aHow?a aWell, Iave been blindly obedient, havenat I?a He smiled in the darkness, brus.h.i.+ng a kiss over her lips. aYouave been wonderfully obedient. Amazing, in fact, but s.e.x isnat the only answer.a aFaith, trust. You told me I can build those, but Iam not sure you ever had either where Iam concerned. You never really expected us to have a serious relations.h.i.+p, did you?a His answer was slow in coming, as though he had to drag it from deep within. aNo.a He didnat elaborate, and Theaas chest constricted. If head never really had any faith in them, then what did he want? To sate himself until the pa.s.sion was spent? A willing woman to share his fantasies? Had he just wanted her body and nothing else?

The question had plagued her from the first, but the answers were always the same. The confusion and frustration made her want to weep, even while she was wrapped in his arms. All she could do was hang on to him as long as humanly possible.

aYou could move in with me,a came his tentative suggestion.

aI donat think that would be a good idea.a She wanted a more lasting commitment.

Blake grunted his disapproval of her comment and held her tighter. aLetas donat talk about ending the relations.h.i.+p. Weare just getting it started. I guess we can bounce between your place and mine.a aIam getting kind of attached to this cottage,a she teased, wrapping her fingers around his erection, awed, yet again, by the incredible size. She murmured her approval as his flesh throbbed in her hand.

aWith a little incentive, I could be convinced to buy the place,a he said, finding her mouth with his lips. aEver made love on a swing?a aWe couldnat,a she whispered, but her protest ended as he lifted her across his lap and slowly slid into her, locking their bodies with a satisfied grunt. She murmured her approval. This time she matched his pa.s.sion, thrust by thrust, allowing no mercy until head emptied himself inside her again.

Later, he carried her to the shower and they took their time bathing each other. It was a luxury shead never experienced, so she basked in his attentions. By the time they were dried and back in the bedroom, both were exhausted.

Thea awoke at dawn, teetering on the edge of the bed. Blake was hogging most of the narrow mattress, so she quietly slid to the floor. She stood and studied him in the rosy glow of early sunlight. Relaxed in sleep, his normally taut features were softened in masculine beauty. His naked skin glistened, his virile body relaxed and exposed.

Now he was the one who laid spread eagle on the bed, but his hands and arms stretched much closer to the bedposts. Thea shoved her tangled hair from her face as a thought struck her.

The silk ties were still looped around each post, the actual knots very close to Blakeas outstretched limbs. Did she dare? Could she secure his arms and legs without waking him? He did have a tendency to sleep like the dead.

Her lips curved into a delighted grin. Turnabout, and all that. The idea of having him at her mercy sent a thrill of excitement over her. Besides, she still hadnat coaxed any words of love from him. Nor had she won an admission of trust. It was time to take action.

Within an hour, the cabin was filled with the scent of freshly perked coffee. Thea carried two mugs-full into the bedroom, knowing her lover to be a total addict.

Shead taken the time to dress in her skirt and blouse, but nothing else. Seduction played heavily on her mind as she set the mugs on the bedside stand. A glance at Blake made her pulse accelerate.

His hair was tousled and his jaw darkly shadowed, giving him a rakishly handsome look. The pelt of dark, silky chest hair arrowed down to his morning erection, making her blood run hot.

As if aware of her intent perusal, spiky lashes fluttered, then slowly lifted. His gaze immediately locked with hers.

aI smell caffeine,a he muttered huskily.

Then he tried to move. His eyes widened, erasing all signs of grogginess. His expression underwent a dramatic change as he realized he was tied to the bed.

A fierce, angry scowl came next. aWhat the h.e.l.l?a He tugged viciously on the silk ties.

Thea swallowed hard, wondering if shead made a big mistake. She watched tension ripple over his body while the stiffness abruptly drained from his erection. Finding himself at her mercy obviously threatened his manhood and dampened his desire.

aWe need to talk some more,a she explained, moving closer to the bed.

He glared at her with unnerving intensity. aUntie me and weall talk all you want.a She slowly shook her head in denial, and then sipped some coffee.

aWheread you get coffee?a aI made it.a aYou and whose chef?a aTsk, tsk, thatas just plain mean,a she drawled. aYouare sounding very surly this morning. Iave been taking a crash course in domesticity. Iam no Martha Stewart, but Iam learning.a Some of the tension seemed to drain from Blake, but his dark, searching gaze never left her. aDo you have any desire to become a homebody?a aHomebody?a aAs in a home of your own without your familyas housekeeper and staff to cope with the ch.o.r.es?a aIave been giving it some thought,a she admitted cautiously. aI like cooking and decorating, but Iam not too thrilled with cleaning.a aHow long do you figure this domestic streak will last?a Her heart pounded, her gaze never straying from his as she uttered her next bomb. aOh, at least until I get married and start a family.a She watched the action of his throat as he swallowed hard.

