Making myself comfy, I kicked off my shoes and lay against him, relishing how perfect it felt, being held in his powerful arms, being stroked by his gentle hands. “This is nice.”
“What do you think of this place?” he asked. The question seemed to come out of the blue, and I wasn’t sure how to respond.
“I…it’s amazing.”
“I sense you aren’t comfortable here.”
“I am,” I said, my gaze meandering through the space. “It’s just…so perfect. It’s like walking into a showroom or something.”
“Too modern?”
“It’s your home. I wouldn’t tell you how to decorate it.”
He pulled me tighter against him, found my left hand and wove his fingers through mine. “Well, maybe I’m asking you to tell me how to decorate my next place.” His thumb stroked across the top of my hand. “I have an agent coming by tomorrow. I’m selling this condo and moving into the house when it sells, whether the house is finished or not.”
The house to which he was referring once belonged to me. I sold it to him after having inherited it from my mother. It was in rough shape when he bought it, but I knew he was doing a massive renovation on it. He hadn’t mentioned any details since the day we’d closed on the property. I was a little (okay, more like very) curious to hear what his plans were. “For some reason, I thought you might fix that place up and flip it.”
“I considered it. But I changed my mind. The place holds some memories for me. Of you when you were younger. Your mother. Those were good times, happy times. I guess I have a sentimental side I’d never known about.”
“Then I’m even gladder you decided to buy it.”
“So am I. I’ve been working with a couple of interior designers, and I have some proposals. I’d like to get your feedback on them.”
“Sure. I’ll look at them. But it’s still your house, your money.”
“Yes, mine.” His voice was soft, somewhat dreamy, as if he were thinking about something else, or somewhere else. Somewhere far away and wonderful. He cupped my chin and searched my eyes. “Do you still feel the way you did before, Bristol? Do you still want me to crave you?”
“Yes, Shane. I do feel that way. Because I crave you, too.”
He groaned and kissed me. Hard. Like his life would end at any moment and he couldn’t kiss me enough. His hands cupped my face, holding me in place so his mouth could claim mine. The kiss started as a ravishment, a rough claiming that made my toes curl and my heart thump. I slid my hands down his chest, feeling it swiftly rise and fall as he inhaled and exhaled. Within seconds we were writhing, our limbs entangled, our bodies heating.
A moan of pure ecstasy bubbled up my throat and slipped between my lips. “Shane,” I whispered. “I love you.”
Abruptly, he broke the kiss. His gaze drilled into mine. “What did you say?”
In one instant my body turned to ice. I’d said those words too soon. Much too soon. Why had I done that? Why? “I…was just wrapped up in the moment.”
His expression softened slightly. “Then you didn’t mean it? You didn’t mean what you said?”
“I…” I had meant it. But what did he want to hear? I could lie and tell him I didn’t, but that idea didn’t sit well with me. I couldn’t do it. “I meant it.”
“Say it again.”
“Shane,” I said as my heart hammered against my breastbone. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”
He stood, swept me into his arms and carried me toward the dungeon. “I didn’t want to hear those words. Not from you. Not from anyone. But now, I can’t hear you say those words enough. Bristol, I love you. I. Love. You. And that scares the shit out of me.”
Chapter 3
My head was spinning. And it had nothing to do with how he was carrying me or how fast he was walking.
He told me he loves me. Shane loves me!
I was so happy I could barely hold back the tears. My arm was looped around his neck, and while he walked, I sprinkled kisses everywhere I could reach. His neck. His shoulder. His cheek.
He pushed open the door to the dungeon and eased me onto my feet. Once I was steady, he stepped back and studied me thoughtfully.
What would he do next?
“You decide,” he said.
“Me? Decide what?”
“Tell me what you want.” He swept his arm in a wide arc.
My gaze meandered around the room. There as the swing. That swing was intense. In a good way.
Then there was the table. I liked the table a lot. I felt so utterly out of control on that table.
Oh, and there was the kneeler. I’d had quite a bit of fun on that piece of equipment before.
And then there was that…
The big cross thing. Like a giant X, standing against the wall, with cuffs bolted to all four ends of the crossed boards. Two for ankles. Two for wrists.
Up until this point, Shane had avoided using that one with me. I wasn’t sure why. But at the same time I’d been grateful. When I was really worked up, which happened pretty quickly with Shane, my knees got wobbly. I would have to stand up if he strapped my wrists in those cuffs.
Shane followed the line of my focus. Putting on his serious dom face, he leveled a dark gaze at me. One side of his mouth curled. A buzz of electricity zinged through my body. “I like the way you think.” Without waiting for me to respond, he placed his hands on my waist and walked me toward the cross, one, two, three steps. When I was standing directly in front of it, he whispered in my ear, “Undress, minx.”
He stepped back to watch.
This was one of the most thrilling parts of the game. I didn’t want to rush it. I took my time removing my shirt. As one more inch of my flesh was exposed, the heat in his eyes intensified. So did the fire burning in my body. By the time I had the garment completely off, he looked so feral and dangerous, I could barely stand staring into his eyes. He watched with such intensity. I felt as if he were studying every minute movement I made.
As I let my top slip from my fingertips and fall on the floor, he approached me. His fingertip traced a line up the center of my stomach, starting from my bellybutton. It climbed to my bra.
“Say it again,” he murmured.
“I love you.”
His eyelids lowered. His mouth curved into a dreamy smile. “Again.”
“I love you, Shane. I love you so much it hurts.”
He opened his eyes and took one of my hands in his. “I didn’t think I would ever hear those words from you.” His gaze focused on my face, he kissed the tip of my index finger. “I don’t deserve your love.” He kissed the tip of my ring finger.