It was damn difficult not to swoop her up and carry her off, but he waited for her to come to him.
He didn’t bother to hide his grin when she threw back her shoulders, lifted her chin and strode forward.
Good girl. See? That wasn’t so hard.
Angel slid into the seat across from his. “Hello, Bennett.”
“You came.” Smooth, McKay.
“I said I would. I’ve been here awhile. Watching you.”
“See anything interesting?”
She cocked her head. “Besides the dozen women who approached you? I was waiting for one of them to drop down and lick your boots.”
“Wouldn’t have mattered if one of them had.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not interested in anyone but you.”
Tension thickened the air.
How was it possible she was more alluring than he’d remembered? She’d donned the wig again, but her make-up wasn’t as severe. Her facial structure was a study in contrasts, wide angular lines that emphasized her dainty feminine features. Apple cheeks, big hazel eyes framed by long, dark lashes, an upturned nose. She looked soft and angelic, except for her mouth. Goddamn those pillowy lips were made for nights of red-hot sin.
“You skipped out last night.” Ben placed his hand over hers to stop her nervous finger tapping. “But you’re here now and that’s all that matters.”
“I don’t have the foggiest idea what that means.”
It means you’re mine tonight.
She squirmed as if he’d said those words aloud.
He kissed her palm. “It means you and I are about to swap bracelets.”
Those bewitching hazel eyes widened.
“Don’t look so surprised. That’s why you came back, isn’t it? You’re curious about how it’ll be with me.”
“And scared,” she added softly.
He stilled. “You’re scared of me?”
“A little. I’m more scared of my reaction to you. You’re just so…different from any man I’ve ever been with. I mean, look at you.” She touched him then, without conscious thought.
He studied her eyes as the tips of her fingers explored his face. Gently sweeping over his cheekbones. Tracing his jaw from the bottom of his earlobe to the dent in his chin. Innocent caresses that instantly gave him a hard-on.
“Such a stern look on such a handsome face,” she murmured as her thumb outlined his lower lip. “I prefer your heart-stopping smiles to your scowls. But I imagine I won’t see many smiles from you tonight, will I?”
Lightning fast, Ben trapped her face between his hands. “You’ll see plenty of smiles from me tonight.” He pressed his mouth to hers, letting the kiss linger, but not taking it deeper.
A delicate shiver rippled through her. When she attempted to retreat, he let her.
“It’s time.” He removed the white bracelet and slid it across the table.
She removed the gold bracelet and exchanged it for the white one.
“Now. Let’s talk about hard limits,” he said.
“No other players.”
“Understood.”
“No public scenes between us.”
That put a kink in his kinky plans. “You’re sure?”
“I’m positive.”
“How do you know you won’t like it until you’ve tried it?” he countered.
She shook her head. “That’s a hard limit. No exceptions.”
“Fine. What else?”
“No anal.”
“Have you ever experimented with it?”
Two bright pink spots appeared on her cheekbones. “No. And I don’t want to start tonight.”
“Okay. What about bondage?”
“Yes, because I assume you know what you’re doing with ropes and such?”
“I’ve had a few years of practice. Anything else?”
“No. But if something you’re doing makes me uncomfortable…”
“Use your safe word and I’ll stop immediately. But keep in mind it’s not for casual use.”
“Gotcha.”
“The public club safe word is red. You should have a personal one too. So what is yours?”
Her nose wrinkled. “Broncos.”
“Why?”
“I hate that team.”
Ben grinned. “Guess you and I won’t be watchin’ football together any time soon, since that’s my favorite team.”
She didn’t crack a smile. She fidgeted as if debating something.
“Ask me the question.”
Her startled eyes zoomed to his. “How did you know what I was thinking? Oh right. This isn’t your first rodeo, is it, cowboy?”