Page 115 of Knot Playing Fair 2

“Never,” I agreed, the word coming out hoarse.

He looked away, clearing his throat.

After a moment, he said, “If this is something you’d want to do with me, it might be best if you didn’t touch anywhere behindmy balls... at least, for now. And you could, maybe, talk to me while we’re doing it? Let me hear your voice. I think that’d be good.”

I nodded, my head jerking like a bobble doll’s. “Anything you need.” I hesitated, dragging in an unsteady breath. “Can I hug you now?”

I hadn’t really relinquished my hold on his arm, but a moment later I was swept into a proper hug, feeling the faint tremor of emotion running through his body. I pressed my nose against his neck, where the scent glands were close to the surface.

He groaned.

Gathering up my courage, I pulled back to look at him.

“If I cuffed your hands to this headboard right now, would you like that?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he breathed.

“Could I take your T-shirt off first?” I asked.

He nodded, a dazed look of wonder smoothing the creases at the edges of his eyes and mouth.

Before I could second-guess myself, I suited action to word and hooked my hands beneath the hem of the soft cotton shirt, sliding it up and off as he lifted his arms to help. I’d seen him bare to the waist before, at the cage fights. It was even more impressive up close.

“Can I see you, too?” he asked.

I immediately pulled my work shirt over my head rather than take the time to unbutton the front. Then I reached back and popped the clasp on my bra, flinging it aside. Emiel made a low noise in his throat and reached a hand out, stroking fingers down my sternum before pausing to rest them over my heart.

I grasped his wrist and brought his hand up, pressing my lips to his scarred knuckles before gently urging him backward.

“Uh-uh,” I said lightly. “You lie back, now. You’re a dangerous alpha in rut, and I’ve got a pair of handcuffs here with your name on them. We’ll get you safe and secure, and then I’m going to make you feelso good, Emiel. Does that sound like what you want, sweetheart?”

The powerful alpha followed my gentle grip on his wrist, melting backward to lie flat on the bed. “Yes, Mia,” he said, his eyes dark and liquid as he looked up at me with perfect trust.

FORTY-EIGHT

Emiel

I NEVER THOUGHT SOMETHINGlike this could happen—not tome. My therapist and I had talked about rebuilding trust... in myself, in other people. In the end, I was pretty sure I couldn’t have taken this step with anyone else besides Mia. Even though I was slowly opening myself up—to Luca, to Nat—somehow, I knew instinctively that Mia would never abuse my trust.

Not even accidentally.

I should’ve felt my nerves jangling with alarm as she gently pushed me to lie back on the bed, her breasts jutting as she reached across my body to retrieve the handcuffs and key. Instead, all I felt was relief, becauseMia understood.

She knelt next to me on the mattress, letting my wrist go in favor of examining the cuffs with a look of intense concentration that was frankly adorable.

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