Bed, Breakfast, and Bondage (Emerald Valley) Read online

  I turned in his arms. “Same for you. If you’re not into something I suggest…”

  “Then I’ll tell you so. I trust you, Naya. To not judge as well as to tell me the truth. Those are the only rules here.”

  Those and our time limit. Eight nights.

  I pushed the reminder out of my head and stepped out of his embrace. I picked the gift up and handed it to him. “You want some more wine?” Despite his urging me to relax, I was filled with nervous energy. And it was ridiculous. This was Devlin—how could I be anxious with him after all this time?

  “I’ve had enough,” he said, and I heard the slight chuckle in his voice.

  I poured myself another half glass, trying not to listen to the sound of the wrapping paper tearing and failing miserably. Silence reigned as Devlin opened the lid of the box.

  Time to face the music. I turned and saw him sitting on the edge of the bed, studying the contents of his present. The leather cuffs weren’t the best on the market, but they were soft, lined, and would be easy enough for him to buckle and unbuckle.

  Why wasn’t he saying anything? I’d thought… Hell. Maybe this was a bad idea. I’d thought he’d be intrigued after what we’d done in my office, but maybe the cuffs turned him off.

  “It’s stupid,” I said and blushed, mentally cursing myself. “Forget it.” I tried to grab the box, but Devlin moved it out of my reach.

  He lifted his head, and his gaze met mine. I was spellbound. His whiskey-brown eyes had darkened with a look I knew all too well, one that had arousal shooting through my veins like pure adrenaline.

  “One”—he lifted a finger—“no fantasy is ‘stupid.’ We agreed to be open-minded, and these”—he pulled the cuffs out of the box—“are hot.” A second finger joined the first. “And two, there’s no way in hell I’m forgetting this. Unless you’ve changed your mind. Have you?”

  I shook my head. “No,” I whispered.

  “Good.” He took the wineglass from my hand and set it on the bedside table before wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me toward him.

  I tumbled onto the bed, and he immediately rolled me onto my back. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding when he leaned over me.

  “Nervous?”

  “A bit.” It was an understatement, and we both knew it, but he let it slide.

  “You know the rules. Anytime you want to stop, we stop. This is for fun; if one of us isn’t enjoying it, then it’s not worth doing.”

  I smiled softly. “You’ve said something like that before.”

  “Yes, two minutes ago.”

  “No, before that.”

  “When?”

  “Our first time.”

  He grinned and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You were nervous then too.”

  “Just me?”

  “No, not just you.”

  Devlin studied my face, looking for what, exactly, I didn’t know.

  “Maybe not just you this time either. I want—” Cutting himself off, he shook his head and moved off me.

  “Where are you going?”

  Rather than answer, he slid off the bed and stood up. My nervousness fell away as he slipped his shirt over his head. I sat up, reaching for him, but he was one step ahead of me. Taking my hand, Devlin drew me up off the bed and into his embrace in one smooth move. I lifted my face in a silent demand for a kiss, and he obliged me, taking my mouth in a slow, drugging kiss. While I busied myself tangling my tongue with his, I felt his hand reaching for the zipper of my dress. I shivered as the metal slid down, loosening the fabric until it drooped on my shoulders. Only then did Devlin release my mouth, and I stepped back to let the dress slide the rest of the way down.

  From the heated look in his eyes, I could tell my lack of underwear was an excellent surprise. I felt a sensual smile curve my lips, and with renewed confidence I turned, clad only in my high heels, and bent over to take the empty gift box and wrapping paper off the bed before I crawled onto it. A wheezed-out breath coming from behind me had me holding back a laugh.

  “Tease,” Devlin choked out.

  “Doesn’t being a tease mean you’re not going to follow through?” I lay back on my elbows and crossed my heels. “I have every intention of following through tonight.”

  He didn’t answer, but it did take him a few tries to undo his slacks, which only made me hotter. Devlin shoved his pants and underwear down. My mouth watered at the sight of him completely naked.

  It’d been so, so long since I’d last seen him like this.