aYou want marriage and babies?a aIave always wanted a big family.a aYou never mentioned that.a aYou never asked. You just set me up on a pedestal and refused to treat me like a woman with normal needs and desires.a aReally?a His response sounded like a snarl.

aReally, and itas high time we got honest with each other. Thatas what you said. We need to be rid of the inhibitions and learn to trust each other more.a Thea took another sip of coffee. It had cooled enough to risk feeding some to her captive. Just as head helped her drink wine, she lifted his head and helped him drink coffee. He drank his fill, and then dropped his head to the pillow.

ad.a.m.n, that tastes good.a aIam a reasonably intelligent woman,a she said. aI can follow instructions as well as the next person.a aI never said you couldnat. I just didnat think youad try.a aMaybe thatas the real problem. Maybe you have too many preconceived ideas of what I want or need.a Thoughtful again, he conceded. aPossibly.a His gaze scoured her features. aAny other secrets I should know about?a Her hands werenat quite steady as she set the mug on the stand and prepared to risk his wrath.

aNow that you mention it, thatas why I decided to turn the tables on you this morning with the ties. I have a couple little confessions to make, and I thought it might be prudent to restrict your movements while I was making them.a Blakeas gaze narrowed, pinning her with a dark, gleaming suspicion. aDoes this confession have anything to do with Ted Johnson?a She eased herself onto the bed, crawling over his body until she straddled his waist. Her skirt rode up and her bare thighs made sizzling contact with his hard, hot flesh. A thrill coursed through her as her sensitive skin brushed the roughness of his. Moisture collected at the apex of her thighs, and she wondered if he could feel it.

aActually, yes, it is about Ted.a His jaw muscles clenched, the muscles in his arms flexing as he tugged at the bonds. aIall kill that sonofab.i.t.c.h!a he ground out harshly, bucking against her and his restraints. He pulled so hard that the bed clattered and bounced under them.

Thea shook her head from side to side, scolding him. aYouare supposed to have a little faith. I swore there wasnat anything between Ted and me. Thatas the truth.a He stilled his restless thras.h.i.+ng. aThen what the h.e.l.l do you have to confess?a aWell, you see,a she started, slowly unfastening the b.u.t.tons on her blouse until it hung open, giving him a teasing glimpse of softly rounded flesh. aI have to confess that Tedas in Paris on business. I spent the night alone in his apartment.a aYou what?a The question was issued in a low, disbelieving growl.

Thinking it might be safer to distract him, she slipped off her blouse, and then cupped her b.r.e.a.s.t.s in her hands.

The ploy worked, his attention splintering at the sight of her touching herself. He s.h.i.+fted restlessly beneath her, stared at her b.r.e.a.s.t.s for a long minute, and then glared at her with impatience.

aYou canat distract me that easily.a Thea slid her tongue over her lips. She lifted one breast and tugged it toward her mouth. Her tongue darted out to lap at the nipple, her eyes closing as she slowly sipped from it.

A tremor shook his body, quaking between her widespread legs. In response, she soaked him with some feminine juices.

aDammit, woman,a he rasped on a sharply indrawn breath. aYou could tempt a saint.a With obvious effort he forced his attention back to her confession. aWhy the h.e.l.l would you stay at Johnsonas place alone?a aI was feeling desperate,a she admitted. aYou were spending less and less time with me. I didnat know what to do, so I thought I could stir you to action with a little jealousy.a She began stroking the thick, satiny hair on his chest.

He went utterly still. aYou deliberately tricked me? You humiliated me and let me suffer the agony of the d.a.m.ned just because you wanted more attention?a Thea lowered her lashes and nodded in shame. His tone condemned her and his body shook with the force of his anger. She didnat know how to make it up to him. Brus.h.i.+ng her hands over his chest, she nervously plucked at the tight male nipples.

aIall be eternally ashamed of that stupid stunt. I knew youad find out, but I hadnat considered the gossipmongers. I can only plead temporary insanity.a aI was making you insane?a aYour indifference was. You kept pus.h.i.+ng me farther away and spending more time at work. I was feeling desperate.a His expression darkened and his voice was harsh. aUntie me!a Fearing that her plan had backfired, Thea refused to obey. Instead, she slid down his body and began kissing his chest. She teased his nipples with her tongue until they were stiff. His whole body shuddered, encouraging her to continue. He might never trust her again, but at least she could capitalize on their physical desire.

aThereas one more confession,a she mumbled.

aOh, h.e.l.l.a Resignation rang in his voice.

