London’s face falls. “I have nothing else to bargain with, but I’m sure I can pay you back. I just need to—”
“Shut the fuck up, London. This is no time to bring up the contract, and you don’t need to barter for money.”
London’s eyebrows draw together. “I don’t?”
“Take off your shirt.”
London’s eyes bulge, and she takes an involuntary step backward. “You can’t be serious.”
“Take off your shirt,” I repeat. “Now.”
Her fingers move to the buttons of her shirt. As it falls to the floor, I push her onto the bed. Then I lower myself onto the floor and reach for her mud-caked shoes. After throwing them over my shoulders, my hands move slowly to unfasten the button of her jeans. London’s breath hitches in her throat as she stares at me.
Wordlessly, she tilts her hips and allows me to slide the jeans off the remainder of the way.
When she’s in her bra and underwear, I stand up and step into the bathroom.
London gives me a confused look when I return and kneel in front of her to run a wet towel over her skin. A sigh falls from her lips as I take my time, cleaning every inch of her skin until she’s covered in goosebumps. As I reach her stomach, she swallows, and her fingers move to the back of my head to thread themselves through my hair.
A tingle races up my spine as I place one arm on either side of her and wait for her to look at me.
“If you want money, all you have to do is ask. You’re not under contract anymore.”
“Oh.”
I lean forward and brush my lips against hers. She sighs and melts against me. When she runs her tongue along my lower lip, I growl and plunge my tongue into her mouth. As we fall backward onto the bed, my hands move to her arms, pinning them over her head.
London whimpers when I stop kissing her, her eyes half-closed. “What are you doing?”
“Look at me,” I say, in a whisper-soft voice.
London’s eyes flutter open, and the hungry look she gives me almost makes me abandon all reason.
“You are not under contract,” I repeat in a stronger voice. “You are here because you choose to be. I will give you money, but if you sneak out again, there will be consequences.”
“Like what? You’ll handcuff me to the bed?”
I hold both hands in a vise-like grip and rub myself against her. “That’s not a bad idea. I know you’re used to a different life and having independence. I’m not trying to take that away, but if you want to be a part of this world…myworld, changes have to be made.”
London nods slowly. “Okay.”
I lower my head and pepper her neck with hot, open-mouthed kisses. She wriggles against me, and it sends another jolt of desire through me. “I am not going to apologize, either. I do what I have to do to keep you safe. If you wanted something different, you shouldn’t have stayed.”
London shakes her head. “I only want you.”
I release her hands, stand up, and lean over the bed. After pulling out a pair of handcuffs, I let them dangle from my hands and look at her. “Good. Now, about that punishment.”
London looks between my face and the handcuffs. “I thought you said that would happen if I snuck out again.”
“I think a demonstration is in order, don’t you?” I lean over the bed so our faces are inches apart. “You need to say the words, London, and surrender yourself to me.”
Something moves in me as her eyes sweep over my face. “I do.”
Nothing else matters as we fall backward, and I lose myself in her.
Chapter Six
London
