Taboo Love Part 2(4)

“How so?”I wanted to gauge this question carefully.

An exasperated sigh from his end. “Implicitly? Unconditionally?”

I bit my lip and pulled over, parking next to a Italian restaurant that emitted the delicious scent of lasagna. This would be a ticklish conversation, and I didn’t want to drive while negotiating it.

“Ummm…” came my reply finally.

“You hurt me, Mary Rose,” he said, but his indignity sounded forced. “You really do. Okay, how’s this then: Have I ever let anyone hurt you?”

I scratched my bangs, and tried not to let the rich scent of hot tomato sauce and cheese distract me. “No, of course you haven’t. I mean, you almost put Shaun Briggs in the hospital when he ditched me just before prom. A bit excessive, but appreciated.”

“Bastard had that coming. Remember when he tried to cut your pig tails off in Grade 5? I’d been saving that revenge up a long time.”

“Okay, we’re getting off track here,” I said, my curiosity building. Life with my step brother around was rarely predictable. “What’s this all about?”

“Do you trust me?”

I closed my eyes and tried not to get annoyed at his exaggerated need for mystery. “Yes, Shamus, I trust you.”

“Good. Meet me at the club.” His tone lightened, and I could almost see the cheeky grin, but my cell phone lacked a web cam option to confirm this.

“The sex club?” My heart went from steady thump to gallop.

“No, the club where we mechanics get together to talk knitting.”

I countered his trademark smartassery with, “That made no sense. Weak, Shamus, very weak.”

“As you would tell me: shut up.” Then before he hung up, he added, “And get your cute little ass here.”

***

He leaned against his car as I got out of mine. A dazzling smile spread across his tanned face, and his blue eyes seemed to sparkle. As I drew near, he held up a scrap of black cloth.

I stopped a foot away and pointed at the material. “Exactly what is that?”

He raised an eyebrow and spoke in a bad, uppity British accent. “Rumor has it this is a blindfold, my lady.” A dramatic bow came next.

I was too nervous to giggle. How could’ve he have known? Unless he guessed, or…

“You talked to Addy, didn’t you?” I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms over my breasts.

His shoulders slumped and he dropped his hands to his knees. “After you left, yes. I wanted to surprise you for your birthday.” He shrugged and looked at the pavement. “Well, I already did that the other night, but I actually wanted to plan this surprise. But she told you, obviously.”

I reached out to touch his wrist. “No, no, she didn’t say a word. But…”

“But?” His eyes met mine, and the intensity there made my stomach do flip flops.

I struggled to keep my cool. I hated losing control, feeling vulnerable, and Shamus was making me feel that way a lot lately. However, I was enjoying it. With him, I admitted, I felt safe enough to not be such a control freak. Still, I warred with myself over admitting this. Even though I felt safe with him, he was my step brother. There were complications, or was I simply over-complicating things?

“You’re over-thinking again,” Shamus said, taking my hand and giving me a tentative smile. “I can tell from the crease between your brows.” He gently poked this area with a large finger, and I laughed. “Trust me, please?” His eyes begged as much as his words did, and I softened further.

“Okay.” I gave a shaky sigh and let him wrap the blindfold around my eyes. “I trust you.”

Darkness enveloped everything as he walked me into a quiet room somewhere inside the club. My stomach fluttered nervously and I swallowed hard.

Long ago, I’d told Addy one of my sexual fantasies, or at least part of it, was to submit complete control to someone I trusted. Let them pleasure me while I was totally vulnerable. She was the only person I’d trusted with this confession. A small part of me was angry at her for telling my step brother, but another part was glad it would be him who would fulfill this secret desire of mine.

“Remove all your clothes,” Shamus commanded from somewhere behind me, and I did so. Cool air brushed over my nipples and hyper-aware skin. I shivered.

Icy manacles clicked closed around my wrists. I bit my bottom lip, but didn’t gasp from the shock. Next, he led me forward, where my wrists were attached to a hook that seemed to jut from a wide, smooth column. My hands were now fastened above my head, and I felt totally helpless. Inside, I tried to quell the anxiety by reminding myself I was with someone who would always protect me, and I had nothing to worry about. Relax and enjoy the ride—I knew Shamus would tell me this, if he could see inside my head at that moment.