Bound and Determined

by Anara Bella

  Marcus handled the situation well, but he still hadn’t been able to shake the woman when Thea showed up.

  “Hey, girl. I see you have some very interesting company.”

  Asia glanced over at Marcus, who was starting to look a bit harried. “Yeah, I have a lot to tell you.”

  Keeping her voice low, Thea said, “I can see that. What’s going on?”

  “I’ll tell you later.”

  Thea frowned. “Okay, but I want details. I came by to see if you wanted some company for lunch.” She glanced pointedly toward Marcus. “But I’m guessing you have other plans.”

  “Nothing definite.”

  Asia took in Marcus’s phony smile that was looking more and more strained by the second and decided he needed saving. Besides, she was way past sick of this woman. She cut into whatever the woman was saying. “Hey Marcus. Don’t you have lunch plans?”

  He turned away from the woman and gave Asia a look of such heartfelt gratitude, she almost laughed. “Yeah, I do.” He turned back to the woman. “I’m sorry to cut this short, but I have things I have to do. You understand, I’m sure.”

  The woman looked seriously put out, but took the hint and left.

  Marcus swiped his hands over his face. “Good God, I thought she’d never leave.”

  Asia laughed. “You and me both.”

  “I need to stretch my legs. Why don’t I get lunch for the three of us?”

  “Great idea.”

  They both told him what they wanted and he took off over to Lettie’s.

  The second he left, Thea pounced. “Don’t keep me in suspense, what the hell’s going on?”

  “I took your suggestion to heart.”

  Thea’s eyes went wide. “You slept with him?”

  Asia nodded emphatically. “The earth moved, the angels wept and my dry streak is officially over.”

  Thea squealed like a little girl. “Wow, wow, wow. This is awesome news. And, may I say, about damned time.”

  Asia laughed, enjoying her best friend’s exuberance on her behalf. “Yes, you may.”

  “So how did it happen? Last time we talked you were still dead set against the idea.”

  As much as she’d wanted to tell Thea what happened, she was loath to give too many details. It felt way too private somehow. “Well, I went to his place, sparks flew. He kissed me and one thing led to another.”

  Thea’s face fell. “Please tell me that’s the condensed version. Otherwise I’ll be grossly disappointed in the man.”

  “Let me put it this way. We initiated more than one room in his house.”

  Despite her resolve to be straightforward about what had happened, Asia felt her face flame.

  Thea burst out laughing. “Way to go, Marcus.”

  “Yeah. And he definitely knows how to go the distance.”

  “Yeah, but did he take you the distance?”

  “Let’s just say I lost count of how many times I hit the big O.”

  Thea nodded sagely. “Ah yes. A man of many talents. A great writer and a rock star in the bedroom. How are you dealing with all of this? I take it you’re going to see him again.”

  Asia shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, I guess so. This all happened so fast I haven’t had time to process it, but so far it just feels right. I’m having fun and I figure as long as I keep my heart out of it, I can have a good time without getting hurt.”

  “As long as you remember that he’s not the settling-down type you should be fine.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t forget. That’s one of the perks of being with Marcus since I’m not ready to settle down anytime soon anyway. I might never be.”

  Thea studied her closely and then nodded. “Okay then. So how did he end up here today?”

  Asia shrugged. “He knew I’d be nervous in the shop by myself and he offered to come in and keep me company. Actually, he kind of insisted, but I didn’t put up much of a fight.”

  “That’s why I came by. I was worried about you with Astrid not around.”

  Asia hugged her friend hard. “You’re the best.”

  Thea preened. “Of course, I am.”

  They both laughed.

  Marcus pushed through the front door, his arms full of bags. “Lunch has arrived.”

  Once they’d eaten, Thea left and Marcus went back to his laptop. No customers were in the store, so Asia pulled out a book from under the counter, hoping Marcus didn’t see what it was.

  He glanced over. “What are you reading?”

  She so didn’t want to tell him. “Oh, nothing you’d be interested in.”

  “How do you know?”

  He had a point. “Well, I think it’s safe to say you don’t read romances.”

  He grinned. “Okay, you’ve got me there.”

  Asia blushed. “I figured as much.”

  “Don’t be embarrassed. There was a time when I did read them.”

  Her gaze shot to his, trying to discern if he was teasing her. “You did not.”

  He nodded. “I did. You forget I grew up in a house full of women. They all read romances. They still do.”

  “That may be, but I can’t imagine you reading one.”

  He chuckled unselfconsciously. “Let’s just say I was motivated. Especially when I found out they had sex scenes in them.”

  Picturing it clearly, Asia burst out laughing. “I guess I can see the appeal to a horny teenager.”

  “You’d better believe it. I learned a lot from those books.”

  Asia stood and walked over to him. Letting her fingers drift along his shoulder, she threw him an arch look. “Did you now? Anything I should know about?”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto his lap. “I can think of a few things.”

  His free hand cupped her breast, shaping it, teasing the nipple as he leaned in to kiss the sensitive spot below her ear. Heat washed over her.

  “I’d show you if we weren’t in a public place.”

  “Chicken.”

  His gaze speared hers and his wicked chuckle set her insides on fire. “You asked for it.”

