The Ties That Bind (2 page)

“When did you get back?” she asked.

“I just pulled into town and saw your car. I thought I could help you shut down for the night.”

When had they become strangers, she wondered. Or had they ever really known each other at all?

Good intentions paved the way to hell.

Cooper had had every intention of coming clean with Claire about continuing his undercover work with the DEA for the last month. But the moment he caught sight of her all his good intentions fell to the vicinity below his belt.

The sight of her stole his breath. She was his fantasy come to life—had been since she’d been a teenager and started filling out in all the right places. Her hair was pixie short and black as night, and her eyes were just as dark and tilted slightly at the corners. It had been hell to turn the other direction when those exotic bedroom eyes glanced his way. All those years, she’d never made a move, but her eyes told a different story. They undressed him slowly and made promises that were best left in the dark.

But even though the sight of her made him harder than he’d ever been—made him want more than he’d ever wanted—he’d steered clear of her. For both their sakes. He liked his sex dark and rough—unconventional to say the least. And the women who played the game knew exactly what they were getting from him.

He’d never met his sexual match until Claire. To say she’d surprised him by showing up at a BDSM club he frequented would’ve been an understatement. But the moment he saw her walk inside—outfitted in a black leather bustier and matching skirt that barely covered her ass—he knew his days of running were over. She’d been uncollared—a free agent—and intimidating as hell. He’d never wanted anyone who was his equal in the bedroom. He liked to dominate. To give orders. And there were times Claire let him get away with giving them.

The thought made the corner of his mouth twitch, and his cock went hard as iron. But with Claire, turnabout was fair play. And it was the sweetest kind of torture to be under her control.

He couldn’t read the look in her eyes—surprise, yes—but there was something else there he couldn’t put his finger on.

She wore a black fitted skirt that stopped just above her knees and fit her like a glove, showing the curves of her hips and ass. Her red sweater veed in the front, showing the line of her collarbone and a hint of cleavage.

Her mouth was lush and full and pink, and he was starting to get definite ideas that involved her kneeling between his legs and taking him deep. The outline of rigid nipples showed beneath her sweater and he could barely see the outline of the gold rings that adorned each breast. But then she crossed her arms over her chest, blocking them from his sight.

“I thought you’d be gone another day,” she finally said.

“I was ready to come home.” He took a step forward and she arched a challenging brow. He knew that look. And she had no intention of letting him play out the thoughts going through his head. But he was betting he could get her to change her mind.

“How was the fishing?”

“We caught what we needed to,” he answered vaguely. “Tossed the rest back.” And that was close enough to the truth.

“Uh, huh,” she said.

Cooper almost grinned at the irritation in her voice. He wasn’t fooling her for a second. No wonder fire was shooting from her black eyes.

“I’m almost finished here. Why don’t you meet me at home? You can tell me the rest of your fish tales. I can’t wait to hear them.” If her voice had been any more frigid, icicles would’ve been hanging from her lips.

“I don’t think so,” he said, arching a brow and taking another step forward.

“I’m not in the mood for your games, Cooper.”

“Liar. Your nipples are hard.”

“It’s cold up here.”

“I’ll warm you up.”

She shivered and he took another step forward, stalking her, but she stood her ground. That right there was one of the things he loved most about her. Nothing intimidated her. And she never backed down. It made things very interesting in the bedroom.

“This is a public library. Not your playroom. And anyone could walk in at any time. I’d prefer not to lose my job and be the talk of the town for the next fifty years.”

He grinned. “If someone caught us having sex in here we’d be the talk of the town for at least a century. Maybe longer if they catch us doing what I’m planning. Besides, I’ll put in a good word for you if you get fired.”

The pulse picked up in her neck and he could see the steady thump of her heartbeat. “Gee, thanks. But I think I’m going to pass.”

“Take off your clothes, Claire. Let me see what you’ve got on underneath those very sexy librarian clothes.”

She swallowed and took a step sideways, toward the stairs for escape. “I don’t think so. I think you and I need to talk.”

