BoldLust

by Sky Robinson

  Probably.

  The way her body was warming under his touch, becoming so wanton so fast made her definitely rethink the decision.

  “You should have come a lot sooner.” Carter shut the door and turned Kate to face him.

  He kept his hands firmly on her arms, her body pressed against the door so there was no chance of retreating. Not that her body wanted to retreat, but her mind said she should escape before she did something else stupid. Like kiss Carter.

  “I should have?” Kate wondered why he would say that after the obvious disgust he’d showed for her the last time she saw him. Why in the world should she have even considered coming to see him sooner? She barely had the courage to do it now.

  “Yes, you definitely should have.” Carter moved his mouth down to hers, not touching, but so close. “I’ve missed you, Kate.”

  “Why didn’t you come to see me?” She didn’t think he was the type to hold anything back, to shy away from taking what he wanted.

  “I already scared you off once with my aggressiveness. I knew I had to wait for you to be ready to come here. I couldn’t risk scaring you away again. You mean too much to me.”

  “I do?” The words almost didn’t come out of her tightly clenched throat. He was saying the things she didn’t dare hope for, the things she so desperately needed to hear.

  She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t focus on anything but the sweet words coming out of his mouth and the even sweeter sensations of his touch as his hand ran down the bare skin of her arm, sending a warming sensation straight to her core.

  “You mean everything to me, Kate. I want you to be mine.” He held intense eye contact with her.

  “Even after…” She looked down at the floor and couldn’t bring herself to say the words, to admit to the thing that would probably stop them from having any chance at forever together.

  “I don’t care if you sell drinks to men or have the need to run around the town naked in the middle of the night or sit at the docks and yell at the workers or…just as long as you never touch another man, you never love anyone but me. You can do just about anything else and it won’t stop the love I have for you. You are mine. Only mine, Kate.”

  “I like the sound of that.” And she did. She liked being claimed by Carter, liked knowing that no matter what mistakes she made in life, he would always want her. She’d sure as hell tested that one out well.

  “Good.” Carter pulled Kate tight against him and kissed her. Hard. His mouth possessed hers, tongue invading, her tongue tangling with his. Her core warmed and started to tingle.

  There was something animalistic about the way Carter kissed her. It brought out an uncontrollable desire for more. More of his touch, more of his love, more of everything.

  His tongue continued to invade her mouth and she let it happen, gave in to the pleasure.

  “Mmmmm.” Her own growl surprised Kate. It did convey the feelings that threatened to erupt inside her, but she hadn’t meant for it to slip out, hadn’t meant to encourage him so boldly.

  Not that Carter needed any encouragement. He was a man who took what he wanted, and that fact scared and exhilarated her at the same time.

  “That’s right, Kate, you will be mine.” His words came out with a deep growl that sent heat to her core.

  She wanted exactly that. She shouldn’t, should take things slowly, talk everything out and… Oh Lord, she couldn’t even talk herself into believing it when his lips pressed against hers again and his hand moved under her skirt, up to the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. She sure didn’t want him to stop.

  “Can I make you mine, Kate?” He moved his kiss to her neck, to the place that took her breath away.

  “Yes.” The one word was breathy, but she meant it. She wanted nothing more right now than to be Carter’s woman.

  “Good.”

  He moved his fingers up higher, so that they pressed against her sensitive folds, and even through the thin layers of fabric it was almost more than she could take. Her body shuddered.

  “If I make you mine, you will be forever. There won’t be any going back.”

  His words scared her a little bit and the hair on her neck stood on end. His voice was daunting, commanding, and she wondered how true the words really were. But she couldn’t stop the feelings, couldn’t stop the wanting. Every inch of her skin tingled in anticipation. Kate needed him, needed more of his touch, more of his love.

  “I want to tie you to my bed and show you all the pleasures of being a woman.”

  A jolt of lust shot through her at his words. She didn’t know exactly what he meant, but that didn’t seem to matter to her body.

  “Umm-hmm.” Her words were too easy. She agreed to let him do whatever he wanted with her body when she was trying to gain freedom.

  Her body, however, didn’t give a damn about independence right now. All her body cared about was Carter’s touch and getting more of it.

  “Let’s go upstairs, then.” He took her hand and she followed without hesitation.

  She probably should have hesitated, but there was a big part of her that wanted everything he offered. Even being tied to his bed sounded good, if he was serious about that part. Did people really do things like that? It definitely intrigued her.

  He didn’t grab any of the rope from downstairs, and a little surge of disappointment hit her. There was something about the way her body reacted when he said he was going to tie her up, said he was going to take control, that made her want to let him.

  When they got up to his bedroom Carter took a step back from her. It wasn’t what she expected. Kate expected him hold her tight in his arms and then to rip her clothes off and quench the need between her legs.

  “Undress,” he commanded very calmly, and the slightest hint of a grin spread across his lips.

