"What's good for the goose is good
for the gander."
Lucas slanted smile made her melt a little
in spite of it all. "If
I allow you to tie me up, you will
let me tie you up? Is that what you're saying?"
Amber rubbed her hand against her forehead. "I'm
not saying that at all."
He flattened his hands on her desk and leaned
closer. "Come
on, baby. What are you scared of?"
She dropped her hand and glared at him. "Nothing!"
"I won't hurt you." The words came
out rough, as if it pained him that he had to make that assurance.
Amber closed her eyes, trying to maintain
her composure. "I
know that."
"Then what is the problem?"
"I don't trust you!" She blurted
out the words and instantly regretted it. Amber pressed her lips
together, but it was too late. The damage was done.
She reluctantly opened her eyes and saw Lucas's face. The sexy gleam
in his eyes was gone. She had snuffed it out with that statement,
and she wanted to take it back. The problem was, it was true.
"I know you don't trust me," Lucas said, his voice rough
and gravelly. "That's why this is my fantasy. I can't imagine
anything sexier than you naked and
tied up, willing and trusting to follow my lead."
That was his sexiest scenario? Try scariest!
Her chest constricted so tightly she felt like she was wheezing
for air. "You want
me to be your sex slave for one night
and I should expect nothing out of it?"
"I'll make sure you'll enjoy it."
His arrogance made her want to scream. He was so confident that this
would work. He truly believed that she'd love it and wouldn't be able
to wait to do it again. After all, he wasn't sacrificing anything.
Amber paused as she considered that. What if he had to make a sacrifice?
How much did he want this fantasy? How much longer would he push for
it, if he had to risk something?
"What?" His gaze sharpened on her. "Come
on, Amber. I know that look. What's up?"
"I'll make a deal with you," she
said slowly, her stomach flipping like crazy. Her heart pounded
so hard against her chest that she thought it was going to burst.
He raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"I will let you tie me up tonight…" Oh,
God, she couldn't believe she was saying this. She should think
this through, try to plug up any loopholes and make it to her advantage.
His expression was so primal that it took her breath away.
"…if"—she paused, trying to think straight—"if
you let me act out my fantasy with
the scarf tomorrow night."
Lucas pushed away from the desk as he thought
about it. He slid his hands in his pockets and braced his legs apart.
It was his classic negotiation pose. "What's your fantasy?"
She had no idea, but she'd come up with something
that would make it worth her while. "You'll find out tomorrow."
"No, forget that." Lucas saw right through her plan. "You're
going to try to break me. Humiliate me or something. I just know it." His
expression darkened as he thought
of all she could do to him.
"Lucas, I'm hurt." She playfully put her hand against her
heart. "Do you really think I'm capable of something like that?"
“Yes,” he said with no hesitation.
She clucked her tongue. "Okay, how about this." She held
up her hand as a pledge. "I solemnly vow that I won't do anything
that would cause permanent injury
or mental anguish."
His eyes narrowed into slits. "Yeah,
right."
"That's the deal, Lucas." She tapped her finger against
the desk. "I'll be your sex slave tonight, but you have to be
mine tomorrow."
Lucas didn't like the terms and he wasn't
going to hide his true feelings. "You don't have a bondage fantasy," he argued. "You
just want to hedge your bets. If
I do anything you don't like tonight, then I will suffer the consequences
tomorrow."
And it was a brilliant insurance plan if she
said so herself. "Lucas," she
said with a pout, "don't you trust me?"
He studied her with a penetrating stare. It felt like he was stripping
away layer upon layer until he saw her very heart. Suddenly the wicked
gleam in his eye reappeared.
"I do trust you," he finally said, "and
I'll take you up on your offer."
Amber's eyes widened as her stomach did a free fall. Lucas had called
her bluff? Oh, damn.
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