In a Bind (Plaything #3) - Tess Oliver

Table of Contents Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three

IN A BIND Plaything #3

TESS OLIVER

C o nte nts Plaything Series Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Role Play More from Tess Oliver Hot Buttered Rum Sneak Peek Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 About the Author

IN A BIND Copyright© 2017 by Tess Oliver

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. All Rights are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

In a Bind is Book #3 in Tess Oliver's new, insanely hot, 'Plaything' series. If you enjoy quick, super sexy escapes with irresistible alpha males this series is for you! Don’t miss Easy Come (Book 1) and Sweet Spot (Book 2) ~Now Available

Chapter One ZANE

A idan sat up in the passenger seat with a yawn that could rival that of a male lion

out on the savanna. The car waddled back and forth with his weight as he adjusted the seat upright. "Did you have a nice nap? By the way, you snore like a fucking bear. Couldn't even hear my music through the clamor." "I don't snore." Aidan reached between his feet and picked up the bag of potato chips he'd been devouring before he dozed off. "Are we almost there? I'm hungry as that snoring bear. There better be some good food at this weekend house party. And good drinks. And hot women." "If you're done with your wish list . . ." I pointed up the road to an ornate pair of tall iron gates. "According to my phone, we've arrived." Carter Bonneville was one of our biggest investors. Without him, Plaything would never have gotten off the ground. I had met him at a business dinner and somehow managed to woo him into taking a chance on the company. It had paid off for him. Not that he needed any more. He was the sole heir to the Bonneville fortune, a fortune that had been around since the nineteenth century. The Bonnevilles had been into everything from railroads to oil and even real estate. According to Carter, all his ancestors had been born with the Midas touch. Everything they invested in turned to gold. Carter was no exception. After listening to my pitch, he invested a good pile of his money, money which seemed to have been filled with that mythical Bonneville magic. This weekend Carter was celebrating his sixtieth birthday at his three hundred acre ranch. We'd all been looking forward to the party. I pulled up to the intercom and gave my name. The gates swung open in dramatic fashion. Aidan stared up at the gates that were at least fifteen feet tall. "Just like the fucking pearly gates leading to heaven." I laughed. "And that's how they got the phrase 'richer than God'." I drove my Audi up the long, endless driveway, assuming that somewhere at the end of the journey there would be an actual house. As long as the driveway was, every bit of it was lined with blooming purple Jacarandas. Part of the way up, white fencing that

seemed to stretch halfway around the world came into view. I pushed my sunglasses up on my head. "We must be getting closer." "When are the others coming?" "Trey said he and Georgie will be up later this afternoon. Chase wasn't sure if he and Macy were going to make it at all. The grand opening for her bakery is next weekend, and he was going to help her set things up." Aidan shook his head. "I still can't believe Chase settled down enough to date one woman. And Trey—shit—something tells me he'll be proposing to Georgie by Christmas. Guess that just leaves you and me to keep the rest of the women on the planet satisfied. Or at least the single women at this party." "Yeah, well Carter has been hinting at me to ask out his daughter Mindy. He thinks we'd make a great couple. She'll be here for the party." Aidan shifted in his seat to look at me, and the car moved side to side. "Shit, guess your weekend won't be fun after all. Have you met her?" "Once, at a cocktail party. She's pretty but she's one of those typical socialites, snobby and dull. No spunk. Not my type at all." "Exactly what is your type?" I thought about the question. No clear answer came. "I'm not completely sure, but I'll know it when I see it. Or her, I should say." The mansion came into view. It was just as we'd expected, massive and imposing with a touch of country and a whole lot of elegance. Expensive cars and limos had already filled the parking area. Aidan looked over at me. "Lucky for you, it's a big place. Maybe you can avoid her. And there's always the real possibility that she won't like you anyhow. You're not exactly a lady killer. Then you won't have to worry about it." "Thanks. And you guys call me the team asshole."

Chapter Two ZANE

A idan and I had been shown to one of the guest cottages on the ranch to put down

our things. Aidan had then headed straight to the buffet table which was set up in the patio area. From the glimpse I'd gotten of the spread and the bar set up, it seemed Aidan's first two wishes had already come true. And the longer glimpse I'd gotten of the pool area, which was filled with bikinis, the third thing on his list was just around the corner and through the pool gate. I had decided to find Carter to wish him a happy birthday and thank him for inviting us. I headed up the stairs to the second floor sitting room where Carter was busy greeting a few guests. He looked up from a conversation as I walked in. "Zane, you made it." He quickly introduced me to a few of his friends and then they headed off for the buffet. Carter had those kind of impressive eyebrows that took up half his forehead and let you know quickly if he was angry or happy. They were dancing with glee at the moment. He handed me a glass of scotch without asking if I wanted it. Who was I to turn down what was probably a thousand dollar scotch? "Where are the others?" "Aidan decided to get an early start on eating his way to oblivion, and Trey will be up later with his girlfriend. Still waiting to hear whether or not Chase will make it." "Did you get settled into a cottage?" "We did and thank you for inviting us. Happy birthday." I lifted my glass in a toast and took a drink. "Daddy," a woman's voice said from behind. "The caterer—" Mindy stopped and smiled as I turned around. She had that princess look, blonde hair and blue eyes with rosy pink lips to top it off. "Zane, you remember my daughter, Mindy." "Of course, nice to see you again." "And you," she said and then turned to her dad. "That caterer is such a simpleton. I specifically asked for sixty fondant flowers on the cake, one for each year. I counted them twice. He is off by two."

And there it was, the reason I knew she wasn't my type. I'd grown up thinking that birthday cakes were a day old, store bought cupcake, made special by having a candle shoved inside of it. Mindy was from old money. She would never understand the real world. "Sweetheart, I'm sure he can add two more flowers." Carter used a placating tone that someone might use for a six-year-old but not for a twenty something woman. He elbowed me with a laugh. "Or I can just pretend I'm only fifty-eight. Never thought I'd long to be in my fifties." "I'll go ask him to make more. It was very nice seeing you again, Zane." Mindy added in some extra eyelash fluttering. She hopped up and kissed her dad on the cheek. "You can't stay holed up here all day, Daddy. Your guests are waiting. Oh, and I've told Toby to get some of the horses ready. A few of the guests want to take a ride." She turned and walked out. "Mindy has stepped into her mother's shoes so well. She takes care of all the social activities and runs the household." Carter's wife had died of cancer five years earlier. He'd always talked fondly of her. Carter glanced toward the door to see that Mindy was gone and leaned closer. "She was looking forward to you being here, Zane. I think you two might hit it off. I noticed she made sure to put your place card next to hers on the dining room table." I forced a smile. "Yes, about that, sir, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to mix business and pleasure. Not that kind of pleasure, of course. I mean the kind where —" My stupid ramblings were cut off by the loud rumble of a motorcycle. It drew Carter away from our conversation. His extra big eyebrows clenched together in question. Without another word, he walked out onto the balcony. I followed him. We both stared down at the driveway where a motorcyclist, clad in black leather and a tinted black helmet had just pulled up to the front steps. Naturally, the cool motorcycle rider had a pretty girl clinging to him from behind, as if it was some kind of prerequisite for a guy on a fast bike to have a hot girl sitting behind him. The rider was covered in expensive protective gear, but the girl was wearing shorts and sandals. The asshole could have at least given her the helmet. He did, however, take it off to let her give him a long kiss. Double asshole. "Do you see all this gray hair?" Carter's voice pulled my attention from the scene below. "I imagine that comes with the territory on your sixtieth," I joked. "Nope. Every gray hair on my head I owe to my youngest." He motioned with his head toward the scene below. I knew Carter had two sons, Brent who handled their investments in Europe and Garrett, who was just a mooch. Carter's words, not mine. And I knew about Mindy, but I had no idea there was a fourth kid. I was about to ask about him when Carter leaned over the balcony and yelled down. "Rainsford, get up here." The kiss ended, and the couple looked up toward the balcony. "I'll be right up,

Dad." I stared down at the scene below, slightly stunned. "Oh, your youngest is the girl." The words just sort of tumbled out. "Of course. Rainsford. We call her Raini. She is my youngest. She's twenty-two, and she is, for lack of a better phrase, my wild child. She's attending college in the city. Taking fine arts," he said with an eye roll. He pointed up at his impressive mop of gray hair. "Every damn gray hair on my head. My eldest son was in the army and fought in the desert, but I never worried about him. He was always solid in his decision making skills. My other son never leaves his video games. It irritates the hell out of me but at least the only thing I have to worry about with him is that his sloth-like existence will give him diabetes. And Mindy, well, she is the perfect angel, the daughter every dad dreams of." Just as he finished his narrative, light footsteps sounded inside the room. We walked in from the balcony. Carter's wild child, Rainsford, was standing in the center of the room, her dark brown hair in a tangled mess and her face pink from the motorcycle ride. Her blue eyes sparkled, and a two inch dimple creased her cheek as she crossed the room to Carter. She gave him a hug and a kiss. "Happy birthday, Daddy. Twenty-nine, right?" Seconds before, Carter had been complaining about her and had called her gruffly up to the house, but it seemed the big shot, cut-throat business tycoon was putty in his youngest daughter's hands. The motorcycle started up out on the front drive. Carter looked down at his daughter as she stepped out of his embrace. "You didn't invite your friend to stay?" She walked over and poured herself a shot of scotch. "What friend?" I, of course, watched with more than a little interest as she dropped her head back, pushed the glass to her lips and shot it down. Aside from long lashes, a button nose with a tiny diamond stud and a great pair of legs, Carter's youngest had a lot more tattoos than one would expect to see on the daughter of an old money billionaire. "The man on the motorcycle. The man I just watched you kiss on the front steps," Carter huffed. "Why would I invite a man I just met an hour ago to my dad's birthday party?" It seemed she had just noticed me standing in the room, which didn't do a helluva lot for my confidence. Carter shook his head. "Oh, I don't know, Raini, maybe because you were kissing him out on the front steps as if you had just married the man." She laughed. It was a fucking awesome laugh. It had a sexy, gritty quality that could make a man tell a lot of jokes or plan a tickle fest just to hear it. She placed the shot glass down on the table. "Well, I wanted to thank him for giving me a ride. Otherwise I'd still be on the highway with my thumb—Oops." She sucked in her bottom lip to stop her words as her dad's formidable brows formed a furry bridge over his angry scowl.

"Rainsford Bonneville, what have I told you about hitchhiking and where the hell is your car?" "It's making a funny sound and that blasted check engine light won't turn off." I had to turn my face so that Carter wouldn't see my smile. It seemed a good time to make an exit, which was my plan until Raini walked over. "You'll have to excuse my dad for not introducing us. He is, after all, the birthday boy and his head is filled with gifts and cake and expensive bourbon." She stuck out her hand. "I'm Raini." "This is Zane Bostwick," Carter interjected. Raini tucked her hair back, exposing a long line of tiny hoops in her ear along with a hidden tattoo, a feather that lined the back of her ear. "You're one of the guys who owns that sex toy company. What's it called?" "Plaything and yes, sensual toys are part of it." I'd learned that if I replaced the word sex with sensual when describing Plaything it sounded less shocking. Even though I was sure Raini wasn't the type to be shocked by anything. Carter, however, preferred not to be reminded. As long as his healthy residual checks came in, he was fine staying out of the details of the business. Raini's eyes reminded me of blue pearls, round and nearly opaque with color. She took the time to look me up and down in the same brazen fashion I'd caught myself doing thousands of times when I met a beautiful woman. The only reason I hadn't done it to Raini was because her dad was standing five feet away, and it might have been pushing his good will just a little too far. Now Raini had beaten me to it. Although, standing on the opposite side, I was feeling a little violated. I wondered briefly if that was how the women felt when I did it to them. Nah. How could that be? Apparently, Raini didn't have a lot of social filters. She reached over and picked up a long strand of my hair. I had worn my hair long for several years, mostly because my copper colored locks had always been an attention grabber with the women. "Is this color real?" Raini asked. It seemed my hair had grabbed her attention too. Just not the kind I was used to. "It was like this when I was born, so I guess it's real." She studied the piece in her fingers. "You're not a ginger. You're a, hmm, a burnt umber." "Raini, for heaven's sake, leave the man's hair alone. Zane, why don't you head out to the buffet. I need a few words alone with my daughter." "Sounds good. Nice to meet you, Raini." I headed down to the bottom floor and out to the patio where most of the guests were standing with their drinks and plates of food. I could see Aidan's dark blond head towering above everyone. He was talking to two women. I waved to him and headed over to the buffet table. Aidan came up behind me holding a new plate. "The lobster salad is fucking awesome. Where have you been?" He piled his plate, his third or fourth, most likely, high with the salad.

