Page 44 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

"Your aura radiates femininity and seduction. But what truly draws me to you is your fiery spirit, that sass mixed with genuine care. The way you connected with Samantha from day one - that's when I knew you were special."

He shrugs off his shirt, draping it over his chair. My eyes feast on the defined muscles of his chest. Heaven. Pure muscular perfection.

"Alex, stop eye-fucking me. I'm trying to be a gentleman here, to relax and talk. But you're making it hard."

I slide my foot under the table, brushing his obvious arousal with my toes. "Oh yes, I can feel exactly how hard," I say innocently, tilting my head. "What did you want to talk about?"

His eyes narrow to slits. "Your actions will have consequences."

"I'm counting on it," I purr, withdrawing my foot and picking up my fork. His growl of frustration fills me with satisfaction. Now we're both burning. I take a bite of salad, moaning at the explosion of flavors.

"That good?"

I look up to find his gaze scorching over me. "Yeah."

"What's your dream, Alex? What do you want from life?"

I sit back, taking another sip of wine. "Happiness. I want to fill my life with people and things that bring joy. And I want to keep helping women through fashion."

"What aspect of your work do you love most?"

"Helping women feel good about themselves.

We live in a society that profits from women's self-doubt.

Too often they come in with low self-esteem or distorted self-image, even wealthy clients.

I've made it my mission to help them overcome that, teaching them to dress for their body type.

When you love what you wear and feel confident, you radiate that energy. "

His lips curve into a knowing smile. "Have you always loved your body?"

I snort. "Hell no. As a teenager, I obsessed over magazine models, convinced I was ugly.

Then my mom sat me down and said, 'Alisha, beauty begins the moment you choose to be yourself.

Comparing yourself to others only breeds unhappiness.

Just be you, sweetheart.' She was right.

Being myself was the best decision I ever made. "

"The world needs more parents like that," Cole says softly. "Unfortunately, that's a utopia."

We fall into comfortable silence, enjoying our meal. I study Cole as he gazes into the distance, lost in thought. There's so much more to this man than meets the eye, and I want to unravel every layer.

I've learned his grumpy attitude only surfaces when he's stressed or worried about someone he cares for.

He's all-in with everything he does - the way he stepped into fatherhood without hesitation, how he opened up to Samantha about his demons and his past. It was soul-stirring watching him share the piano room with her.

Then there's our attraction - like a dormant volcano when we're apart, but the moment we're together, it erupts with unstoppable force. My eyes trace the defined muscles of his chest.

"You're doing it again."

His deep voice sends that simmering heat inside me to boiling. I meet his blue eyes, deliberately provocative. "What am I doing?"

"Eye-fucking me. Stop it."

"No." I slide my foot between his legs again. My body's satisfied its hunger for food. Now it craves something else entirely. His gaze follows my foot as I rub against his hardness, and his answering growl sends shivers of excitement through me.

He shifts back suddenly, rising to his feet. "Stand up."

Wetness pools between my legs as I obey. He catches my chin, bringing his mouth a breath away from mine.

"You, Alex, are the epitome of an angelic devil. But you've burned yourself by challenging me, sweetheart."

Taking my hand, he leads me to the four-poster bed. "Don't move," he commands, pushing aside cushions to reveal a long red lace ribbon attached to the headboard. His smirk turns wicked as he faces me.

"Why is that there?"

Goosebumps erupt as his lips brush my ear. "That's where I'm going to tie you up and fuck your brains out."

"Oh," I whisper, heat flooding my body.

"I'm going to explore every inch of you here in the open air."

His words are pure aphrodisiac. His fingers trail over my collarbone, and I'm already panting. He unbuttons my blouse slowly, revealing my see-through pink bra.

"So fucking beautiful."

I cry out when he pinches my erect nipple. He tosses my shirt aside, then grabs the hem of my skirt. "Does this have a zipper?"

"No," I gasp. "You can—"

Cool air hits my skin as he yanks the skirt down. I yelp when his palm connects with my bare ass as I step out of it.

"Damn, no panties?" He growls, pulling my back against his chest. "You're the only woman who drives me wild with need." His breath hot in my ear, he asks, "Tell me. Do you want me to fuck you?"

I nod frantically.

"Use words, Alex."

"Yes. I want you to take me hard." I turn to find his eyes dark with passion, his smirk promising delicious torment.

"Lie back on the bed and stretch your arms above your head."

I obey, watching him through heavy-lidded eyes.

He stalks toward me like a panther sizing up its prey, never breaking eye contact as he climbs onto the mattress.

The red lace slides sensually along my arms before circling my wrists.

His muscles flex as he secures the knot, but when he pulls it tight, I swallow hard.

He immediately stops, studying my face. "Are you okay?"

The genuine concern in that simple question dissolves any lingering anxiety. I nod. He bends to scatter butterfly kisses across my face before claiming my mouth in a deep kiss that sets every nerve ending on fire. I try to reach for him, but my hands stay secured.

Cole grins. "This is your sweet punishment, Alex."

Fresh waves of desire pound through me. "But I want to touch you," I complain.

He slides his hand between my thighs, fingers gliding through my wetness. Then he stands, leaving me aching. "Fuck." I pull against the restraint, but it holds firm.

Licking my juices from his fingers, he gives me that wicked grin. "You're at my mercy, sweetheart. Get ready, because soon all of Boston will know you're mine."

His zipper lowers, and when his cock springs free, I swear my moan echoes across the city.