already in the house when he bought it. It was

decadent and self-indulgent and she yearned to give it a try. She might have, if she didn’t hear banging coming from the kitchen. Before she could give in to temptation, she turned to the shower and stepped under the stinging hot spray. Another delight awaited her when she discovered the multiple settings on the two massaging showerheads. They beat a steady rhythm against her tired muscles, loosening kinks and awakening desires. Sighing with appreciation, she sat on the bench and leaned her head back, thoughts of the night before flitting through her mind. What had made her give in? Had she resisted Mack because she didn’t want to submit to him? Or because she was afraid of being just another woman in a long line of conquests? He hadn’t kept his social life a secret. Never date the same woman twice was his mantra. How long would she get? With that disturbing thought she reached for the shampoo, surprised to see the bottle from her shower stall at home, along with her conditioner and soap. She poured a liberal amount in her palm. Working the lather from scalp to ends, she considered scenarios for the day. She could go to the kitchen and demand hot monkey sex on the table. No, he wouldn’t like that and she doubted he would comply. She wasn’t sure if her reserved nature would allow it anyway. She’d go out, have breakfast and leave. Or best, she’d go out there and Mack would declare his undying love. She laughed, but it sounded sad even to her ears. Yeah, that was sure to happen. Once her hair was cleaned and conditioned she had no more excuses to delay. She wrapped a towel around the wet length and another around her body, and then went in search of the bag with her clothes. She dumped it on the bed, wondering what he’d packed. Jeans, tank top, flip flops, her skimpiest underwear, and a slinky black dress with thigh high stockings and heels. He obviously wanted her stay. She was thrilled. She wondered, amazed at her new wanton urges, if she could give him a list of all her favorite fantasies. She dressed and stuffed most of the items back in the bag, except for the dress, which she hung on an empty hanger in his closet. The door to the hallway was open, and she stepped out following the smell of bacon. At the kitchen archway, she stood stock still, arrested by the vision he presented. Wearing jeans zipped but not buttoned, barefoot and shirtless, he lifted bacon out of the skillet on the stove. He turned, caught her staring, and grinned back. “Nice hair.”

She laughed remembering the towel, and reached to drag it down shaking her head as she did. Her hair tumbled down when she set it loose, the cool mass resting against her back. She shivered and nodded toward the take out coffee cup at his elbow. “Is that for me?” He turned and leaned against the counter, hands lightly clasping the edge, blocking the cup. Nodding, he said in mock seriousness. “It comes with a steep price tag.” She gave him a weak smile. She wasn’t up to sparring before her first jolt of caffeine. “What’s that?” “Come ‘ere,” he whispered, reaching out and drawing her into his arms. She leaned her head back, looking forward to the first kiss of the day, and grateful for the extra toothbrush in his bathroom. His lips brushed her forehead, and she blinked in surprise. Okay. Not quite the take charge guy of last night. Still, his arms were wrapped around her, his chest bare, and a buzz of awareness buzzed through her. She could get used to this. It took her a moment to register the tension radiating from him, and when she looked up and met his gaze, she was surprised to see a fleeting vulnerability. “What price tag?” she asked, a bit cautious. What else could he ask for after last night? “I want the rest of the weekend. With you here.” She was so surprised she couldn’t form a response. He went on. “You have to admit last night was incredible. It’d be a shame not to explore that further.” Just sex, she reminded herself. He wanted to explore the possibilities of her body, not possibilities with her. She took a deep breath. Well, why not? She’d never have the chance again, and she was intrigued. Even now lust stirred through her. She was anxious to explore those possibilities herself. She nodded. “Okay.” He released a long breath and let her go. Reaching behind him, he handed her the cup and pushed her toward the table, which was already set for two. Breakfast sped by. She was famished and dug into bacon, toast, and ham and cheese omelets. He was a good cook.