He took another step, blocking her exit to the stairs. “We’ll talk,” he agreed. “But right now we’re going to fuck. Take off your clothes. I won’t tell you again.”

His voice commanded, left no room for argument, and she knew the rules. Just like he knew when they got home it would be her turn to command. They had a deal, and neither of them would break it.

The defiance in her eyes made his dick spike even harder and he unbuckled his belt and worked at the buttons of his cargos to relieve the pressure.

“Time’s ticking, sweetheart. The longer you wait the redder that sweet ass is going to be.”

Her fingers went to the hem of her sweater and she started to lift it over her head, but he interrupted her progress and said, “Leave the shoes on.”

“Yes,
sir
,” she said insolently. But she did as he commanded.

He held his breath as the sweater lifted higher, showing first her stomach and then the thin black bra. She pulled it over her head and tossed it on the back of one of the hard chairs that surrounded the big conference tables.

Her fingers trailed to the side zipper of her skirt, but he shook his head and said, “No, get rid of the bra next. I’ve been dreaming about those gold rings.”

She did as he commanded and flicked the front clasp of her bra. Her breasts were full and heavy, more than a handful, and she peeled the cups back slowly and then shrugged her shoulders so it fell to the ground.

“Jesus, Claire. Look at you.” Her nipples were brown and tight, and the gold rings pierced through them begged for his attention. “What I wouldn’t give to have you home and strapped to the bed. To pull those rings tight until you’re whimpering for mercy.”

She whimpered then, just the thought of what he described heightening her sexual awareness.

“Finish what you started,” he said. “The skirt next.”

Another flash of headlights cut through the big window and Claire paused with a gasp. They were taking a chance for sure. Anyone could be standing in the street, looking up at the second floor as Claire disrobed. The chances were small, considering Main Street was like a ghost town at this time of day. But it could still happen.

“Afraid someone will see you?” he taunted. “Who’d have thought the Surrender librarian would have her nipples pierced.” He shook his head in mock surprise. “I wonder what other secrets she’s got hidden under all those prim clothes.”

“Payback is going to be a bitch for this one,” she said, her voice husky with need.

“I can’t wait. Now lose the skirt.”

“Your wish is my command.”

“You’re damned right. And if you don’t watch that smart mouth I’m going to have to find something to occupy it.”

She arched a brow and looked down at the bulge of his cock behind his briefs. “Promises, promises.” And then her fingers went to the zipper of her skirt and tugged, so it fell in a pool at her feet.

She took his breath away. Black lace barely covered the juncture between her thighs, but it was the matching garter belt and lace stockings that had his mouth watering.

“I thought you weren’t expecting me for another day,” he rasped.

“A girl can hope, can’t she?” Her fingers toyed with the clasps of the garters. “What next, hot shot?”

“I told you that mouth was going to get you in trouble.”

“I sure as hell hope so.”

He almost laughed, but the break in his control would have made her too cocky and he’d lose the upper hand. At least what small shred he had of it.

“Turn around and bend over the table,” he commanded, his voice harsh. “And grab the edge with your hands. I don’t want any interference.”

She gave him one last, seductive look and licked her lips, and he swore he felt the touch of her tongue along the taut flesh of his cock.

“You sure you don’t want me to take off the garters and panties?” she asked, pouting prettily. Her fingers trailed up her stomach and then her hands cupped her breasts, weighing the heavy mounds and tugging gently at the gold loops.

Cooper growled low in his throat. “Oh, no. They’re staying on until you’re begging for mercy. Now turn around.” He yanked his belt from the loops so it made a swishing sound, and her eyes widened with excitement. “I warned you about that smart mouth. Now it’s time to take your punishment like a big girl.”

The corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk and she turned around slowly, giving him a full glimpse of her body. It had been a matter of days since he’d had her last, but it felt like weeks. One more of those sultry, knowing looks and he’d be shooting off like a rocket.