  Don’t dwell on it.

  Yet even as I reminded myself to live in the moment, Devlin said, “Damn, it’s been far too long since I’ve had you in bed.”

  “We’re of the same mind, then. Come here.” But he didn’t listen. Instead, he sat down on the bed, his erection jutting up proudly as he studied me from head to foot.

  “I don’t think so.”

  Leaning over, he grabbed the cuffs. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about them.

  “Hands above your head.”

  I obeyed, and the edge of uncertainty that hit when he gave his command was a surprising aphrodisiac. My eyelids drifted shut, and I could feel myself getting wetter as he shifted, rising over me, before he took one wrist in his hand and placed a gentle kiss over my pounding pulse. The soft lining of the cuffs enveloped my wrist, and with my eyes closed, my other senses were heightened. The slide of the buckles on the cuff was my last warning before it was tightened. Devlin secured the first cuff, running a finger underneath, undoubtedly to ensure I wouldn’t get hurt. I heard the cuff chain hit the headboard as Devlin wound it around the post before doing the same routine with the second cuff and wrist.

  “Not too tight or too loose?”

  I pulled experimentally. I couldn’t slide my hands out of the cuffs, but they weren’t tight.

  “Just right, Goldilocks.”

  “Do you think it’s wise to make fun of the man who has you captive?”

  I opened my eyes, batted my lashes at him. “Am I a damsel in distress now? I didn’t know we were role-playing.”

  He laughed. “Maybe another day, if it’s a fantasy of yours. For now…” A wicked grin spread across his face, but he didn’t finish his sentence.

  I was in for it now. Mmm. Yes, please.

  Devlin slid down my body until he was crouched at my feet. I didn’t offer any resistance as he uncrossed my ankles, but my hands gave an involuntary jerk when he spread my legs wide.

  He looked up, meeting my stare. All traces of humor were gone, and I had to wet my suddenly dry lips. We’d been in this position before, but somehow having my hands bound made the whole scenario feel new. I couldn’t bear the intensity of his gaze. I tried to turn his attention away from me by raising one leg and brushing my stiletto-clad heel against his side. Without looking, he grabbed my ankle and gently pushed my leg back into position, effectively taking control. My core clenched, and I had to wonder if it was odd, being turned on by so slight an action. Then Devlin moved between my splayed thighs, lowered his head to where I wanted him most, and I stopped caring.

  At the first swipe of his tongue, the cuff chain hit the top of the headboard. A whisper of breath from his muffled laugh made me clench my thighs, but Devlin wasn’t letting me control the situation. He bracketed my thighs with warm, rough hands and slid them back to where he wanted them. As he teasingly danced his tongue up and down my slit, I wiggled and tried to bring him closer to where I needed him. However, Devlin could not be deterred and kept his touches teasingly light. My pussy spasmed, and I grew wet, but I wanted more. I wanted it harder. Why the hell was he torturing me?

  I wanted to yank his head exactly where I wanted it, but the cuffs stopped me. I cursed, and Devlin moved back from me, releasing my thighs.

  “Say the word, and I’ll release you.”

  It was a challenge. I narrowed my eyes. “And then what?”

  “Whatever you want. It’s your night, Naya.”


  Whatever I wanted? What’d he think the cuffs were… Oh.

  Just like that, I got what he was trying to tell me. I’d wanted to give up control, but it wasn’t as if I’d had a lot of practice doing so.

  “Naya?”

  I forced myself to relax my arms and release the tension in my thighs. “Do your worst,” I said, trying to sound teasing.

  “How ’bout I do my best?”

  Before I could think up some clever retort, Devlin took my mouth in a brutal, demanding kiss. I opened for him eagerly, tasting myself on his tongue as he plunged between my lips. I moaned when he pulled away, but didn’t try to coerce him back. The reward for giving up control was already worth it, and I hadn’t even come yet. Devlin moved down my body again and speared his tongue deep into my core with the same force he’d taken my lips. I arched my hips, unable to help it. This time, he didn’t reprimand my movement. Instead, he stroked his tongue deeper, then retreated before coming back for more.

