“What are you doing?” I throw the bottle cap to the side.
“I need to sew the ribbons on my new pointe shoes.”
Sipping my beer, I picture her in my head on her toes, spinning around for me until she lands on my lap. She’s a great ballerina. Even though she dances a lot of styles, ballet is where she’s kind of extra hot, and she dances flawlessly but adds her own alternative flare to her song choices and choreography.
She raises a brow at me. “Why did you watch me the other day?”
Ah, I knew this was coming. My mother gave away my secret, that she caught me surveying Hadley when I ran into my mom on the street, the reason I was delayed meeting my dad and uncle.
“I might not enjoy your presence, but you have talent.”
She seems to be debating if my answer is worthy of her approval. “It’s strange.”
I slant my shoulder up in doubt. “You shouldn’t dance with the door open; anybody can watch.” I set my beer bottle down.
“It gets warm in the studio. I wanted some air.”
I begin to walk slowly to her, determined to try something. “I’ll buy you an air conditioner, consider it a present formy wife. But what I meant was, any guy could watch.”
A sly smirk forms on her mouth that I want to devour. “Ah, can’t have that now, can we? Connor throws a fit at the idea of another man watching.” Her tone is taunting me, and I don’t like that one bit.
I circle around the island, getting closer to my target. “Hadley, while we’re married, no man will look at you.” I slide the pink satin ribbons off the counter. My eyes stay connected with hers while I tie the ribbons together.
Her eyes slide down, but then quickly back up. “What are you doing? I need those.”
A sinister scoff leaves my mouth. “I’ll buy you a new pair, twenty if you want. We need these for something else right now.”
My hands land on either side of her legs, then I slide the chair so she is squared off with me.
She isn’t protesting, and that’s a positive sign.
“Do you know what I think?” she husks.
“Humor me.” I pull the knot on the ribbons ceremoniously.
Her head lolls slightly to the side. “You enjoy watching me because it makes you hard, doesn’t it, even though you’re supposed to despise me.” Her sultry voice should be a crime.
Ignoring her valid observation, I get to work. “Hands, Hadley,” I demand.
To my utter amazement, she lifts her hands together, wrists tight, offering herself as the prize.
I whistle in approval. “Well, well, well, someone is a good girl and listens to her husband.” I begin to wrap the ribbon around her wrists.
“Or you just followed instructions and are working a little harder than saying you need to tug one out.” Her reminder of what she said earlier causes me to smirk. “Plus, I have a weakness for curiosity,” she states blandly.
Scoffing a sound, I decide to call her out. “Or you’re just as twisted as me. I know you found the sheets for the guest room, so you could make yourself cozy in one of those rooms, yet the sheets haven’t been touched.” I flash her knowing eyes, but she doesn’t break. I tighten the ribbon around her wrists. “You want to know why I really observed you dancing the other day?”
Her tongue swirls across her bottom lip as she nods.
I cup her jaw in my palm, with my thumb sliding along the curve of her face. “Because we may irritate one another, but I was your first, and your disdain for me, mixed with your legs wide open, is an image any man would think about. Now, spread,” I nearly growl.
Hadley’s jaw hangs low, but our eyes stay locked. Her tied wrists rest against her chest. I can’t read her right now. Maybe I’ve pushed too soon.
“You didn’t say please,” she scolds.
No hesitation from me. “Please.”
Her knees part open, and I glance down, figuring out how to strip her. One button and a zip. Should be easy. This stool at the island? Not so much. In a swift move, I lift her into my arms and plant her on the counter where her back rests against the marble while I spread her wide again.