"I was upstairs talking to Carter." And then I thought about the last few minutes up in Carter's sitting room. I looked at Aidan. "You know how on the drive up to the house I said I didn't know what type of woman I wanted but that I'd know when I saw her?" "Since it was only twenty minutes ago, I remember." Aidan grabbed a crab puff and shoved it into his mouth. "Why?" he muttered over his food. "Because I think I just saw her."

Chapter Three RA IN I

I 'd worked very hard at avoiding my sister. I'd gone to my room to change and

after some quick greetings with people whose names I barely remembered, I found my brothers for a short conversation and hug. All without one glimpse of Mindy. I'd managed to get through the back patio and out the gate to the path leading to the storage shed only to run into her coming out of the shed with Dad's business partner, Zane, in tow. He was carrying two foldable chairs under each arm while Mindy led the way, her arms completely free to point out the way back to the house. She stopped with an angry fist on hip stance when she saw me. "Raini, there you are." My gaze flitted past her scowl to the man behind her. I was sure I caught him gazing back for a second but then he pretended to be interested in the scenery. He had that cool dark copper coloring that was always so captivating, especially to an artist's eye. He had a light smattering of freckles on his face, but they were mostly camouflaged by the golden brown hue of his skin. The sunlight reflected off of his brown eyes that were flecked with hazel green. He would be fun to paint, I thought briefly, while girding myself for my sister's forthcoming lecture. In fact, with the way he looked in his tight t-shirt and swim trunks, it seemed he would be fun to paint in the nude. Preferably both of us, artist and model. "Raini," Mindy's harsh tone snapped me out of my daydream, "did you hear me? You're a day late. I expected more help from you." She glared at the beach towel under my arm. "Where are you going?" "I thought I'd take a swim." "Good, then while you're at the pool area you can make sure that the guests have everything they need out there." "I'm going to the swimming hole. Didn't you hire like fifty billion people to help out this weekend?" "That's not the point. The guests expect to see us mingling." "No, Mindy, that's only in your head. They've got great food and tons of booze. They could care less whether I'm sitting in on their dull conversations or not." Zane, it seemed, decided it best to keep moving with his load of chairs and let

the sisterly love happen in private. I ignored Mindy's wrath for a second and took the opportunity to get to know the sex toy seller a little better. "Hey, burnt umber." It took him a second to realize I was talking to him. He turned back with his unwieldy load of metal chairs. "I'm going to take a bike ride to the swimming hole. Why don't you join me after you're through moving furniture." A small gurgling sound came from behind, and I swung back to my sister. "Oh, wait, sorry, I didn't realize that something was going on here." I looked back and forth at each of them. "That explains why you have one of the guests carrying chairs around." Mindy's face darkened. She couldn't seem to get the words out, which was unusual for her. I'd struck a nerve. She had struck one too. I never would have pictured the guy with long copper hair and that obvious bad boy eye twinkle as being her type. Guess I underestimated her taste. "There's nothing happening, Raini. Zane is just helping me, which is more than I'm getting from my sister." Zane took that as his cue to move on. I looked back at Mindy. "Sorry, Min, I didn't know." "There's nothing to know. Oh my God," she groaned, "why the heck did Mom think it necessary to have a fourth kid?" She hurried along to catch up to Zane. I turned back down the path and headed into the shed to dig out a bicycle.

Chapter Four ZANE

A idan was having just a little too much fun watching me help Mindy with the

chairs. She had found me almost instantly in the party crowd, one of the hazards of having an unusual hair color. Aidan lifted his drink up as I walked by the massive hot tub where he was sitting with not two but three women. I continued through the pool area, following the boss as she led me through the gate and out on the patio. If carrying chairs was Mindy's idea of flirting, then it was easy to see why she was still single and why her dad was working so hard to match her up with someone. The thing that was especially annoying was that I'd had to ignore her sister's far more appealing invite down to the swimming hole. As I set up the chairs in the location Mindy had pointed out, she got sidetracked by something that was happening in the kitchen. I finished my task and decided to slip out of her reach before she had me doing something extra sexy and flirty like carrying out the garbage. I headed back out to the pool area. Aidan spotted me. "Zane, join us. I'm outnumbered here." "Not right now." I glanced out toward the pastures and acres of green that surrounded the ranch. Raini was just pushing a bicycle out of the shed. I looked back the way I'd just come. There was no sight of Mindy. I was pissed that I would have to worry about angering her now, which, in turn, would anger her dad. I hadn't wanted any part of this, but somehow I was stuck in it. My gaze shot across the grass again. To hell with it. I headed out the back gate of the pool area and hurried along the path leading to the shed. Raini was just throwing her long leg over the bicycle when I got within shouting distance. "Raini!" I called. She looked up. She had braided her long dark hair back, showing off the feathery tattoo running behind her ear and along her neck. It stopped at the hollow near the base of her throat. I ran to catch up to her. She looked past me, I supposed to see if Mindy was

behind. "I don't need any more grief from my sister, so if you have something going on with her—" "I don't. I mean your dad was sort of hoping for us to get together." When she tilted her head, it only added to how cute she looked. "You're not helping your case. I don't need any grief from him either." I shrugged. "All right. I got the impression you were a little more rebellious and daring than that, but you're right, I don't want your dad and sister to be angry with you." I turned around casually, but I was totally disappointed. Just like Aidan had joked, my weekend was fucked. "There's a gray bike inside the shed," she called to me. I turned back. "It's my brother's, so it should fit you." She lifted her foot to the pedal. "Hurry up." I raced into the shed and found the gray bike. I had to knock the cobwebs off the handlebars, but at least the tires weren't flat from lack of use. I pushed it out of the shed. Raini was standing over her bike, pedaling and giving me a nice fucking show as her ass wiggled with each shift from side to side. I hopped on the bike and took off, working hard to catch up to her. The thick grass didn't make that easy. I pulled up beside her panting and puffing. She laughed as she looked back behind us. "Just checking to see if you're dragging a wagonload of bricks or something." I finally caught my breath. "You had a head start." "Uh huh, thought I'd give you a nice view of my ass. Did you enjoy it?" "Not going to lie. I did. I enjoyed it." There was nothing coy about Rainsford Bonneville, and I liked that about her, among other things, including the nice ass. We rolled down a small hill and reached a dirt path that looked as if it was a trail used by trucks and horses on the ranch. "How far is the swimming hole?" "Why? Are you tired?" "Nope. Just making conversation." "It's just up ahead." She took off along the dirt, once again standing over the pedals to go faster and provide me with that same nice view. This time I pictured that same ass as I bent her over the front of my desk. Something told me she was the type of woman who would be up for an office lunch break fuck. I managed to make my own ride that much more strenuous by adding an erection into the mix. Raini squealed as her bike rolled over the top of a ridge and disappeared below in a cloud of dust. I pumped hard to catch up to her, worried that she had fallen or dropped over a precarious edge. I reached the ridge and stared down as Raini raced down at top speed with her legs out to the sides and the bike handlebars wobbling in her hands. I could hear her laughter all the way down. I took off over the ridge and torpedoed down after her. I felt like a coward after squeezing the brakes several times to slow down the descent. Raini's long, dark braid, swung back and forth like a pendulum across the green fabric on the back of her shirt as she pedaled toward a copse of trees. The musty smell of shade covered water wafted through the spindly branches of the oak trees.

Raini disappeared into the trees and I followed. In the center of a clearing, surrounded mostly by shrubs and trees, sat an oval shaped pond. I stopped my bike next to hers. "It's a far cry from your dad's crystal blue pool, but I like the fact that this one isn't filled with people." "That's my favorite part too." She reached down and lifted off her t-shirt, revealing the bright blue bikini underneath. She had a nice top half to go with the amazing ass. She pushed her sandals off and wiggled out of her shorts. I watched the entire display with keen interest. "Are you just going to stand there and watch me, or are you coming in?" she walked carefully over the rough ground toward the water. "I was thinking about just watching. But it is getting pretty hot out." I reached back to pull off my shirt. I heard a splash before I had it over my head. Concentric circles billowed out from where Raini had dunked under. The water was made opaque by the shade from the tree canopy, but I could see her long body moving lithely along below the surface. Then her perfect bottom bubbled up above the water for a second as she dove deeper and disappeared. I waded in, pushed off the muddy bottom and floated to the middle. I looked around for Raini. She surfaced just a few inches in front of me. Her long lashes clumped together in dark, wet spikes, highlighting the pearly blue color of her eyes. Up close, I could see a light spray of freckles across her nose, which made her look even younger than twenty-two. "I like this." She ran her finger along the t-rex skeleton tattoo I had on my right pec. It was just the tip of her finger, but I found myself holding my breath until she pulled it away. Her eyes glittered as she caught my profound reaction to her touch. I wasn't sure how the hell it had happened, but somehow, she had taken control of this whole thing. It was supposed to be me causing her to lose her breath with a casual touch or a bold raking gaze, but she was spinning this thing to her side. I wasn't completely sure how to handle it, but something inside of me wanted badly to gain back that control. Raini's feet popped up as she floated onto her back, making sure that her breasts poked erotically above the surface of the water. "So, I suppose my dad was telling you about his out of control daughter and how I caused him all his gray hair." I swam along next to her. "He might have mentioned it." She laughed. "He does like to exaggerate." "Well, in his defense, you did arrive at the ranch on the back of a motorcycle, behind, as you noted, a stranger, who I have no doubt is telling all his beer drinking buddies about getting the best thank you tip ever from a hitchhiker." She pushed her feet down. "If you think that's the best tip ever, then you should talk to the truck driver who drove me the first fifty miles of the journey." I stared at her, trying hard not to show any judgment. Apparently, I wasn't trying hard enough. She splashed my face. "Gotcha. Now I know two things about you. You're lined

up to date my sister, and you are a little gullible. Or maybe you were just hoping that I wasn't teasing, which would mean I'm that loose and you'd hardly have to whisper my direction to get into my panties." "First of all, I'm not lined up to date Mindy. And secondly, I'm not gullible. As I mentioned earlier, I did watch you kiss a complete stranger on the front steps of the house. And it didn't look like a chaste kiss." "No?" she blinked her wet lashes for effect. "I thought it was very chaste. But maybe we have different definitions for the word. Although, knowing that you are a sex toy salesman and all . . ." "You know something? You're kind of irritating. Cute but irritating. Think I'll head back." Holy shit, I was feeling like an idiot. How the hell did that happen? I was the team asshole, yet the sweet faced woman in the water had just stomped over me like I was a frail fucking daisy in a field. I hated that as much as it was fucking making me want nothing more than to bend her over my lap for a welldeserved spanking. And that notion led me right back to a damn erection. Not wanting to reveal the obvious, I slowed my pace in the water to let my cock think twice about the whole situation. "No, don't go," she called. "I'm sorry for being irritating. It's kind of my thing. Just ask my siblings." I waded out of the water. "I need to get back to the party anyhow." I heard the water move behind me as she followed me out. I picked up my shirt and realized that it was my only towel. I patted my chest dry with it, working my hardest to pretend that there wasn't a hot, bikini clad and completely aggravating woman standing behind me. "Do you want to borrow a towel?" she asked. Her tone had softened and it seemed the sweeter, gentler Raini had arrived. I turned to look at her just in time to see her untie the string on her bathing suit. The strings dropped and her nipples pointed my direction as she reached behind her back to untie the rest of the top. "The towel is on my bike," she said airily as she pushed the bottom of her bikini off, revealing a Brazilian wax job that was going to invade my dreams tonight. She was good. I was supposed to be one of the notorious playboy owners of the Plaything company, but instead of playing the part of the playboy, I was being played. I ignored the raging pulse that was making its way from my chest to my cock and pulled on my shirt as if she wasn't standing stark naked in front of me. She wrung out her suit and turned around to the pile of clothes she'd left on the ground. There was a delicate spray of stars running down her back and along her hip. A neatly drawn rose tattoo finished the piece of art on the smooth white cheek of her ass. She leaned down to pick up the clothes, giving me a first class view of everything. "Fuck," the word rumbled up from my throat. "Did you say something?" She pulled on her shorts and turned around, still topless and pretending that her nipples pointing at me was no big deal. Of course, it

probably wasn't to her. But it was a plenty big deal to me. Suddenly, I was feeling like a horny teenager who just got his first glimpse of a naked woman. I almost had to mentally leave my body not to feel the physical reaction I was having to her. I wasn't going to let her win this round. "I didn't say a word." I walked casually back to the bike or at least I tried to look casual. My jaw was clenched like a steel trap, and my cock was throbbing like she had wrapped her lips around it. No fucking wonder Carter had gray hair.