  He fucked me with his tongue, pausing intermittently to skim over my clit. With my hands bound by the cuffs and my legs by his command, I could do nothing but soak up the pleasure. I let go of everything, trusting Devlin to take me over the edge into orgasm.

  And he did, first with his mouth, then with strong fingers that pinched with just the right amount of pressure on my clit.

  Once, twice, by the third time, I felt myself cresting. I was drenched in sweat and ready to beg, though for more or for him to stop, I wasn’t sure. When he pulled back, I sagged into the mattress.

  I thought I was done, that I couldn’t come anymore. Lust had turned into an almost physical ache at this point. Through heavy-lidded eyes, I saw Devlin grab a condom off the nightstand and tear open the package. His gaze locked on me as he slowly covered his cock, and my body—which I’d been so certain couldn’t work up the energy for another round—revved up for more as I watched thin latex cover the long, thick length of him.

  I licked my lips again, my mouth opening of its own volition. Covered or bare, his erection was a tempting sight. I wanted to take it in my mouth while I was bound like this, unable to do anything but take however much or little of his cock he would give me.

  Something of my thoughts must have shown on my face, because Devlin shook his head and hoarsely said, “No, not now. This time… This time I want inside your cunt.”

  I inched my thighs open wider, and he readily took the invitation.

  The first thrust of his cock inside me was a heady mix of pleasure and pain. I’d gone for too long without this, without him. When he pulled back, I whimpered at the loss, but he grabbed my rear and shifted his angle before thrusting in again.

  This time I didn’t whimper. I screamed. Hooking my legs around him, I dug my heels into his ass, no longer content to give up control. Instead I met him stroke for stroke, pushing into his thrusts so that each stroke came hard and fast. He gripped my ass tighter, and sweat dripped off both of us, but I didn’t care. I was far too taken with the working of his muscles, from the tightening of his jaw to his abs flexing as he shuttled in and out, to the sight of that thick, long cock covered in my juices.

  I didn’t think I could come again, but when his cock hit that perfect spot, the orgasm was wrenched out of me. I clenched my thighs tighter around Devlin and heard him shout my name as his own release took him.

  I lost a bit of breath as he collapsed on top of me, but I didn’t complain at the weight. In a moment, I’d nudge him with my legs, ask him to uncuff my hands. For now, I was content to revel in the sated, sweaty aftermath.

  My limbs felt like water, and I let my legs fall from where I’d had a death grip around him. He grunted and lifted himself, sliding out of me.

  “Are you going to let me go?” I managed.

  “Never.” He kissed me swiftly. “I like having you bound and at my mercy.”

  My blood heated at his words. “Like” was too tame a word to describe how much I’d enjoyed it. At the same time, my arms, unused to being in such a position, had fallen asleep.

  Despite his words, Devlin undid the cuffs as soon as he’d tossed the used condom in the trash. He lay back down beside me on the bed and gently moved my arms for me, working feeling back into them and massaging where the cuffs had been, even though the thick lining had kept my wrists fairly comfortable.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah. I’m just not used to having my arms in that position for quite so long.”

  He was studying me intently, looking, I was sure, for any signs of discomfort. I tugged on his arm until he rolled back on top of me, like I’d wanted.

  “I’d tell you if I didn’t enjoy it or felt any pain. My arms are tingling a bit, but it’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Okay, then.”

  He kissed me swiftly, then reversed our positions so I was on top of him. He winced.

  “Ouch.”

  “Hey!” I wasn’t vain by nature, but no woman wanted to hear she was squishing her man.

  “It’s my ass, not you.”

  I blinked. That was unexpected. I moved off Devlin, and he rolled onto his side. Leaning over, I saw what was bothering him and started to laugh. Hysterically. A deep indent in the perfect shape of a stiletto heel marked each butt cheek.

  Devlin narrowed his eyes and reached behind to touch the marks. Then he glared at my shoes.

