Page 102 of Man Cuffed
He shakes his head. “You’re wrong.”
“Am I?” I snort. “You’re going to pull a Houdini and free yourself?”
“Nah,” he says, and then a slow grin forms on that irresistible mouth. “I’m yelling for you because I needyou. I get it now. The handcuffs are just a mild inconvenience.”
“So you don’t mind if I turn and leave again?” I yelp.
“Oh, I’d mind very much.” His eyes are warm and lazy. “Come closer.”
I hesitate. Maybe it’s a trick.
Except I know better than that. Macnevertricked me. Even though he let me down, he never lied to me.I don’t do relationships. I hadn’t wanted to hear it.
I still don’t.
“What do you want, Mac?” I need to cut my losses and go.
“You,” he whispers. “Just you.”
“For what?” I’m so confused right now.
“For everything. Dinner. Lunch. Breakfast. Hobbit-style snacks. Fruity drinks. Party dates.” He looks up at the ceiling, as if considering. “Nottoomany parties. A man can only change so much. And I don’t think karaoke will ever be on the table. I probably have a few limits.”
“But none of that sounds like you.”
“I know. But…” He actually tries to beckon, but the handcuffs clank against the metal bed frame, so it doesn’t quite work. Instead of getting frustrated, he actually chuckles. “Comeherealready. Jesus. I need to kiss you so bad it hurts.”
There’s a new tightness in my chest, and I’m pretty sure this bustier is only half responsible. “Don’t tease me, Mac. If you don’t want a commitment, I have to let you go.”
“Don’t let me go,” he says immediately. “I get it now. You make me crazy. You’re a whole lot of trouble. You challenge me. You kick my ass. And I’m so fucking hungry for you right now my cock is about to rip out of my pants. And I’m not running anymore. You’ve caught me.”
I think about it for a second. “What does that mean...exactly? I’ve caught you? This isn’t a game of cat and mouse, Mac. I’m done with games. And I’m done with emotional drama. What are you offering me?” I take a step closer.
“I’m offering you everything you see before you. Which is, admittedly, just a guy who’s chained to a bed. But I’m loyal, I can hold my liquor, and I always say what I mean.”
“And what do you mean right now?” I press.
“I love you so fucking much, Meg. That’s the bottom line. If we can’t fix this right here and right now, then I’m going to do something really stupid.”
I take another step closer to him so now I’m standing right next to him, looking down at him, all beautiful and defenseless before me. Like a caged animal. It’s veryBen Hur. “What would you do?”
“I’ll...gnaw off my hand so I can get at you.”
“That’s graphic,” I say.
“Too much?”
“A little.”
We both smile at each other.
“Meg. If we don’t fix this right now, I’m going to be lost all over again. And it’s been really nice to finally feel found.”
“You feel found with me?” I lean over and put a hand in the center of his broad chest, because I have to touch him.
“I feel more than found. I feel like I’m finally whole. Like you’re my missing…”
“Handcuff key?” I offer.
