Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Leah perked up. She was looking for a Wallace. It couldn’t be the same guy, could it?
Jasper tucked the gun at the back of his waist. “We don’t have anybody on this penthouse, do we?”
Dax shook his head. “No, all of our scouts are out, and most of our soldiers won’t arrive for another couple of hours. We don’t have anybody here.”
“That’s okay,” Leah said cheerfully. “You guys go ahead and complete your mission. I take it you need to meet with Wallace and Vester?”
“Yeah, meet,” Jasper said darkly. “That’s exactly what we need to do.”
This was working out far better than she’d imagined. She plastered on a smile and tried to ignore the fact that her inner thighs were whisker-burned, and everyone looking at her right now knew that. Or something close to it. “All right. I’ll do my work, and you do yours. We’ll meet up later.”
“I don’t think so,” Jasper said. “I’ll be right back.” He lowered his body and tossed her over his shoulder, leaving her staring down at a myriad of smashed toys as he walked farther into the penthouse. He opened a door, and she suddenly flew across the room to land on the now very messy bed.
The decidedly feminine room smelled like cinnamon, and a welcome basket overflowed on the dresser near the marble-filled bathroom, complete with a wide tub she could see from her perch. How had she not noticed those before? Oh, yeah. She’d been too busy reaching a couple of orgasms.
“Stop carrying me places, damn it,” she said, her heart rate kicking into high gear. Just being in his presence made her sensitized skin feel stretched too tight. Adrenaline and a boatload of pheromones overtook her body. She cleared her throat to sound normal. “Really, Jasper. Go get your work done. Obviously, you have a meeting.”
“I have more than a meeting.” He reached into his back pocket and drew out what appeared to be zip ties.
She tried to scoot back on the bed, but he grabbed her ankle before she could move. His touch spiraled through her, peaking her nipples and increasing her breath. She should be satiated, but she wasn’t even close. They couldn’t be in such close proximity. Her system couldn’t take it. Need lowered her voice. “Why do you have zip ties?”
“For this.” He quickly shoved one loop over her left wrist and then finished with her right, drawing them tight. His voice sounded gravelly.
“Hey,” she said, trying to ignore her suddenly damp panties. “That hurts.”
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 whatever you 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 a hell yes, while her brain tried to shut it down. She had to get out of there. “This is improper.”