Tied Up, Tied Down(65)
Still, she couldn’t deny Kade had lovingly brought out a side of herself she’d ignored her whole life—her sexuality. And the man hadn’t exploited it; he’d reveled in it.
Sky was judging him harshly on either scenario. Why? So she covered her bases for when he (invariably) took what he wanted and bailed?
Lord. India was right. She could over-think everything.
One thing Skylar couldn’t deny was Kade’s commitment to Eliza. His actions spoke louder than words. She leaned against the doorjamb and watched them sleep for a good long time before she turned away.
An hour later she heard them stirring. She warmed up a bottle and put the finishing touches on supper.
Kade came around the corner, barefoot, wearing ratty surfer shorts, a threadbare tank top, sporting a five-o’clock shadow and his hair stuck out every which way. He looked so damn cute she grinned at him.
“What?”
“Nothing. You hungry?”
Eliza cried.
“Guess that answers that.” Sky reached for her. “Gotcha covered, baby girl. Let Daddy eat.”
She popped the bottle in Eliza’s mouth and looked up to see Kade looming over her. “What?”
“This.” He slid his tongue over the seam of her lips, until she opened her mouth for him fully. His kiss pacified and inflamed, both sweet and spicy. Kade eased back without a word, which was A-okay with Sky, since she was thunderstruck anyway.
The evening passed uneventfully, which was fine by her. She never dreamed she’d be so…happy to sit on the porch swing, holding hands and admiring the stars. When Eliza dozed off Kade put her to bed.
But the man who returned downstairs didn’t look like Kade, the sweet, loving father. He looked like Kade, the dark, demanding lover.
Desire rolled over her like a hot summer breeze.
“Skylar. C’mere.”
She walked to where he stood at the bottom of the staircase with his legs braced apart, his arms behind his back.
“Pick a hand.”
“Why? Do you have a present for me?”
“A present of sorts. Pick.”
“Ah. Okay. The left hand.”
Kade’s instant grin was decidedly predatory. He thrust out his arm. A length of rope dangled from his fingers.
“What’s that for?”
“What do you think it’s for?”
“A new clothesline?”
“Wrong. Try again.”
“Are you going to tie something up?”
“Yep. You.”
Her stomach pitched. “Why?”
“’Cause it’s gonna be fun.”
“Umm. Where is this private rodeo event going to happen?”
“Your room because that’s what a four-poster bed was designed for, sweetheart.”
“But, Eliza—”
“Is sleepin’ in the guest bedroom.”
“Oh.” She swallowed hard. “What was in your other hand?”
He grinned again and held out…another length of rope.
“Hey! That’s cheating.”
“I already warned you I wasn’t gonna play fair. Get upstairs. The nekkid rule is now in effect.”
Her bare feet shuffled on the rug.
“Or would you rather I trussed you up, tossed you over my shoulder and we played out my pirate and the wench fantasy?”
Skylar’s mind created the image of Kade in a billowy white shirt, his gleaming chest muscles rippling like the sea. Knee-high glossy black boots gave way to tight breeches, which accentuated the size of his big…sword. His visage was topped off with a silky black eye patch and a shark-like smile.
He said, “That’s a fine choice, me hearty lass,” and started toward her.
“I’m going. But I don’t mind telling you I’m a little nervous.”
“You should be, darlin’, ’cause I am a force to be reckoned with when it comes to ropes.” To prove it, he snapped one rope low to the floor, and a crack reverberated through the air, loud as a gunshot.
Skylar took off like a bullet.
Kade waited a full five minutes before he followed her, as he let the scenarios run in his head.
Nothing painful. Nothing degrading. Nothing but her at his mercy.
A dark thrill zipped through him, potent as whiskey.
The bedroom door was ajar. Lamplight spilled across the carpet into the hallway. No candles. He’d been half-afraid candles would cast the room with a dungeon-like vibe and he didn’t want her to be scared. Kade wanted Skylar turned on beyond compare.
She sat in the middle of the bed, knees drawn up to her chest, eyeing the ropes attached to the wooden posts, not with curiosity, or fear, but with resignation.
Before Kade spoke, or touched her, Skylar blurted, “You aren’t going to whip me are you?”
“Not unless you aren’t cooperatin’.”