Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“I’ll see what arrangements I can make,” Corbin announced. He stood with a smile, offering his hand to Rose. “We have a few things to take care of, but we’ll be back for the performance. I have a feeling it won’t be one to miss.”
I watched them walk away with one thought ringing in my head.
What the fuck have I gotten myself into?
I snagged my glass of wine, draining it before placing it back on the table. Lucian stretched his arm along the back of the couch, his heat encompassing me, urging me to give him my attention. But I refused. I knew I’d find his arrogant smile and didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of spotting a single ounce of nerves written on my face.
“So, you really think that you’re going to be able to go up there—in front of everyone—and let someone you don’t know tie you to a chair and fuck you with a toy?” he asked with too much glee for my liking.
I wanted to shut him up with a quick retort, but his reminder about the rope left me frozen. I hadn’t considered all the other possibilities that came with volunteering to prove a point. God, I hadn’t even asked any questions. Like, did I have to get naked? Could I meet this man—Clive—first? Was he going to touch me in any other way? What the hell kind of vibrator was he using? Would it hurt? How long would he try to get me to orgasm? Was there a time limit?
I forgot about everything except barreling headfirst into Lucian’s challenge to make a point.
Masking my nerves with a slow, deep breath, I forced my muscles to relax enough for a shrug. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
Part of me kind of hoped that this man would be able to get me off. That way, I could dismiss the notion that Lucian somehow unlocked something inside me and held the key to making me come. Maybe I was playing this wrong. Maybe I should use the opportunity to orgasm with this magic vibrator—with someone other than Lucian. If ever there was an opportunity, this was it.
Some of my nerves abated with the new plan. Sure, I’d have to admit defeat when I came, but I’d win so much more with the peace of mind.
“Do you even know what shibari is?” Lucian asked softly, his words stroking up my neck.
“No,” I answered, attempting to hide the way his deep voice sent a shiver to my core. “I’m assuming it’s the rope thing.”
“Yeah,” he chuckled. “The rope thing.”
He shifted, and I stole a glance, swallowing a gasp when I found his face inches from mine. His eyes moved slowly over my features, holding me captive while he studied every angle and curve.
“It’s an art.” His words brushed against my lips. “The lines across a woman’s flesh. The way the rope presses against the skin and enhances her curves. The way it crosses and stretches into a pattern that pulls you in whatever position a man could want.”
Each word walked across my skin, working their way closer between my thighs. Each word pressed against my chest, forcing small panting breaths I struggled to hide.
Like a star streaking across the sky—or more like an asteroid about to obliterate the moment—Emily strut in with her beacon of blonde hair. But beggars couldn’t be choosers, so I latched on to the escape offered and changed the subject.
“Are you and Emily a couple?”
He stiffened, only his brows pinching low.
I glanced over his shoulder, sucking in a breath of relief when he pulled back and turned toward the entrance. Emily clung to the arm of an older gentleman that looked like he was the foundation of every woman’s fantasy to work their daddy issues out with.
I watched Lucian carefully for signs of jealousy, but found none. Instead, he appeared more relaxed when he turned back to me, dismissing the pair.
“Why?” he asked, his lips twitching. “Would it bother you?”
“Not at all,” I said, shoving aside the same pinch from earlier. “It’s not like I have any concern of being the other woman. All you did was spank me. Just because you happened to accidentally give me an orgasm doesn’t mean we have anything sexual going on.”
How I managed to string those words together without being struck by lightning would forever shock me because if I was in a relationship with a man and found out he touched another woman, keeping myself under control would be the last thing on my mind.
“I’d hardly call it an accident,” he gloated.
“Of course not.” I rolled my eyes. “Your manly pride couldn’t handle it.”
He shook his head and laughed, brushing off the comment. “Either way, it wouldn’t matter if it was considered sexual or not.”
“I don’t need to know what your standards are—or care to know,” I sneered. “But for me, I prefer the man I’m sleeping with to not be fucking other women. And if it’s casual sex, I definitely never want to meet the other people they’re with—especially in my workplace. However, I’m sure you’re willing to fuck anything with a skirt. Your partners probably bump into each other at the grocery store. Their only concern is hoping to avoid whatever diseases you come with.”