“Now,” he says, his voice dropping to a register that makes my skin prickle with anticipation, “I believe the rules state that whoever catches you gets to decide what happens next.”
I swallow hard, suddenly very aware of how small this space is, how alone we are. “And what have you decided?”
Instead of answering, he drops to his knees beside me, his blue eyes dark with intent. “I think you know.”
I do know, but something in me wants to make him work for it. I scramble backward, away from his reach, feeling a rush of excitement when his expression sharpens with predatory focus.
“Still running?” he asks, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine.
“You said you like the chase,” I remind him, my back hitting the wall of the blind. There’s nowhere left to go.
He moves toward me with the fluid grace of an athlete, his body caging mine against the wall. “And you like being caught.”
I struggle against his hold, using all my strength because I know he can easily overpower me. It’s a game, but one that makes my pulse race and my breath come faster. His hands capture my wrists, pinning them above my head as he leans in close enough that I can feel his breath on my lips.
“Do you want to keep fighting?” he whispers, his mouth brushing the shell of my ear. “Or do you want me to tie you down?”
The question sends a bolt of heat straight to my core. “It’s your Christmas present,” I manage to say. “You decide.”
His grin is slow and wicked. “Let’s split the difference, then.”
He keeps my wrists pinned above my head with one strong hand while the other works at the fastenings of my snow pants. I’m wearing too many layers for this to be graceful, but Kai doesn’t seem to mind. He tugs at my clothes with single-minded determination, using his legs to keep my lower body still when I squirm.
“You’re wearing too many damn clothes,” he mutters, finally managing to push my pants and thermal leggings down to my knees.
“It’s December in Alaska,” I point out breathlessly. “What did you expect?”
“A little less in the way,” he says, his free hand sliding between my legs. His eyes widen slightly when he feels how wet I already am. “Though maybe this is just the right amount.”
I gasp as he slips a finger inside me, then another, his thumb circling my clit with maddening precision. “Kai?—“
“Yes?” he asks innocently, curling his fingers in a way that makes me arch against him.
“Please,” I whisper, not even sure what I’m asking for.
He seems to know, though. He withdraws his hand and fumbles with his own pants, freeing himself before positioning between my legs. With one smooth thrust, he’s inside me, filling me so completely that I can’t help the moan that escapes my lips.
“Fuck,” he breathes, his forehead resting against mine. “You feel amazing.”
He begins to move, each thrust driving me higher. I’m already on the edge after just a few strokes, my body responding to him with an intensity that would be embarrassing if I had any capacity for shame left.
“Kai, I’m going to?—“
And then he stops. Completely. His body goes still inside mine, and I whimper in frustration.
“You didn’t think I was going to make it that easy, did you?” he asks, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.
“What—“
“I said I wanted to chase you,” he reminds me, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Not that I wanted to catch you.”
He waits until the frantic beat of my heart slows slightly, gently stroking my cheek with his free hand. Only when my breathing has steadied does he resume his thrusts, the pace deliberately measured now.
“Open your mouth,” he commands, pressing his thumb against my lower lip.
I obey, and he slides his thumb into my mouth. “Suck.”
I do as he asks, hollowing my cheeks around the digit, tasting myself on his skin. He watches me with hooded eyes, his rhythm faltering slightly before he regains control.
