Chapter 16 #2
I force myself to take a slow breath, steadying against the storm trying to pull me under.
My thoughts are a tangled mess, spinning in a dozen directions.
Part of me is trying to pull away, even as the rest of me screams to get closer, to bridge the gap, to reach for that connection I’m craving so much.
“Hey.” His voice is rich and calm, cutting through the chaos of my mind like a lifeline. “Take your time.”
I nod, trying to swallow down the knot of fear. He’s here. He’s patient. He’s not going anywhere. And while the tension in my body doesn’t completely melt, that thought, at least, helps keep the panic at bay, if only for a second.
Then, his eyes flicker with sudden light. “I have an idea, if you’re up for it?”
He stands, giving me a moment to breathe as I prop myself up on my elbows. My pulse spikes, not because I’m scared, but because I’m intrigued. “You and your ideas… What is it this time?”
Without a word, he heads toward the closet. The rustle of fabric fills the room, and then a few seconds later, he emerges with two neckties in his hand.
“I’ve always hated these feckin’ things,” he says. “But I think they’re about to be useful.”
I arch a brow, utterly confused. What in the world is he planning? My mind races, trying to connect the dots, but all I’m getting is a big ol’ question mark.
He stretches his arms out in front of him, the ties dangling from his hands. His eyes meet mine, and just like that, the playful glint in his gaze turns a little darker, a little more dangerous.
“Tie me up.”
Heat floods through me. He’s got to be kidding. Right? The challenge in his voice tells me he’s completely serious.
My breath falters. “What?” My brain’s still trying to catch up with what the hell he just said.
His response is a slow, knowing curve of his lips that always makes my heart race and my thoughts scatter.
It spreads across his face as he waits for me to figure it out.
“You heard me,” he says, voice smooth as honey, but there’s an undeniable edge to it.
He gives the ties another shake, that teasing gesture making the air between us thick with tension.
“Tie me up,” he repeats. “You’re in charge.”
In charge? The idea is both terrifying and thrilling. What the hell am I supposed to do with that? The look in his eyes tells me there’s no backing down. The ball’s in my court.
“You’re not serious,” I say blankly.
Callan, of course, doesn’t flinch. “Oh, I’m dead serious.”
The gleam in his eyes, that look of pure certainty, makes it clear that he’s all in.
I swallow hard, heart thudding a little too loudly. My hands tremble as I take the ties from him, my fingers brushing against his briefly. The silk is cool and smooth, a sharp contrast to the heat building.
“Okay…” I say, my voice a little shaky. I’m not entirely sure I’m ready for this, but damn it, I think I want to see where it goes.
Callan grins, that devil-may-care smile of his spreading as he pulls his shirt off with a single motion, the fabric gliding over his skin.
Every one of his muscles flexes in the golden light as he stretches out on the pillows near the headboard.
He’s comfortable in his own skin and completely at ease with whatever’s about to happen. It’s magnetic.
I find myself drawn to the way his body moves. Every inch of it seems to scream control. Power. But right now, he’s laid back, offering all of himself. To me.
He’s being so open and trusting with me, and it’s affecting me in ways I didn’t expect. And, well… I see what he’s doing here.
With a deep breath, I move to straddle his waist, my knees sinking into the mattress. Callan watches me with those piercing blue eyes that track my every move as I slowly inch closer. My heart pounds so hard I swear he must be able to hear it as I lean forward, gently taking one of his wrists.
The tie slides through my fingers like water, smooth and cool as I thread it around his wrist. My hands are careful, a little unsure at first, but I keep going—once, twice around his wrist and the headboard, the soft rustle of fabric the only sound between us.
His pulse thrums beneath my touch, steady and unbothered, while mine’s thundering like it forgot how to behave.
“Not too tight?” I whisper, eyes glancing to his.
Callan watches me like I just handed him every dirty secret I’ve never said out loud. His pupils are blown wide, gaze dark and molten.
“It’s perfect,” he murmurs. “Looks like you know what you’re doing.”
I can’t help but smirk a little at that. “Maybe I do.”
I lean across him, my breasts brushing against his torso as I stretch to reach his other wrist. His breath hitches, and I feel a surge of confidence knowing I’m affecting him just as much as he’s affecting me.
I take my time with the second tie, deliberately letting my fingers trail along the inside of his wrist before looping the fabric around it.
I sit back, letting my eyes trail over him. Every inch of his exposed skin pulls my attention, from the rise and fall of his chest to the way his abs tighten as he shifts beneath me.
He’s completely at my mercy, and I can’t help but appreciate how delicious he looks like this. I should probably savor this slowly, but knowing me, I’m about two seconds away from devouring it all.
“Is that okay?” I ask.
His lips curve into a smirk, eyes gleaming with an intensity that makes me physically ache to touch him. “More than okay,” he murmurs. “I’m all yours, Sunshine.”
His words send a surge of desire mixed with a thrill of power through me. My nerves melt away, replaced by a growing hunger and a desperate need to explore every inch of him.
I trail my fingertips down his smooth skin, tracing the lines of his muscles, relishing the way his breath hitches at my touch. I can’t resist leaning down to press a soft kiss just above his heart.
Sitting back, I slowly peel off my top. Callan’s eyes darken, his gaze darting hungrily over my body as I unclasp my bra and let it fall away. I shimmy out of my jeans next, kicking them aside until I’m completely bare before him, exposed and vulnerable, yet empowered by his heated stare.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” he breathes. His arms flex against the restraints, fighting the urge to reach for me.
I move to straddle him again, leaning down just enough to tease his lips with mine. I pull away slightly, letting the space between us stretch out for a breath before I kiss my way along his jaw.
“Is this how you thought this would go?” I whisper against his skin.
He releases a low groan, his breath shaky. “I could have only hoped.”
With deliberate slowness, I drag my hands down to the waistband of his jeans.
My eyes glance up to meet his heated gaze as I pop the button open.
The sound of his zipper lowering fills the charged air between us.
He lifts his hips to help as I peel the denim down his thighs, my pulse quickening at the sight of him in only his black boxer briefs, the outline of his erection clearly visible through the fabric.
Tossing his jeans aside, I hook my fingers into the elastic of his underwear and tug them down, freeing his impressive length. It springs up against his taut stomach, and I lick my lips, desire pooling low in my stomach.
“You’re killing me, lass,” he murmurs, his voice heavy with need. “Christ, the things I want to do to you right now.”
I smile, feeling a new surge of boldness as I wrap my fingers around his thick length, giving him a slow stroke from base to tip. He groans, his hips lifting slightly off the bed, seeking more of my touch.
“Patience.” I lean down to press a featherlight kiss to the head of his cock. He sucks in a sharp breath, his muscles tensing beneath my hands.
I flick my tongue out, licking a slow circle around the tip before tracing the ridge along the underside of his shaft.
I take my time as I lick and tease, drawing out every satisfying moan and gasp.
I finally wrap my lips around him, taking him deep as I hollow my cheeks.
His groan vibrates through me, sending electricity racing down my spine and pooling between my thighs.
“Fuck, Bree,” he pants, straining against the ties.
His abs flex and quiver as I work him with my mouth, taking him as deep as I can.
The sensation of him heavy on my tongue, the salty tang of his arousal, and the way he throbs between my lips is intoxicating.
I’m drunk on the power of reducing this strong, controlled man to a trembling mess with just my mouth.