Page 36 of Beautiful Secrets

I bend down, slide my arms around her, and put my face by her neck as I grab the knot at her wrists and untie it. She stiffens immediately.

Not the wisest move, but I can’t help it—I love the way she tenses up when I get close to her. Almost as much as I love the fact that earlier, when I spanked her, she looked to be enjoying every last second of it.

I’m not into anything extreme, kink-wise. But I’ll be the first to admit there’s nothing more arousing than having a beautiful woman under my control.

Utterly submissive.

Fully obedient.

But as promised I untie her. Nothing less, nothing more.

She leans back, bringing her hands into her lap and rubbing her wrists as she waits for me to pull away. Her rosy lips are so inviting, it takes considerable will power for me not to duck down and capture them with my mouth. Kiss her until she’s breathless. See if she responds as favorably to that as she did to her punishment.

Maybe after lunch.

All the breakfast stuff is still up here. I grab a platter of mini croissants and toppings. Cheese, ham, preserves—you name it.

Mika comes over and perches gingerly on the edge of a kitchen stool as I bring the plate to the island. I guess her arse feels a little tender. God, I’d love to see if I left some marks on that flawless skin of hers. I’m getting a semi just thinking about it.

As I set it down and she leans closer to inspect the offering, the phone rings.

“Aye?” I answer into the receiver.

“Mr. Hendry, it’s Carmen. Your order has arrived. Shall I bring it up?”

“Yeah, sure. And send a guy to fix the intercom. It got broke.”

Mika looks up at me, and I give her a wink. She hurriedly drops her gaze and reaches for one of the croissants. I slap the top of her hand, and she quickly snatches it away, her wide eyes and pouted mouth demanding an explanation.

“Thank you.” I hang up the phone. “You’ll have to finish this in the room, little rabbit.”

I grab her arm and herd her into the bedroom. I pause for a second, scanning her, and give her a smile so wicked she takes a step back.

“Are you going to be a good girl, or do I need to tie and gag you?”

She shakes her head. “I’ll be good.”

I narrow my eyes, scan her face. “I want to believe you, I do…”

Mika gasps when I rush her, scooping her up before dropping her onto the bed’s mattress. But unlike before, she doesn’t start struggling. Instead, she curls in on herself, turning into a little ball, and waits.

It’s cute, but it won’t work. I can’t risk the repairman hearing her screaming or something—and I know she’ll take advantage of the fact that there’ll be a complete stranger in the suite—someone who might be sympathetic to the fact that she’s being held against her will.

So I use my belt as a gag. Grab a set of ties from the closet and use them to bind her to the bed—one post for each wrist. I almost do her ankles too, but then the elevator pings.

I stick a hand in my pocket and pull out the keycard, showing it to her.

Her eyes flare indignantly.

“Wouldn’t have gotten very far without this, would you?”

She looks away, her lips pursing as she scowls at the wall. “I like a fighter,” I tell her, backing up so I can close the door and let the repairman into the suite. “Don’t ever give up, little rabbit. Quitting is for losers.”

I’m still laughing as a lean, older man comes out of the elevator. He gives me a quick glance and then heads immediately for the intercom dangling from the wall socket. The same young woman who came to deliver our breakfast was in the elevator with him—she’s holding two shopping bags full of clothes.

“I’ve billed these to your room, sir.” Her round brown eyes watch me expectantly for a second.

She’s going above and beyond, and it’s not a tip she’s after. She wants the whole shaft.