  Still laughing, I took off the heels and tossed them into the corner of the bedroom. “I’m sorry,” I gasped out. “Of the two of us, I wasn’t expecting it to be you who wound up with marks tonight. I don’t know why it’s so funny.”

  “I’ll show you funny,” he growled.

  He snatched a condom off the nightstand and sheathed himself in the blink of an eye. Rolling me onto my back, he thrust into me in one smooth stroke. My laughter turned into a moan as pleasure again flooded my system. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I held on tight and enjoyed the hard, fast ride to completion.

  * * * *

  When I woke the next morning, Devlin was gone. A sticky note from him on my nightstand let me know he was out running errands. What errands he had to run in Emerald Valley, I had no clue. But with guests coming that evening and party cleanup still to be done, I didn’t have time to wonder over Devlin’s absence.

  A few hours of cleaning, preparing for guests, and reorganizing my office to suit my current mood gave me time to reflect on the night before. Though I’d promised I wouldn’t second-guess myself, I did have a moment or two of doubt over taking Devlin up on his offer. Opening up to him as I had last night, like I planned to continue to do, worried me. After tossing it around in my mind some, I finally accepted my concern for what it was: a reasonable reaction. It was only logical to want to have some barriers, even between lovers. Exposing, enacting fantasies removed those. Heaven when you loved someone. Hell when you knew it’d only make the pain worse when they left. And leave Devlin would; I had no doubt.

  I was on the phone, scheduling a meeting with prospective clients, when Devlin returned. He poked around my office while I finished up my conversation, messing up the neatly organized photo books I’d shelved as he flipped through them, then put them back out of order.

  Once I got off the phone, I reached out and slapped his hand. “Do I nose through your chef tools and rearrange them?” He lifted his hands in surrender and flashed me a charming grin that, dammit, did its job.

  “No, you don’t. Apologies. I was curious.”

  “I can see that.”

  He sat on the edge of my desk. I snarled at him until he moved his butt to the love seat. My office was the one place where I did not allow for disorder. In my opinion, running multiple businesses out of one small office required ruthless organization. At the moment, the last thing I needed was Devlin’s oh so fine ass on the advertisement drafts he’d plopped down on.

  “Isn’t the B and B doing well enough that you can put aside your photography career? I always thought it was only a paycheck for you.”

&nbs
p; Mollified now that he’d stopped threatening to mess up my office, I joined Devlin on the love seat and leaned into him. “It started out that way,” I said, thinking about my second business. “Leah and I took any job we could get once upon a time, first to save up just to put a down payment on this building, then for renovations, licensing, opening costs… God knows, with all the repairs this place needed when we bought it, a second job was not optional, even with all the financial help from family and free labor from friends. You should’ve seen the Emerald before we started renovating it. I still can’t believe the previous owners thought people would pay to stay here in the condition the building was in. Even though I hated doing the cookie-cutter portraits, they helped to pay the bills when Lei and I started out.”

  “What changed?”

  “I did. Or rather, my attitude toward professional photography did. I always enjoyed taking pictures as a hobby, and I loved the photography classes I took in college, but I surprised myself when I fell in love with the business side of it as well. Oh, not the standard portraits; I still can’t stand those, and I’m grateful the Emerald’s doing well enough that I can pick and choose what jobs I want. But special occasions are a joy. I’ve got a soft spot for weddings in particular. There’s something about capturing a moment when two people are so blindingly happy… I can’t explain it other than to say I love being a part of it.”

  “You haven’t been on any jobs since I’ve been here, though.”

  “I didn’t think it was smart to book any when I knew Lei would be nearing the end of her pregnancy. It’s a pity, for I had to turn down quite a few potential clients. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are popular wedding times, and they pay well.”

  “I thought you were getting help.”

  “Hmm? Oh, yeah. We are. Leah’s cousin, Jessie, is coming to help out when she’s on winter break, but I’ve got a full house for those weeks, and it’s too much to leave on one twenty-year-old’s shoulders. Especially since we’ll have families as guests, and I always try to make the holidays extra special when children are around.”