Chapter Five RA IN I

I rode to catch up to Zane. I had no idea why I'd decided to tease him so badly. At first I'd considered that I was subconsciously doing it just to piss off Mindy, but now that he was riding ahead of me with his shoulders and jaw tense with anger, I was feeling bad. "So what part do you play in the company?" I decided to make small talk and hopefully repair some of the damage I'd done. "You mean other than sell sex toys?" "No, I know that's not what you do. I'm sorry about being so flippant. My dad tells me I inherited my lack of tact from my mom. She was always a tell it like it is kind of person." My voice trailed off as I thought about riding the same bike path with my mom the summer before she died. We had been the best of friends. I was always much closer to her than to Mindy. Zane stopped hyper concentrating on the road in front of him and finally looked my direction. I loved his face. It was the kind of face that just drew you in. "I guess you were pretty young when you lost her." "She died just three days after my seventeenth birthday. It was like someone took my lifeline, the thing I always held onto when I was happy or sad or distraught, and just cut it in half. I was completely lost without her. Dad did the best he could, but it wasn't the same." "That must have been hard. I lost my dad when I was just four." "Wow, that's terrible." "Not as bad as losing a parent at seventeen. I was just too young to understand what had happened. He was there one minute, helping me learn to ride a bike, and the next, he was gone. The concept of death was still so foreign to me, I couldn't quite figure out that it was forever. For a long time, I kept expecting him to just walk in one night and drop his metal lunch pail on the counter like he had every other night before that." We turned to ride across the grassy knoll leading back to the ranch. "Marketing. That's what I do for the company. I'm in charge of marketing. Your dad says you're studying art."

I laughed. "Let me guess, he said it with an eye roll." Zane glanced over at me. "You know your dad pretty well." "I do." We reached the storage shed and walked the bikes inside. I wasn't sure if I'd done permanent damage to our very short friendship with my earlier teasing but I hoped not. I wasn't sure why I felt that way. "Well, thanks for inviting me along for the swim." Even though the earlier snarky conversation had turned to a more thoughtful dialogue on the ride home, Zane's voice was still a little distant. I'd managed to turn him off completely. And while my earlier invite might partly have been to piss off Mindy and partly an attempt to make this weekend less boring, now I was feeling disappointed that I'd blown it with him so quickly. We walked back to the party that was still going full swing on the patio and in the pool area. The midday sun was pouring down on the ranch, and the guests probably wouldn't head inside for hours. As much as I always hated to give too much credit or compliments to my sister, she'd done a spectacular job setting up the weekend. Dad would remember it for a long time. A nice looking couple was standing at the outer edges of the patio area with their plates of food. The man, a guy who fit the tall, dark and handsome cliché perfectly, lifted his sunglasses to reveal a nice pair of hazel eyes. "There you are. Where did you run off to?" "We were on a bike ride," Zane explained. "Trey, Georgie, this is Carter's daughter Raini." Trey's face shot toward me as if my name had triggered the sudden interest. My dad had, no doubt, told him stories about me. "Raini, of course, your dad talks about you all the time." "Well, believe everything he says," I quipped. "Unfortunately, it's all true. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to shower and make the rounds or my sister will have me sitting at the kid's table during the birthday dinner. It was nice meeting you, Georgie. Love the name." "You too," she replied. I meandered across the patio but stopped briefly to glance back at the man with the copper red hair. He seemed to sense I was looking his direction. Our eyes locked through the crowd for a long moment and then I headed inside.

Chapter Six ZANE

T rey and Georgie had decided to take a walk around the grounds and so they

walked along with me as I headed toward the guest cottages. "I was wondering if we'd ever get to meet the elusive Rainsford," Trey said. "She's cute." I glanced his way. "I wonder why he told you about her but I didn't even know he had a fourth kid." Trey shrugged. "I'm a better listener." "No you're not." "Yep. I am." "If you were on a bike ride," Georgie interrupted our usual third grade banter, "why is your hair wet?" I nodded at her. "Always the investigative journalist, Georgie. We stopped for a swim at a swimming hole." "Did you?" Trey asked. It was only a two word question, but there was a whole lot of inquiry behind it. "I did." I decided to counter his leading two word question with a 'let's end it right here' two word answer. But my buddy Trey wasn't into ending things abruptly. "Carter has told me a few pretty wild stories about his youngest daughter," Trey went on. I decided to ignore the bait, but Georgie with her constantly inquiring mind grabbed right on. "Really? What kind of wild stories could he possibly tell about her?" Georgie asked. "She looks like a sweet, savvy girl who knows her mind." "Oh, she definitely knows her own mind. When she was eighteen, she disappeared for a few months, telling her dad she was going on a road trip before college. He eventually had to hire a private investigator to find her. She was shacked up with the president of a motorcycle club and working as a tattoo artist. Fucking hilarious. She has an eleven digit trust fund and she was drawing tattoos for MC club members. She refused to come home, so he hired the PI full-time just to make sure nothing happened to her. Eventually the shine of being part of an MC

club wore off, and she came back home. But in between that time and now, she's been on some pretty wild rides. At least according to Carter." "Sounds like she just wanted to have some fun," Georgie commented. Trey laughed. "Guess we both have different ideas of fun then." He looked over at me. "You're awfully quiet considering—well, considering you're Zane, a man who has many opinions and is never afraid to blurt them out." "Maybe I just have no opinion on this subject because it doesn't hold much interest." "Right." The problem with having a business partner who you've known since elementary school is that they can see right through bullshit. But Trey wisely didn't continue with his questioning. He did, however, feel the need to add more about Raini, which was probably a subtle way of letting me know that he was on to me. "Last time Carter mentioned his daughter in a conversation, he said he doubted she would ever find the right man. He knew exactly the kind of person she needed too. Someone who could tame her without smothering that wild spirit that makes her so special. He is obviously crazy about her. Other dads might have already thrown up their hands in surrender." Trey turned his head my direction. "Which of course makes it extra difficult for any prospective suitor because they'd have to win over Daddy as well." We reached the cottages. "Are you finished with your narrative because I need to take a shower so I can get back to the party and mingle." Trey nodded sharply. "All done." "Great, I'll see you guys later." I had pretended not to listen to the gritty details, working hard to convince both Trey and myself that they held no interest for me. I figured I just needed to get through the weekend and then I'd never see Raini again and she'd be out of my head for good. Or at least that was my plan. I walked inside the cottage, only to discover that Aidan was having a royal makeout session with someone on his side of the room. "Get out," he yelled. "Uh. We both packed neckties for dinner, you could have hung one on the door for warning." "This isn't a fucking frat house." His grunt was followed by a feminine moan. "I'm taking a shower," I said. "Just pretend I'm not here. That's what I'm pretending to do." I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door. Then I leaned back against the door and shut my eyes and tried to erase the image of Raini standing naked on the bank of the pond. But it was there, clear and concise, as if it had been etched there in permanent marker.

Chapter Seven RA IN I

I t might just have been the unusual color of his long, thick hair or the way he

entered a room with that kick of confidence most people would die for, but my eyes went straight to Zane when he walked into the billiard room. My brother Garrett had tired of the rest of the partygoers and had started a pool tournament in Dad's game room. Since I'd been tired of the partygoers long before I'd even reached the ranch, I joined them. As much as I wanted to think that Zane had wandered into the game room in hopes of seeing me, the surprised look that overtook him when he saw me sitting on the arm of the couch assured me he had entered the room hoping to join in on a game of pool. I wasn't sure why the heck I cared that it was the latter but I did. Jason, Garrett's best friend since school, walked over. "Raini rain, whatcha been up to?" He picked me up off the arm of the couch. He dropped me over his shoulder, even through my squeals of protest, and told everyone that if they rubbed my butt they'd have good luck. I lifted my hand to wave off the few guys who had stepped forward. "Think again. You'll need that good luck because after this butthead puts me down, I'm going to break your arms." They smartly backed off, and Jason dropped my feet to the ground. I pounded his shoulder with my fist. "Ouch. You got stronger." He rubbed his arm as he plopped down on the couch. As I headed over to where Zane had positioned himself for a good view of the game, I silently asked myself why the heck I was bothering. He was obviously not interested. And then I assured myself that was exactly why it was bothering me. I stopped next to him but didn't say a word. We stood in silence, shoulder to shoulder for a good long minute. Zane finally spoke up. "So is it true about rubbing your ass for good luck?" It wasn't exactly the ice breaker I was expecting, but I had to give him points for being unique. "There's only one way to find out." I turned my back toward him. He looked down at my ass and shrugged. "I'm not in the game right now. I don't

want to waste a good luck rub." It seemed he'd come back from the bike ride and decided to put on some invisible armor. He was much more cool headed as if he had figured me out and was now prepared to meet me head on. Naturally, that made me want to ratchet up the teasing game I'd found myself in with the man. "Suit yourself but I don't offer the chance often." Garrett's friend, Abel, missed a shot and surveyed the room for me. "Hey, Raini, I need to rub that ass. My game is shit today." Zane looked at me from the side of his eye to gauge my reaction. I was up for the challenge. I sashayed across the room, eliciting a lot of loud whistles as I went. I stopped in front of Abel, who was redder than he’d been a few seconds before. His brown eyes were wide with shock as I winked up at him. I turned to the table and pressed my hands against the edge, as I stuck my bottom out toward Abel. My gaze fell directly on Zane, who worked hard not to show any reaction at all. Abel gave my bottom a rub and a pat. "For fucksake, Raini," Garrett complained between gulps of beer. "You're distracting the players. Get out of here." "Good luck, Abel," I quipped as I walked back across the room. This time I didn't stop next to Zane because he seemed to be expecting it. I walked to the wet bar and pulled a water bottle out of the refrigerator. I turned around and found Zane standing at the bar. He placed his bottle of beer on the counter and turned it around in his fingers. "So these are your brother's friends?" "Grew up with most of them." I placed the water against my lips and dropped my head back for a long drink. I drank with hard swallows mostly to get his attention. It worked. He leaned his arm up on the bar, and I found myself staring at that arm, wondering just how strong it would feel wrapped around me. "How many of them have you slept with?" I blinked hard to fight the sting his words had left me with. Anyone else and I would have just said fuck off and walked away, but I wasn't ready to do that. We'd fallen into a competition of sorts, a game where each player was working hard to shock the other into defeat. But I was never one to slip easily into defeat. His question had hurt me, but that only made me fight harder. I was struggling to figure out my opponent, which only made the challenge that much more intriguing. I reached for an orange slice that was sitting in the tray of drink toppers on the bar. I made sure to suck on it with a flourish, ending the whole scene with a thorough tongue lick on my bottom lip. Zane watched with keen interest. Point for my side. "Would you be disappointed if I said all of them?" He stared at me, trying, it seemed, to assess if I was telling the truth or not. Then he shrugged. "Just curious." My whistle startled him and stopped the conversation and game. Everyone

