Page 116 of Passionate Defense

“You’re being stubborn, that’s good. I love a challenge.” He eased her blouse open and ran his hands over her belly. Her muscles twitched and contracted at his touch. Fingers in constant motion, they drew up her sides, moving over her narrow waist and her ribs.

She gasped when he pulled out a knife and opened it with a flick of his wrist. The four-inch blade gleamed in the low light, looking sharp and deadly.

“You should wear front-hook bras or nothing, Lanie. I hope this isn’t one of your favorites.”

He sliced between the cups first then severed both straps. Closing the knife, he set it safely away but still within reach. His hands returned to peel the clingy cups away from her breasts.

“Such pretty nipples, rosy pink and hard as bullets. I thought of them often after you left me. Let’s see if I recall their taste correctly.”

Lanie trembled as his lips closed around her nipple and he sucked—hard. With teeth and tongue, he tormented the peak until it had doubled in size.

“Berry sweet, my memory is quite accurate. I also remember them being very sensitive to clamps. Let’s begin with these.”

He dangled a chain in front of her face. It had painful-looking alligator clips on each end. But she didn’t believe for a minute he’d truly hurt her. Lanie followed his lead and upped her resistance. She was the enemy, after all.

With a taunting smile, she laughed in his face. “Is that all you’ve got, FBI man? If so, bring it on.”

Ethan’s fingers pinched and tugged on one nipple, while his warm lips captured the other. Soon he had both nipples prepared.

“Let’s see how these berries respond to a little bite.”

The clamps were encased in rubber, thank goodness, but they pinched although not unbearably so. Famous last words... A smile spread across his face at her sharp intake of air when he tightened them another half turn.

“Too much? Or do you want me to reallybring itand give them a full turn?”

“Were you always such a bastard, or did you save it up just for me?”

A slap fell against her clamped breast. Holy crap! He’d never done that before.

She didn’t know how to react. It didn’t hurt, but to say it was shocking would be a major understatement. When her eyes shifted to his, she saw he was watching her closely. A totally wicked thought popped into her head. What did she have to do to get him to do it again?

“I believe respect is in order, especially from a traitor. You may address me as sir, or by my title, Chief Special Agent.”

“Right,” she drawled. “That’s going to come out of my mouth.”

Another smack fell on the other breast, landing on the full underside in an upward motion, making it jiggle obscenely. Still no pain, except for her nipples, the movement making the chain swing and pull on the tender peaks. But, damn, was it hot.

She arched her back, silently begging for more. He noticed of course, and cupped both from the bottom, as if weighing them.

Okay, so he’d answered her question about how to get him to do it again—pure sass.

Still cradling her, his forefingers whisked over the pinched skin that peaked out between the black rubber tips of the clamps. When he flicked both at once, Lanie cried out. He repeated the motion, his eyes never leaving hers.

“I’m enjoying this. Don’t be a disappointment and spill your secrets too soon. I’d like to draw this out for a few hours at least.”

Heat filled her cheeks, from arousal and the intensity of his gaze. He was good at the game, knowing exactly what to say and do to get a rise out of her. The outcome was always certain. He’d tease her mercilessly until she folded like a bad hand of poker and did whatever he asked of her. But tonight, she was determined to make the lead up well worth his while.

“A few hours?” She faked an exaggerated yawn. “I’ll have time for a nap. Wake me when you’re done, won’t you?”

His lips twitched, but he held back his grin.

He gave the chain a little tug, the pull a mix of burning pleasure and biting pain. She sank her teeth into her lower lip, refusing to say a word, which led to another harder tug. She still didn’t speak but sucked in a breath, half gasp, half moan.

“It seems my little spy likes erotic pain.” He pulled on the chain again. This time, instead of a quick release, it was a sustained, steady drag on both nipples. Lanie arched her back, trying to ease the tension. When he lifted the chain higher, she went up on her toes. What choice did she have?

After a moment, he eased the pressure, dropping the chain which swayed between her breasts and didn’t stop due to the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

Lanie sucked her lower lip into her mouth and bit down, trying to contain cries. Unsure whether she wanted to thank him for ending the torture or beg for more of the same.

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