Page 31 of Suspicion

“You’ve settled down nicely.” His thumb stroked her jaw as he went on. “I like this version of you, Ella.”

I bet you do. Her gaze flitted away from his, unable to handle his scrutiny.

Why? She searched herself for the answer. Why do I care what he thinks? Her pulse accelerated as his caress lowered to her collarbone, and much though she was loathed to admit it, the warmth of his skin was welcome.

I’m cold. She glanced down to acknowledge his touch. That’s all it is. Just the cold…

Avoiding the intensity of his gaze, she refused to believe there could be any other motivation for her skin’s goosing reaction. His water had soaked her, and she was standing in a fucking barn—that was all.

It had nothing to do with his soft ministrations nor his large blue eyes. Briefly, her focus rose and looked into those eyes. Had they always been that alluring oceanic shade? They were like two pools she might have dove into had she not been bound in his barn.

Only the cold. She balled her hands into fists in the ropes over her head, refusing to believe any alternative to the narrative playing out in her head.

She was cold and wet. Period.

She didn’t want him, didn’t enjoy his attention, and would never accept the things he had done.

Tucker Bowman was a monster.

Chapter Three

Exposed

Tucker

Ravishing. There was no other word for her.

Tethered in ropes, helpless to deny the way he’d exposed her flesh to the elements and now wonderfully muzzled, Ella was every inch the damsel in distress of his dreams.

And despite his secluded life, he had dreamed.

He didn’t think about those visions often anymore, didn’t acknowledge them outside of the comfort of his bed. He didn’t need a woman, after all. He’d thrived without so much as a companion at his side, but now—with Ella shoved into his line of sight—there seemed to be no resisting her charms.

Staring at her half-bared chest, he was obliged to recognize just how charming she was.

With her arms secured high above her, her breasts were stretched from their natural shape, yet still, he could tell how ample and glorious they were. The way they’d reacted to his touch confirmed his suspicions. She desired him. No matter what she said.

Naturally, she can’t say much at the moment.

His lips twitched at the hilarity of the statement. He’d put pay to any chance of that when he’d shoved the ball gag between her white teeth, but he had no regrets.

Ella had it coming. Her lips seemed to spew only snark and hatred. What had she expected him to do? It was just like her hands. Until he found a better use for her soft and tempting mouth, he’d had to restrain it.

There was no choice.

“Now you’re calmer, I can explore you.” He ran his hand along the underside of her right arm, eliciting a tremor from her diminutive frame.

Is she excited?

A flash of hope swelled in his chest. Her trembling was assuredly a sign of her burgeoning passion for him and not a product of her fear or the cold.

“Oo.” Her head slid from left to right in a defiant gesture of insolence.

“No?” He chuckled at her non-cooperation.

It was feigned, naturally. She obviously believed opening her legs to him so soon after meeting would cast aspersions on her character, but Tucker could reassure her he didn’t care a jot.

Women were nothing to him, and neither was the sex act they offered.

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