turned my direction. Garrett looked ready to throw the pool cue at me like a javelin. "Show of hands," I started, "how many of the guys in this room have fucked me?" The guys looked around at each other, making a point of not making eye contact with Garrett. No hands went up because I had never slept with any of my brother's friends. Not that a few of them hadn’t given it the old college try to get into my pants, but none of them were my type. And I was still on the fence about the guy standing at the bar. He might just be my type, or he might just be the last thing I ever needed. "Carry on, dorks." I grabbed another orange slice and walked around to the front of the bar to stand next to Zane. "There's your answer. Disappointed?" He shook his head once and took another drink of his beer. I pushed the orange slice between my lips. "Hmm, these oranges are good. Would you like a taste?" He reached for the condiment tray, but on his way, I hopped up and planted a kiss on his mouth. I ran my tongue along his lip before dropping back to my feet. His hazel brown eyes flickered with something that was hard to read. His chest heaved with a deep, steadying breath. I had either pissed him off royally or I'd just sent some major heat to his groin. "Tasty, right?" I headed out of the room with an exaggerated sway of my hips. I had walked out with confidence but didn't get more than three steps out of the game room when I realized that my lips were still on fire from the short kiss.

Chapter Eight ZANE

I could have just lied to myself and pretended that the kiss hadn't left me standing

for five minutes like a stunned fool. But it would still have been a lie. I wasn't sure exactly when the turning point had happened, when this had turned into a game, but I was highly competitive and I wasn't planning on losing to a sassy, smart ass twenty-two-year-old. I needed to regroup and figure out my next move. Trey and Georgie had decided to head to the theater room where people were gathered to watch the original version of Psycho. Since I'd never seen the flick on the big screen and since I needed some time to devise a plan, I decided to head in and join them. Carter's home theater was big enough to house fifty people. There were eight rows of plush recliners lined up in the room. There was even a popcorn maker and drink bar on the far side of the room. The sounds system and screen rivaled any commercial theater. The movie had just started and the room was dark. Trey's tall head was in the second row, but his arm was curled around Georgie's shoulders. I decided not to sit next to them and break up the movie date. The last row was empty. I scooted through to the center seat and sat down. The row in front of me was filled with several of the guys who had been playing pool. I had no idea what had prompted me to ask Raini the totally rude and none of my business question about her brother's friends. I suppose it was just my way of keeping on top of things. She kept getting the upper hand on me, and it was driving me fucking nuts. But then she showed me. Instead of telling me to drop dead or slapping my face, something I deserved, she showed me up by not only acting unfazed but by embarrassing me in front of the guys in the room. Then she topped it off with the unexpected kiss and that was it. I knew I needed to be more on my toes. She was good. Really good. I leaned back and just started getting into the movie when the door opened. Light poured in and then the door shut, bathing the room in darkness again. I was still staring straight up at the screen when someone plopped into the chair next to me. I looked over at Raini.

"Oh, was this seat taken?" "Nope. Be my guest." "Oh wait, I'm going to need some popcorn." She stood up and moved to stand right between my legs. She was a pro. I made a point of taking in every inch of her body, which was wrapped nicely in a pair of short shorts and a midriff top. The tattoos trailing along her side and disappearing below the top of her shorts were begging to be touched, and possibly even licked, but I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind. "Do you want some popcorn?" "No thanks." I forced a polite smile, which was the only way I could keep from grabbing her into my lap and kissing her. She slipped past me and scurried over to the popcorn cart. She filled a bag and as she walked past her brother's friends, one of them reached for her. "Sit here, Raini, and share that popcorn." She ducked out of reach and sent several kernels of popcorn to the ground. "Get your own bag. Besides, I'm sitting back here with my new friend, who doesn't know it yet but he's secretly in love with me." My face flashed her direction, and a few of the guys in front of me turned back to check out the sucker in the back row. Seemingly pleased that she'd again earned a point, she sat down next to me. Then climbed up on her knees on the large cushiony chair and faced me. I stared straight ahead at the screen. She shoved the popcorn bag in front of my face. "Want some?" I shook my head and continued to watch the movie with feigned interest. "I don't mind the shower scene, but I hate the screechy music that goes with it." She mimicked the infamous scene and added in sound effects. Someone up front shushed her, but she ignored it. I leaned my head closer to talk quietly, only to find myself temporarily stunned by the fragrance of her hair. It took me a second to stop thinking about pressing my face into her hair as I fucked her from behind. "Do you always talk in a theater?" "Only ones where my date is more interesting than the movie." She attempted to whisper, which was an altogether cute and sexy sound. Of course. She sat forward with her bag of popcorn and stretched her suntanned legs out in front of her, crossing them at the ankles. I leaned my head her direction again. "I'm not your date. You sat here, remember?" "Do you want me to move?" "You're free to sit anywhere you want." The truth was, I wanted her to stay right there next to me, even if she was going to talk through the whole movie. Which, apparently, she planned to do. She leaned her arm on the rest between us. "So when do you think you'll give me a proper kiss." I looked over at her. After lobbing that zinger my direction, she pretended to suddenly be interested in the movie. "First of all, there is nothing proper about my

kisses, and secondly, who said I had any plans to kiss you?" She rocked her thin shoulders up and down. "Just a hunch since you're always looking at me when we're in the same room. In fact, I think I know why you keep watching me." I had no idea where this was leading. She was playing games again, and I needed to get ahead of her next move. "I'm watching you and thinking is she really twenty-two? She seems more like sixteen or seventeen." I knew my words had stung, but I waited for her response with my guard up. "Nope." She moved her mouth right next to my ear, and as her warm breath brushed over my skin, my cock stirred to life. That was all it took from her, I thought with annoyance. A breath. Fragrant hair shampoo. Fuck. "I can see those dirty thought bubbles over your head when you're looking at me," she whispered. "You're thinking, I wonder if she likes it gentle and slow, or fast and furious, or if she just likes to be fucked six ways to Sunday, in every way and every place imaginable." She sat back and let me absorb the impact of her statement for a minute. The she leaned her head toward mine. "By the way—it's the last one." The door to the theater opened as she leaned back again. I tried to regain my composure and erase the raging erection she'd just summoned with her words. Raini hopped up suddenly. "Mindy, take this seat. I'm just on my way out." Her sister looked more than a little irritated when she saw who was sitting next to Raini, but she was happy to take her sister's place. It took all my willpower not to watch Raini walk out.

Chapter Nine RA IN I

C risp suits and neckties weren't normally my thing but the man cleaned up

spectacularly. Even his long copper hair didn't take away from the sharp, allbusiness look he was sporting for the birthday dinner. Something else that wasn't normally my thing was wasting any time on getting ready or dressing for a party. But for this occasion, I had spent a silly amount of time picking out just the right dress, my skin tight, bright blue cocktail dress that was somehow much shorter than I remembered. I'd even taken the time to pin back strands of my hair with glittering rhinestone clips and plaster on an inordinate amount of pink lipstick. Two fussy things I never bothered to do. But my extra effort in getting ready had nothing to do with looking right for the dinner. In fact, I was certain the length of my dress or lack thereof would earn the usual eye roll from Dad and Mindy. My unusual ministrations to my appearance were performed with one goal in mind— drive Zane nuts. And with the way his gaze had whipped my direction the second I walked into the dining room, I was sure my goal had been reached. Now if I could just untangle my true motives for wanting to make the man squirm. Mindy had arranged the name cards and made sure to sit Zane at her side. She stuck me on the opposite side of the table, between our Uncle Jack, a man who always smelled so strong of pipe tobacco it made my eyes water and Betty, a woman who had worked for my dad's family for years and had to be closing in on a hundred years old. Well played, sis. One nice thing about my placement was that I was almost directly across from Zane. So catching his gaze was easy, especially when he was working so hard to avoid looking over the table at me. It was a shame Dad's formal dining room table was too wide to play footsies with the guest sitting across the way. As the soup was delivered, I noticed the server on my quadrant of the table was carrying a notepad and pen in his pocket. I tugged on the man's sleeve as he lowered the bowl in front of me. His nametag said, Ronald. "Ronald, would it be possible for me to write a quick note using your pen and paper? This table is so big and I want to ask someone a question without yelling."

The nice server readily handed me his tiny notepad and pen. I placed the notepad on my lap, out of Uncle Jack's view, and hastily scribbled my message. "Did you manage to take care of that hard-on after I left the theater?" I folded the paper several times and handed Ronald back his supplies and the note. "No rush, but when you have time could you deliver this to the man across the way with the long red hair? The one sitting next to Miss Bonneville. Oh, and he might need the pen for a return message." Ronald finished up with the soup delivery. I sipped mine and waited while he delivered my note to Zane. Zane worked extra hard at not letting on to Mindy that he'd just received a note. He worked equally hard not to look my direction. I peered up at him as I blew on my soup and waited for his reaction. He read the note and then folded it back up and shoved it into his coat pocket. When Ronald offered his pen for a response, he waved his hand no. Then Zane went back to his meal and his dinner conversation with my sister. I dropped my spoon into the bowl and sat back in disappointment.

Chapter Ten ZANE

I gnoring her. I'd finally found a tactic that had thrown Raini off her game. It

wasn't as much fun as fighting back with biting sarcasm and shocking retorts, but it sure deflated her enthusiasm for the game. She had spent the remainder of the dinner pretending I was invisible, not even casting a flirty glance or smile my direction. I'd won the dinner round, only I was feeling anything but a winner. I realized I didn't like to see Raini pout. I much preferred the twinkly eyed brat who had been baiting me since we met in her Dad's sitting room. I'd thought a lot about what Trey had mentioned about how Carter didn't think any man would ever be able to tame his daughter while at the same time letting her wild spirit remain free. That statement had somehow become a challenge to me. I wanted to be that person. I just had no fucking clue how to do it. After dinner, I had gone with Trey, Georgie and Aidan to the patio bar to get a drink before we were herded into the bottom floor sitting room to watch a sixtyyear-old man open birthday gifts like a ten-year-old kid. Finding just the right gift for the man who has everything and who can buy anything he doesn't have was close to impossible. At Plaything, we'd decided to buy him a bottle of his favorite scotch and Cuban cigars, which was exactly what half of the other party attendees brought too. Trey, Georgie and I were hovering near the doorway, deciding it would be easier to get back to the patio bar if we were near an exit. Aidan was sitting on the arm of the couch with Carolyn, the woman he'd been hanging out with during dinner. I assumed Carolyn was the woman who’d been in bed with him when I walked into the cottage, but you never knew with Aidan. He might have already moved on to an entirely new interest. All I knew was that he was having a way better time than me this weekend. The rest of the guests had pulled up chairs or found spots on the luxurious carpet to get a better view of the gift opening. Mindy was playing birthday elf, bringing her dad the gifts and keeping control of the wrapping paper. I'd told myself that I wasn't the least bit interested in seeing Raini until she walked in wearing that blue dress that should have had the words "totally