They cleaned the kitchen together in companionable silence and then he showed her around the house. His pride in it was obvious. She found his enthusiasm catching and questioned him on the work he’d done and what plans he had. It turned out that marvelous bathroom was all his doing, and she was forced to reevaluate her opinion of him yet again. Her belief that he was a work focused, spare man was not complete. The tour ended in a sunken family room, and she examined his bookshelves while he sifted through movies. It was an eclectic collection—the expected mystery and suspense, history, natural science, physics, politics. She was surprised to discover a romantic suspense or two also and raised an eyebrow at his back, wondering if a previous girlfriend she was unaware of left them behind. She was afraid to ask. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know that someone had claimed that much of his affections. Turning away from the shelves, she walked to the couch and saw another pile of books. The ‘to be read’ pile she guessed. She tried to be surreptitious in her study of it, but he was at her side before she got a good look. They spent the morning watching movies. Walk The Line and Transporter II. Under normal circumstances she would have loved the eye candy, but she was on edge waiting for him to make a move, wondering if he expected her to. His close proximity had her body in full rev. She tried to isolate why. Was it his smell? That masculine woodsy scent was intoxicating. Or was it his bare chiseled chest with the tantalizing line of hair disappearing into his almost opened jeans? Maybe it was his deep voice when he made a comment on the movie. Comments she could only murmur hmm too since she didn’t have a clue what she’d just watched. In the end she concluded it was just Mack. Mack had her so horny her skin crawled and he hadn’t even touched her. She realized just how screwed she was. At the end of the weekend, he’d move on and she’d go home, even more in love with him and now craving his body with the knowledge of how it felt to be possessed by him, loved by him for two short days. By the time the second movie ended, her stomach was growling. Grinning, he turned to her. “Hungry?” She laughed. “I could eat.” He pulled her to her feet and led the way to the kitchen. They made sandwiches while he talked about the movies. Despite the casual conversation, the air felt charged with sexual tension. She couldn’t help watching him from the corner of her eye.

His chiseled abs seemed to call to her and without conscious thought she reached out to trail a finger down his stomach. She startled when he grabbed her hand and pressed it to his erection. She hesitated a moment before molded her hand over him and rubbing up and down. He took a ragged breath and stepped away, pushing her towards the table. “Eat lunch first. Then you can take care of that,” he said with a gruff tone. A thrill of anticipation and trepidation went through her contemplating what he might have in mind. She had a sudden image of herself on her knees, mouth around his cock. Another new experience for her. When his jaw ticked, she thought he might be imagining the same thing. She rushed to finish the sandwich and carried the plate to the sink. He pushed his away, and they studied each other from across the room. “Come here,” he said. She moved before him. His voice was hoarse. “On your knees.” Suddenly anxious, she bit her bottom lip and looked up at him as she rested on her heels. Her nervousness vanished at the sound of his commanding voice. “You know what to do.” His rough voice whispered over her skin. She reached for his zipper, surprised to see her fingers shaking. He sprang free and she circled him with one hand, pumping up and down before leaning over and licking him from balls to head with her tongue. His cock jumped in her hand and she snickered. “Enjoying this, baby?” he asked. “Hmm,” she answered, taking him into her mouth. She worked him, hand and mouth in unhurried tandem. His breath began to come in pants. She found the position, him sitting and her kneeling, awkward. Suddenly he rocked forward and stood. She groaned, liking the change in position, feeling him bump the back of her throat. No longer straining to reach him, and eager to make him come, she increased her tempo. He was content to leave it to her for a few moments, but soon took over. With his fists twisted in her hair, he thrust back and forth into her mouth at a furious rate, coming with a roar. She swallowed his salty cum until he staggered back to collapse on the chair. He sat panting, head thrown back and eyes closed. She was struck by how beautiful he looked and repressed a laugh. She doubted he would appreciate that thought. She sat back on her heels and waited, enjoying just watching him, the musky scent of sex heavy in the air. With a sigh, she resolved to get what she could out of the weekend and then let it go.

Finally, he straightened and his gaze zeroed in on her. He didn’t speak for several minutes and she was beginning to suspect the weekend was over. Oh, no. Don’t you dare leave me like this. Maybe he saw the demand in her eyes. “Bedroom,” he said with a raspy voice. Standing he took her hand and followed her down the hall. Once again he blindfolded and stripped her, but she was surprised to find herself sprawled across the bed unbound. “Up for a little experimentation?” he asked. A thrill of eagerness ran through her as she contemplated the possibilities of that. She was becoming shameless. She nodded and remembered he liked verbal answers. “Sure, Mack.” Closing her eyes behind the blindfold, she relaxed into the bed and listened to the sounds in the room. He’d turned the radio on again. She wondered if it was because he liked music or just any background noise. She heard the rustle of his clothes coming off and felt him sit on the edge of the bed. He didn’t move toward her, and she heard the nightstand drawer slide open. Rummaging sounds emerged and after a moment, it closed. She had no warning. One minute he was next to her, the next he pushed her thighs wide and his shoulders were between them, warm breath blowing across her pussy. Already hot and wet, she rocked up to meet his mouth halfway. He made a disapproving noise and pressed an arm over her hips, holding her still while his tongue went everywhere but her clitoris. He thrust it into her pussy and worked a thin shaft into her ass. Lubed in advance it only took her a moment to adjust to the object. Her curiosity about its origins was soon answered when he flipped a switch and the vibrator came to life. She held her breath, overwhelmed by the sensation. She thrust her hips and reminded herself to breathe. When his lips found her clit, she wished he had tied her down. It was a tortuously slow, gentle assault, and she fought the need to buck against him and demand he take her now. She came in minutes, but after the morning spent on edge it felt like hours. He repeated the previous night’s experience, bringing her to the edge over and over until she was begging him to stop. Wishing he wouldn’t. He rolled her over and positioned her on hands and knees. When he removed the vibe, she immediately regretted the loss. He leaned across her back and whispered in her ear. “Are you ready for me?”

