Read Online Bind by Sierra Cartwright - Free Book Online Page B

tails into her waistband.
    “Not if I have my way.” He pulled out her phone.
    “Make a Z-shape across the keyboard to unlock it.”
    A few moments later, he had saved his cell phone and office numbers in her contacts list. For good measure, he added his personal email address. He was a bit disappointed she hadn’t done that herself yesterday, when he’d given her his business card. “No excuses not to call me.”
    “I figured that was what you were doing.”
    “You’ll also notice that I didn’t ask for your information.”
    “Is that supposed to make me feel better? I’ve no doubt you could have it in less than a minute if you wanted it. From Erin, if nothing else.”
    “I could,” he agreed. “But I won’t.” He propped a hip on the edge of the desk. She hadn’t moved from the center of the room, but her clothing and jewelry were once again in place, and she’d smoothed back her hair. Her shoulders, though, were curved slightly forward.
    The beautiful Lara Bertrand—who’d just had a sample of what he’d require from her submission—wasn’t quite as in control as she probably hoped to appear.
    “The point is, the next step is yours. You’ve had a tiny taste of what it would be like with me. A small amount of pain on your nipples. Hopefully a sensual, arousing pain?” If the way she’d responded to his kiss was any indication, it had been. “Text me, call me, shoot me an email if you want to explore more. Eight o’clock. What area of town do you live in?”
    “You move fast.”
    “We’ll go at your speed,” he assured her. “Tonight. Tomorrow. Next week. It’s your call. It was my understanding you were anxious to get to the marriage part. I’m willing to wait as long as it takes.”
    “The Heights,” she said after a long sigh.
    “If you’re agreeable, I’ll have my driver pick you up around seven-thirty.”
    “I always prefer to drive myself so that I’m free to come and go as I choose.”
    Her words were tacit agreement, but he was smart enough to realize he didn’t have her. Yet. “Of course. Keep in mind, April is at your disposal. Even if it’s late, you’d be safe. And if you’d like a glass of wine, you wouldn’t have to worry about driving. I’d be more comfortable.”
    “What if I wanted you to pick me up?”
    He recognized what she was doing. Showing her independence, an obligatory objection to ceding control to him. “As if it were a date, rather than an introduction to my form of seduction?”
    She caught her breath.
    “If that makes you happy, Lara, I’d be delighted to pick you up.”
    “I’ll let you know what I decide.” She reached for her jacket. “But I still may not come at all.”
    He didn’t argue. “Let me help with that. Please.” His words were light. His tone was commanding. His expectation allowed no argument.
    Responding as he’d hoped, she waited while he crossed the room, picked the jacket up and held it for her.
    “Are you always so mannerly?” she asked as she turned back to face him.
    “With my woman? Yes.”
    “Your woman? Your woman?” Her voice held a touch of indignation and outrage, but the question had emerged shaky.
    “That’s what you want to be,” he reminded her. “Isn’t it?” He smoothed her lapels.
    “No.” She shook her head.
    “My wife? What do you think it means?” For a few moments, he let her think about it. Now, he saw, with the way she was rubbing her upper arms, realization was settling in. When she’d walked into his office, she’d obviously had an abstract idea of what she was proposing. Business had been her focus, and apparently it hadn’t occurred to her that he’d expect something more.
    He walked back to his desk, and she followed. He picked up her phone then dropped it back in her bag. He re-clasped it before returning it to her.
    “Thank you. It’s been memorable.”
    “It has, indeed.” He went to the door and unlocked it. His hand on the knob, he paused. “And I won’t