Page 87 of Playing For Keeps
“No?” He takes his gaze to his hands where he works the sash between his palms. “Then I guess I won’t need this.”
“But…”
His eyes snap to mine. “Yes? What were you going to say?”
“I wasn’t searching for anything. I was wondering if you placed hooks behind our headboard like you had in your other place.”
He seems to consider my explanation, then nods in a slow motion. “I did. Does that make you happy?”
The sexual tension between us cracks. My thoughts fade into nothing but a cord tethering me to him. I need him like I need air.
“Jami…” The blood burns in my veins.
He shakes his head. “That’s not an answer.”
I blink and try to remember the question. His head tips to the wall behind our bed, giving me a prompt.
I race to answer. “Yes. I’m happy you did that.”
“Good. I need to know you’re okay with what I have planned for you.”
“Yes. I want to experience you tying me up.”
A smile curves his lips. “Good girl. That’s all I needed to hear. Now show me your wrists.”
I hold out my arms and flip my hands over so my palms face the ceiling.
He wraps the sash around one wrist and ties it in a delicate knot. When he’s done, he slides his hand into a pocket in his pajama bottoms. He pulls out another black restraint and does the same to my other wrist.
My breathing turns into a desperate pant. I peek up at him.
He’s concentrating on the material like he’s performing surgery. I look down to find him making some type of twisted knot higher on the ribbons.
“I’m doing this differently than I normally would.” He tugs on the silk to tighten the two sashes together. “I’m going to need you to give me a safe word.”
My stomach clenches. “Why?”
He stares hard into my eyes. “Because this is just the beginning. It could become too much for you, so I need to know if I take it too far.”
“Are you planning on hurting me?”
“No. Not even a little, but it could get uncomfortable.” He cups my cheek. “Do you trust me to keep you protected?”
“Yes.”
“Then give me a safe word. If it’s easier for you, we can use green, meaning you’re doing well. Yellow, meaning it’s getting to be too much, but you can go a little longer. And red for stop immediately. It’s simple; therefore, you are less likely to forget.”
Adrenaline spirals through my core. “Then let’s use those. I can’t think straight right now.”
“Remember those and use them whenever you need.” His blue eyes burn promises into mine. “Lie on your back with your arms above your head.”
I do as he asks and stare into his calming gaze. He bends over me and kisses me with tender care. He pulls away, and concentration deepens the crease between his brows.
Above my head, each wrist has a ribbon of its own that joins in an intricate knot, binding them together, but they separate into two individual ties above that.
Jami takes one of the silk straps and secures it behind the headboard. He fastens the other part of the material to the other side of the headboard.
My breath is rushed but even. The suspense is erotic and intoxicating.
