Page 16 of In a Bind

Chapter Thirteen

Raini

I had planned allalong to take Pepper out for a ride, and I wanted to get to the barn and saddle up before the rest of the house woke. I knew Mindy had one more big social event planned, a birthday brunch. Then guests would start to meander back to their cars for the drive home. I, too, had to get back to the city to finish a homework project.

As I finished tying up the lace on my riding boots, I pushed back that little voice that kept reminding me that Zane would be leaving too. I glanced over at his shirt that I'd draped over the end of the bed. I had worn it all night, hugging it around me in a pathetic effort to pretend that it was his body wrapped around me. To say that I was disappointed by the way my last plan turned out would have been like calling the Grand Canyon a pothole. In his extremely short, clandestine visit to my room, he managed to bring me instantly to the height of arousal where I knew there was no happy ending without an orgasm. But the unhappy ending had been all my fault. At the time, I thought it would be a funny trick to make him knock on the wrong door, but all that had done was wake Dad out of a deep sleep, making him more aware of any noises in the house. The noise had been my fault too, but I couldn't help myself. Zane had created so much sexual tension in my body that the cry out had just been a natural release of that tension.

I had decided to keep the shirt as a memento, but I rolled up the tie and shoved it into the pocket of my sweatshirt. I planned to hand it back to him after the ride, just to remind him what he missed out on. Naturally I would choose an opportune time to hand it back to him, like when he was standing with his friends, or even better, my dad.

The guests were still asleep, but the staff was already busy in the kitchen preparing for the brunch. I slipped through the house and past the delicious smell of baked goods and brewing coffee. I pressed my arm against my stomach to quiet the empty rumblings.

Garrett and two of his friends were crashed on the couch, all of them looking as if they were drunk on video games. I stepped out into the cool morning air and zipped up my sweatshirt. I pulled the hood up over my head. The mild night air had turned brisk at some point, but the sky was bright blue and there was no breeze. It would be the perfect morning for a ride.

I glanced over at the cottages and wondered if Zane had slept well. I hoped not. I hoped he had lay awake all night thinking about what he missed when he escaped over the side of the balcony. If it hadn't ended with me practically in pain from wanting him, it would have all been pretty comical.

I decided to take the shortcut through the pool area to the barn. I walked through the gate. There was no way to deny that the sight of Zane stretched out on the chaise with his arms and hands above his head sent the same surge of heat through me that I'd felt the night before when he had knelt between my legs. Even though I couldn't blame him, I was still a touch angry at him for so easily giving up on our night. I'm sure he figured a night with me wasn't worth angering a major investor in his company. Although I would have tried my damndest to make it at least parallel the risk.

I couldn't resist stopping at the lounge to look at him. His long copper hair was stretched out behind his head. I hadn't noticed just how long and dark his lashes were against the golden brown of his skin. His coloring was truly unique. And with his muscular, well-proportioned physique and fat bank account, I had no doubt that he had more than a flurry of female admirers back in the city. There might even be a steady girlfriend. I'd never asked. But if I was being honest with myself, I'd never asked because I didn't want to know about a significant other if there was one.

A low sigh rolled up from Zane's throat. He moved a bit on the lounge, but his dark lashes never lifted. He was still asleep. He looked so damn sexy stretched out in his t-shirt and jeans that a wicked thought slipped into my head, a little payback for him dashing out so quickly the night before.

I pulled the tie from my pocket and walked to the head of the lounge. I carefully wrapped his one wrist with the silk fabric and then threaded it through the woven plastic on the backside of the lounge. I tied the rest of it around his other wrist.

I sat lightly on the edge of the lounge and pressed my hand over his fly. Then I worked my fingers around the curve underneath denim fabric, slowly bringing his cock to attention. He groaned in pleasure and moved his hips against the pressure of my hand. But he was still asleep, apparently having a very real sex dream. Stroking him erect was doing plenty to my own resolve. If we'd been anywhere but in the middle of my dad's pool area, I would have straddled him and finished his dream to perfection.

I leaned over Zane and brought my mouth close to his ear. "Meet me in the barn for a ride. Bring a sweatshirt. Oh, and brush your teeth. I'm expecting another one of those improper kisses."

He startled awake and quickly learned his hands were tied to the lounge. He also quickly learned that he hadn't just been dreaming about having his cock fondled. I gave it a little squeeze. He growled in frustration and tugged at the bindings around his wrists.

I stood up and winked down at him. "I'll see you just as soon as you get yourself free."

"Fuck," was the only response I heard as I walked away.

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