She groaned when she felt the head of his cock move against her ass. “Yes!” She gasped. He pushed in, inch by slow inch, filling her beyond anything in her experience, and she wondered briefly if she could take him like this. Building an easy glide in and out, he reached under her and slipped something into her pussy. Her lust-fogged brain registered the cord stretched around her leg, attached to a small box. When the vibration started, she was amazed he’d managed to place the bullet on her G-spot. Five minutes ago she was sure she couldn’t come again. Now she was desperate for it, and thrust back against him. Taking the hint he increased the rhythm so that he was ramming in and out of her. The sound of skin slapping skin was replaced by her keening when she came again, and his yell of release seconds later. They collapsed together on the bed. After a moment he gathered all the toys and dropped them on the table. He gathered her in his arms, pulled the sheet over them, and she drifted off to sleep.

*****

She woke to the sound of rushing water. Stretching her arms over her head, she glanced at the clock to see two hours had passed. Mack stood in the bathroom doorway, arms crossed over his chest, with a smile on his face that said I have a secret. She smiled back and rolled over, propping her head on one hand. It was the first chance she’d had to study his body undistracted and in the light, so she seized it. Broad shoulders narrowed to chiseled abs and long lean legs. There were scars on one knee that she knew were from an old surgery. His penis hardened under her gaze, and the look in his eyes changed from languid to hungry. An answering heat coursed through her body. He straightened and held a hand out to her. “Let’s take a bath.” She surprised herself when she sauntered bare assed before him to the oversized tub. She worked out, she ate right, but she’d never considered her body a thing of enticement. The appreciation evident in Mack’s eyes was changing that. She climbed in and leaned back, eyes closed, sighing in appreciation as the jets hit her body. The water rippled when he stepped in and took the place opposite her. Alone it would have been more than sufficient size; two was cozy. They laughed when water sloshed over the side. “Tight fit,” she said.

“More than one thing around here’s a tight fit,” he joked, wagging his eyebrows lasciviously. She laughed and splashed water at him. “Always a goofball.” Grinning, he shrugged. “Someone has to lighten the mood. You’re always too serious.” “Am not.” “Are too.” She snorted. Great. Now they sounded like a couple of six year olds on the playground. She arched an eyebrow at him. “It wouldn’t hurt you to be serious every now and then, you know.” “Sweetheart,” he said, reaching for her upper arms and pulling her into his lap. “I’ve been pretty damned serious the last twenty four hours.” “This is serious, is it?” she teased, waving a hand to point out she was sitting on his lap. “Oh yeah,” he murmured, his lips claiming hers. On a scale of one to ten, she rated it a fifteen. One hand cupped the back of her head and the other wrapped around her waist. He pulled her flat up against his chest. The fine hairs there grazed and teased her nipples into stiff points and his hard cock nudged her butt. Her blood caught fire. The kiss was slow, almost lazy, like the long day had been, as if he had all the time in the world to love her. With a groan he set her back on her side of the tub. She blinked in surprise and frowned. “You are the master of restraint, aren’t you?” His laugh was self-deprecating. He rubbed a hand over his face. “I used to think so. You blow my control.” She arched an eyebrow. “I see. That’s why I’m over here and you’re over there?” “You,” he said, leaning over and lightly biting her bottom lip. “Need to pace yourself.” Shocked by the answer, she sputtered in annoyance. What the hell was that about? Had she jumped his bones? Had she pushed for this little episode at all? He chortled softly, shaking his head.

