Lorelei James - Bound

She tried a less combative tactic. She curled her hands around his face. “Come with me to the Bistro. We’ll split an appetizer, have a drink, soak in the weeknight crowd in a Denver hipster bar. It’ll be fun.”

His rigid stance relaxed. He rested his forehead to hers. “I’d like that.”

“Let’s go.” She pecked him on the mouth and he stepped back. “It’s two blocks down.”

Ronin took her hand and led her to his motorcycle. “I’ll drive slow since I didn’t bring your helmet.”

Amery shook her head. “It’s a short walk.”

“I like you on my bike. And that wild girl wants to feel the wind in her hair even if it’s only for two short blocks.” He traced the edge of her jaw. “Or are you saying no because it’s not cool to show up at a hipster bar on a Jap bike? We’d fit in better if we pulled up on a Vespa?”

She laughed. “Fine. We’ll take the bike. Especially since you’re looking more badass than usual in this wifebeater.” Her finger followed the scoop neck of the skintight ribbed tank top. Her fingers migrated to the deep cut of muscle in his biceps. “I really like when you show off your impressive arms.”

“Don’t get used to it. I was in such a hurry to get to you that I switched out my gi pants for jeans and forgot about my upper half.”

“Why don’t you wear this kind of shirt more often?”

“Because I feel exposed.” He kept stroking her jaw. “Sounds weird coming from a man who prefers his partners naked. But I grew up wearing a gi from morning until night. Having my body covered is natural to me. I only wear short-sleeved shirts when I know it’ll be hot or if I’m working out. I only strip off my shirt when . . .”

We’re alone.

Amery realized that’s how Ronin leveled the playing field when the ropes came out. He hadn’t removed his shirt during the scene at the club, but he always took his shirt off with her. And for him, that was akin to being as naked as she was. She turned her head and kissed his wrist. “Ronin.”

“So now you know,” he said softly. “Let’s go.”

Amery did like the wind tousling her hair. But not as much as she liked the feel of Ronin’s bare skin against her cheek as she wrapped herself around him on the back of his bike.

No surprise they garnered attention—or rather Ronin received predatory looks from several women, despite the fact that he’d draped a possessive arm over Amery’s shoulder.

They chose a table away from the jazz guitarist and his groupies. After ordering food and drink, Ronin was sweet and attentive. Almost as if it was a date.

Lulled by the soft music and the ease of being together, they lingered. “This is nice.”

“Told you. I—we haven’t done this in a while.”

“So why’d you back out on me tonight?”

“Why didn’t you ask me that when I called you?” she countered.

“Too pissed off to form a coherent sentence.”

Shocking that he’d admitted it. “That’s something you’ll have to work on, Master Black, because your curt response gave me the impression you didn’t care what I did.”

Ronin locked his gaze to hers. “I cared too much. So quit hedging. Why’d you really call and cancel?”

Amery stirred the dregs of her Moscow mule and drained it. “Because I got waxed today.”

Pause. Then, “Come again?”

“I got a full bikini wax today for the first time ever. And it might make me a pussy”—she smirked—“but I’m beyond tender around my lady bits. I knew body friction would irritate my skin, so I canceled our plans.”

He leaned forward. “Why didn’t you just tell me that in the first place?”

She offered a cheeky smile. “You didn’t ask.”

“You’re sidestepping the issue, but I’ll let it slide. Why did you think we couldn’t get together tonight?”

She threaded her fingers through his. “Ronin. Master Black. Sensei. Sir. You are many, many things and I appreciate every facet of you, but tenderness isn’t in your arsenal of seduction. Within five minutes of being alone together, we’re naked together, and that couldn’t happen tonight, so I opted to avoid the situation.”

“Which caused an issue between us, so nondisclosure was obviously the best choice,” he said dryly. “I’ll point out we can be together without it always leading to sex.”

“But why would we want to be?”

Her flip comment annoyed him rather than amused him. “Sounds like it’s past someone’s bedtime.” He pushed to his feet and held out his hand. “Shall we?”

The night had cooled off and the short bike ride left her chilled. She didn’t protest when Ronin informed her he’d tuck her in.

He followed her into the bedroom and began to unbutton her blouse, pressing kisses down her chest as he did so.

“What are you doing?”

