Page 42 of Dark Promise

“I don’t want to say,” I manage, my voice barely audible.

“Tell me,” he commands, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, making me shiver.

My cheeks burn as I say, “Being held down. Tied up. Blindfolded…”

“Go on,” he murmurs.

“Controlled,” I whisper.

Nikolai’s chuckle is a dark, velvety sound that wraps around me, pulling me deeper into the moment. His hands are firm but careful as he releases my wrists, only to trail his fingers down my arms, leaving a tingling heat in their wake.

“Stay right here,” he murmurs, his voice rough and commanding, a mix of promise and intent.

I watch, heart pounding, as he moves to the small dresser. From the drawer, he pulls out a t-shirt. Then, his eyes holdingmine, he slowly rips the cloth into long, wide strips, biceps and forearms flexing as he moves. My breath catches as he moves toward me, the cloth coiled in his hand, his eyes burning with purpose.

“Take your pants off,” he says, his voice calm, even, pitched low and laced with command.

My pulse kicks up.

I wet my lips and hook my thumbs in the waistband, sliding the pants slowly over my hips. The I bend and push them down my legs, letting them pool around my ankles before stepping free, completely naked.

His eyes glitter in the dim light, his expression intent and hot, and so sexy.

“Fold them,” he orders, and I bend to retrieve the pants, fold them, then set them aside.

“Turn around,” he says softly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I obey, my pulse racing as I turn to face the bed. I don’t hear him move, but I feel the heat of him at my back. I freeze as he runs the tip of his finger along my spine, down, down, to the crack of my ass. I shiver.

He positions my arm so my right wrist is at the small of my back. Then he does the same with the left. Each movement is slow, controlled, gentle but inexorable. The cloth slides across my skin as he binds my wrists together behind me, the knots firm but not uncomfortable. My breathing quickens as the control is taken from me, the sensation both thrilling and terrifying.

“You’re stunning like this,” he murmurs, his lips brushing the back of my neck. His hands glide down my sides, skimming the curve of my hips. “Completely mine.”

His words send a wave of heat through me, and I bite my lip, my body trembling. He’s barely touched me yet, but my pussy throbs, wet and aching.

“You like having me at your mercy, don’t you?” I manage to whisper, my voice shaky but laced with defiance.

“Not mercy,” he corrects, his voice dark and smooth. “Devotion.” He pauses. “If you want this to stop, that’s all you need to say. That word. Devotion. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I whisper, knowing I won’t say the word. Knowing I welcome this, welcome him.

My breath hitches as he steps in front of me, holding another strip of cloth. He takes his time, folding it double, his blue eyes locked on mine, his expression raw and hungry.

“Close your eyes,” he commands, and I do, the world plunging into darkness as he ties the blindfold in place.

The absence of sight heightens everything else—the sound of his breathing, the heat of his body, the faint crackle of the fire in the woodstove. My senses are on high alert, every nerve ending buzzing with anticipation.

“You’re beautiful like this,” he says, his voice closer now, his hand skimming over my bare shoulder. “Completely open. Trusting. Do you know how rare that is?”

I don’t answer, because I can’t. The words stick in my throat, my body too focused on the way his fingers trace slow, deliberate patterns over my skin.

He moves me gently, guiding me to the bed. There, he positions me the way he wants: face down, shoulders to the mattress, my legs bent so my ass is in the air, my bound hands at the small of my back. I sense him behind me and make a little mew of protest. My ass and pussy are on full display. He can look at me, touch me, do as he wants with me…

“Anything you want to say?” he asks, and I know he is offering a way out. All I need to say is the word he gave me, my safe word.Devotion.

Instead, I say, “No.”

He laughs softly, low and dark, his hand skimming my ass, squeezing, kneading.

---