Then smiled.

She sucked in her breath at the flash of white teeth amidst the sexy stubble of beard that covered his upper lip and jaw and at that moment, it wouldn’t surprise her to spot fangs. He looked exactly like a wolf about to enjoy long hours toying with his meal.

“Let’s play, Sloane Keller. Take off your clothes.” He leaned forward an inch so his warm breath struck her trembling lips. “Now.”

Chapter Two

Rome took in the slight widening of gorgeous violet eyes and held back a chuckle. The Queen of Cards seemed off balance, probably for the first time in her life, and he loved every moment of it. He intended to use the next few hours wisely and wring out every last ounce of pleasure. For both of them. If this worked, he figured he’d send Madame Evangeline a crap load of flowers. The woman in front of him called to every sense of challenge in his arsenal, and his dick stiffened to full staff. Forget the toys tonight. She’d insist on his best weapons—his mind and dominance. She exuded all the characteristics he craved in a woman: headstrong, confidant, assertive. With a soul that cried out for a man to tame her so she could receive the ultimate in pleasure.

And he was just the man to give it to her.

He raised an eyebrow in question. He made sure his voice slapped her like a whip to attention. “Make me ask again and you won’t like the consequences.”

Heat burned her cheeks, but her nipples hardened like pebbles and poked against her shirt. “Screw you.”

He shook his head in mock disappointment. “I guess we’ll have to do this the hard way.” With deft motions he unhooked his belt, pulled it through the loops and grabbed her hands behind her back. Her gasp of outrage heated his blood as he tightened the leather until her hands were snugly cuffed behind her back. She began to thrash and fight back, but he moved quickly and slammed her body against the wall, trapping her. He kicked her feet out and pressed his knee between her thighs so she remained open to him. With his free hands, he grabbed her jaw and forced her head still.

He watched her carefully for any sign of fear or panic. Instead, her pupils dilated, her pulse beat rapidly at the base of her neck, and lust gleamed from her eyes. The lady didn’t want to admit it, but she liked to play games in both the casino and the bedroom. He wondered if any man before him ever had the guts to take the upper hand.

“Anything else to say before we begin again?”

“You son of a bitch—”

He stamped his mouth over hers. With one quick thrust, he parted her plump lips and pushed in. Hot, wet satin and the sweet taste of woman swamped him, mingled with the unique taste of coffee, mint, and spice. She met him full force, her tongue forcing him back in a battle he intended to win. He sucked at her lower lip, bit her, then ravished her fully until he wrung a moan from her delicious mouth. His hands worked the buttons of her blouse free, slipping the material over her shoulders and down her arms so it hung loose around her tied wrists. One snap and the fragile lace bra fell to the ground. His thumbs moved over sensitive nipples flushed a ruby red. He plucked the tight buds and squeezed until she slumped against the wall.

“I’m going to make you come so many times you’re going to beg me to stop,” he whispered against her lips. His teeth nibbled along her jaw and worked his way to her ear. He bit the lobe and blew gently. She jumped, and he caught her musky scent of arousal. “But you have to be a good girl for me. Can you do that?”

He watched her struggle to gain the upper hand. She pushed against him in one last desperate move to win.

The instinct to conquer and possess speared him. With a low chuckle, he pushed down her black pants and dipped his head to take one hard nipple in his mouth. He laved her with his tongue and sucked while his other hand slid past the elastic of her panties. Hooked under the lace fabric. And dived into home.

She cried out and arched upward. Dripping wet heat met his hand, but he backed off and kept his touch deliberately light. He traced her swollen folds while he worked at her nipple, until his name chanted in his ear to his satisfaction. Slowly, he lifted his head and removed his hand.

Fucking gorgeous. Violet eyes fogged with need and a naked desire. He pressed his hand to his nose and breathed in her essence. A raw animal response thundered in his veins, like a horse wanting to mount and possess in a fury of lust. If he wasn’t careful, he’d plunge inside of her and spill his seed like a teenager. He clamped down on his need and took a deep breath. In order to break down her barriers, he needed to go slow. By the end of the night, she’d completely submit to him, body and soul.

“Are you ready to give me what I want?”

Her voice was ragged. “Yes.”