fuckable" printed across her ass because that was what the dress screamed. Especially on her pert and curvy little body. She slipped past us and with a small, flat package under her arm. She took the time to brush my arm with her free hand as she walked by. She added in a quick glimpse my direction before walking across the room to her dad. Carter was in too jovial of a mood to look askance at her short dress, but Mindy made her disapproval clear with a glower. That didn't affect Raini in the least. In fact, I was pretty sure she considered a disapproving glower from her older sister a small victory. I could feel Trey staring at the side of my face. I tried to ignore him. He cleared his throat to get my attention. "What?" I asked curtly because I knew what was coming next. "What? That's exactly right. Just what the hell is going on between you and our super investor's youngest daughter?" I shrugged. "Nothing of interest," I muttered out of the side of my mouth. Everyone in the room had turned their attention to Carter and to the wrapped package Raini had handed him. It didn't look like scotch or cigars. "Bullshit," Trey countered. I looked over at him. Georgie's attention had been pulled away along with everyone elses. I leaned in toward Trey and lowered my voice. "She's been playing me all day. Trying to get a rise out of me in the literal sense. And she's managed it about half a dozen times." Trey cut short his laugh by turning it into a short cough. "Oh, Rainsford." The unexpected hitch in Carter's deep baritone voice pulled our attention to the front of the room where the birthday man sat holding what looked like a picture frame. Carter Bonneville was one of those old big guys who was raised back in the day when boys learned not to show emotion. He was the last person you would expect to see choked up by a gift, but this one had him twisting his mouth in a knot. He looked up at his daughter with wet eyes. "Raini, it's so perfect." He held the picture up for all to see, only it wasn't a picture. It was an intricate, lifelike painting of a woman sitting on a horse. She was wearing a straw cowboy hat, a red bandana and a smile that looked exactly like Raini's. "It's a picture of my beautiful Janice sitting on her favorite horse." Carter's words seemed to stick in his throat. "She's an amazing artist," Georgie whispered our direction. Trey watched me for my reaction. "Stop staring at me. You're creeping me out. Yeah, she's amazing." "So that sweet little thing who just reduced Carter Bonneville to tears has been playing you all day and she's winning?" Trey asked. "Shit, when you say it like that." "Should I remind you that you are Zane Bostwick, one of the Plaything four?" I lowered my voice. "Said the man whose balls are sitting neatly in the tiny

handbag under that woman's arm." I motioned with my head toward Georgie. It caught her attention. "What are you two talking about?" she asked. "Games and balls," Trey responded. Georgie bunched her brows together in confusion. "That makes sense coming from you two." She lifted her empty glass. "I need some more of this wine. It is delicious." Trey followed her out to the bar, but I stayed behind. Carter moved onto the last gift, a bottle of scotch was my guess. I waited for Raini to walk by. I had planned to let her know that the painting was great. But she never walked over. She never approached me. She made a point of talking to anyone else in the room who was curious about the artwork, but her blue eyes never flashed my direction. She was using my own strategy against me, and damn, if it wasn't effective as hell. I wanted nothing more than for her to at least favor me with a glance, even a fleeting one. But she looked in every direction except toward the door where I was standing. I decided to head out to the bar and get another beer. The bartender had filled a lot of fluted glasses with champagne, signaling an end to the long hours of celebration. Most of the guests were still mingling inside. Trey and Georgie had slipped off to the pool side to finish their drinks. As I stood waiting for the bartender to dig through the ice chest for a beer, footsteps sounded next to me. I looked over just as Raini reached the bar. "Excuse me," she said in a cold tone as if we were strangers. She squeezed between me and the bar and reached for a glass of champagne. As she leaned forward, she nestled her bottom squarely against my fly, instantly causing my cock to stand at attention. Her fingers wrapped around the stem of the glass. She took a sip, then walked away, leaving me once again with an erection that was stiff enough to drill through granite.

Chapter Eleven RA IN I

I headed toward the barn. I needed to get away from the crowd and take comfort in

the warm scent of horses and hay. Halfway along the path, I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who was following me. My last move, pressing my ass against him had probably taken things one step too far, but I was still stinging from him ignoring me at dinner. I flicked on the lights inside the stables. Instantly, a chorus of soft sleepy snorts followed. Zane's footsteps sounded determined, even angry, as they pounded the floor of the barn behind me. I continued on toward the office at the end of the line of stalls. My fingers trembled as I reached inside to flick on the lights. The walls were lined with photos and horse show ribbons that Mindy and I had won when we were kids. Zane reached me. He took hold of my arm and pulled me farther into the small room. He turned me to face him. The heated glaze in his eyes assured me that I had pushed him too far. "First, about that proper fucking kiss," he growled. His mouth slammed over mine and a rough punishing kiss followed. It was the kind of kiss I'd only allow from certain men. Zane was one of those men. A gentle, probing kiss would have been utterly disappointing. I felt my body give way to that erotic state of delirium where the only thing that mattered was the longing ache in my pussy. Zane's mouth devoured mine as I melted against him. I was rewarded by the feel of his long, hard cock pressing urgently against me. Then he pulled his mouth from mine and stared down at me. There was some agitation amidst the lust I saw in his eyes. "I think these games have come to an end." "Really?" I reached down and rubbed my fingers along the outline of his erection. "Seems to me that they've just begun." His chest expanded and he held his breath through a clenched jaw as my hand slid down and cupped his balls through the fabric of his pants. An aggravated growl rumbled in his chest as he reached down and took rough hold of my wrist. He pushed me up against the wall of the office. The tails of blue

and red show ribbons fluttered above my head with the impact. Before I could draw in a shocked breath, he had both my hands pinned up over my head. He lowered his mouth to mine, but his lips did not touch mine. I lifted my chin up. "If you mean to scare me"—I had to make an effort to hide the waver in my voice that belied my fake confidence—"Then let me assure you, being held captive like this only makes me want to be fucked more." "I could have you purring softly one minute and pleading with me to fuck you the next, baby. You are a talented little prick tease. But you are punching above your weight." His words felt like cold water. I struggled to free my hands at first but then his mouth covered mine and the rage I'd felt at his words morphed into pure lust. I wanted to pound him with my fists, and at the same time, I wanted him, in every way he could give it to me. How the hell had he done that? Damn it. Was he right? My mind gave one last ditch effort to protest. Mentally, I wasn't ready for him to win this round, but physically, I was in blissful defeat. My fingers tingled some as Zane held my wrists above my head and pressed my hands against the wall. But the numbing sensation was overshadowed by the pulses running through my pussy as Zane reached down with his free hand and wrenched the tight skirt of my dress up to reveal my panties. He stared down at them with hungry appreciation. The ambiguous color of his eyes had darkened to a decisive brown as he lifted his gaze to my face. He reached up to my mouth and dragged his thumb across my bottom lip, then he followed the rough caress with a gentle stroke of his tongue. Once again, he pressed his mouth hard over mine, my head thumping lightly against the wall behind me as his kiss deepened. He still held me captive. And the vulnerable feeling it left me with, knowing he had full control, made moisture pool in my pussy. Zane's free hand swept over my breasts and stomach and down to my panties. He forced his big foot between mine and wriggled it to spread my feet wider. Then with a sharp tug, he ripped the tiny piece of lace holding up my panties. They fell open, dangling on one hip and exposing my pussy to the cool air in the room and the flaming heat of his touch. There were no ceremonial caresses or easing into things. And I was glad. I needed him to finish what he had started. His fingers pushed through the folds of my pussy, grazing over my clit as he impaled me with first one, then two fingers. I sagged against the pressure on my wrists, realizing that if he hadn't been holding me, my knees would have collapsed. I was breathless from his kisses and from being finger fucked so expertly. I felt almost as if I was drifting into a semiconscious state. I lolled my head back and rested it against the wall to catch my breath. The mewling sounds that floated around the room were my own, but I couldn't feel them leaving my lips. His thumb warmed my clit. I rubbed hard against the pressure of his hand, taking in more of his fingers. "Yes," I sighed. "Fuck yes."

It took only seconds and my body quickly dissolved into shuddering waves of ecstasy as my pussy clenched tightly around his hand. He kept his grip on my wrists, even though I badly wanted to crumple into his arms and sob in pleasure. He slowly pulled his hand from between my legs. Before releasing my wrists, he broke the other side of my panties. He held them up. "I earned these." He shoved them in his pocket and lowered his mouth to mine for one more kiss. "Your move, baby." He let go of my arms and walked out of the office. I remained leaning against the wall, rubbing life back into my hands and trying to untangle everything in my mind. It had started as a simple day of sport. Now I'd been challenged. And challenges always thrilled me. But as I listened to Zane's footsteps as he left the barn, I replayed the last few minutes in my head. I could still feel the rush of heat swirling in my pussy where his fingers had just been. I could still smell his aftershave on my clothes. I could still taste him on my lips. I wasn't sure when it had happened but somewhere in the midst of me playing these rounds of seduction, harmless erotic flirting to make the long weekend pass faster, I'd fallen for my opponent. I pulled the dress down to cover my nakedness and shut off the light in the office. I stopped at Pepper's stall. He had been my horse since I was seven. We'd won a lot of ribbons together. He was always a loyal friend. Even tonight, he seemed to sense something was up and he walked in his sleepy state to the front of his stall. He pushed his muzzle against the bars, and I scratched his nose. I looked down to the end of the barn and out into the dark night. It seemed the party was winding down. I could have stopped the whole thing right then. Zane would leave tomorrow, and we would most likely never see each other again. That would have been the easiest, most logical end to a game that I'd started without considering things could get messy. But I was never one to back down, and at the moment, Zane was definitely one point ahead. He was right. It was my move.

Chapter Twelve ZANE

I hadn't seen Raini again after I'd left her still flushed pink from an orgasm. I'd

walked out of the barn feeling pretty damn cocky, but by the time I reached the pool area to have one more beer with Trey, I was torn up about the whole thing. I'd stomped after and followed her to the stables determined to show her that she had been outmatched in whatever teasing game we'd been playing. Only I'd walked away wanting her so badly, it seemed she'd inadvertently won. And she'd done it without doing anything more than being a supple, willing participant in a quick tryst in the barn. The way her body reacted to my kisses and my touch had made me wonder if I was in charge or if she was the one controlling me just by being so damn sexy. It took every ounce of my will to walk away afterward, when the only thing racing through my head was the image of me bending her over the office desk and fucking her. But that would have given her the upper edge. That would have shown that she had won and that she had finally broken me down in this crazy charade. Most everyone had gone to bed, including the birthday boy and the party organizer. I think Mindy had discovered pretty early on that we had nothing in common. I was relieved not to have to worry about it. I was sure she'd let her dad know that his matchmaking plan was a bust. Mindy needed someone more in tune with her old money way of life. I wasn't that man. Even though my bank account was never hurting for funds anymore and I could buy just about anything I wanted, I still never forgot the humble, unhappy beginning I came from. Trey and Georgie headed back to their guest cottage, and I decided to turn in too. Aidan had gone off somewhere with Carolyn, so it seemed I might have the place to myself for the night which, considering the way Aidan snored, was a bonus. I got inside and my foot slid forward on a piece of paper. At first I thought it might be a note from Aidan, but that idea was laughable. Aidan was hardly the type to leave a note about anything. Even as a kid, he could disappear from home for days and hang out at my house or Trey's. He never once called or contacted his parents to let them know where he was. The saddest part about that was that they never called to check up on him and make sure he was safe. They were pathetically

bad parents. Aidan learned early on how to be independent and never count on anyone else. It seemed he had found a solid thing for the weekend, and I envied that. I would have been thrilled with solid or even just predictable. I opened the note and wondered if it was telling that I already recognized her curly script. It was wild and unpredictable, just like the girl. And suddenly I thought maybe solid and predictable was underrated. "I have something of yours. If you want it back, turn left at the fork at the top of the stairs. Third door on the right." I pulled the torn panties out of my coat pocket and looked at them. Every dirty thought imaginable shot through my mind. Sitll, it was one thing to meet secretly in a dark barn, another altogether to meet inside Carter's house. And I had no doubt Raini's room was close to her dad's. But that didn't stop me. I headed in to shower and changed into jeans and a t-shirt. I confidently stuck not one but three condoms in my pocket. I had decided that even with Dad just a few doors away, Raini and I were going to finish what we'd started. Unless she was playing me again. Which was entirely possible. And yet, I brushed back my wet hair and headed out the door into the still night air. It was nearly two in the morning and every last hard core party guest had finally gone to bed. The house was left amazingly clean after the long night of food and drinks. I headed through the front room, which was an entertainment room. Garrett and a few of his friends had fallen asleep on the massive sectional with the television still showing a video game. I lightened my steps but was fairly certain no amount of noise would wake them. I headed through the hallway and past the kitchen to the giant double staircase in the center of the mansion. The directions left at the top of the stairs and third door on the right repeated in my brain as I walked, quiet as a whisper, up the carpeted stairs. I reached the landing and turned left. The long ornate carpet runner led me down a long hallway that was lit with antique sconces. There was plenty of room between the doors, which meant the rooms were expansive. It was easy enough to count to the third door on the right. I stopped in front of it and looked both ways. The hallway, in fact the entire second floor, was as quiet and still as a morgue. It seemed everyone was sound asleep. I lifted my hand and knocked lightly. An expensive house always had thick, solid wood doors and this one was no exception. My knuckles barely made a sound. I rapped a little harder and was amazed at how loud it sounded in the long, empty hallway. At least to my ears. But I doubted it could be heard inside the room. I decided to take a chance. I snapped my knuckles sharply against the door two times. The risk paid off. Footsteps sounded on the other side. I actually felt a flutter in my chest like a kid waiting for his first date to answer the door. Raini was an expert. She had me feeling like I was sixteen again and just starting out into the world of dating.