“Your social life’s been a little lacking the last year, Nikki,” he said, obviously taking pity on her confusion. But then his voice dropped, turned cold, a dangerous glint appearing in his eye. “Unless there’s some man in a closet somewhere I don’t know about?” She snorted. “Yeah right.” She cocked her head to the side and watched various expressions cross his face. Was he actually jealous? She savored the feeling of having a jealous man for a moment before dismissing the idea as ridiculous. “So about this control thing…” She let the question trail off. “Control,” he murmured, lifting one of her feet in his hand and firmly massaging. She groaned with pleasure and almost missed his answer. “If I didn’t bother with control, I’d fuck you so much today you wouldn’t be able to walk tomorrow. And then what would we do Sunday?” Her breath lodged in her throat. Put like that, she was tempted to say, to hell with control. “Oh,” she answered weakly, still caught by the idea of having so much sex she wouldn’t be able to walk. Mack wisely changed the subject. He spoke of people they worked with, his family, her family. It seemed he kept up a steady stream of nonsense while they soaked. The pulsing water and steam combined with his smooth voice to make her drowsy again. She must have drifted off because the next thing she realized he was pulling her out of the tub and wrapping her in one of his large plush towels. He led her to the bed and tucked her in. “We have dinner reservations at seven. Why don’t you take a nap?” “Hmm.” She grabbed his hand. “Lay down with me,” she said, a drowsy whisper. He grinned. “Thought you’d never ask.” He climbed in to gather her close.

*****

She was pulling a mascara wand through her eyelashes, when Mack came in to the bathroom. The man thought of everything. He’d not only packed her a bag of clothes that morning, but also grabbed her shampoo, conditioner, and make-up bag. She couldn’t have planned better for the weekend herself.

She smiled at his reflection and moved to apply mascara to the other eye, while he leaned casually against the counter and looked her up and down. Normally she would have been very self-conscious at the perusal. She was only half-dressed, in bra, thong, and thigh highs. But he seemed to destroy all her barriers. Finished, she screwed the wand back into the tube and tossed it in the bag. He’d asked her to wear her hair down so she ran a brush through it quickly, and then turned to don the rest of her clothes. “Wait,” he said. “I want you to wear this.” He opened his palm to reveal a bullet vibe that appeared to have a cut off cord. She raised her eyebrows. “It has a remote,” he answered the silent question, opening his other hand to reveal the control. She looked at him a moment without a word then held her hand out for it. Rolling it in her fingers, she watched him out of the corner of her eye as he put on his tie. When he finished, he swatted her on the butt. She jumped at the light slap, blushing at memories of the previous night. “We’ll be late,” he said, dropping a brief kiss on her lips. “I’m going to start the car.” She wondered if he was worried about being late or knew she was reluctant to insert the vibe with him watching. Once he was gone, she put it in place and looked for her shoes. Her friends called them fuck me heels and she winced a little hoping the night wouldn’t require a lot of walking. Glancing at her watch, she hurried to catch up and felt the first zing in her pussy as she settled the dress over her hips. Leaning against the counter, she held her breath. This would take some getting used to. When it stopped, she reached for a lipstick tube and caught her reflection in the mirror, stunned. Who was this satisfied looking woman? If he’d meant the weekend to relax her, to let her guard down, he’d certainly succeeded. She decided she liked the new confidence in her body, in the look that shone in her eyes, and the way she wanted to sway her hips when she walked. She smiled at the Nikki staring back at her from the mirror as all sorts of new possibilities arose in her mind. “Nikki,” he called down the hall. “Get a move on, babe!”

