Part 2 (1/2)

The room was bathed in soft evening sunlight when Thea next awoke. She lifted her eyelids slowly, orienting herself to the strange room and the play of shadows on the wall. Feeling refreshed after her nap, she started to stretch, and then realized she couldnat move her arms.

Confused, she looked around her, twisting her head and trying to move her legs. Sheer feminine panic set in. She was tied to the bed! Spread eagle, her arms and legs were bound to the four bedposts, leaving her totally helpless. As she thrashed, the s.h.i.+rt rode up her thighs, exposing her crotch to the shock of cool air.

aBlake!a she screamed in terror, her panicked gaze searching the room.

aIam right here.a He materialized out of the shadows, looking big and dark and forbidding as he moved to the side of the bed and stared down at her. His expression was so intense and brooding that it made her even more frightened.

Thea struggled for a better grasp of the situation. aWhatas going on? Why am I tied up?a She couldnat control the underlying panic in her tone.

She trusted Blake. Totally. Didnat she?

At least, she thought she did. The longer they were together, the less she felt she knew him. How furious was he about Ted? Could he want to exact more revenge?

aYouare tied in silk neckties with slip knots. They wonat hurt you, just donat strain against them too much.a She did exactly the opposite, tugging fiercely against the bonds. All the struggling accomplished was to hike his s.h.i.+rt higher, leaving her completely exposed and vulnerable, with her legs lewdly spread. More air wafted over her bare flesh, making her feminine muscles clench. The thras.h.i.+ng renewed the fire in her behind, and she gasped at the wildly differing sensations.

aTake them off! Right now! I donat like this!a Blake didnat comment. Instead, he dipped his fingers in a wine gla.s.s on the bedside table. Then he began to bathe her lips with the sweet-tart liquid while silently demanding she look him in the eyes.

aBlind obedience,a he reminded. aIf you want unconditional trust, you have to be willing to give it.a Theaas heart hammered in her chest. Her breathing was labored, but his touch was gentle, his tone hypnotic. Like the spider to the fly? The thought brought a resurgence of alarm.

Did he plan to punish her? What other fetishes did he have besides bondage? Sadism perhaps? Whips and chains? Other instruments of torture? h.e.l.l and d.a.m.nation! Her muscles clenched tighter. Her a.s.s simmered with heat.

What if he wouldnat be satisfied with a private punishment? What if he had some weird obsession for threesomes or swapping or slavery? How well did she really know him?

aYouare scaring me,a she whispered, lapping the wine from her lips, wis.h.i.+ng for a sip to wet her dry throat.

aWhy?a he asked, his hand cupping her chin and then sliding down her throat. His eyes remained dark and shuddered, his voice rough. aBecause you cheated on me and youare afraid I might want retribution?a Fear clutched at her throat, getting tangled with desire as his hand strayed down to her breast. He palmed the soft mound, and then pinched her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. As she stared at him, wide eyed, he increased the pressure to the borderline between pleasure and pain.

Her next words came out in a strangled groan. aI didnat cheat on you.a aSo you keep saying. But you canat deny causing me a lot of public humiliation. I think you deserve a little punishment for that. I donat believe in sharing or I could have invited some friends along.a A tremor shook her body and her breathing was coming in hard little pants. Blakeas intense scrutiny finally s.h.i.+fted her chest, where her b.r.e.a.s.t.s jutted against the thin fabric of his s.h.i.+rt.

His jaw clenched, and his eyes glittered with anger. aI donat like sharing at all,a he reiterated, tugging on one nipple until she shuddered.

aJust you and me?a she demanded gruffly, her eyes wide and worried.

aJust you and me,a he promised, leaning over to brush his mouth back and forth across hers.

Her breath rushed out in a sigh. He was finally going to kiss her. She knew he wouldnat be kissing her so gently if he were still furious. Her body felt strung as taut as wire, but she relaxed a little as his kisses grew bolder.

She wanted his mouth and all the kisses head been denying her. The tantalizing taste wasnat nearly enough. She s.h.i.+fted her head until their lips were aligned. He still teased her with fleeting touches, but she strained as far as her bonds would allow and ground her mouth against his in urgent demand.

She badly needed rea.s.surance.

Blake didnat disappoint her. He took her mouth with swift, hard possession, forcing her head back to the pillow, as he pressed closer. His big body blanketed her in warmth. She opened her lips and hungrily welcomed the thrust of his tongue. Then she stroked and sucked it until they were both moaning and gasping for air.

Time stood still as they kissed, caressing each other with teeth and tongues and lips. Every kiss made them hungrier for the next, rekindling a fire that had been repressed by emotional uncertainty. Thea squirmed beneath him, wanting the freedom to hold him in her arms. The silken bonds kept her from attaining the closeness she so desperately craved.

Blake finally tore his mouth from hers and leaned back. She groaned her displeasure, opened her eyes and watched him visibly struggle for control. Perspiration dotted his brow and tension locked his jaws. She wondered how long head been sitting in the darkness, watching her and feeding his own hunger. The evidence of his tightly coiled desire stoked hers even higher.

ad.a.m.n, you make me lose my head faster than anyone Iave ever known,a he snarled in self-disgust.