The door swung open. I sucked in a shocked breath. "Sir, hello, I—" It took Carter a second to recognize the figure at his door. "Zane, what on earth are you doing? Is something the matter?" he asked with some alarm. The sleepy glaze in his eyes was clearing. He stuck his head out into the hallway. "Does someone need medical assistance?" "No, Carter, I'm sorry. I just never had time to thank you for inviting us this weekend. So many people around you at the party, I just didn't get a chance to say thank you." I started backing up. "I thought you might still be awake. My apologies." His magnificent eyebrows bunched up like two furry caterpillars about to have sex. "Well that's fine, Zane, but I think this could have waited until morning. I suggest you go to bed so you're ready for tomorrow." "Of course, yes. Again, my apologies and thank you, thank you for the invite." He shut the door. I spun around to make a quick exit for the stairs. I reached the landing when a light billowed out into the dimly lit hallway. Someone made a soft sound like an owl. I turned back around. Raini's head was poked around a door, the third door on the left to be exact. I looked over at Carter's door. It was closed and the light that seeped through it had been turned out. I tiptoed back toward Raini, trying to figure out how to yell at her without making a sound. She disappeared into the room by the time I reached it. I looked back to double check that Carter's door was still shut and slipped inside Raini's room. She covered her lips with her fingers to hold back a smile. "Oops," she said coyly. "I guess I meant my right, like when I'm walking toward the stairs." She batted her lashes, lashes that were a dark sable color and even more luxurious without makeup. "I've never been good at giving directions." There was only one lamp on in the room, but I could still see her clearly. "That's my shirt," I noted. Her long, silky legs stuck out below the curved hem of my dress shirt. It was still crisp with starch from the cleaners, but somehow it managed to look provocative on her curves. She kept one arm behind her as she backed up a few steps. "I hope you don't mind that I borrowed it." She pulled her hand into view. "I needed something to go with your necktie." My hundred dollar necktie was tied around her wrist. "Damn. You win. I fucking surrender." I closed the gap between us in two strides. I grabbed the long loose end of the tie and wound it once around my wrist. Then I led her to the massive antique bed standing in the center of the room. I pulled her around. The momentum hurled her onto the bed. I climbed on top of the quilts. She held up the wrist with the tie, making it clear she wanted to be bound. And hundred dollar tie or not, I had no problem with that. My cock pressed against my fly, assuring me it had no problem with it either. I took the hanging tail of the tie and thread it through the slats on her headboard. Then I lifted her free hand and knotted the tie around it. "Funny, when

I bought this tie, I was just trying to figure out which suit it worked best with. Never pictured using it for this. I guess I'm not a very good shopper." Raini giggled but then the giggle turned to a hushed sigh when I knelt between her legs and lifted the end of the shirt up to get a look underneath. She wasn't wearing any panties, and her cleanly shaven pussy was just begging to be, as she had suggested, taken six ways to Sunday. I leaned up over her. She watched with enthusiasm as I unbuttoned the shirt. I got to the last button, and the panels slipped off her body, revealing her naked form beneath. She was head to toe a cock pleaser. I shifted in my jeans, trying to relieve the pressure. Her hands were tied securely above her head, but she arched her back off the mattress, begging me to kiss her breasts. Her nipples were hard with anticipation before my mouth even touched them. I lathed my tongue over each one, taking time to bring each one to a tight rosy bud. Then I trailed my mouth along her belly, stopping briefly for a tongue dance around her belly button. I was taking things slow but inside it felt as if someone had filled my veins with rocket fuel and lit the fuse. I backed up and knelt down between her thighs. She cried out when I reached up and spread her pussy wide with my fingers. She had turned her face to her arm to stifle the sound, but it was too late. Footsteps shuffled in the hallway. There was a knock at the door that sent me straight off the bed as if that same rocket fuel had given me lift off. "Rainsford, is everything all right?" Carter's voice was muffled by the door. I reached over Raini and quickly released her hands. "I'm fine, Dad. Just a bad dream." She buttoned the shirt, as I searched frantically around for a place to hide. The doorknob moved. I shot out onto the balcony outside her bedroom. "No," she whispered, "don't go." "Sorry, sweetie, this game isn't any fun when your dad is only five feet across the way." I climbed over the balustrades and reached for the rain gutter running down the facade. Most of it was covered with ivy vines, which helped with my footing. About halfway down, I felt the rain gutter come loose from the siding. I jumped the rest of the way and landed squarely on both feet on the back lawn. I headed under the shadows of the house and trees back to the path that would lead to the cottages. My heart was racing, but my body was completely drained by disappointment. Now it seemed I would have to lie in bed for the rest of the night and imagine what it might have been like to have Raini naked in my arms. I stopped in front of the door to our cottage and stared in annoyance at Aidan's necktie draped carelessly over the knob. I could have pushed it off and pretended ignorance, insisting the wind must have knocked it off. But that would mean trying to sleep in a bed listening to Aidan and his new found friend go at it, all the while still in agony from not having sex with Raini. Not to mention that Aidan would probably be pissed enough not to talk to me for a week. The second wasn't such a big deal, but the first thought sent me back across the yard.

The chaise lounges sitting around the pool were more comfortable than most good mattresses. The only thing I'd be lacking was a blanket. Fortunately, the night air was pretty mild. I stretched out on a lounge, and my eyes drifted shut. What a day it had been. And all because of one wild woman, a woman who I would not soon forget . . . if at all.

Chapter Thirteen RA IN I

I had planned all along 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.

Chapter Fourteen ZANE

A idan's tie was still dangling from the doorknob. I grabbed it in my fist, deciding

it might be just what I need to go along with the other tie Raini had so stealthily used to bind me to the fucking chaise lounge. I could see Aidan's naked ass in the bed and another long lump next to him, buried under the covers. There was an empty bottle of wine next to the bed. I stomped around looking for my sweatshirt and getting washed up in the bathroom, secure in the knowledge that nothing would wake my friend from his booze and sex coma. The woman next to him in bed didn't stir either. Staying out on the lounge had been a good choice, but it would have been less aggravating if I hadn't woken up in the middle of the pool area with my wrists tied together and an erection straining against my pants. My talented, fearless opponent had once again outpaced me. I'd fallen asleep last night wondering if the sputtering ending to the evening had doused some of her enthusiasm for the game. But it seemed that was not the case. And now my own energy for winning the match had been renewed. I shoved both ties in my sweatshirt pocket. I was still armed with a handful of condoms from the night before. Invigorated by the early morning air and the notion that she had once again outsmarted me, I marched with fierce determination toward the barn. If she wanted a ride, I was going to give it to her so hard and so fast she was going pass up Sunday and go straight on to the next Friday. I reached the barn and walked into the breezeway. Raini had just finished saddling up the second of two horses. "There you are. I didn't ask but something told me you might need a beginner horse. Jumbly is slow and dependable." I looked at the two horses and then at Raini. She was wearing skin tight jeans tucked into a pair of cowboy boots, a wardrobe choice that sent my pulse racing. But then it seemed everything she did sent blood surging through my veins. "You actually meant a real ride . . . on horses." She patted the side of a speckled gray horse and smiled. "Uh huh. What kind of ride did you think I meant?" Her coy smile, one that I already knew too damn well, made its appearance. She knew exactly what I meant and exactly why I'd thought it.

"Never mind. So, which horse is the slow and dependable one?" She walked back to the chestnut brown horse. "This is Jumbly. I also picked him because his coat sort of matches your hair." "Great, then we won't clash." She lowered the ropes that held the horses in place in the barn aisle. Then she pulled the reins over Jumbly's head and handed me the end. She took her horse's reins, and Jumbly and I walked behind her out of the barn. Raini gave me a quick lesson on how to get up in the saddle and then hopped onto her horse. "Where are we heading?" I asked. She smiled. "You'll see. Jumbly will pretty much follow Pepper so you won't have to do much except not fall off. How often have you ridden on a horse?" "That depends, does it count when you're strapped in by a belt as a pony goes around a little circle?" "Hey, ponies are horses. Trust me, they'd be the first to tell you that." "Then once. I've been on a horse once at a county fair, and I only remember it because my mom kept the humiliating picture of my ride up in the hallway with the words Cowboy Zane written in glitter gel on the dusty frame. Aidan must have seen that picture a thousand times when we were growing up, but it never stopped him from curling over into a laughing fit." "Aidan is the massively built guy with the dark blond hair and tattoo sleeves, right?" Raini hadn't exaggerated about Jumbly following her horse. I basically just sat upright in the saddle as my horse followed obediently along next to hers. "Yep and Trey is the guy who looks like he belongs at the head of the table in a boardroom and on the front cover of a high end magazine. Chase didn't show. He's our fourth partner. We all grew up together." "That's cool that you all stayed close and that you get along in business. That's not always easy." "Yeah, we all went through rough times growing up, so we've always had each other's backs." "Do you know how amazing that is? Most people go through life feeling lucky if they have at least one friend they can count on. You guys have three." Raini turned Pepper toward a grassy hillside and Jumbly followed. "I have to admit the green pastures, country landscape and blue skies all look pretty amazing from the top of a horse. Maybe I should have followed my mom's dream and become Cowboy Zane." She glanced over at me. "I personally think a black Stetson would look dashing on you." "Have to agree. What about you? Have you found that one true friend you can count on? Or maybe it's your sister." A laugh spurted from her mouth. Pepper lifted his head and stuck his ears back as if he was listening for a command. "As you might have noticed, Mindy and I are