  He took her mouth in a slow kiss so sensual she thought she’d melt from the inside out. That’s all Marcus ever had to do. Just kiss her, and she became putty in his hands. She’d thought maybe last night was a fluke, but now she knew better. There was some kind of chemistry between them that was pure dynamite. And was as addictive as crack cocaine.

  She raked her fingers into his soft, slightly overgrown hair and held him close as she drank deeply from his lips. Her tongue danced with his, thrusting, searching, tasting, as urgency built deep inside her.

  His hand skimmed down her skirt and nudged below the hem, making its way to the apex of her thighs. Her pulse skipped to double time. She knew they shouldn’t be doing this in the shop. That they were playing with fire. After all, someone could walk in at any moment, but she couldn’t make herself put a stop to it.

  His wickedly clever fingers started petting her through her panties, teasing her with the almost-there touch that wasn’t enough. She was already wet for him but she needed his fingers touching her skin, giving her clit some one-on-one attention. She spread her thighs as much as she could to give him greater access and he took immediate advantage, finding the edge of her panties and working his way in until he was touching her moist folds.

  His groan went straight to her core.

  Her hips started to move, seeking to get closer, wanting more intimate contact. He didn’t disappoint, giving her what she sought and working his magic until she was so excited she didn’t know what to do with herself. Oh God, doing this here was so risky, but she desperately wanted to free his cock and impale herself on him right here, right now.

  He worked a finger into her, then two, building the pressure. If he didn’t stop she’d come right here in the shop, she was so close already. But he didn’t let up, devouring her mouth while his fingers worked inside of her, building the fire higher until the flames skirted the very edge, holding
her captive to the suspended moment. He didn’t leave her there long. His thumb pressed into her clit and she flew over the top, convulsing around his fingers, burying her face in his neck to muffle her scream of release.

  When the shudders stilled she pulled back and looked at Marcus in stunned silence. She couldn’t believe he’d done that to her right here in the shop, even if she had dared him. And not without cost to himself. His eyes burned with unspent passion and his hard cock throbbed against her hip. “I take it back. You’re no chicken.”

  “Damned right.” He kissed her and pulled back. “By the way, you can dare me to do that anytime. But if you think this is over, you’re fooling yourself. We’re going to continue this at my place after work.”

  “You sound pretty sure of yourself.”

  He pointedly lifted his fingers to his mouth and sucked her essence off them. Her vagina spasmed from the erotic sight. “I have reason to be. And by the time I’m done with you, you’ll have lost count of how many times you’ve screamed your release.”

  Her pussy clenched again in response, and she bit her lip in breathless anticipation. He gave her a sexy grin so rakish he reminded her of a pirate. And she had the strong suspicion that he was going to take what he wanted like a pirate. Damn the consequences.

  She could hardly wait.

  Chapter Ten

  She’d died and gone to heaven.

  Sinking lower into the fabulous bath Marcus had run for her, Asia felt every muscle in her body relax. He’d fed her to-die-for fettuccine soon after they’d gotten to his place, so she was pleasantly full and happy and now she was enjoying her favorite thing in the world.

  She had no idea how long she’d been in there but her fingers and toes were starting to go pruny, telling her she should get up soon. Instead, she let her head fall back against the tub, loath to move.

  A quick rap on the door preceded Marcus’s entrance. Without moving her head, she glanced his way. He looked comfortable and sexy as hell in sweatpants and a T-shirt. He had to be the only man alive who could pull the look off.

  “You ready for me to wash your hair?”

  “Does it entail movement of any kind on my part?”

  He grinned. “I’m afraid so, but I’ll make it worth your while.”

  His eagerness had her eying him suspiciously. “You’re just going to wash my hair, right?”

  He didn’t answer, but the sinful glint in his eyes didn’t bode well for that outcome.

  She watched as he grabbed a chair from the bedroom and set it behind the clawfoot tub. Next he squirted a dollop of shampoo into his hands. “Lean forward.”

  She did as he asked. Before long, the soothing feel of his strong fingers methodically working shampoo into her hair was her entire world. Occasionally adding water to bring out the suds, he massaged her scalp with unbelievable thoroughness until every last hair follicle on her head was as relaxed as the rest of her body. The man really did have magic fingers.

  “You could make a living doing this.”

  He chuckled and continued massaging her scalp. “You think so?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “Well, I don’t do this for just anyone.”

  “You don’t?”

  “Nope. You’re my first.”

  She glanced at him over her shoulder. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Believe it. Now relax, I’ll take care of everything.”

  A contented sigh whispered past her lips as his magical fingers continued massaging her scalp and her nape, even slipping down to work her neck and shoulder muscles loose.

  “Feel good?”

  She was too relaxed for words. “Um hmm.”

  “Good.”

  He continued his bewitching ministrations until she almost nodded off.

  “Lean your head back so I can rinse out the soap.”

  Warm water ran through the strands of her soapy hair, until all the suds were gone. Bonelessness pervaded her body, as if he’d also rinsed away all the tension from the robbery and the last few days.

  She’d never been so wonderfully pampered and taken care of by a man.