She looked over her shoulder at him as she bent across the dark mahogany table, her pale skin spotlighted beneath the lights she’d left on. Her hands grasped the top edge and she spread her legs wide, the wickedly high heels and the round globes of her ass making his mouth water.

His footsteps sounded heavy against the marble floors and she shivered as he drew closer. He touched the leather of the belt to her ass gently and she tensed. The scent of her arousal made him weak in the knees, but he was in control. He wouldn’t give her what she wanted too soon.

Just as she started to relax he snapped the belt against her cheeks, leaving an immediate red streak. And then he did it twice more in quick succession. Her head reared up and he could see the pleasure in her face. He traced his fingers over the raised welts, feeling the heat there, and then he slid his hand beneath the flimsy lace of her panties and yanked.

He let them fall to the floor and then stood back to look at her, open and ready for him.

“Jesus, Claire. You drive me crazy.” She was soaking wet. He pushed down his briefs and took hold of his cock, squeezing at the base until he got himself under control.

“Please, Cooper. I need you now. Don’t make me wait.”

“What kind of punishment would that be if I gave you exactly what you want? Remember who’s in charge.”

“How can I forget? Spank me again.”

Cooper barked out a laugh before he could stop it, and then shook his head. Claire was a handful. And thank God for it, otherwise he’d be bored to tears. She always challenged him. In and out of the bedroom. And he knew the next fifty years of his life with her would never be boring.

Instead of doing what she’d demanded, he trailed his finger down her spine and ass until he felt her syrupy juices. And then he tugged gently at the clit ring that dangled from the sensitive bundle of nerves.

Her knees buckled and a moan of pure bliss escaped her lips.

If he tugged a little more he knew she’d orgasm all over his hand, so he released the ring and walked around to the other side of the table. He tossed the belt next to her head, making her jump, and then he stripped his shirt over his head and pushed his briefs and cargos down to his thighs.

She looked up at him with lust filled eyes and licked her lips. His fingers ran through the short cap of her hair and tightened, pulling her head back more. She whimpered once, and then the head of his cock pressed against her mouth and she opened for him, taking him inside.

“Oh, baby,” he growled. “Suck me.”

And then he pressed into her open mouth until she swallowed him whole. He wouldn’t last long at this pace, and he was trying desperately to remember why it was so important to make her wait.

He picked up the belt and swatted her in time with each thrust into her mouth until she was moaning with pleasure around him. The orgasm took him by surprise, ripping from his body. His back arched and his thigh muscles flexed and cramped, and she milked every drop of seed from him. He’d dropped the belt somewhere between pleasure and pain, and caught himself with his arms as they landed on each side of her body.

He withdrew from her mouth slowly, his cock still rigid, and he realized he was trembling. He released his hands from her hair and stumbled back like a drunk, and then he saw the look on her face. She was just on the edge of her own orgasm, caught on a tightrope between frustrated longing and the ultimate pleasure.

It wasn’t a time for words. He wasn’t sure he had the right ones anyway.

One small touch. That’s all she needed. Even another tap with the belt would’ve sent her over the edge. She was that close.

Her body was taut. Her back bowed, so the gold rings in her nipples clanked against the table. And her fingers were white knuckled as she held on to the table for dear life. The taste of him lingered on her lips and her vision blurred with unfulfilled need.

He stood bigger than life in front of her, his cock still erect and the silver bar pierced through the underside of his cock. She knew it would bring her the kind of pleasure some women would never achieve. His body was hard—his abs defined and his muscled arms covered in tattoos.

There was such a thing as too much stimulation. She pressed her head down so her forehead touched the cool tabletop, and she prayed he wouldn’t make her wait too long.

Her body was powerless against him. Just as she knew it was the same for them. That her confusion and anger over the past three days could be put on hold for this one moment of pleasure didn’t make sense to her—even as independent as she was—Cooper was her other half in every sense of the word. She couldn’t deny him.

The sounds of his boots against the floor as he walked behind her made her shiver, and her muscles tightened in anticipation.