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“We broke up two hours ago!”

“Then you’ve already wasted an hour. Besides, you’ve been disconnected from Aaron for months! I’ll be right here to rescue you if the biker turns into a monster.”

The weird thing is, I don’t see Ghost as a monster. Sure, he’s unhinged, and he’s done some violent things, but I don’t think he’d hurt me. In fact, no one has ever protected me like he did earlier, and I’ve never felt more seen. Clearly, there’s another side to him. A side that’s made up of more than all the terrible things he’s ever done. That, or I’m rationalizing him so my body and brain can do the things it’s been dying to do.

I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I’m not sure what I’m doing yet, but clearly, Sienna is teamone-night stand.“Okay, I’ll be over as soon as the weather clears.”

“Or you’ll take your time and have the night you’ll think back on five years from now when you’re married with three kids, wondering how your life got so boring again.”

I shake my head and smile. “Love you.”

“Love you, too!”

Maybe she’s right. One night with a big, rough, hot, bad boy won’t kill me, right?

The irony in that statement is hilarious.

Lingering for a moment, I stare at the calendar of kittens hanging above my desk, trying not to focus on the single ‘x’ from nearly thirty days ago. Instead, I stare at the cutest calico with bright blue eyes and a fuzzy white tail. I feel like she’s trying to tell me what a bad idea all this is.

Sorry, kitty. I need a break from the chains.

I let out a breath and pause, fighting the responsible part of me away. I don’t want to be safe and sound anymore. I want to be wild and free.

Stepping forward, I push past the uncertainty and grab the dildo out of the bottom drawer, carrying it into the front where Ghost sits in the chair in the center of the room. He’s put on a record, something instrumental, and there are a few blankets from the storage closet scattered out in front of him. The flannel pajamas look even better without his shirt on.

Damn, the man is fit. Firm shoulders, huge biceps, and freaking abs!Why is he interested in me?The only sit-ups I do are when I’m sitting up out of bed, and most mornings my breakfast comes with a side of chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes, that’s the whole breakfast.

Ghost glares at me with the look of a man who’s clearly turned up. His eyes are hooded and his hand rubs at the bulge growing down the side of his flannel covered leg.

I’m such a novice. I have no idea what to do or where to be. With Aaron sex was, get this, predictable. He asked me if I wanted to have sex and we went into the bedroom, kissed, and had sex. Sure, there was oral, and we’d rotate the same few positions, but there was no pageantry. He certainly never sat in a chair, staring at me the way Ghost is staring at me.

I’m pretty sure the stare alone is worth this possible mistake. It’s sharp and deliberate like he’s mapping every inch of me, like he’s committing this moment to memory in a way that feels possessive and real.

I can’t start thinking this is real.

He strokes his hand through his salt and pepper beard. “Take off your clothes.”

My brows narrow. “What?”

“You said I’m in charge, right? Take off your clothes.”

Oh God, what have I gotten myself into?“Yeah, you’re in charge, but I thought you were just going to be a guide, not so demanding.”

He leans forward in the chair, a piece of his soaking black hair dropping forward. “I’m not sure we went over the rules, baby girl.”

“Rules?” My thighs squeeze together at the mere thought of the way he’s looking at me. It’s something between a lion chasing a gazelle and a gorilla staking his territory.

“Rules. If you want this, you’re going to have to ask me nicely when you want something. Use your manners and remember your polite words. Can you do that?”

I want to laugh, come, and die all at once. For not ever doing this before, he’s presenting himself pretty well.

I’m sure he’s done this a million times, and probably told the story about how he hasn’t a million more.“And what happens if I don’t listen?”

“Well, then you get punished.”

“Punished?” A hard lump rolls down my throat. “What kind of punishment?”

“A few good old-fashioned spankings will work just fine, but I’m thinking you’d like that too much, so we’re going with denial.”