“I kissed you.”
“Not after your brother arrived,” she said with a faint air of challenge.
“I don’t want to talk about my brother.” He started for his bedroom, passing the empty spare room on the way. Boxes of books and other belongings still littered the floor. They’d have to sort out the mess. Soon.
In the bedroom, he dropped her on the mattress. She’d made the bed and put up the curtains he’d purchased earlier in the week when they’d gone shopping together. He’d thank her later. “I intend to make love to you but first…” He pulled off her slippers and jeans, and made quick work of the rest of her clothes.
“I like the way you think.” She sprawled on the bed, at ease with her nakedness. “I can’t wait to learn what happens next.”
“Hands above your head.” He reached for a drawer and pulled out a silk scarf and folded it expertly. “Close your eyes.” He waited for her to process his order, half of him expecting objections. Instead, her soft smile stole a piece of his patience. Her eyes drifted closed, and he swallowed hard, her easy trust plugging a hole in him he hadn’t realized was empty. With competent hands, he placed the scarf over her eyes and tied it securely.
His hemp ropes were under the bed. He pulled out the bag, to find them coiled as he’d left them. The ropes were familiar in his hands. Old friends. Strong. Lasting. He hoped he didn’t scare Laura with his suggestion.
He lifted her right wrist and pressed a kiss to the delicate blue veins. “Ever since I met you, I’ve wanted to see you tied to my bed.”
“And are you going to do it tonight?”
He cocked his head, interpreting her words, her body language. Intrigued. He blew out a breath. “Yes. If you’re okay with it.”
“Dallas, I trust you.” Her smile was gentle and echoed her conviction.
“Good girl.” Unable to resist, he pressed his mouth to hers, the contact fleeting and a tease when he craved real body contact. He picked up his rope and started twisting and weaving the hemp around her limbs. His moves were careful, precise, testing and checking his ties and knots to make sure they wouldn’t hurt her or cause an injury. Under and over her wrist, a quick loop and knot. He attached the rope to the wooden bed head and tested it with a tug. Right and tight. “Comfy?”
“Yes. A little cold.”
“Can’t have that.” He reached over to turn up the heat in the room. “I’m going to tie your legs now.” He paused a beat for objections, but she smiled. The act of belief made his own grin spring to prominence, and the urge to whistle took him by surprise. His cock lengthened, pressing against the fly of his jeans. “You make me want to hurry.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“This part of our relationship is about control and trust.” The impulse to hasten grabbed him by the balls. Instead, he inhaled and let his breath ease out. With methodical moves, he tied her feet, taking the same care with his procedure. Finally, he sat back on his haunches. “How’s that feel?”
“I can’t move.”
“That’s the idea. But you feel comfortable?”
“I feel fine.” She smiled again, the one that tugged at his control.
Dallas puffed out a breath. “I’m going to grab something from the kitchen. Be right back, okay?”
Laura nodded before realizing he wouldn’t see her incline of head. “All right.”
Cool air prickled across her skin as she tested the ropes. Although there was give, she was trussed like one of cook’s chickens. She was here to stay—until Dallas decided to loosen the knots.
As the minutes ticked by, a sliver of anxiety worked through her. Where was he? He’d said he was going to the kitchen. He wouldn’t leave her here. The distant ding of the microwave reassured her. At least he was still in the house. The scuff of a foot against the carpet grabbed her attention and her head turned in the direction of the sound.
“Jeez, sorry.” Dallas’s hand on her shoulder helped her shake off the remnants of her worry. “I couldn’t find what I was looking for. It took ages.”
“I was starting to wonder if you were going to leave me here.”
“Never. I don’t play games like that.” He sounded a little insulted.
“Never? Is that a rule or something?”
“My rule. If I intend to leave you alone, I’ll inform you where I’ll be, how long you’ll be on your own.” His voice still rang with a tinge of affront.
“A momentary lapse on my part. Lying here like a chicken in a truss tends to play with one’s mind, especially since I’m blindfolded.” And it was true. Damn if she’d apologize when they were still learning about each other, when she was still learning the rules of this game. No, not a game. That was the wrong word to describe their relationship.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to upset you. Do you want to keep going?”