far from best friends. We're just too different." She pushed her legs against her horse, and he picked up his pace up the hill. Jumbly followed suit but only after releasing a grumpy snort first. "I had a lot of friends growing up but none that I can pinpoint as that special person I could count on. That was my mom. She had been the friend I'd always counted on." "I'm sorry to hear that you lost her." "Did you four always know that you'd eventually be running a company like Plaything?" "Not exactly. When we were kids we were too obsessed with things like watching the girls in the pool during gym and deciding who we would dance with at school events to worry about the subtle nuances of sex." She leaned her head over. "Um, I've seen a few of your monthly boxes. They are hardly subtle." "Says the woman who is anything but subtle." "Touché." The conversation brought me back to my childhood. I rarely talked about the terrible turn my life took in my teens, but Raini and I had somehow connected, and it wasn't just the sexual attraction. I felt comfortable with her, almost as if we'd known each other for a long time instead of just one long eventful day. I patted Jumbly's neck. "Believe it or not, I had my sights set on studying law. I earned the grades for it too." "That's not surprising to hear. Why'd you change your mind?" A small flock of birds fluttered up from the tall grass startling Raini's horse. Jumbly, who had decided to mirror everything Pepper did, took a sharp step sideways too. Raini glanced over to make sure I was still sitting upright. "I didn't change my mind but something happened that sort of changed it for me." She looked over at me, waiting and listening. It was one of the first civilized conversations we'd had that wasn't dripping with sexual innuendo or teasing. It was nice. "After my dad died, my mom raised my sister and me alone for many years. Then she met this guy. I don't even like to say his name. He fucked up my whole life. They got married, and eventually his true monster personality emerged. One day I walked into the house and he had his hand around my mom's throat. He was a big guy, and I was a skinny, gangly teen. I grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the asshole in the back. He didn't die, and the police hauled him off for attempted murder. I was thrown into a foster home about fifty miles away. My grades went to shit after that, and all my chances for a much needed scholarship went with them." "But you saved your mom's life." I nodded and my throat tightened as it always did when I thought about how close I'd come to losing her that day. "Maybe it was meant to be. Maybe law wasn't your path anyhow. Do you like

your job now?" "Shit, are you kidding? I wake up every morning and think, damn, how the hell did I get so lucky?" "See, it all played out for the best. It's nice when you get to do the something that makes you happy. I just wish my dad would see the world that way." "What do you mean?" "He doesn't see any value in me studying art." I looked over at her, a luxury I had because my horse was on autopilot and I didn't need to watch the road. "I think his mind might have changed last night." "What do you mean?" Raini turned the horse down a dirt path where a small cottage, built to look like it was sitting in the English countryside, sat in the middle of nowhere. "Carter Bonneville is a gruff old guy who wears no emotions on his sleeve, at least none visible to the naked eye. But that picture you painted of your mom choked him up. I watched him open dozens of gifts, but the only gift that had any impact on him was that painting." I caught a blush on Raini's cheeks. A smile titled her lips. "I think it was the subject matter more than the actual art that had him choked up." "Bullshit. You're not giving yourself credit." I squinted ahead into the sun. "Am I imaging that English cottage at the end of this path?" "No you are not. My dad had it built for my mom. She used to like to ride out here and paint. That's where I got it from. There's no electricity or plumbing. It's basically just a cute box, a quiet place to sit away from the house." Raini faced me and seemed to be assessing the way I was sitting in the saddle and whether or not my feet were secure in the stirrups. "Are you ready to go faster? If I kick Pepper into a lope, Jumbly will follow. But I won't do it if you're not comfortable." I raised a brow at her. "Are you seriously asking me if I'm afraid to ride this horse?" "That's what I thought." Her leg pushed against Pepper's side and with a snort he took off. Jumbly followed right behind.

Chapter Fifteen RA IN I

A dmittedly, when I'd started out of the house this morning, I had only one goal in

mind. A short ride around the ranch. At that point I had figured it was probably best just to leave the fun with Zane where it had ended, which was no real ending at all. After all, we'd both be leaving today, going our separate ways. But then I saw him sleeping on the lounge and the same physical urges returned. I wanted him. It might just have been the long build up and the abrupt letdown from the night before, but I still wanted him. It was like working on a piece of art and never getting to put the final strokes on the canvas. I took care of the horses while Zane explored the area on foot. Most of the ranch was really just rugged untouched landscape with an abundance of trees, shrubs and even the occasional pond. Mom had chosen this location because it had a great view from every angle. There was enough grass surrounding the cottage to keep two horses happy for hours. There was a hitching post for tying horses but Pepper and Jumbly weren't the type to go anywhere when not prodded to do so. I took off their bridles so they could graze. Zane had wandered out of sight. I decided to leave him a few bread crumbs so he could find me. I pulled off my boots and stuck them on the porch steps. Then I dropped my jeans on the landing. I piled my shirt a few steps away and hung my bra over the doorknob. I went inside. The cottage was really just one room. It had been solidly built to keep out critters, rain and dust, but it was stuffy from months of being locked up. I pushed open several of the windows. The place was hardly ever used or even visited anymore, but it was always my favorite riding destination whenever I was on the ranch. There was a single bed on one side of the room and several chairs on the opposite side. My plan was to be standing naked in the room when Zane walked in, but the morning air was still too cold. I picked the quilt up off the bed, draped it around my shoulders and stood quietly, feeling a little silly for a moment, thinking maybe the clothes strewn on the porch would scare him off. But then his solid footsteps thudded on the steps and the door flew open.

Zane stood in the open doorway with my bra dangling from his finger. His long hair resembled fire as it fluttered in the breeze coming across the porch. In fact the expression on his face conjured the image of the devil himself. The predatory look in his eyes made me take a shuddering breath. I dropped the blanket off my shoulders. Zane stomped toward me. His improper kisses were getting better and better. Seconds after his mouth covered mine, I felt my body sag against him in surrender. After all the sparring and me thinking I could outmaneuver him, with one long, deep kiss he proved his theory that I was punching above my weight. Through the haze, I felt my panties flutter down my legs. "Now this was the fucking ride I wanted," he growled against my mouth. His big hands circled my ass and I threw my arms around his neck as he lifted me off the ground. I wrapped my legs around him and instinctively began rubbing my throbbing wet pussy against him. I gasped as he dropped me unceremoniously on the bed. I'd teased the man to distraction and now he was taking his revenge. I was ready for it. I reached for the button on his pants, but he took hold of my wrists. He held them in one hand while he fished the infamous necktie from his pocket. A second tie followed. I couldn't stop the moan from rolling off my lips. I waited for him to tie my hands but instead he reached down and grabbed my ankles, yanking my ass closer to the edge of the bed. I leaned back on my elbows and watched him through bent knees as he bound one silk tie around my ankle. He lifted my foot and moved it as far to the corner of the bed as was physically possible. He placed my foot down on the mattress and secured the other end of the tie to the bed frame. He repeated the same with my other ankle, spreading me so wide I could feel the cool air on my completely exposed pussy. My clit was throbbing, waiting to be relieved of tension. Zane stood over the bed, looking at my face before dragging his heated gaze down between my legs. "Hell, you've turned me into a fucking madman, baby." He pulled off his shirt. I badly wanted to touch his chest, but it seemed he wanted complete control, and I was going to let him have it. I wanted nothing more than to give in to everything he desired. I remained on my elbows and watched as he kicked off his shoes and unzipped his fly. He stopped and pulled several condoms out of his back pocket. He tossed them onto the bed next to me. Then he pushed down his pants. His cock was stiff and silky with precum. I bit my lip with excited anticipation at the thought of him driving into me with that cock. "Please, Zane, put me out of my misery. You win. I surrender. I need that inside of me this fucking minute." A faint grin crossed his face. "All in good time, my sweet tease." He dropped down to his knees at the end of the bed and began with a trail of kisses on my thighs. My legs were splayed wide apart, and he'd done an impressive job securing them. There wasn't even an inch of give. I badly wanted to be fucked, but I was never one to turn down oral sex. And something told me Zane would be highly

skilled at it. I rested back against the bed and relaxed as he kissed my thighs. His hands slipped under my ass. I sucked in a sharp breath as he impaled the tight opening with his finger. He lifted me higher to his mouth. He lathed his tongue back and forth over my exposed clit and then his lips massaged it as his tongue flicked inside of me. I had been right. Zane knew his way around a pussy. And while he stroked and licked me to a frenzy, his finger penetrated my ass as his strong hands held me firmly against his mouth. I writhed against him, wanting to feel his unshaven face, gritty and rough, against my skin as he devoured me. "Yes, Zane," I sighed as I felt myself hurtling toward an orgasm. But before I exploded in ecstasy, he pulled his mouth from me, returning to the pleasant but virtually meaningless kisses on my inner thigh. I pushed back up to my elbows. "No, you cruel bastard, what are you doing?" I asked through a weak laugh. His brown eyes peered up at me over my body. The mischievous glint in his eyes could not be missed. "You don't snap the cookie jar shut when I'm about to wrap my fingers around a fresh cookie," I complained. He laughed at my analogy as he lowered his mouth to my pussy again. The earlier sensations were as strong as ever, and in seconds he had cream pooling in my pussy. My clit was just one good caress from taking me over the edge. But the caress didn't come. Once again my body was slammed against a wall instead of taken into the abyss. His mouth pressed against my thigh as he let some of the heat between my legs cool. "You fucker and you call me the tease? I'm ready. I'm there." My earlier weak laugh had morphed into a frustrated sob. "Really? I'm not quite there yet. I wanted to taste the cookies myself for a little longer." He winked up at me before dropping his mouth to my pussy again. From behind, his hands spread my butt wide, his long finger still penetrating the tight hole. The movement spread my pussy wider and my clit felt tighter with pleasure as he licked it. It was the third time he had taken me to the outer edge of an orgasm. I wasn't taking any chances. I reached forward and tangled my fingers through his long hair to hold his mouth captive against me, imploring him to finish what he'd started . . . three fucking times. I knew, of course, that he could easily pull away, but it seemed he'd finally decided to end my agony. His tongue and lips worked in harmony as they brought me back to orgasm. I gripped his hair and held him against me as I cried out in pleasure. Then, before the waves had resided and with my body still shuddering from it all, Zane lifted his mouth away. He had the condom on before I could take a breath. With my legs still splayed wide and my ass still at the edge of bed, he stood up. His eyes were

glazed with fire as he leaned down over me and thrust his cock inside of me. My pussy clenched around him again as if the orgasm had started anew. Long rolling pulses sputtered through my body as he fucked me fast and hard. My fingers clutched at his arms. I knew my nails dug into his flesh, but I couldn't stop myself. "I can't get deep enough," he grunted. He was still jammed hard inside of me as he reached back and untied my ankles. I moved to wrap my legs around him, but he shook his head. He lifted my legs up so that my knees were hooked over his shoulders. Then he ground into me. He stared down at me and pulsed hard and fast, barely giving me time to breathe. With one long, deep stroke, his eyes closed and he groaned as he came. I lifted up my hand and waved it as if I was holding a flag. He sat still tucked deep inside of me, my legs draped over his shoulders. "Is that the white flag of surrender?" he asked. I shook my head. "Nope. It’s my victory flag because I think I just won. That was a perfectly perfect fuck." He laughed. "Perfectly perfect. Not sure if I can ever top it then." I reached up and ran my fingers along his chin. "You can't and I'm going to be comparing every other subsequent fuck to this one. So I guess you just set a high bar for my sex life." "You think? I'm thinking I can lift it even higher. But you've got to give me a little time to recharge." He kissed the inside of my knee and then gazed down at me. We'd been joking with each other, but in that moment, something changed in his expression. There was a seriousness, a quality that struck me at my core. Or maybe it was my imagination.

