Gloria’s idea had been to seduce Dylan by coming across as a sexy temptress who was willing to play out one of his fantasies. She’d found out from Gadget that Dylan had a thing for redheads and dominatrix, so I’d reluctantly agreed to this tactic because I was desperate. In my experience, all guys wanted to live out their fantasies. It had been what Bob had wanted. But I’d been a fool to think I could pull off a fantasy, let alone a temptress.
Lying spread-eagled across black satin sheets would normally conjure up a sexy image. Not today. I tried to move my legs together for modesty’s sake, but my fishnet stockings and two-inch spikes were all twisted up in the whip. Oh, yeah. It would take a whole lot more than ten Hail Marys a day and unlocking these stupid handcuffs to get me out of this predicament.
Snort! I pressed my lips together. Darn nerves. I felt completely mortified, yet all I could do was laugh.
Hot Britches narrowed his eyes, and his lips parted. After a tense moment, he sheathed his weapon. “Mac?” That adorable, crooked grin hooked the corner of his mouth, and his gorgeous blue laser beams crinkled at the corners. “Mac, I know it’s you. No other woman I know snorts, though I haven’t seen pointy metal cones for a bra since an old Madonna video. He chuckled but then grew sober. “Last I saw you, you said you didn’t need anyone, especially me. What are you doing here?”
Oh, just making a fool of myself, Zuc, I thought, but said nothing. I couldn’t if I tried. I felt like an idiot, and I wouldn’t blame him if he never believed me again.
After a full minute of unbearable silence, he sighed. Walking to his bed, he sat on the edge and untangled my legs from the whip and then slid my feet together. As he lifted the wig from my face, he smiled and stroked my cheek. Heat seared my skin clear up to my hair follicles. My face had to be the same fire-engine shade of red as my stupid wig. I looked away.
“Talk to me, Callie.”
“I’m sorry.” I peeked up at him. “Payback was petty, and I lied a couple weeks ago when I said I didn’t need you. I’ve never had good luck when it comes to men, so I don’t trust easily.” I closed my eyes. “You were right when you said someone did a number on me. I thought this guy, Bob, was the one.” I opened my eyes. “I would have married him had he asked, but he never loved me. All he wanted was to make money off us having sex. He actually videotaped us having sex without my knowing it and published the porn video on the Internet. I wasn’t the only one, either, and, well, I’ve never been the same since.”
Dylan stared at me for a full minute, then said, “I’m sorry you had to go through that, but I’m not that guy. I really care. And I know how you feel. That shrink I told you about, well, her name was Tina. She lied to me, too. We were engaged. I trusted her, opened up myself to her about intimate things, and she used it against me by putting it all in her evaluation report. I never understood how she could exploit something so private between us? Guess she didn’t love me, either.”
“That’s horrible. I hope you know how much you mean to me. I care about you so much more than just a friend.”
He leaned closer. “Me, too. I’d die if anything happened to you. I know my ways are unorthodox, but that’s why I’m usually successful. The threat of the Midnight Molester is serious, and I did what I had to, to protect you. But I should have trusted you to be smart and call if you needed help. No more Brat Pack, okay?”
“Okay.” I bit my lip. “I must look like the biggest moron to you.”
“You could never look like a moron.” He gently pulled my wig off and smiled. “But I gotta know. What are you doing chained to my bed dressed like that?”
“Why did I let Gloria talk me into this?” I wailed. “I’m no good at seduction.”
“Gloria talked you into this? I should’ve known by the outfit.” Chuckling, he shook his head. Then his smile faded, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “You want to seduce me?”
I didn’t answer.
“Please tell me I heard you right?” he whispered.
I met his eyes. “This outfit was not my idea. Your cousin Gadget--I mean Mike--said you were into redheads and dominatrix, but yes, I wanted to seduce you. The Brat Pack let me in, and Gloria supplied the props. Only, being the imbecile that I am, I flubbed it up.”
“Hey, now.” He took my hand in his. “Trust me, you didn’t flub anything up. Mike was confused. It’s Nick--Khaki Man to you--who’s into redheads and dominatrix. I prefer natural blondes.” Dylan’s eyes heated, and his smile faded. “I want you so damn much. Are you positive this is what you want?”