Page 224 of Hot Cops

She resisted his demand a heartbeat too long.

“Say it, Ms. Iser. Now. Or I’ll make damn sure you don’t come tonight.”

“Yes sir,” she whispered.

Evan tugged the key to the handcuffs out of his pocket, reaching above her head to unhook her. He put the keys and cuffs away. They’d used them enough this evening and he didn’t want to hurt her, keeping her bound for too long.

Annie’s arms fell to her sides and he was there, ready to stroke the blood back into them. He massaged her shoulders, working his way down before clasping her smaller hands in his.

He leaned forward, unable to stand being even a few inches away from her. He squeezed her hands. “Ready to continue?”

CHAPTERTWO

Annie nodded,and then added, “Yes sir,” to her response. Evan’s eyes darkened with lust. She couldn’t recall the last time he’d looked at her with so much hunger, so much need. Her heart ached with the beauty of it. And the relief. And the excitement.

Annie wasn’t sure what the hell had gotten into her husband, but she wasn’t going to look this gift horse in the mouth. She’d had a glass of wine earlier in the day, hoping it would relax her because she’d been nervous about tonight. Lately the tension between her and Evan had grown so thick, she feared she’d need a sledgehammer to break through it.

She’d been so scared these past few months. Evan had slipped further and further away from her with each passing day and she hadn’t had a clue how to pull him back. Now he was standing in front of her, bringing all her wildest fantasies to life.

He reached for her and before she realized his intent, he’d lifted her into his arms. She resisted the hold, insisting he put her down. She had gained some weight since they’d married and part of her was embarrassed for him to realize how much.

“Be still.” His voice was gruff, powerful. The timbre sent shivers of excitement through her.

Even so, she tried to escape his grip. “Put me down. I’m too heavy.”

His eyes narrowed, the slightest trace of anger creeping in. “No. You’re not.” He’d been walking toward the car, but he stopped at her protestation. She ceased her struggles when it became apparent he wouldn’t move again until she obeyed him.

“Are you ready to behave?”

She stopped squirming. Then reluctantly nodded, hoping it would encourage him to hurry up and get where he was going.

He raised one eyebrow until she added, “Yes sir.”

Annie wasn’t sure what it was about her that loved it when Evan turned into this commanding alpha male. She certainly didn’t want him trying to call the shots in their daily lives; she enjoyed the true partnership they shared when establishing a budget or dividing the household chores. But in moments like this, there was something about being taken over by a powerful, sexy man that made her panties melt and her heart race.

Evan continued to hold her for several moments longer, letting his lesson sink in, before starting toward her car. He walked to the trunk of the convertible and lowered her slowly to the ground.

Patting the metal, he said, “Hop up there.”

Night had fallen. While the sky was clear and the moon was shining, most of the light it offered was hidden behind the thick overhang of leaves from the trees. She was grateful for the darkness.

Though she was used to walking around in front of her husband naked, it was slightly unnerving to be so revealed outside, regardless of the remoteness of the area.

She reached behind her, using her hands to hoist herself up. Evan stood before her, waiting until she was seated. Then he grasped her knees, pulling them apart.

“Don’t move,” he commanded.

She was startled when he stepped away from her, turning and walking to his car. She wanted to call out, ask him where the hell he was going. He’d left her hanging—literally and figuratively—at the tree. Her body hadn’t forgotten the orgasm he’d denied her. However, she managed to bite her tongue, certain the dominant man her husband had become would add that to her list of punishable offenses. She smiled at the thought, sorely tempted to do it simply for that reason.

Her grin died when Evan reached into his car, turning on spotlights that cast her center stage. She reached up to shield her eyes, unconsciously closing her legs.

“Hold the position I put you in.”

She froze, wariness creeping in. Annie knew there was no one else around. That Evan was the only one who could see her—and he’d seen her naked at least a thousand times in the past. But that didn’t make exposing herself like this any easier.

“Ms. Iser.”

She repressed a shiver at his use of her maiden name. It was all he’d called her tonight and damn, if it didn’t make her a little bit wetter every time he uttered it.

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