Page 27

Glancing at the sofa as I pass, an undeniable thrill runs up my spine at the sight of the length of rope and torn pillowcase waiting to be used. Does she have the slightest idea who she’s trusting to guide her through this? I haven’t lied about who I am or what I’m capable of. She’s either twice as hopelessly naive as I imagined or desperately hard up.

“And as I said before, there is no reason to worry,” she assured me before getting in the shower. “I’m on the Depo shot, so there won’t be any little Adrians running around after this.”

In other words, I’m free to do virtually anything I want with no repercussions. It’s almost enough to make me pinch myself, but then I wouldn’t want to wake up if this were a dream. How often does a man have an opportunity like this? Permission to tie a woman to a bed, blindfold her, have his way with her? No complications. No misunderstandings. We both know this isn’t a romantic encounter. It’s research.

It just happens to be the most interesting research I’ve ever helped to conduct.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore. There’s been nothing but silence from the bedroom for what feels like forever now, telling me she’s ready. She isn’t even talking to herself by the time I pick up the tools I’ll be using for our scene, anticipation making my heart pound and sending blood pumping quickly through my veins.

When was the last time I felt this excited about anything? I’m alive in a way I haven’t been in years, taking slow, measured steps toward the room where June waits. The door is cracked open, and through it I can make out the shape of her body under the blankets.

A sense of calm washes over me before I step into the room. As much as I’m looking forward to this, there’s a responsibility involved. That responsibility comes into sharper focus when she looks up at me with eyes full of apprehension, the pale-blue color heightened by emotion.

“You still want to do this?” Standing beside her in nothing but a T-shirt and boxer briefs, I let the rope and blindfold dangle at my sides. A silent reminder of what’s about to happen.

Her throat works before she nods firmly. “Yes. I want this.” Though she flinches when I reach for her. “Sorry. I’m a little nervous.”

“I would be surprised if you weren’t.” This time, when I reach for her hands again, she doesn’t resist. Raising one arm over her head, I slowly and methodically bind it to the headboard.

Her nervous giggle punctures the silence. “This takes a lot of trust, doesn’t it? I mean, I already knew that, but now I really know. You know?”

All I know is, she had better not talk through the whole event. “See? You’re already learning the difference between thinking you understand and knowing something from experience.”

Her teeth sink into her lip as I tie her other wrist, cinching the rope tight enough to make her squirm.

Checking that the ropes aren’t cutting off circulation, I ask, “What do you want the safe word to be?”

“Oh. Right. I guess we have to come up with something.” Her lips purse, her face scrunched in concentration. “Aardvark?”

“‘Aardvark’?” I repeat in disbelief.

“I don’t know! Snickerdoodle, maybe?” She groans softly. “I could really go for one of those right now.”

I’m not sure what that says about me, having her tied to the bed while she’s fantasizing about a cookie. “Then let’s not do snickerdoodle.”

“Unicorn. No, banana. Or maybe not banana. That seems a little too obvious.”

I’m losing interest. “June . . .”

“Macaroni. That’s my final answer.” For some reason, she sounds proud of herself for landing on a word.

“All right. Macaroni it is.” Now that we’ve settled that, with one hand, I lift her head far enough off the pillow to slide the blindfold underneath, then tie it in a quick knot. She doesn’t react when I wave a hand over her eyes. I stand back, taking in her complete helplessness. She’s still covered in blankets, but the shape of her body is clearly outlined. “You’re ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” she replies with a soft laugh tinged with fear.

“Remember. This is all for the sake of your work.” Reaching out, I take the hem of the blanket. “Use your safe word and everything stops immediately.”

“Okay. And, Adrian?” she whispers. “Thank you.”

I haven’t done anything worth her thanks yet—but I will soon. “Just relax.”

Strange, but true: The hand that pulls the blanket back trembles slightly. Inch by inch, I reveal her to my hungry gaze, soaking her in while she trembles. Rose-colored nipples, tight, begging to be sucked. Tits just as full as I’ve imagined. The flat stomach now covered in goose bumps.

Once I breach her navel, she sucks in a panicked breath. “You’re beautiful,” I tell her, and instantly she relaxes.

Her smooth, fresh pussy makes my mouth go dry at first. Did she do this just for me? “Spread your legs,” I croak, eyes glued to her slit. Her breath catches, and she bites her lip again before obeying, slowly spreading her thighs until I have a clear look at her puffy lips, shaved bare, waiting for me.

“How does it feel?” Slowly, carefully, I lower myself over her, drawing out the anticipation, tightening the tension I know must be driving her insane. “Being looked at like this?”