  Marcus wrapped a towel around her head. “Okay, time to get out.”

  She groaned. “Do I have to?”

  He chuckled. “Yes, you do. Pretty soon it won’t just be your fingers and toes that are pruny.”

  And wouldn’t that be attractive. Conceding defeat, she rose and stepped out of the water while he enveloped her with a huge fluffy towel.

  He patted her dry, lavishing special attention on her breasts and pussy until every inch of her skin was tingling and turned on. Then he wrapped the towel around her and tucked in a corner close to her breast.

  Their eyes caught and he winked.

  “Why don’t you finish drying off and I’ll go get us some wine.”

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  He left and she pushed herself to towel dry her hair. It was the one advantage to having naturally curly hair that she only had to scrunch it in her fingers for the curls to set up again. They’d be a little wilder than usual without her hair defrizzing products to tame them, but there wasn’t anything she could do about that.

  She headed into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. She should get dressed, but she was so sublimely relaxed she couldn’t make herself do it. In fact, she could barely keep her eyes open at all. She rubbed them to try to wake up, but it didn’t work. She had to rest for a minute. Just one short minute. Then she’d be ready for action. Really.

  Marcus whistled in the kitchen while he uncorked the wine and grabbed a couple of glasses to take upstairs. He didn’t know what it was about this woman, but she turned him on like no other woman ever had. He’d had a hell of a time fighting off the urge to crawl into the tub and take her right there. But his goal tonight was to pamper her and let her know without words that he valued her for more than just sex. Even if he did want to make love to her until they both passed out.

  He took the stairs two at a time and came to an abrupt halt once he stepped into the bedroom. He placed the wine and glasses on a dresser and stepped closer to the bed.

  So much for his big seduction plans.

  Asia was sound asleep on top of the blankets, her fist tucked under her chin. She looked so peaceful and sweet. Beautiful.

  His heart did a funny flip and he unconsciously rubbed the center of his chest. No way could he wake her. She was obviously exhausted. And although she hid it well, he knew she was still stressed out over the robbery. She needed the rest.

  He pulled back the blankets and tucked her in after removing the towel from around her lush body. She never even stirred.

  He stripped off his clothes and got into bed next to her. Gathering her snug against him, he kissed the top of her head and lay there holding her close, inhaling her sweet scent.

  For now, he was content to do just that. Well, his cock wasn’t. It had other ideas, but aside from that, he was good. Better than good. And it was more than a little scary because he knew he was getting in deep with this woman.

  He had begun to think he’d never find the right woman for him, and now he had a strong suspicion Asia was the woman he’d been looking for.

  He just had to convince Asia that he was the right guy for her.

  Asia could get used to this.

  Being warm and secure in a man’s arms after a good night’s sleep, what could be better?

  She wriggled her butt back into Marcus, thrilled to the feel of his hard cock nestled in the groove of her ass. His arm tightened around her, pulling her closer.

  Oh yeah, she could get used to this all right.

  She wriggled into him again. “You’re up.”

  His slow chuckle did wicked things to her insides. “In more ways than one. You inspire me.”

  She grinned and turned over to face him. “I can see that.”

  He removed his arm from around her waist and trailed his fingers down her breast, making her nipples harden. He didn’t dally the
re long, instead skimming across her belly to bury them in her nether curls. Her stomach muscles clenched in anticipation.

  He didn’t disappoint. Nor did he make her wait as he slid farther, back and forth across her already slippery wet folds. “I see I inspire you too.”

  Her breath hitched. “Oh yeah. I’m sorry I fell asleep on you again last night.”

  He grinned. “Don’t worry about it. You can make it up to me now. Put your leg over my hip.”

  Intrigued, she did as he asked. “Like this?”

  He growled his approval. “Just like that.”

  As if rewarding her, he slid a finger into her vagina, thrusting in and retreating, adding another digit and another.

  “God, that feels so good.”

  Her hips started to move in counterpoint and the exquisite rhythm created a slow burn that drove her higher with each thrust of his fingers. “If you keep that up, I’m going to come.”

  He nipped her shoulder, then soothed the skin with his tongue. “I’m counting on it.”

  He continued the provocative cadence until she writhed against his fingers, dancing there on the crest. She hung in exquisite anticipation until he pinched her clit and she surged over the top in waves of bliss.

  While she strove to catch her breath, Marcus reached over her shoulder and nabbed a condom off the night table. Sheathed in seconds, he thrust into her slowly, inexorably. Completely.

  They both groaned. His hand on her hip, he started to move and the divine fullness, together with the teasing friction, had her moaning. She didn’t think she had it in her but the excitement started building again.

  She grabbed his ass, trying to make him move faster, deeper. He shook his head. “Good things come to those who wait.”

  “But I don’t want to wait. I want to come.”

  “You will.”

  He pulled out and rolled onto his back, pulling her over him. “Get on top.”

  A frisson of excitement danced through her body. She loved being on top.

  Getting onto her knees, she lowered herself onto him until he was deep inside her. Deeper than he’d ever been before. She groaned at the exquisite fullness, grinding herself down onto him, causing a delicious friction on her clit at the same time. She rose and plunged down on him again.