“Three.”
Again he regarded her, obviously taking her measure. Then he gave a smile that slowly began to build. “How would you feel if I said that since the second I saw you, all I’ve thought about is tying you up, spanking you until your ass is red and warm, and using toys on you?”
A flush crept across her cheeks, but she shoved her embarrassment aside, wanting to feel what she’d felt on that stage with him again. “I’d say that I’m interested in hearing more about that.”
The side of his mouth arched in that sexy way of his, telling her his mind was filling with filthy ideas. “It’s really quite simple. I like to be in control in the bedroom,” he explained, voice low. “I get off when a woman ‘hands over the reins,’ so to speak, so that I can play with her body as I like. Whether that be binding her, blindfolding her, spanking her, or whatever else I feel like doing to her.”
“Is that not arrogance?” She couldn’t help but ask.
“It’s complete arrogance, darlin’, but it’s deserved arrogance. When I play, I deliver.”
She stared into the heat and strength of his eyes, pulled by their ability to suck her in, finding no way to argue that point with him. “I imagine that’s very much true.”
He leaned forward, keeping his heady stare focused on her. “I learned a long time ago that’s what gets me off. Kinky play is my type of foreplay. I like to push the boundaries of sex to intensify the high until we explode together.”
God, had their sex last night bored the hell out of him? “What about slow and
sensual sex?”
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and his voice softened. “There’s always a time to fuck a woman slowly and sensually. But there is also a time to fuck her hard and remind her that she’s alive and that I find her sexy as hell.”
Emma wasn’t sure at what point in his speech her panties became damp with her arousal, but her clit suddenly throbbed and she crossed her legs, squeezing her thighs, giving herself the pleasure she sought. “Is that why you like going to the Spurs? Because of all the kinky games and stuff? Are you hoping to meet other people who are into that kind of sex too?”
He laughed dryly, deliberately raising his eyebrows. “Darlin’, I went to the Spurs that first night I saw you because it was Nash’s birthday. The last time I’d gone there was for Chase’s birthday months earlier.”
Emma blinked. “If you’re not a regular, then why did you let Megan get you on stage?”
“Megan never told you?”
“Told me what?”
“That night Megan needed another person in the competition because no one else volunteered, so she begged me to take part,” he explained. “I’m normally not one for those games, but in this case, I had told her I’d only do the game if she teamed me up with you.”
“Why?”
He raised a single eyebrow. “Because I wanted a closer look at you, and I got it, didn’t I?” He scooted his chair closer, her breath hitching as all that powerful energy surrounded her. “Believe me, Emma.” His voice turned gruff. “I noticed you the second I walked into the bar that first night on Nash’s birthday. You are the very reason I kept coming back.” He leaned forward, brushing his finger slowly up her arm resting on the table. “Though, as to your original question about whether I’m into kinky sex, I most certainly am. I like my sex dirty. Sometimes I like a good, quick, hard fuck. Other times, I like to draw things out. And there is nothing I want more than for us to play.”
She shivered against the heat exuding from his finger, goose bumps rising on her flesh.
He gazed deeply at his finger trailing over her flesh. “That night at the bar, when I tied the rope around your wrists, I could feel how much you wanted to play, just as I can feel it now.” His eyes lifted to hers, the warmth in their depths enveloping her. “It tempts me, Emma.”
Her breath hitched. “Then do something about it.”
His lips parted, and he took a large, deep, savoring breath. Then he rose, staring at her with a sureness that told her she wouldn’t regret saying yes to him. Her heart raced as he tucked a finger under her chin. “Is that what you want, Emma? To escape beneath my hands?”
Instinctively, she knew exactly what he wanted to hear by the firmness in his expression. “Yes, I want to play.”
His smile turned sinfully wicked. “Undress for me, darlin’.”
* * *
Every sweet look Emma gave to him, every innocent blush, every gasp of breath, all brought out something in Shep he didn’t dare control. Why would he? She’d given him permission to unleash all his fantasies about her and bring her into them. Keeping his focus narrowed on her, he took a step back away from the table, giving her the space she’d require.
He noted the deep crimson spreading across her cheeks, the slight part of her lips, and he understood her desire too. As much as he got off being in control of her pleasure, she also liked him in that role. It was a sexy push and pull between them, and when it worked, the intense connection couldn’t be contained or controlled. There was no role play, no game. The balance between them was natural. Him, the hard man. Her, the soft woman. And affection and respect layered those states.
That sexy playfulness danced in her eyes while she slowly removed her shirt, a small smile curving her mouth. As she took her time to tease him, he teased her back, gazing over the gentle curve of her shoulder as her bra strap dragged down her skin. When the cups of her bra slid away, he licked his lips, her taut dark nipples calling to his mouth. To tempt him, he was sure of that, she ran her hand down her stomach until she reached her jeans, then she unbuttoned them, sending those and her panties to the floor. He openly stared at her trimmed pussy, wanting her to feel noticed and desired, all the things she’d been missing. Besides, she was gorgeous, and he craved her taste on his tongue.
As he slowly worked his gaze back up her body, past her toned belly to the curve of her breasts, to her long neck, to her pouty parted lips, then to her hooded eyes, he stepped forward, closing the distance. Her eyes simmered with lust when he slid his hand across the small of her back, bringing her naked flesh closer to his clothed body. “You’re mine tonight, Emma,” he murmured, brushing his nose across hers, pressing her against his hardened length. “All mine tonight.”