“Good. I still don’t trust you so I’m leaving the belt on. I’m going to remove the rest of your clothes. Lie on the bed with your head by the board.”

Her legs shook but she obeyed with no delay, positioning herself on the king size bed as he requested. He took in every inch of her nakedness with appreciation. Long legged and slim, she moved as gracefully naked as clothed. Her nipples jutted out from perfectly formed, plump breasts. Smooth golden brown skin gleamed like cocoa butter. Dark pubic curls covered her inner lips, but he spotted a flush of moisture and the nub of her clit, already heavily aroused.

He walked into the bathroom to snag the plush robes hanging from the hook. He grabbed two belts and returned to the bed. With quick motions, he unhooked the leather belt and freed her hands. Before she could say anything, he pulled her arms over her head, re-attached the belt around her wrists, and secured her to the elaborately scrolled headboard.

“What are you doing?”

The sharp edge of demand tinged her voice, and admiration cut through him. She’d never bore a man—always challenging him on every decision, and he loved it. He quickly looped a cloth sash around each of her ankles and tied her to the footboard. The hotel’s rooms were well known for catering to a taste in bondage, and the choices of bedroom furniture proved an asset. “Taking away your choices.”

Her brows furrowed as she tested the hold. “No. I want to touch you also. Untie me.”

He flashed a grin at her haughty tone while she lay spread-eagle on the bed. “I won the hand so we play my way. Lay back and enjoy the ride.”

She wiggled one foot and struggled against her bonds. “I’m not one of your groupies. I have my own demands to make and never take a free ride.”

Bingo. Sloane Keller was so obviously used to calling the shots and making sure she won in bed, she forgot to surrender and receive.

His cock throbbed painfully against the fabric of his pants. She’d fight him the whole way until he gave her the first orgasm. Making a quick decision, he stripped quickly. He needed her pliant so he had the time to take her in his own way.

Her gaze hungrily roved over him, but he didn’t give her much time to look. Kneeling on the bed, he placed a hand on each of her thighs and caressed the trembling flesh.

Her breath came in huge gulps as she fought her body. “What are you doing! Didn’t you hear what I said?”

“Oh, baby, I’m not giving you a free ride. But if we’re going to go any further, I need you to listen better. So, I’m going to let you come.”

“You bastard! Don’t you dare, I refuse to come on command for you.”

He lowered until he’d settled between her legs. “Let’s see who wins this round.”

“Roman, I—oh!”

He parted her lips and touched his tongue to her throbbing clit. A rush of liquid warmth met him at her entrance, as he teased her with quick licks of his tongue that never gave her the pressure she craved. She bucked underneath him and panted. She tasted like heaven, musky and fragrant. He worked one finger into her and slid in and out, giving her a tiny taste of what his cock would do later on. Her cries became frenzied as she moved close to the edge, and with one swift movement, he pressed his tongue against her hard bud while he plunged three fingers in her channel in savage demand.

She screamed and convulsed around him. He cursed viciously under his breath at her open, naked response and kissed her, stroking her legs as she rode out her orgasm. She fell limp on the mattress, her vivid burgundy hair fanning the clean white pillows in stark contrast.

He moved up and cuddled her, massaging her arms so her muscles didn’t get sore in the bound position. He removed the sashes from her feet, but kept her hands tied. Her stubbornness still lingered, and she hadn’t surrendered completely to him yet.

But she would.

Sloane lay against his hard, muscled length and enjoyed the tender caresses on her skin while she floated back to earth. Dear God, what did he do to me? She’d never had such an intense orgasm before. In a matter of an hour, she’d been rebuked, tied up, and ordered around in a way she’d never thought possible.

And she liked it.

No, she admitted. I loved it.

A quick glimpse of his naked body showed corded arms and chest, literal six pack abs, and a huge, throbbing cock. Her mouth dried at the thought of wrapping her lips around such power. Easily over six feet, he loomed fierce and treated her as a captive from the spoils of war. He forced her to walk a fine edge of fear and lust, until she didn’t know how to react.

In all of her past relationships, she’d never been ordered around in the bedroom. Some men tried, but one strong protest and they backed off. She’d never been a non-participant in sex, yet this stranger had gotten her off in a matter of minutes and she hadn’t even laid a hand on him.