Page 32 of Unraveled Love

Good enough.

Back in his room, I double-checked his bedroom door was closed. For the last few days, men from Jaxon’s team had cycled in and out. I didn’t know if anyone was here now, but I was certain at least one guy was outside, strolling the neighborhood or lounging on the front porch.

Armed to the hilt.

A rush of nerves flooded me, and I pushed it off. Now wasn’t the time to think about circumstances I couldn’t control, but to handle the ones I could.

An idea popped into my mind, and I hurried to Shawn’s dresser. I opened the top drawers and found exactly what I was looking for. I took out two ties, one black, one gray. Even though he had been wearing a bow tie the night we met, which now seemed like a lifetime ago though it had only been weeks, they reminded me of that night.

When he was arrogant.

Sexy surfer dude.

Now, he was all mine. And based on the way he looked at me and took care of me in the most selfless way, it was entirely possible he could be mine for a long time.

What a lucky girl I was.

I grabbed the ties and shut the door right as the water shut off.

Now or never. I grinned down at the ties in my hand and threw one around my neck before I rushed to one of the chairs by his window. It was a high, wingback navy chair that matched the rest of his room perfectly. Quickly tying the tie loosely around my throat, I wrapped the other one around my wrists, tugging it tighter with my teeth.

A quick rush of fear assaulted me as I caught the red welts at my wrists.

This wasn’t that. This was my choice. Maybe if I took back the powerlessness I’d felt when my wrists were restrained, it’d help stop my constant fear.

I’d try anything to banish the nightmare, and I figured sex with Shawn while tied up could be the perfect way to do so—if he was up for it. Hell, maybe this would scare him away. Just as the doubt crept into my thoughts, the bathroom door opened.

As he stepped into the doorframe, I gave up on any attempt to settle my ragged breathing.

All six-foot-plus of tanned skin, taut muscles, and wet blond hair. His erection wasn’t concealed by the towel wrapped around his waist, held together by a hand at his hip.

His eyes widened with surprise as his gaze skimmed my face before dropping to my throat where the tie hung loose between my breasts and the other one tied around my wrists.

Surprise quickly turned feral, and he stepped toward me, blue eyes raking over my face, watching my expression.

My heart rattled in my chest, jumping to burst free.

“Addi—” he started, concern tightening his brow, but I’d made up my mind.

“I want this.”

“It’s been less than a week.”

Of course he’d see so much, understand so quickly and jump to protect me. The only thing I was surprised about was how quickly he could do it. Did he have an inside track to my thoughts?

I lifted my wrists and tried to pull them apart. “I need another memory.”

He closed his eyes and sighed. My feet planted into the carpet, toes dug into the soft fibers, and regret began to build. Perhaps he wouldn’t like this. Perhaps this wasn’t his thing. I’d assumed all cops would be used to playing with handcuffs here and there. The common joke, right?

Maybe I’d gone too far.

“Shawn.”

His head rose and his eyes snapped open as if he’d made a decision, and the intensity of it stole my breath. “You’re sure?”

At my nod, words failing me, he undid the towel at his waist and flung it to the floor.

His gaze darkened and somehow sparked a heated burn in my stomach.Yes.

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