She sighed.

They went into the backyard to eat, and he had to concede the place was gorgeous.

He uncapped the beers, and they touched the tops together.

She demolished a couple of wontons and an eggroll before diving into the Mongolian beef. The amount that she consumed before taking a drink surprised him. "So the choking thing on the crushed red peppers last night was an isolated incident."

"I told you."

For a few minutes, they sat together on the swing, and he understood what she meant about her house. It was an ideal place for backyard barbecues, for family time. Definitely a contrast to his urban fervor.

"Only thing that could make it perfect is a hot tub," she said.

If he lived here, he'd definitely install one.

They returned inside and she cleaned up the kitchen.

"What are the most important things for you to take for now? We need to get through the next few days and we should get back to my place as soon as we can to give us adequate time to work. We can come back over the weekend and take care of the rest of the stuff."

She nodded. "Shoes. Clothing. My notebook computer. Well, all my electronics. Running shoes. Workout clothes. My curling iron. Brushes. Makeup. Shampoo."

"Magnolia soap."

"I think I left some at your house."

"It will be all gone tonight."

"It will? Okay, then. Magnolia soap."

"What do you want me to pack?"

"Actually...none of it. I want to be sure I have what I need."

"Okay. You pack. I'll load the car."

"That will work."

"But first..."

She was headed toward the bedroom, but she stopped. "Yes?"

He cut off four pieces of the electrical tape and lined them up along the kitchen counter. "Unfasten your bra."

"What...?" she asked, but her voice had a dreamy, rather than outraged, quality.

"I want you aware of addendum A. And nipple clamps would be cruel. You'll be aware of the tape, though."

"Connor... Sir..."

"Unfasten your bra, Lara."

She reached beneath her shirt and did so.

"Now lift your shirt." He picked off two of the pieces and went to her.

He squeezed her nipple gently, then harder. Then, when she closed her eyes, with even more force. He tugged it, yanked it, made it hard, pulled her onto her toes and caught her when she moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck.

He kissed the side of her neck, inhaled her scent, unable to get enough of her. She'd said she'd had a rough night, but the truth was, so had he. He'd wanted her with him, thought about her, considered all the ways he wanted to claim her and make sure she knew she was his.

He set her back from him. While her nipple was still like a tiny rock, he put the tape on, in the shape of an X.

"That's..."

"How is it?"

"Tight. Uncomfortable."

"On a scale of one to ten. The lower end merely being an irritant."

"Two," she replied after some consideration.

"Good. Now the other one." He repeated the process, tormenting her until she moaned and begged him to either stop or let her have an o.r.g.a.s.m. "That's the reward for finishing the move," he replied. He went over to the kitchen counter for the other pieces of tape. After the second X was in place he nodded, pleased. "Incentive," he told her. For both of them. "You're welcome to refasten your bra or leave it off, your call. But if I had my way, you'd wear a white T-shirt and that demi-bra you wore to my office last Friday."

"I think a sports bra," she countered, "so I feel nothing and my b.r.e.a.s.t.s don't move at all."

He followed her into the bedroom and watched her change into a pair of shorts. She hesitated before pulling out a white T-shirt. Then deliberately, very deliberately, she opened her second drawer and selected a demi-bra.

He was reminded, again, that she was the perfect sub.

She pulled off her blouse and tossed it onto the covers of her unmade bed. Then she removed the bra she'd worn to work.

Finally she put on the demi-bra, and he moved into adjust it for her, folding down the little line of lace and positioning her b.r.e.a.s.t.s in the cups so that he could see most of the electrical tape.

She didn't protest, and she kept her gaze on him. Trust was there, and he treasured it. Through her shirt, he traced the X on each of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "I can't wait to take it off later."

"I think it will hurt."

"I'm sure it will."

Lara closed her eyes and pressed her lips together.

"Your responses are intoxicating," he told her.

"I think the tape feels tighter."

"Even better. Now let's get on with it."

She turned away, and he swatted her a.s.s. Giving a yelp, she headed for the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he took a box to her. She'd piled a bunch of personal effects on the vanity, and he said, "Go ahead and pack other stuff while I handle this."

For an hour, they worked together. She'd pull out her items, he'd put them in a box, seal it and stow it in the car. "Anything else?" he asked, heading back inside after filling up the trunk. "We've still got room on the back seat."

He found her on the floor, kneeling in front of her nightstand. She quickly closed the drawer.

"What do you have?"

"Nothing I need. It can stay here."

"Show me."

"This." She opened the drawer and pulled out a small bullet vibrator.

"Perfect." He held open his palm.

"I know that look," she said.

"Bring it to me."

On her knees, as he would have expected, she did so.

"You're an apt pupil. Now get on your back."

"I think whatever you have in mind is heartless," she protested.

"You can't begin to imagine how much."

She sucked in a breath.

"Are you doing to make me repeat my request?"

They both knew it wasn't a suggestion.

Lara sat on the bed then lay back. He went into the bathroom to clean the toy, and when he got back, she was still in the same position.

"Lift your hips."

She did, and he pulled her panties and shorts down to her knees.

"Now spread your legs."

Since she was already moist, the bullet slipped right into her p.u.s.s.y.

"What setting do you usually use?"

"I start on three. Sometimes I go as high as seven."

"And you stroke yourself while you use it? Or do you just fantasize while it's inside you?"

Her breaths were rapid. "I just imagine that I'm a captive." She turned her head to the side. "I can't believe I'm telling you this."

"And that your o.r.g.a.s.m pleases your captor?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Does he stand there and insist you come for him, or you'll be punished?"

She whimpered.

"Does he?" He turned the vibe on, to four.

She cried out, lifting her hips.

"What's the punishment if you displease him?"

"A spa...nking."

He flipped her over.

She screamed.

"Does he let you hump the mattress? Or does he make you stay still, miserably so? I bet he does both, doesn't he?"

She clawed at her rumpled sheets.

He took off his belt and wound it around her wrists, securing them together. Then he gave her hot little a.s.s a sharp spank. "Answer the question."

"Both!"

"I bet he leaves it inside you, doesn't he, turning it up, wanting you to suffer for him first?"

"Yes. Yes."

"Does he like your misery?"

"He smiles."

"Oh, I imagine he does." He stood where he was sure she could see him. Then he turned the setting to five.

She writhed.

"And what then? Does he give you more?"

Lara scooted up, as if trying to escape the pressure.

"What happens if you come too soon, Lara, and ruin his fun? Captives are made for their master's pleasure, aren't they?"

"Yes, Sir." She turned her head.