Sitting straight again, she looked him in the eyes. aIave only lied to you once since weave been lovers. And that lieas been weighing heavily on my conscience. I think nowas a good time to completely clear the air.a He closed his eyes on a sigh. aDonat let me stop you,a he grumbled.

aWell, you remember the first night you asked me to sleep with you? You asked if I was emotionally involved with anyone? I kind of lied.a His eyes snapped open again. aKind of? How the h.e.l.l can you kind of lie about something like that?a he snapped.

aWell, I was very much in love with someone or I never would have agreed to become his lover.a Blake groaned as if in agony, muttering a string of indecipherable words. His chest rose and fell in time with his labored breathing. aUnfasten these f.u.c.king ties!a Thea didnat know if his agitation stemmed from fury or more complex emotions, so she thought it might be wise to distract him again. Sliding further down his body, she spread kisses across his stomach, feeling the ripple of muscles wherever her mouth roamed. Her own scent lingered on his skin.

By the time shead reached his belly, his erection was full and pulsing with impatience. She sat back and studied it intently. After a quick glance at his strained expression, she took it into her hand and stroked it carefully. A bead of liquid pearled at the tip, so she dipped her head and tasted it with her tongue.

The sound Blake made was low and guttural, and his whole body jerked in reaction. Encouraged, she took the smooth, satiny head into her mouth, exploring it with her tongue. When his hips began to rock convulsively, she took as much of him as possible into her mouth.

aThea, baby, stop that!a Lifting her head to look at him, she asked. aYou donat like it?a ah.e.l.l, yes, I like it,a he admitted on a strangled groan. aIad have to be dead not to like it.a She lapped at him with her tongue. aThen why do I have to stop? Is this another one of your inhibitions? Another of your preconceived notions of what I want or need? Protect the princess from anything untidy?a she teased. aSeems Iam not the only one who needs to loosen up a bit.a His low chuckle turned to a tormented groan as her hands and mouth turned more serious. She grasped his t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es in her hands, rolling them gently as she sucked. She could feel the tension building in him as he strained closer, undulating his hips and muttering encouragement.

Filled with heady feminine power, she made love to him with her mouth with the enthusiasm of an inexperienced, but ardent pupil. As she did so, she relinquished more of her own inhibitions.

In a matter of minutes, he erupted with satisfying strength, his s.e.m.e.n spurting like a gusher of hot lava. She swallowed as much as she could handle, but the rest of it coated them in sticky heat. Thea lapped it with her tongue and thrilled at his moan of pleasure.

She brought him a warm washcloth and bathed him just as head bathed her. Then, garnering his full attention, she shed her skirt. Naked, and only slightly modest, she moved around the bed, releasing his bonds.

While he stretched, she crawled up his big body, rubbing herself against him like a sensuous kitten.

aI love you,a she whispered between kisses.

Blake sighed and wrapped her in his arms. aI love you more.a Thea lifted her head until she could look him directly in the eyes. aYou love me?a She couldnat help the skepticism.

aSince the first time I laid eyes on you,a he admitted, pressing her head down onto his shoulder and tightening his hold on her. aYou walked into my life and straight into my heart. I called myself all kinds of a chump for falling so hard and wanting you so much, but it was beyond my control.a aYou never told me that.a Her tone was husky and accusing. aIf Iad known you loved me, I wouldnat have been so reserved with you in the first place. Iam not all that sophisticated and experienced in the s.e.x department, and I didnat want you to think me a b.u.mbling fraud.a aNo way,a he insisted. aI was wary of baring my soul, but I figured you had to know how much I cared.a aHow could I?a The hands that stroked her hair werenat quite steady. aHow could you not know? Why did you think I wanted you? Just a career decision?a When she didnat respond right away, he tilted her head up so that their gazes met. aYou think I wanted you to advance my career or cash in on your familyas wealth?a Thea shook her head. aNo, you had as much to offer me as I did you. But I did worry that I was just a pa.s.sing fancy, someone to enjoy for a while and then move on.a The sound he made held harsh denial. aNo, no, no!a He gathered her closer, showering her face with hungry little kisses. aItas the other way around. I thought youad grown bored or dissatisfied. Thatas why I nearly went crazy about Johnson.a Thea captured his mouth with a long, deep kiss, and then brushed her lips over the tautness of his jaw. aIam so sorry, so sorry for that stupid, ill-conceived act of desperation. I should have faced our problems head on instead of involving someone else.a aPromise me youall never do that again,a he demanded. aNo more men. I wouldnat survive.a aI promise, promise, promise,a she swore, locking her arms around his neck and returning his hot, probing kiss until they were both breathless.

aAnd that youall marry me and be my obedient wife for the next fifty or so years?a he challenged playfully.

aBlind obedience?a she whispered against his lips.

aThatas the plan.a aIall be your willing slave as long as youall be mine.a aI can live with that kind of compromise,a he a.s.sured her, lifting her over his body and entering her flesh until they were once again bound in love.

If you have not yet purchased this t.i.tle and would like to support this authoras work, please visit http://ellorascave.com/honorbox.htm to contribute to our Honor Box. We thank-you for your support.

Also At Elloraas Cave:

Bringing you the best in todayas Romantica

www.ellorascave.com