He slipped a finger between the black tie and her wrist, his intense gaze watching her face. He dropped his focus to her lips. “You’re fine.”
“I find this unnecessary.” She glared down at her secured wrists. How dare he? They’d just had sex.
“We both know it’s more than necessary.” His nostrils flared like those of a stallion in heat.
She shook her head. “You know this is a bad idea.” They’d managed to live normal lives by staying out of each other’s way all these decades. Being near him actually hurt. Not touching him bordered on the impossible. “Jasper.”
His eyes morphed to a startling green and then darkened with possessiveness. “This is your new reality, baby. You and me. All-in.”
Panic fought with the desire flowing through her veins. “I’m not ready.”
“Too bad. I am.” He opened the bedside table and drew out a thin rope. “Sorry about this.” Not sounding the least bit sorry, he wound the rope between the ties and secured it before wrapping the other end around the bedpost and creating some sort of elaborate knot.
Leah blinked. Yeah, she might’ve fantasized a time or two about being tied up by him. Not like this, though. “There’s no need to be kinky.”
He ran his knuckles across her cheekbone. “You haven’t seen kinky yet. But I promise you will.”
Think. She had to think. “You were prepared to keep me prisoner?” How in the world had he tied her up so quickly?
“I’ve learned to be prepared for you at all times,” he said dryly. “I thought we might be called out on a job, and I don’t want you going anywhere. You have enough freedom to reach the bathroom.” He reached into the drawer of the bedside table and brought out a remote control. “Feel free to watch whateveryou want.” He nodded his head toward a large-screen TV fastened to the wall, a noticeable bulge in the front of his faded jeans. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, and we’ll settle this for good.”
For good? That could only mean one thing. He was going to plant that mark back on her body—nice and dark. Her body sprang wide awake with ahell yes, while her brain tried to shut it down. She had to get out of there. “This is improper.”
“Sorry about that. Proper isn’t in my vocabulary.” Pressing a quick kiss to her forehead, he strode out the door, shutting it quietly behind him.
Desire trembled through her, and she nearly doubled over from need. Even now, his smell of wild forest and dark spice filled the air around her, as if even his scent wanted to claim her for all time.
She flicked on the TV to see if anything interesting was happening and waited, patiently counting the minutes.
When no noise remained in the penthouse, she carefully looked at the zip ties. For some reason, people thought zip ties were difficult to remove. She’d trained with a group once on how to get out of any bindings. Zip ties were easy.
She lifted one leg, put both arms down until the tie sat against her shin—one of the hardest parts of the body—and then slammed the ties down as hard as she could. They didn’t give. She tried again. Nothing.
She tried a third time, and they snapped open.
Did he seriously think a couple of zip ties would keep her in place? He’d underestimated her for years, and it was somewhat amusing. With the ties loose, the rope sprang free, as well. She’d waste time on an eye roll, but she really had to get going.
Gingerly, she opened the door and looked out. Nothing. Taking a deep breath, she hurried toward the outside door, careful not to step on any toys. She’d heard of Benjamin Reese, and he was the last vampire she wanted to piss off.
She opened the door to the vestibule and walked easily to the elevators to press the down button. It arrived, and she shook her head again. That man really had to stop underestimating her, but it was a problem she’d deal with at another time. Or perhaps she could use it to her advantage. Again.
Once she reached the ground floor, she walked out and smiled at the two security guards behind the front desk. They were human and didn’t know her. They nodded back. She sprinted outside into a summer day. She loved Paris.
Hailing a taxi, she paid in cash with money from her boot. Jasper really should have searched her. The cab dropped her off at her temporary flat, and she ran inside, hurriedly changing into a long, sparkling blue gown that set off her eyes. Her hair took a bit longer to tie into an intricate knot, and then she tucked her three-inch, sequined heels into her overlarge bag and wore her flats as she bolted out of the apartment.
She had a ball to attend, after all.
Chapter Four
The smell of fresh roses filled the grand convention center’s opulent ballroom as Leah strode, as gracefully as possible in three-inch heels, toward the woman currently organizing place cards.
“Oh, Leah. There you are. Good. You’re late,” her friend Mallory said.
“I’m sorry. Something came up.” Leah reached into the box on the table and took out place cards, noting the table number to the side of each name. “I’m here to help.”
Mallory leaned over and double-checked one of the silver tags. “I appreciate the assistance. You look beautiful.”
“Oh, thanks,” Leah said, looking down at her form-fitting, blue-sequined gown. “So do you.”
