Page 80 of The Sound in Silence

I yank on both strings on my hips until my bikini bottoms drop open, baring my pussy to his gaze. Hishungrygaze.

“Cazza. Bellissimo.”

Words unfamiliar to me but based on the reverence in his tone, I think I appreciate them.

“Sarai la mia morte.”

Again. I tilt my head, needing him to translate.

“Sirena, you will be my death. I don’t think I’ve wanted a woman as much as I do you.”

His simple statement, whether truthful or not, pushes aside the darkness that constantly encourages me to go beneath the waves. I won’t allow it to consume me today. I’ll win. I’ll be whoIwant to be.

“Ariella, as much as I’d love to fuck you right here and now, I really want you in our bed.”

I nod, glancing around the backyard. With his role, anyone can stumble out here, something I didn’t really consider when I started stripping. In one swoop, he has me in his arms, one beneath my ass, the other around my back. He turns for the door as he take my mouth again, his kiss tasting a bit different than the others.

Tinged with hope.

We somehow make it to the bedroom without falling, and he drops me immediately on the bed. I bounce to a stop and pull him overtop me. He follows, his fingers crawling up my stomach until I remove his hand, pinning it to the bed. Then I push him to the side, until he’s on his back and I’m climbing overtop him, my pussy sliding against his bare skin.

He clasps my hips, but as fast as he grabs me, I stop him with a smirk and a playful shake of my head before pinning his wrists to the pillow beside his head.

Leave those there,I mouth.

He fists the pillow case as I lean down to kiss him, rocking my body against him until I feel his erection beneath me. It’s incredibly erotic for him to still be wearing shorts while I’m naked over him.

He hisses, his grip tightening, and my eyes flick up. A wariness builds that he’ll move them, that he won’t want me like this, that he’ll take over. And then his hands move an inch before stopping again and I freeze, watching him.

“I’m yours to control, Ariella. If you want me to leave my hands here, I will, I promise.” He pauses, his tongue dabbing the corner of his lip. “I have an idea that you don’t have to agree to, but I think it’ll help us both.”

This is it, idiot. You ruined a good thing. You—

Stop!

The voices must stop.

I slide off him, nodding for him to go ahead. He stands from the bed and disappears into the closet, rifling around for only a moment before returning, a black rope hanging from his hand.

No.My right hand curls around my opposite wrist. Being quiet doesn’t mean I’m completely innocent, and while I’ve never been tied up before, there’s a reason for it.

He spots my instant guard and rapidly shakes his head. “Fuck, no, Ariella. This isn’t for you. I told you, I wouldn’t do anything to you that you don’t want.”

He did. But I suppose fears and instinct arise regardless.

He approaches the bed again and pulls my arms from one another, until he’s also sliding me from the bed. He hands me the rope. It’s softer than I would have assumed.

“We don’t have to,” he repeats. “I promise I’ll control myself, but I wantyouto completely enjoy this, and constantly checking if I’m moving or not might take you out of the experience. Having more control might give you a bit more comfort. I’m yours, Ariella, however you need me.”

I’m yours. That’s what’s repeated in my head over and over as I nod, glancing around the room, annoyed I’ve left my phone outside.

Reading me, he understands immediately what I need, and reaches into the back pocket of his shorts for his phone. There’s no password anymore and unlocks immediately, almost like he removed the code for this purpose.

I try not to focus on that.

You once said you enjoy giving up control in the bedroom but I never would have thought being restrained is your thing.

I expect him to smirk, to tease me for asking, but he merely tips my chin up to better see my face. “Honest truth: it’s been a long time since someone has, but it’s enjoyable. Iwantyou to be free to explore me however you wish to. I’m laying myself in your hands. Tell me what to do,la mia sirena.”

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