She understood exactly how he felt, and hated his withdrawal. She wanted to drag him back to her for more mindless kisses, but her arms were shackled. Frustration gnawed.

aIs that such a bad thing?a aIt is right now.a aWhy?a aBecause I need to concentrate on teaching you a lesson, not being seduced.a Her stomach fluttered and her nipples pearled. She licked her lips. Blake reached for a gla.s.s of wine and tilted it slowly so that she could take a drink. Then he lowered his head and sipped at her mouth, but refused to deepen the kiss.

She grumbled a complaint against his lips. aMore. I want more.a aPatience, honey, and I promise it will be its own reward,a he said, turning his attention to the rest of her body.

Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s strained against his s.h.i.+rt, her nipples begging for attention. She watched, mesmerized as he slowly began to unfasten the b.u.t.tons. His total absorption in the task sent a quiver through her. The brush of his skin against hers electrified the nerve endings. Just watching his concentrated efforts made heat curl through her body like a simmering, yet carefully regulated fire.

Cool air touched her skin, causing goose b.u.mps as he parted the sides to reveal her pale flesh. The urgent flare of need in his eyes as he studied her bared body started a deep, throbbing ache low in her belly. His expression went dark and hungry, alive with a need so intense that it stilled her breathing.

aYou are so beautiful. Do you know how much I want you?a he whispered, locking gazes with her.

Thea thought her heart would surely explode in her chest as his gaze slid along the flesh head exposed. She desperately wanted to believe him. For once, he didnat hide behind a mask of control. He feasted on her with his eyes and made her quiver with longing.

She couldnat seem to catch her breath or still her rioting nerves. aYou canat want me any more than I want you.a aOh, I want you more, all right. More than you could imagine. More than youave probably ever experienced,a he insisted gruffly. aBut thatas going to change. Iam going to teach you what it is to really want.a A soft whimper escaped her.

aYouare more afraid of that than of any physical harm I might do, arenat you?a he asked, studying her features intently. aYou donat like losing control any more than I do, but I want to make sure your desire is as fierce as mine. Then Iam going to show you the meaning of awesome, mind-blowing satisfaction.a The low, pa.s.sionate promise sent a tremor of longing over Thea. She felt moisture trickling between her legs as he continued to study her with his gorgeous, mesmerizing eyes. Her skin sizzled at the touch of his gaze, and then he began to use his hands and mouth. She closed her eyes on a swelling moan of pleasure.

Shead never been particularly interested in s.e.x for the physical aspects, but more for the closeness and intimacy it provided. Blake had never really tested the depths of her sensuality, but now he seemed determined to do just that.

Bracing himself with hands on either side of her head, he kissed her eyelids, then her cheeks and the curve of her throat. His nibbling on her shoulder sent a wave of s.h.i.+vers over her, making her nipples ache.

They poked at his bare chest until he finally s.h.i.+fted his attention to the fullness of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He cupped them both in his hands, kneading and shaping, his dark hands a shocking contrast against her pale skin. He took one nipple into his mouth while thumbing the other into a turgid bud.

She uttered a low, mewing sound and began to squirm as much as the restraints would allow. She wanted to sink her hands in his hair and hold him tight: To wrap her legs around him and feel all of his weight on her. She wanted him to fill her emptiness with his big, hard c.o.c.k.

The deep, pulling suction of his mouth made every muscle in her body constrict and the blood roar through her veins. Twisting and tugging against the confines of her restraints, she tried to ease the sharpening ache.

aBlake!a she urged him to hurry.

He resisted, taking his time with one breast and then the other, using his teeth and tongue and lips to drive her higher. He plucked at her nipples while his mouth planted hot, wet kisses across her ribs and stomach.

She tossed her head from side to side. His touch left a trail of fire on her flesh until she feared shead burst into flame. Shead never experienced such consuming desire, and she didnat think she could get more aroused. Then his caresses s.h.i.+fted lower. With her legs spread wide, she had no defense as his attention settled between them.

He grasped her upper thighs in his hands, and then used his mouth to part the damp folds of her feminine lips. His tongue jabbed at the heart of her desire, startling a scream from her. Flames of fire spiraled through her body, staggering her breath. She arched against him in a wild frenzy of need.

aOhmigaud!a she said on a gasp. aBlake, no, I canat stand it!a It was too much, too scary, too out of control.

In response, he thrust a finger inside her, redoubling his efforts. She didnat even try to m.u.f.fle her cries as he prolonged the deep, potent caresses, pus.h.i.+ng her harder and higher. Then two big, male fingers were working her along with the jabbing of his tongue. A maelstrom of unrelenting excitement pulsed in the center of her body, stabbing her between the legs.

When she felt herself nearing release, he abruptly halted the sensual a.s.sault. Frustration clawed at her, mingling with a strange relief at having been pulled back from the brink of control. Panting harshly, her lungs burning, she watched as he climbed from the bed and shed his jeans.

He hadnat bothered with boxers. His erection jutted out, ruby red, hard and throbbing with antic.i.p.ation. Her body shook with matching excitement. This time he wouldnat disappoint her. He had to need her as much as she needed him. She wanted him desperately, and soon he would fill her.

She dared to look him directly in the eyes, knowing how exposed and vulnerable she must look, how flushed and excited. Shead never seen his expression so raw and hungry. The tightly leashed control was for his body only, but the primitive desire was evident in the tautness of his features.