Only Simon.
Kara swung the computer chair slightly, glancing at the clock. Oops. She had spent more time than she had intended in the computer lab once she had gotten involved in the game. But it was so incredible, so damn addictive.
The new computer game had been a Valentine gift from Simon, one of many, a present that she would always cherish because Simon had done this himself, probably spent weeks of his nearly nonexistent spare time designing it just to amuse her. Simon had led her up here over an hour ago to surprise her. He had left, grinning broadly, when she had sat down in the computer chair, unable to wait before trying to master one of his creations.
Kara shut the computer down eagerly, ready to find Simon and thank him properly. The diamond on her left hand caught the abundant light in the room, glittering brightly, making her heart contract painfully.
Simon’s mine. We’re going to be married. Have a child together.
Her sadness and hesitation had dissolved like they had never existed. Kara felt like herself again with Simon. She realized that her irrational fears had to do with the fact that she had suspected she was pregnant and hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it, afraid of Simon’s reaction to the news. She should have known better. Really, when had the man she loved ever disappointed her? If anything, he was way more protective than he needed to be. But that was Simon, and Kara loved everything about him, even when his high-handed dominance pissed her off.
Kara smirked, thinking about his promise to try not to be so domineering and controlling. He’d been good all afternoon and evening, taking care of her, making love to her gently, as though she would break because she was pregnant. The intimacy and tenderness had been comforting, something she had needed after the turbulent emotions she had experienced the last few weeks. However…she was about to tweak her alpha. Simon’s sexual dominance was something she not only enjoyed, but reveled in. He was one half tenderness and the other half complete testosterone. It was time for her caveman to come out and play.
She stood, pulling the red silk robe she was wearing tighter around her body. It was strange that she hadn’t seen Simon in over an hour. Usually, he would sit with her, work on one of his games while she played on the usage computer in the lab.
Her bare feet didn’t make a sound on the plush carpet as she padded down the stairs, her freshly painted toenails peeking out from under the robe as she went. Looking down at her feet as she took the last step, she decided that maybe she would go for a pedicure again in the future. Her feet were smooth and it had been really relaxing. Maybe she and Maddie could go right before her wedding.
Her wedding. Simon was going to be her husband. Kara Hudson was a name she’d always carry proudly, knowing the sacrifice that both brothers had made to achieve their status.
“Simon?” Kara called to him as she entered the kitchen, perplexed when she didn’t find him there. Surely he wasn’t asleep. He never went to bed without her.
“In the bedroom. Come here,” Simon called hoarsely, demandingly.
A small smile formed on her lips as she moved toward their bedroom. Simon rarely asked, he instructed. Kara complied when she wanted to, and right now she felt compelled to follow his instructions. Curious, she wandered down the hallway. The door to the bedroom was partially closed, swinging open soundlessly as she placed her palm on the wood and pushed gently.
She gasped as her eyes landed on Simon, clad in nothing but her lucky penny on a gold chain and a pair of silk Valentine boxer shorts decorated with hearts and devils, completely bound to the bed. Heart racing, she rushed to the bed. “Simon, what are you doing?”
Kara had been in the restraints herself several times, once because it was the only way that Simon could have sex, and later just because it was erotic and sexy. Considering Simon’s history, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She blinked, and blinked again.
Both of his hands were restrained, but he opened one of his fists, revealing one of the heart-wishes she gave him every holiday, a tiny paper heart, good for one wish, one thing that he wanted from her. The tiny paper fluttered in his hand. “I wish you would believe that I trust you completely.”
“No, Simon. No.” Kara climbed onto the bed, tearing at the restraints in a frenzy of fear and panic, but the bindings held fast. Frustrated, realizing that she wasn’t completely sure how to get them loose, she begged him, “Tell me how to release these.” Desperate, she jerked hard on one of the arm restraints, needing to free him, not able to see him helpless. This had to be killing him. Damn him. Was there nothing he wouldn’t suffer just to prove himself to her? “You didn’t need to do this. I do trust you completely.”
“Kara, stop. Now. Before you hurt yourself.” His voice was stern, rigid in a way that she had never heard from him before. And it stopped her in her tracks. In a more relaxed tone he added, “I’m not uncomfortable. Well…except for some minor swelling.”
Kara slapped a hand over her racing heart and looked at Simon’s face for the first time since she had entered the room. He was…smiling. A complete shit-eating grin that made her relax slightly and examine the situation. Holy hotness, the man was sexy as sin. All four of his limbs were bound and there was nothing on the bed except his body and the black silk fitted sheet beneath him. The black boxers were new, one of her many Valentine gifts to him this year, and they molded over his erection perfectly.
His erection? Simon was actually aroused? How was that possible? With his history, the things that had happened to him, how could he do this without emotional pain and distress? Searching Simon’s face for any sign of discomfort, she found…none. His eyes were hot, devouring her, without a trace of unease.
“How did you do this? How is it possible to put yourself into these things?” All four of his limbs were bound snugly, judging by the lack of give when she had been yanking on them.
“Sam.” Simon answered in a disgruntled voice. “I think the bastard enjoyed making them as tight as possible.”
Slapping a hand over her mouth, Kara tried to stop a delighted giggle from escaping her lips…and failed. “Your brother did this?”
“I’m sure I’ll never hear the end of it. I wanted to be naked, but he insisted that I cover my family jewels so he wouldn’t go blind.” Simon answered, unhappy.
Oh God, Kara would have given anything to see that event while it was taking place. She could only imagine Sam tying his brother to a bed, insisting that he cover his privates. Sam didn’t know all of Simon’s secrets, so he had probably just considered the situation odd, something he could tease his little brother about eternally, rather than finding it alarming. “I can’t believe you did this.” She plucked the heart from his palm and tore it up, throwing the tiny pieces over her shoulder. “Wish granted. But I already trust you completely, Simon. I told you it was hormones. And I’ve done some thinking. I realize now how my actions could have seemed like rejection or doubt to you, but it was my issue, not yours.”