Page 30

Story: Feral Beauty

His muscles tightened beneath her forearms. “You’re, uh, going to tie me up?”

She turned her face to his cheek, studying his reaction. “Is that a problem?”

He snorted, avoiding the question. “This one of those kinky things you’re into?”

“Yes, Liam.” She nuzzled her nose to his ear, saying in a patient tone, “It’s one of the kinky things I’m into. In fact, I’m quite skilled in the art of rope bondage. Perhaps one day I’ll show you. For now, we’ll start with your necktie. It will ensure you don’t touch me and break Rule Number One. It’s one you tend to forget quite frequently.”

He swallowed with an audible gulp. “Okay, then.”

She slid her hand down his muscled arm to his wrist. Thick scars marked his skin there. She ran her finger over the marks. “You’ve never told me how you got these.”

“No, I haven’t,” he agreed. When he didn’t explain further, she wrapped the skinny end of the tie around his wrist and tied it in a simple knot.

“Arms behind your back.”

He took a great breath as though the idea troubled him, then did as she asked. Since he was too muscular to bind his hands together comfortably, she made a second knot around his opposite wrist, granting him a bit of slack.

She moved to face him. “Now that’s done…”

He sat with his head lowered, eyes squeezed shut.

“Liam?”

He panted, his massive chest rising with quick breaths. Sweat beaded his forehead.

She cupped his chin, forcing his head up. “What’s wrong, darling? Is this a hard limit for you? You didn’t mention it earlier.”

“I’m fine,” he grated. “Like I told you, I don’t have any weaknesses.”

He didn’t sound fine. Far from it, in fact. “Shall I untie you?”

“No need. It’s just a necktie, right?” he said as though he was trying to convince himself.

“That’s right.” She stroked his grizzled cheek, flooded with concern. Someone had bound him, and it hadn’t been for sport. In all the years she’d known Liam, he’d been resolute about maintaining his freedom. No ties. No responsibility. Determined to live by his own rules. Could it be there was more behind the desire than pure stubbornness?

Regardless, she sensed if she untied him, his pride would suffer. “You and I both know you could break it in a heartbeat if you chose. Tell me.” She firmed her voice, making it a command. “Why are your hands still tied behind your back?”

“Because I’m keeping them there,” he declared, sounding a bit stronger this time.

“Why are you doing that?”

“For you. Because it makes you hot.”

She pursed her lips to keep from smiling. “That’s right. Your free will is the only thing truly holding them there.”

His breathing slowed, and his shoulders drew back. “Damn right, it is. And that’s where they’ll stay until you untie them.”

Those words, while far from poetry, thawed the frozen shell around her heart. Better than diamonds or furs, no one had ever given her such a gift.

It was then, in that moment of weakness, she added yet another item to an ever-increasing list of mistakes she’d made with him that night.

She pressed her lips to his, and Liam was quick to claim his reward, kissing her back with a hunger that stole her breath. He groaned, teasing the seam of her mouth with his tongue. She opened for him, and their tongues tangled. His taste went straight to her head, stealing her resolve. Oh, but the male could kiss.

He plundered her mouth, taking what he was owed. There was nothing practiced or reserved in his technique. He kissed her like he did everything else in his life, barreling through her defenses like the warrior he was.

Vivian gave him what he wanted and took something for herself as well.

She straddled his hips and cupped the back of his head. Her nipples hardened against her silk robe, warmth pulsing between her legs. She grew lightheaded, Liam stealing her very breath away.