Page 45 of Of Poison & Pumpkins
“Rynnlee.” His voice shakes as his fingertip softly glides over my tied arm, up and down the tender spot that makes me squirm. Thankfully, the cage of his legs keeps me in place.
His teeth playfully drag at my lower lip and the way our bodies are pressed together still feels too distant, like we’re two beings when all I want is to become one. It’s basically insanity how he’s so good with his mouth. This precious man writes a sonnet with his lips, mesmerizing me.
“Lias,” I pant, as an unbearable ache throbs between my legs. “I … oh Goddess …”
His tongue knows what the fuck its doing and I never want to stop. “I need to touch you. Now. Untie me.”
“No.” The amusement in his voice is too much to take, and he rises to straddle me again. “Only the third time you ask, my Sunflower.”
“Aaaah!” I’m not even sure what type of animal sound I mimic. I pull against the yarn, but it doesn’t release.
Elias looks down at me with wonder. His fingertip rests against my temple, and he slowly caresses the side of my jaw, down to my neck. Another shiver possesses me like a separate being is trying to break free from chains within my soul.
“Tell me to take off your shirt,” he says, calmly, with such control it’s mind-boggling.
“Take off your shirt.”
Over his head it goes. And I’m transfixed. I’ve seen part of his body already, but never at this angle. Somehow, he’s even more gorgeous from down here. I wouldn’t change a single thing. Not the mole under his clavicle, or the few curly, dark chest hairs. Each line and curve of his tattoos tell a story I yearn to know. My hands tingle with the immediate need to trail my fingers over the path of his body art.
“Untie me. Now,” I moan, shimmying beneath him again.
“Our safe word is ‘sailboat.’ If I ever start something you don’t like or want to stop whatever we’re doing, all you have to do is say ‘sailboat,’ and I’ll immediately listen. Understand?”
I nod, heart pumping at the thought of doing something so erotic that we need a safe word.
“I have half a mind to tie your ankles by your ears. Have you taken yoga recently?” he asks. “How bendy are you?”
“Elias Gabriel! You wouldn’t dare!”
“Oh, we will try that one day. Maybe not tonight, but it’ll happen.”
He lifts the bottom of my shirt just enough to trail a finger along my stomach, then leaps off the bed. “I think I’m going to grab a snack from the kitchen. Want anything?”
“What!? Get back over here.” I twist against the binds, but don’t tell him to untie me a third time.
Because a crazy, irrational side of me longs to make him suffer, to make him want me more than I want him. And somehow, I know that wherever he runs off to, all he’ll be thinking about is me tied here and waiting for him to devour me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Elias
I may be dying from pure arousal. My pulse thrums faster than when my crew won the title at Nationals.
This hallway may be my new permanent residence because Rynn is still alone, tied to that bed, awaiting me while I stand here with my back against the wall, eyes squeezed shut. I’m trying to calm myself, but the idea of having sex with Rynn is inescapable. This woman is all-consuming, and my entire body is coiled tight. If I go back in there, I might not be able to restrain myself. I’m such an idiot for tying her up. I can’t return in this state.
I can’t look her in the eye until I have regained control. Her purrs and moans were louder than a lawn mower. Her pants were wetter than the rooftop during this thunderstorm.
I swipe a hand down my face.
Two minutes. I’ll allow myself two minutes before torturing myself again. It’s pointless. The second I see her wrists tied above her head, I’ll be a lost cause once more. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised she was on board with restraints since she has trust issues that aren’t healed. I hope one day she can learn that humanity is more positive than negative. Instead of holding onto bitterness and revenge against those who don’t understand her, I hope she learns everyone has some goodness in their heart. That not everyone is out to get her.
Her vulnerability makes me the most fortunate man on this planet. My two minutes are up, and I don’t wait for the door to open itself, but shove through. The immediate reaction my body has to the sight of her is unreal. How am I supposed to deal with a constant boner?
“I’m gonna return the favor someday. Tie you up, then go to a knitting class.”
“I’m counting on it.” I nod and sit next to her while loosening the yarn. “When that happens, I’ll be out of my mind. This isn’t the place for our first time, so I need to stop now before this gets out of hand.”
Her throat bobs, but she seems to agree. “We should chat now about the responsible stuff. I’m on birth control. But I need to get tested.”