She took a last long look at herself before hitting the light switch and walking down the hall. The ride was endless. At first he turned on the vibe at every stop, but by the midpoint of the drive it was completely random. Every time she jumped or gasped he claimed to be testing it, but his sly smile testified to other motives. By the time they got to the restaurant, Milo’s, she was in a heightened state of arousal, never knowing when to expect the now familiar buzz. With relief she realized he’d chosen a loud place. No one would be aware of the hidden vibe but them. They were shown to their table right away, and she ordered a glass of white wine, hoping it would help settle her nerves. He smiled at her like the Cheshire cat, as if he knew exactly what she was doing and planned to circumvent her. Dinner was enjoyable and exhilarating. Somehow the knowledge that a room full of people were unknowingly witness to Mack’s torment of her was a complete turn on. Turned out she was an exhibitionist. Who knew? She was hot and wet, nipples visibly pebbled through her bra. The random purring of the vibe against her G-spot was enough to keep her on the brink of orgasm, but he added to the sensory overload with little gestures. A hand lightly trailed up her arm while his other drew circles on the inside of her thigh. At some point between courses, he leaned over for a long sultry kiss. She was unaware of anything but desire for him. She’d adjusted to the on again off again humming sensation in her pussy by the time the Death by Chocolate dessert arrived. The vibe did not go off while they shared the treat, but when the waiter took the plate away, Mack flipped the switch. She flushed and tried not to pant. Noticing the strain of the evening on him, too, she brushed his erection under the table. His eyes were shiny and the skin around them tight. His grip on the pen when he signed the check was so tight he bent the hard rubber enough to crack the side. Leading her to the car, he once again turned the vibe on and she gasped, clinging to his arm. He quickly handed her in, started the car and left the lot. She no longer tried to control her gasps as his fingers thrust their way past her panties to find her aching clit. She was so keyed up that she came as soon as he touched her, and her low cry filled the car. As she shuddered against his hand, her mind vaguely registered his pulling off the road into a small, secluded park. He removed her thong and, with a quick tug, took out the vibrator, then lifted her onto his freed and straining cock.

“Ride me,” he demanded with a gruff voice, leaning the seat back. Sated, she grinned at the thought of getting a little bit of control for herself. She took him inside her and she sucked in her breath in at renewed arousal. Was it possible to expire from too much pleasure? Maybe she’d be the first. She tried to torment him with a lazy pace. He let her for a while, but his eyes glittered, promising retribution. She shivered in anticipation. He must have taken it as a sign she was ready to let go again because he held her hips still and thrust into her. He built a quick, pounding rhythm. She was amazed at the bliss that once again spiraled through her. She’d never experienced such harmony with a man, and morosely vowed not to consider the little time left.

Chapter Four

Mack wasn’t sure how the following day got away from him. It started out in bed, of course, and that was a new experience. If he spent an entire night with a woman it was always at her house. Nikki didn’t understand she was the only woman he’d brought home. He snorted. How could she? He didn’t tell her. Then there was the episode on the kitchen table. Could he help it if he was unable to keep his hands off her-- now that he had her naked and in his house--where she couldn’t get away? He was a man after all. In desperation he’d suggested they go out. But even in public, he couldn’t not touch her. At the Farmer’s Market, his hand stayed tucked in her back pocket. At lunch, it rested so close to the top of her thigh, he could feel the heat and dampness of her pussy. He’d barely gotten them home, and was afraid he’d have another embarrassing car incident. Jesus. He hadn’t done anything like that since he was a teenager. He smiled. In retrospect, however, he might have to give it another try. She’d been beautiful with the moonlight glowing on her skin, head thrown back in ecstasy. Although there was the missing condom. He hadn’t done that since he was a teenager either. Normally the possibility of an unexpected pregnancy would have him quaking in his boots. But though he wanted more time with just the two of them, even that fit in with his dreams of a life with her. After a light dinner in the family room, he carried the plates to the kitchen and returned, determined to establish once and for all that she wasn’t leaving. He found the room empty and searched the house for her with mounting frustration. Yet something inside told him he’d find her packing in the bedroom. He was right. Her smile was timid when he walked in and took up a position at the foot of the bed, arms crossed. She was fitting her personal stuff in a side pocket and straightened, arching an eyebrow at him. “What?” she asked. “Where do you think you’re going?” She laughed, shaking her head.

“I know I’m going home. I have to gather the team tomorrow and catch a flight before noon. I haven’t packed, I haven’t watered my plants, and I haven’t made any plans for my mail pick up or anything.” She took a deep breath, and met his gaze. “So I’m going home.” She was giving him her don’t get in my way look. He fought the urge to chain her to his side. She did have to work. She was driven and liked her job. He loved that about her. But was there any reason she couldn’t take care of those things--he’d even help--and come back here? Had the weekend been no more than an exploration for her, a passing interlude with the office bad boy? The hell of it was, he couldn’t ask. Couldn’t force the words out of his mouth. But he was damned if he’d let some other man benefit from the sensuality he’d awakened in this woman. His woman. He nodded. “I don’t want this to end.” She looked at him a long moment. “It was a great weekend, Mack. The extended date you’ve been badgering me about for six months.” Badgering? Is that the way she saw him? She zipped the bag and drew it over her shoulder. “I should get going.” He grabbed her hand as she approached the door. “You don’t want to break this off anymore than I do, Nikki.” She took a deep breath and pulled her hand free. “Give me some time to think it over.” He nodded. “How long will you be gone?” “Two weeks probably.” “When you get back then.” “Okay.” “And come here when you get back,” he said. “Give me that much at least.” She looked at him oddly. “There’s no telling how late or early that will be.” “Take a key then.” He pulled the ring out of his pocket, removed the house key and placed it in her palm, curling her fingers closed over it. “I…okay.” She made it to the door before he stopped her again.