  She hesitated for a second, wondering if he really expected her to take off her clothes and stand in front of him. But the way his eyes focused on hers, unwavering, let her know he was serious. A little nod from him was all the encouragement she needed. Kate wanted to do everything he asked of her. She didn’t know why, but it just felt right even though all common sense said otherwise.

  Kate quickly worked to unbutton her dress and let the layers of material fall to the floor. Her undergarments came next and within a minute she was standing completely naked in the center of Carter’s room. The air was cool, but that wasn’t what made her nipples pucker. It was the way he stood there, letting his eyes roam her naked skin, not saying anything. But the way his eyes narrowed and seemed to turn a darker shade of ocean blue let her know that he liked what he saw.

  He stepped toward her, laced his hand in her hair and tugged it as his lips moved down to claim hers. The hair pulling hurt a little but she was easily distracted by the intense rush of pleasure that surged in her core. His fingers held tight in her hair, tugging, keeping her face turned up to his with no chance of movement. Not that she wanted to go anywhere. The mixture of pleasure and pain as his lips claimed hers made a shock of lust shoot straight to her core.

  His lips pressed hard to hers, over and over, and she parted hers, letting his tongue invade her mouth, taste her, tease her, slow and hard, and her entire body tensed with need.

  His cock pressed against her belly, long and solid, and another shock went through her system. She wanted Carter. That had become very obvious. And all the reasons to resist it suddenly disappeared. Who needed independence when she could have this instead?

  Carter reached over to a drawer and pulled out a bundle of rope. It was much thinner than the ropes he sold downstairs.

  “Will you let me tie you up, Kate?” he asked and looked nervous for the first time since she’d met him. Carter held both of her hands in his and looked down into her eyes as he waited for her answer. The rope rubbed softly against the outside of her hand.

  “Yes.” There was a part of her that knew she should fight it, fight the downward spiral into oblivion her body was leading her into. But sh
e couldn’t say no. Not when she wanted to have Carter inside her so badly it hurt.

  The fact that he didn’t judge her, didn’t condemn her for working with Opal, just made her want to trust him more. Not many men could handle the rumors that were no doubt running rampant through the town.

  “Good.” Carter grinned and then turned her around. He grabbed her hands and held them tight in one of his.

  “If you change your mind, if you want me to stop, just say so.” He said the words as he wrapped the soft rope snugly around one wrist and then the other and then wrapped the rope up to her elbows.

  “Okay.” Nervousness hit her. He could do anything he wanted, she was now powerless to fight him. Not that she had much of a chance even unbound. His towering six-plus feet of man and muscle could do what he wanted with her, anytime he wanted it.

  But he didn’t try to take anything from her. He waited for her okay, checked to see that she was all right with it before he kissed her, before he touched her. And that made her feel like she was the one with the power. At least for right now.

  He held her bound hands, lifting them up a little way. It was slightly uncomfortable and made her bend forward.

  Carter moved his free hand around her, to her breasts, tweaking and teasing the nipples. Then he moved down her stomach and to the heat of her need.

  She already knew what pleasure his hands could bring and hoped like crazy that he would give her release. Soon.

  Carter circled her nub again and again until her entire body began to tremble. So close to finding the pleasure she needed. But then he stopped.

  “Please, don’t stop,” she begged. Kate needed him to take her over the edge, to give her the one thing she’d come here hoping for tonight.

  He chuckled. “I have no intention of stopping, but you will not find release until I want you to.”

  “What? Why?” Why would he want to withhold the pleasure from her?

  “I want to make your pleasure so intense, so brilliant that you will never be able to leave me, you’ll never be able to look at another man.” His words were hot against her neck as he pulled her against him.

  Kate sucked in a breath. Could it really be possible? She sure wanted to find out.

  She could hear him undressing behind her and she looked over her shoulder. “Keep facing forward,” he commanded, and the hair at the back of her neck stood on end as she turned back to face the bed.

  The anticipation was killing her, but she had a feeling that it was just what he wanted. He knew exactly what he was doing to her, knew the torment his actions and words caused her. And she couldn’t deny the fact that she was enjoying it just as much. She liked that he could play her body like a finely tuned harp.

  Carter rubbed his cock between her legs. Not into the heat and wetness where she desperately needed him, but against her already swollen quim.

  Kate moaned. She couldn’t help herself. He had her out of control, needing, wanting, begging for more.

  Her whole body clenched, ready for release, and as if he could read her innermost thoughts, Carter stopped again, leaving her hanging on the edge.

  “Naaaahhhh.” She moaned her complaint because she couldn’t form the words. Not now, not when every nerve in her body was about to explode.

  “Not yet, baby.” His words were commanding and she wanted to follow that command, wanted to do exactly what he said, not even knowing for sure why.

  Her core trembled as he placed his cock at her entrance and slid it into her in one long, slow stroke. Her muscles clenched around him, closer to the edge than she thought was possible. He held himself inside her, didn’t seem to care that her body was making its obvious plea for more, milking him. And then he pulled out and plunged deep, holding still inside her again, letting her body struggle with the need again.

