Page 124 of Breaking Free

“I need her address.”

“What for?” he asked, surprised.

“Because I owe her an enormous thank-you and the biggest bouquet money can buy.”

Tristan grinned full out, the first she’d seen when shibari wasn’t involved. “You’re an aspiring actress. A thank-you will do.”

She wound her arms around his neck. “Now I have a confession.”

Pulling her close, both his hands slid slowly up her back. “If you tell me you’re married or that you’re divorced and still in love with your husband, I will lose my fucking mind,” he stated, the rasp in his voice making it clear he was only half teasing.

She didn’t laugh or smile or tease, halfway or otherwise, when giving her reply. “I’ve never been married, either. And I’ve never been in love—until you.”

“Come here,” he growled as his fingers threaded in her hair. Time seemed to stand still as their lips melded and tongues tangled. When he released her, without his wall, he was like a dam unleashed. “I fell in lust the moment I saw your long, tanned legs and your round ass in those sweet yellow shorts. But I knew it was love, and I was in a helluva lot of trouble when I heard ‘fiddlesticks’ from your cotton-candy-pink lips.”

“But that was the day we met.”

“Yeah. Badass dom meets a sweet-as-can-be farm girl from Iowa and falls in love at first sight. The club gossips will have a field day when they find out.”

“I think it’s the most beautiful, romantic love story I’ve ever heard. And since it’s our story, we can keep it to ourselves. The gossips never need to know.”

“I like how you think, sunshine.”

“I have another confession.”

“What’s that?” he asked, dotting kisses along her jaw.

“I like it when you call me sunshine. But not as much as I like how you kiss. Could I have more, please?”

His eyes were the bluest she’d ever seen them, his breath warm against her lips when he replied, “I thought you’d never ask. Not that you ever have to.”

When his mouth covered hers, tender at first then hungry, her body melted against his. Tristan’s hands roamed her back, one going low to palm a bottom cheek while the other went high, fingers tangling in her hair. Each touch and heated caress left her breathless.

It wasn’t until his mouth glided hotly down the side of her neck that she felt the arms of the chair digging into her legs. It was more decorative than functional and not made for a guy his size, let alone with someone straddling him. She shifted to get comfortable, but there simply wasn’t room. Tristan noticed her distraction. His head fell back and, a bit breathless and flushed himself, he gazed up at her. Heaven help her, he was handsome. It almost made her forget the sharp wooden edge digging into her knee.

“I love you, Piper,” he whispered, pulling her mouth down to his once more. “I can’t wait to see where this goes.”

“How about the bedroom?” she suggested, taking what he said literally. “I’ve never liked this chair. The wheel thingy in the Decadence dungeon has got to be more comfortable.”

His hand on the back of her head relaxed, and he blinked up at her. Then he laughed, long and low and wonderful. He was still chuckling when he stood with her in his arms and headed for the stairs.

“Not mine!” she suddenly protested. “Yours.”

“Why?” he asked, instantly sobering. “Is something else wrong?”

“I...uh...may have thrown out my sheets. And my pillows. Also, my comforter.” Her arms and legs tightened around him as she made another confession. “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep in that bedroom ever again.”

“You won’t have to,” he asserted as he veered toward the front door without breaking stride. “Tomorrow, we’ll read over your lease and see if we can sublet your sublet. If not, I’ll cover it because you’re sleeping in my bed from now on.” He paused by the control panel. “My hands are full, baby. Punch in the code.”

Quickly, she paused the system for their exit. When he swept her out the door, Piper snuggled closer, burying her face in his neck. Her only response to Tristan in take-charge decision-making mode was to sigh contentedly. She wasn’t about to argue with him since she agreed wholeheartedly with his plan.

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