She didn’t know what he meant at first, but then her gaze dropped down from her fingers, and she saw the enormous bulge between his legs.
Surprisingly, it didn’t frighten her. It made her bolder.
She went on playing with the muscles on his stomach and watching them jump with tension under her fingertips.
It took her a few more minutes to realize how tightly Niall was holding himself and what her touch was doing to him. It seemed to be agonizing but pleasurable at the same time.
She looked up into the taut expression and gave him a catlike grin. “I thought you said it wouldn’t hurt.”
“I lied,” he said gruffly. His hot gaze meeting hers. “But this kind of hurt I like.”
“I like it, too, but I think…”
“What?”
“I think I should like you to touch me, too.”
He gave a deep groan that settled right to her toes. He drew her into his embrace and right before putting his mouth on hers reminded her, “You are in control, Annie. When you tell me to stop, I will.”
Annie nodded. But when his mouth touched hers, she wasn’t sure she ever wanted him to stop.
For the first time in a long time, in the embrace of the man she’d once loved with her whole heart, Annie MacGregor felt safe.
* * *
Niall took it slow. Really slow. He let her take the lead even though every part of his body was radiating with pounding blood from her touch.
He didn’t think he’d ever been so aroused in his life. Her innocent exploration had been like a lightning rod of pleasure roaring through his veins. He’d had to clench the edge of the wooden stool he was sitting on with his hands so as not to be tempted to reach out and touch her.
But that was nothing compared to the sensations pouring through him now. The feel of her soft lips moving under his was almost too much to take.
God, she was sweet. Like sugar dissolving under his heat. He couldn’t get enough, couldn’t taste her deep enough to quench the thirst that had been building in him for two long years.
But he didn’t put his tongue in her mouth. He waited for her to deepen the kiss. For her to remember. For her to open her mouth and slide her tongue against his.
When she did, he nearly lost his mind. His head exploded. Both of them.
Jesus, this wasn’t going to be easy. But he knew that however hard it was—literally—he had to do what it took to make her feel safe.
He had an idea about how to do that and to ensure that he kept his promise not to touch her. Normally, he wasn’t into this kind of bed sport, but he had a feeling that with Annie that might change.
As their kissing grew more frantic and her hands started to roam across his chest and stomach again, he knew he had to do something. He started to unbuckle the leather belt at his waist.
When she pulled back suddenly, he realized she’d misinterpreted his actions.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s not what you think.” He handed the belt to her. “I want you to bind my hands behind my back.”
From the way her eyes widened, Niall knew he’d shocked her. But he also knew she understood.
Her face was still flushed from their kiss as she met his gaze. “This is what you meant about me being in control?”
He nodded. “You can do whatever you want to me, and I won’t be able to touch you.”
“What if I want you to touch me?”
His cock twitched, and he nearly groaned. “You can unbind me.”
She held his gaze for a few more moments, her cheeks growing even more flush. “Is this proper?”