“Helping you get ready for bed. Lift up.” He curled his hand around her knee and lifted her leg to tug off her boot. “Other side.”

She clutched his shoulders as he removed her other boot.

As soon as Ronin was upright, his mouth landed on hers. The slow kiss belied how fast his fingers worked the button and zipper on her jeans. Despite the fabric being skintight, he easily peeled the denim down her legs.

He nuzzled her temple and brushed his lips across her cheekbone. “Let me show you.”

“Show me what?”

“That I can be tender.” He strung kisses down her throat. “So very, very tender with you.”

“Ronin. You don’t have to.”

“I want to. I need to.”

She about melted into a puddle of goo.

“And you don’t have to worry that I’ll rut on you afterward.” He unhooked her bra and removed it. “Take off your panties.”

His sweet but commanding tone sent a shiver through her. When she reached down to grasp the lace band, Ronin’s fingers were there, helping her slide them off.

Then he dropped to his knees.

Amery blushed head to toe. It was far from the first time he’d been up close and personal, but she’d literally never been so bared before.

His hands started at her hips and his thumbs swept over the smooth sheen of her mound. His fingers skated down the crease of her thigh and then up the inside edge of her slit. Ronin made that long sweeping caress several more times, not speaking, just staring.

Just when she didn’t think she could stand another second, he said, “How can you be so pale and yet so perfect?”

Her breath stalled when his fiery gaze met hers.

“Spread your legs, baby. I need my mouth on you.”

That quiet, sultry demand caused her knees to buckle and her butt hit the mattress.

Ronin didn’t miss a beat. He scooted closer to the edge of the bed and pushed her thighs apart. Way apart.

He covered every inch of her denuded flesh with butterfly kisses. By the time he dipped his tongue down her slit, she’d gone slick and slippery.

“The way you taste is addictive.” And he proved it by licking, lapping, and sucking her juices. Never aggressively, but with a tender need she’d never experienced with him.

And Ronin didn’t threaten to bind her hands if she touched him while he went down on her. So she sifted her fingers through his thick, unruly hair. Her fingers swept over his eyebrows and cheekbones and even the shell of his ear as he worked her over with his mouth.

His eyes were closed, but every once in a while those thick lashes would lift and she’d find him watching her, watching him.

Sexy. Hot. Sweet.

When he focused on her clit, the detonation against his mouth was instantaneous. Delicious. Perfect. Especially when he didn’t relent and immediately drove her up and spun her into orbit again.

Amery could scarcely hear over the blood whooshing in her ears. She slumped back on the bed, reveling in every hard throb against his firmly sucking mouth. Every unerring flick of his tongue. Every soft smooch on her swollen flesh. She also reveled in his fingers digging into her inner thighs. Ironic that his intent to show her tenderness would leave a mark on her? No. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

She yawned. “Now I’m tired.”

“Sleep.”

A kiss on her forehead. Then he tucked the covers around her. “I’ll lock up.”

She whispered, “Thank you,” as sleep beckoned.

“No. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For reminding me I can lower my guard around you. For letting me be what you needed tonight.”

Her last thought was she’d been mistaken about Ronin. He knew exactly how to be tender. He’d just needed someone to allow him to show it.

WHEN Amery realized Molly was already on a call on the other line, she picked up the ringing receiver and answered, “Hardwick Designs.”

“May I please speak to Amery Hardwick?”

“This is Amery.”

“Ms. Hardwick, this is Maggie Arnold. I’m happy to finally get in touch with you.”

Great, another telemarketer. She’d opened her mouth to decline whatever fantastic special this woman planned to offer when she said, “I assure you this isn’t a sales call. I oversee the North American district for Okada Foods. Have you heard of us?”

That was some kind of Asian food line if she recalled correctly. “It’s vaguely familiar.”

“Good. Okada is in the product development stage for creating healthier frozen entrées. Since these foods will launch an entirely new product line, and will only be offered for limited distribution, we’re looking for a younger, hipper, fresher packaging design. We received your name and were intrigued by your ad designs for local organic food outlets, such as Wicksburg Farms, Grass Roots, Fresh Start, and the farm-to-table restaurants like Nature’s Bounty and Juniper’s Garden that specialize in the type of audience we hope to target.”