  She wanted to see him, wanted to kiss him, wanted him to slam into her hard and fast and let her have release, but none of those things were possible. Carter had the control, she couldn’t take what she needed, had to wait until he gave it to her.

  There was something comforting in the freedom of not having to do any of the work, not having to make any decisions, in just giving her body to Carter.

  She could focus on relaxing and feeling, not thinking or worrying about if she was doing it right or well or how he wanted it. All there was to do was enjoy the moment. And the moment was quite enjoyable. His cock filled her again, slowly this time, making her body cling to his every movement.

  Not that he was making nearly enough movement. He was tormenting her, knew what she wanted, what she needed, and still withheld it.

  “Please, Carter.” She needed release. Kate tried to move her hands, but the rope held them tight a little bit uncomfortably, definitely secure. And she wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

  But Carter pulled his cock out and then pounded into her one more time and she didn’t care about the discomfort from the rope. The only thing she could think about was the pleasure, flooding, about to overtake her body.

  “I like it when you beg.”

  She couldn’t see his face but she could hear in his voice that he was probably smiling.

  “Then give me what I need.” She tried again, wanting the release that was so damn close.

  “There’s a difference between need and want.”

  And he didn’t give her what she begged for, instead he pulsed, just inside the wetness and heat. Her breaths turned to pants, needy, high pitched, but Carter didn’t seem to care.

  He continued the torment until she thought she was going to explode, and at that exact moment he pounded his thick cock inside her hard and fast, again and again, bringing her higher and higher until her body convulsed. Her legs, her stomach, every muscle in her body tensed and released until she thought her legs might give out and she might fall flat on her face.

  He held still as the pleasure surged through Kate, letting it take its course, but then he pounded into her again and then again and held himself deep inside her as he groaned with his own release.

  But as the pleasure faded, the reality of her situation flooded in. She was letting herself be controlled by another man. And the most frightening part was how much she liked it. She couldn’t do this, couldn’t jump into the same trap that got her stuck in this Alaskan town in the middle of no man’s land.

  “Please untie me.” She couldn’t even retreat without his help right now, couldn’t get dressed, couldn’t run home like this.

  “Sure.” His strong hands had the ropes untied quickly, but the marks from them remained on her arms.

  She shouldn’t like this, should be her own woman, fight for the things she wanted in life as Emma and Opal did.

  “You can stay,” Carter offered.

  “No, I can’t.” Kate threw on her clothes and rushed for the door. She had to get out of there before she did anything else stupid, before she gave herself up completely again.

  * * * * *

  Carter watched out the window as Kate disappeared up the boardwalk, and then he flopped down on the center of his bed naked. Shit. He’d done it again, scared another woman away with his obsession. And this time it wasn’t just another woman, but the one woman he loved, the one he wanted to keep for the rest of his life.

  The look in Kate’s eyes as she ran out of his house was a combination of terror and confusion. He’d seen it before. He shouldn’t be surprised.

  But all that knowledge, and having gone through it all before, none of it stopped the pain that threatened to rip his heart into a thousand shreds.

  He had fallen in love with Kate and then he had scared her away with his odd fascinations. He should have taken things slowly, introduced her to his ways a little later, once she had fallen completely for him, but he knew from experience that way could fail too.

  Trying something different seemed like the smart thing to do. But it failed. He’d lost. Again.

  Chapter Ten

  A week later Kate and Opal sat at the table together eati
ng supper. Opal had never really had a woman for a friend before, but things between her and Kate were comfortable. Kate didn’t judge her for being a prostitute, even stood up for her to Betsy once. A woman had never done that before.

  Hell, she wasn’t sure her own mother would stand up for her if she were alive to see what Opal had become. Kate might have been naive about a lot of things in this world, but that also gave her the ability to make her own judgments, without prejudice.

  “What made you decide to become a…” Kate didn’t finish the sentence but looked meekly down at her plate. She was probably afraid of offending Opal by using the wrong term for the job Opal performed.

  “You mean why did I become a prostitute?” Opal offered one of the less polite names for her career to let Kate know she wasn’t offended by the question. She’d made her choice knowing exactly what she was getting into. Well, for the most part anyway.

  “Yeah, that. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, I was just curious.” Kate fidgeted with her napkin.

  Kate’s naivety was cute sometimes, and Opal had no problem with educating the girl on some of the not-so-often-shared facts of life. The mothers of girls like Kate didn’t talk about prostitutes or how to please a man in the night. Opal would know. She’d been raised in a conservative, wealthy household herself, where the word prostitute was never spoken—even after her father brought girls into the house, no conversation about them was allowed.

  “When I was sixteen I watched my father at a party with girls he’d hired for the night. It was about a year after my mother had died, so he wasn’t cheating on her or anything, but I was amazed by the women. They were smiling and laughing and having a good time with the men, things I never saw my mother do. I’m sure my parents loved each other on some level but things were always serious between them. My dad didn’t hug or kiss her, at least not that I ever saw. She didn’t smile much or have any fun.”