He pulled himself out of the loveseat, stalked over, shoved one arm under her ass, the other under her back and picked her up like she weighed nothing at all.
"Hey!" Hope groused in frustration.
"Hush female!" Viper nearly growled as he put her back in bed then returned to sit back down.
Hope got the feeling he wasn't used to being defied. Well he was going to be just thrilled with her then. If he wanted to date her or be mated or whatever he was going to have to put up with her stubborn streak.
Hope wiggled out of bed and was back on the floor by the time Viper turned around again to recline in the loveseat.
"Hope!" His voice vibrated deep.
"What?" Hope fluttered her eyelashes in mock innocence.
Viper's chest rumbled as he marched back over and picked her up again. It didn't frighten her, not anymore, in fact if anything the sexy growling excited her.
Viper leaned over her as he tucked her in, making sure the blanket was snug around her so she'd have difficulty getting out of bed again. His bare chest looked so good, the muscles rippling. She wanted to rub up against him like a cat in heat, till she remembered his rejection.
Viper noted the frown on her face.
"If I lay in this bed with you, I won't be able to keep my hands to myself and I don't know if I could stop myself even if you asked me to." Viper said between clenched teeth.
Hope grinned to herself. She glanced down and noticed the bulge in his pants. God, the man was hung.
"Would that be so bad?" Hope asked as she looked him in the eye. She licked her lips, her mouth feeling dry.
Viper's piercing green eyes focused on her mouth for a moment before regaining his wits.
"I told you I would not."
Ugh! Damn gentleman. How many clues could she toss out at the man before he figured it out?
Viper smelled so wonderful as he leaned over her, bracketing her with his arms. Viper's face was serious, but he also looked pained.
Hope leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, gently pulling in his bottom lip, licking and nipping it tentatively.
Viper didn't move a muscle so Hope pulled away. She was practically throwing herself at the man.
"Hope I cannot control myself much longer." He groaned.
Good.
Hope thought about how it had been the last time they were together and almost groaned herself. She wanted to see Viper naked, but this time she wanted to touch him.
Hope suddenly had a wicked idea about how they could even the score between them. Viper held back because he made her a promise and didn't want to hurt her since she was 'delicate', but she had a solution for that if he was game.
Hope rolled away from Viper and the poor man practically wilted. The deflated look on his face made her almost give up her plan, but she didn't. After all the man had fucked her while she was chained up. Turn about is fair play.
"I know how to fix our problem."
"What do you mean?" Viper looked at her in confusion.
"You get a rope or something to restrain yourself to the bed. That way you'll be at my mercy. Then we'll be even and you can stop this drama."
"Drama! I mounted you against your will! There is no greater shame." Viper snarled.
He was an honorable man, too honorable.
"I may not be sold on this mating thing, but I do know how you can make it up to me." Hope smiled seductively at Viper as she knelt on the edge of the bed stared up at his dark rugged face.
He stood at the side of the bed looking conflicted, the muscle in his jaw flexing.
"This is what you wish? To get even?" Viper looked at her like she meant to torture him.
Perhaps she did a bit.
Hope watched as Viper walked over to his closet swaying in that sexy sinuous way he moved. He emerged with two sets of manacles. She almost forgot he had all his hunting and rescue gear in there.
"These should secure my arms to the bed." His voice was riddled with uncertainty as he lay down.
"That'll work." Hope smiled wickedly.
Viper hooked the end of the cuffs to either bed post, then stretched out and latched one around his wrist. Hope secured his other hand, but as she did, she leaned over him, placing her breasts teasingly in his face. That done she backed up and looked him over from head to toe. Viper was stretched out like an offering which was backwards since she was positive he was the sexy god in this scenario.
Viper wore skin-tight pants, no shoes or shirt. His corded arms spread eagle gave her an unhindered view of his bronze chest and washboard abs.
He was silent just staring at her as Hope perused his body.
"I think you are overdressed." Hope informed him.
Viper swallowed. He was obviously nervous. It was odd how having such a big dominant man at her mercy turned her on even more.
Hope trailed her hand slowly down Viper's chest towards his waist. The firm ridges of his abs rippled beneath her fingers.