“You could be pregnant. Last night…” She paused at the doorway, hand on the doorjamb and shook her head. Looking over her shoulder she met his gaze. “No. I’m on the pill,” she answered. She walked down the hall while he stood rooted to the spot, visions of coming inside her with no barriers consuming him. He heard her car start. Damn. He hadn’t even kissed her goodbye.

*****

The long week was over. At last. Tired, she threaded her way through the almost empty terminal. At 4 a.m. the red-eye crowd was beginning to trickle in. Following an interminable walk, she arrived at the baggage carousel and waited for her luggage to appear. She’d crammed an eight-day investigation into five, but that had taken long hours and sleepless nights. After sending the rest of the team home on an earlier flight, she’d stayed to wrap up paperwork. It had stretched a few hours beyond what she expected, but the end of the long week was in sight at last. She sighed with relief when her bags revolved around. Her car was in long-term parking, and she sat a few minutes trying to get her foggy brain to make a choice. Sunday Mack gave her a key and insisted she go to his house when she got back in town. No matter how late. He wanted her answer ASAP. She wondered sarcastically if he had someone else lined up in case she said no. She leaned her head on the steering wheel, overcome with fatigue. The problem was she couldn’t make up her mind. She’d waffled back and forth all week. She wasn’t even sure what he was asking for. I don’t want this to end, he’d said. What did that mean? He didn’t want the sex to end? He enjoyed her company? What? Not one word about how he felt about her, or where the future might take them. She’d waited to hear…what? That he loved her? She snorted. He called her every day while she was gone and nothing like that had crossed his lips. His calls were all business beyond an affable ‘how ya doing’.

She couldn’t continue if it was just sex to him, not with her heart so involved. She decided to go home and sleep on it. Tomorrow was soon enough to cut out her heart. When she turned the engine off, and realized where she’d driven, she snorted and shook her head at herself. When had she started thinking of his place as her home? Exhausted, she fished his key out of her bag and trudged to the front door. He’d left the light on. She sighed and turned to examine the neat street, breathed in deep the scent of blooming gardenias, and looked at the full moon hanging low in the morning sky. It felt right. With the decision firm in her mind, she smiled. Poor Mack. He wouldn’t know what hit him. She walked in, closing and locking the door behind her with a soft click. Her throat was parched, so she went first to the kitchen. At the sink, she drank two glasses of water before turning to head down the hall. “I was beginning to worry,” he said when she paused in the family room’s archway. “You were out there a long time.” She stepped down into the room, searching the shadows for him. “I was thinking,” she said, when she spotted him lying across the couch. She approached and played with the open button of his jeans a moment before trailing her fingers softly up his bare chest to cup his cheek. His gaze revealed nothing of his thoughts. “And?” “It was great. Last weekend, I mean.” She paused, unsure how to go on and wishing she could read his blank expression. His voice was remote. She missed the passionate tone that was a caress over her skin. “And?” She shrugged. “Sex isn’t enough. I love you, but I deserve someone who loves me, too.” She waited in silence for his next move. Trying to force an admission of feeling from him was either the right thing to do or a huge mistake that would bite her in the ass. This was the only one way to find out. He reared up from the couch, grabbed her, and rolled her under him. “You’re gonna kill me, woman,” he said with a gratifying mix of male frustration and bafflement. “Let me get this straight. You left me in suspense all week because I didn’t say the words?”

Staring up at him, she was struck by how perfect they fit together and she smiled. Maybe the words escaped him, but he’d shown her in a thousand different ways. She’d been a fool not to see it. He cupped her face in his gentle hands and gazed steadily in her eyes. “I love you. Happy now? Put me out of my misery. Please.” He continued before she could answer. “You know me well enough to know I don’t bring anyone here.” “Mack,” she interrupted. “And do you really you think I’d give a key to just anyone? Jesus.” “Mack.” “I never took you for thick-headed, Nikki—“ “Mack!” “What?” He finally stopped when she grabbed his ears. Smiling she said the first thing that popped in her mind. “Shut up and kiss me.” With a big grin, he obeyed. And they were tied up happily ever after.