Chapter Sixteen ZANE

T here was nothing quieter than a cottage out in the middle of nowhere. Raini and

I had collapsed together on the bed, both still tired from the long night and early morning ride. I woke with her snuggled against me. I breathed in the scent of her hair as I held her in my arms. She sighed contentedly in her sleep and pressed closer to me. It felt nice as hell to be holding her. After the wild, almost out of control flirting, Raini was now sleeping peacefully against me. I couldn't deny how right it felt to have her there. I knew damn well that having someone like Raini would be the last thing I needed, but I couldn't help but think that it would be a lot of fun too. There was something to say about spontaneity and impulsiveness. It meant life would never be dull, and I was sure that was true tenfold with Raini. There wouldn't be one boring moment. But just as there was something nice about spontaneity, there was also a lot to be said about predictability. And something told me Raini's predictable moments were few and far between. But right now, with her sleeping sweetly in my arms, I could almost convince myself that I could put up with her impetuous nature. Especially if it meant having her naked in my arms whenever the urge overtook me, which I was pretty certain would be all the damn time. Her breath tickled my skin as she yawned herself awake. "Do you think my dad will notice if we're not at the brunch? I'd rather just stay here and have sex all day." I was hungry but my appetite was pointing in a different direction than Eggs Benedict and bacon quiche. "Maybe we could be fashionably late." I smoothed my hand down her back and over her ass. My cock poked at her belly, and she reached down and curled her fingers around it. I took her face between my hands and kissed her. We'd gone at it like the two people who had played a game of sex tag all day, but after sleeping in the quaint cottage with her nestled next to me, the raw lust had been replaced with a genuine desire to make love to her. I lowered my mouth to her neck and along her throat and down to her breasts. They were the perfect size for her small stature, not too big, not too small and just right for my mouth. I danced my tongue around her nipples. She combed her fingers through my hair and held my head to let me know

she was enjoying it. "Zane," she said quietly, as I kissed her breasts, "why does it feel as if I've known you forever?" I lifted my mouth back to hers. "Maybe you've just been waiting for me. And maybe I've been waiting for you." I kissed her again and rolled her onto her back. I searched around for one of the condoms I'd tossed on the bed. Raini stretched her arms up above her head, lifting her breasts higher and arching her body off the mattress as I rolled on the condom. I lowered myself down over her and slid inside of her. She purred contentedly as I rocked back and forth, her pussy taking in more of me each time. Her lips parted and her breaths quickened as I moved in long sweeping strokes, filling every inch of her and making sure my body rubbed against her clit with each pass. She reached her hands back and held the top of the pillow as she arched her body to meet mine. "Talk to me, Zane," she whispered. I lowered my mouth to hers and took her bottom lip gently between my teeth. Then I released it. "Your pussy is pure fucking pleasure, baby. From this minute on, I'm going to see a rain drop and grow hard just thinking about beautiful, fuckable Raini." She responded to my words by wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling my mouth to hers. Our bodies moved in perfect rhythm as we kissed. Her hands smoothed down over my back and she gripped my ass, holding me tighter inside of her. Her legs wrapped around me, and I moved faster. Raini's thin arms tightened around me. "Yes, baby, fuck yes," she mewled into my ear. The sound of it brought me closer to climax, but I held back waiting for her. "I haven't set the bar high, Raini. It's you. It's you, baby. It will never be like this with anyone but you." "Oh, Zane," she ushered on a slow whisper. Then a cry left her lips and her body trembled beneath mine as her pussy clamped down around me, milking my cock to orgasm. I held her and she held me and we came together. As my body relaxed, her grip on me loosened. I couldn't believe how badly I wanted her to tighten her arms again. I rolled over next to her, and once again, she turned into my arms. She snuggled her face against me. "Maybe they won't miss us at all."

Chapter Seventeen RA IN I

M indy glanced up from her task of making sure each yellow rose was in precisely

the right position in the glazed white vase. The dining room had been transformed into a yellow and white confection with white linens and pastel yellow plates. Towers of red berries had been placed intermittently between the vases of roses. "Everything looks beautiful, Mindy." I caught the flash of annoyance before she returned to her task. "No thanks to you," she muttered. "Where were you?" I badly wanted to just silence her by telling her exactly where I was and what I'd been doing, but I wasn't in the mood to get into an argument with her. We had never gotten along much growing up. We were always too different, and those differences had grown even more apparent in adulthood. "I'm here now. What do you need me to do? Just give me a task." She placed her hands on her hips and stared down at my boots. "The only thing you need to do is get out of the dining room. You smell like the barn. Get changed. The guests will be coming in for brunch any second." "Yes, sir," I said with a salute. I turned to leave. "I saw you walk out of the barn with Zane Bostwick," she blurted before I could leave the room. I stopped and looked back at her. "Yes, I took him on a horseback ride. A lot of the guests have taken horseback rides." "Right." She set to work unfolding and folding napkins that were already perfectly folded. "I'm sorry, Mindy. I never saw one exchange between you two that made it seem you were even the least bit interested in him. I know that was the plan—" "There was no plan." She shook her head. "He's not my type. He's new to money and he's still crude in his mannerisms. " "Yes, people who aren't born into money are such brutes." "I guess that's why you're attracted to him and why he finds you interesting." My sister had the blueblood snob act down to an art. "Not completely sure of the hidden meaning in that last part, but you are in an

especially horrid mood this morning, so I'm going up to change." A glass slipped and fell to the floor behind me. Mindy kicked at the shards. "That's your fault. You've been a pain in the ass since the day you were born." "It's not my fault. It's you obsessing over the table like you obsess over everything. Leave the fucking place settings alone. I'll go get a broom." "No, just go. It would have been better if you just hadn't shown up this weekend. You bring the family name down. The way you act, the way you dress, the way you sneak off with complete strangers to do who knows what." If there was one person who was expert at hurting my feelings and making me feel childish and insignificant it was my big sister. She had worked hard at it her whole life. I had no idea why I had always been the target of her attacks, but it seemed I still had the big red bullseye on my forehead. Only this morning, I wasn't going to let her get to me. I shrugged. "We fucked. There. Now you don't have to use your tiny little imagination to figure it out." I spun around on my boots and stomped out of the room, thankful that the party was coming to an end.

Chapter Eighteen ZANE

M indy had once again put down her silly name cards on the long table. I was no

longer sitting next to her, which worked out best for both of us. But it seemed she'd taken extra care to put her sister at the opposite end of the table. From my seat, I couldn't even catch a glimpse of Raini between the roses and towers of fruit. At least Trey and Georgie were seated next to me. And at least the food was delicious. Trey made note of me sucking down my food like someone was going to take it away. "Someone worked up an appetite this morning." "That's because it's not morning. It's almost noon, and unlike you partying lightweights, I was up early." I scooped up some hash browns with a slice of bacon. "Doing what?" "Stuff." I shoved the bacon potato combo into my mouth. Trey and Georgie were both waiting for me to elaborate. When I didn't, Trey figured out what stuff meant. Georgie was right behind in her conclusion. "Never mind." She picked up her orange juice. "We don't need details." Trey nodded. "That's right." He leaned closer to me and lowered his voice. "Later, I want every damn detail." "I heard that," Georgie said over her sip of juice. "It's all in the name of research for the company. You never know where a new box theme will come from." Trey threw out his reasoning, but Georgie just shook her head. I plucked a strawberry from the tower. "Actually, I've got a new theme. Came to me just this morning." Trey waited for me to finish my berry. "Well?" "In a bind. I'm sure you can figure out what would go in the box without me elaborating." Both Trey and Georgie watched me as I reached for another berry. "Now you are really going to have to fill me in on the details," Trey said. "And I now also know that you haven't been with Carter's daughter." I looked at him. "Why would you say that?" My mind went straight to the possibility that he had seen Raini with someone else last night or even this morning when I'd gone in to shower. I couldn't remember the last time the cold

hand of jealousy had gripped me, but all of a sudden, I was ready to hit someone. Trey laughed. "Because Mindy doesn't seem like the type of woman who would like to be, as you so poetically put it, in a bind. But then maybe I'm wrong. Were you with her? You could do worse than marrying into the Bonneville family." The relief I felt made me slouch back against the chair. "No, I wasn't with Mindy." "Are you going to tell me who it was?" "Nope." The brunch lasted a good hour. Then slowly people began making their way to their cars to leave. I'd gone back to the cottage to pack. Aidan had already packed and gone off to say good-bye to Carolyn. In the mix of people and food and clutter, I hadn't gotten close to Raini once, but I had no plans to leave the ranch without talking to her first. I knew she lived near the art college, which was just thirty minutes from Plaything and another ten after that to my apartment. I wanted badly to continue seeing her, but I knew that there was every chance that she had no plans to see me again. I was very likely just an amusement, a distraction from the long weekend with her dad's friends. I had to be ready to face that grim prospect, but I wasn't going to leave without at least letting her know I how felt. Carter was out in front of the house saying his good-byes. I needed to do the same. He saw me walk out of the house with my bag. "Zane, did you have a good time?" "I did. It was quite the celebration. Thank you for inviting me." "Thank you for coming." He shook my hand. "Did you get a chance to say goodbye to Mindy? I think she's still inside." "Yes, I saw her on my way through the house." I looked around the front yard that was busy with people packing cars. "Uh, I would like to say good-bye to Raini too. Do you happen to know where she is?" "Rainsford? She took off right after brunch. I had to lend her a car. I only hope she brings it back in one piece," he said with a laugh. I forced a smile, not wanting to let on that his news had just felt like a fist in my gut. "But when I talk to her, I'll let her know you wanted to say good-bye." I nodded. "Great. Yeah, that would be great. Well, I think Aidan is in the car already so I'll be on my way. Thank you again for having me." I tromped down the driveway to the car. Aidan was leaning against it with his arms crossed, looking ready to leave. "I was wondering when you were going to get here," he said as we climbed inside. "Awesome weekend. I think I'll buy myself a ranch like this someday." "Yeah, it's a cool place." I started the car. The food I'd gobbled at brunch felt like a big ball of clay in my stomach. She’d left without so much as a wave. It seemed she couldn't get away from me fast enough. She really had played me, only the stakes in the game were much higher than I'd expected.

Aidan lowered the seat back to start his nap and snore-fest for the ride home. "Are you going to see Carolyn again?" "Nah, she lives in New York, and I think she's engaged or something. We didn't get into too much detail about each other's lives because we knew it was just a weekend romp." He crossed his big arms over himself and closed his eyes. "What about you? I didn't see you much at all. What were you up to?" I turned the car down the long driveway. "Nothing much. Just another weekend."

Chapter Nineteen RA IN I

A nthony handed me another cocktail. "Here. Looks like you need this."

I raised it in a silent thanks and took a sip. I glanced around at the people, dressed in designer clothes and all trying to out snooty snoot each other as they browsed the art. Anthony, my art professor, had talked me into displaying a few of my pieces, landscapes that had been part of a required project for my graduate class. I found them boring, but Anthony insisted they were just the thing that people were looking for. Plus, he'd somehow come to the conclusion that I'd someday soon be one of the up and coming talents in the art world. He'd sold me as such to the people putting on the art show. I wasn't nearly as convinced about my talent, and since we'd had an on again off again romance, I wasn't sure that Anthony was seeing my art through unbiased eyes. Anthony's hand rested proprietarily on my lower back and I discreetly moved forward, away from his touch. Lately he seemed to be inclined to start up our relationship again, but I had no desire for it at all. After the last off switch had been flipped, I wanted it to stay off. "I love this bright blue dress, by the way. Especially how it hugs every curve," Anthony said in a low voice. He had been going overboard all night with flirtatious overtures, and I had deflected each one with zero response. His mention of the dress brought to mind the last time I’d worn it, a month ago at the birthday party. A warm blush covered my skin unexpectedly as I thought about Zane pushing the dress up above my panties while he held my hands above my head. Suddenly, the room felt stifling hot. "I'm going to step outside for some fresh air." I hurried through the gallery to the patio area and hadn't realized Anthony had followed until his hand, once again, touched my back. "Did I stir up some heat in there with my comment about the dress?" he asked. "Yes, but not in the way you think." It wasn't the first time something had taken me back to those hours with Zane, and something told me it wouldn't be the last. And poor Anthony thought he had been the one to make me blush. "Look, Anthony," I started, but he pressed his finger over my mouth.

"No, before you say anything, I wanted to give you some news that I think you'll be happy to hear." I stared in annoyance down at the finger on my mouth. He dropped his hand. "What is it?" "I've been invited to study in Paris for a few months, and I get to bring my most promising student with me. Of course that's you." "Is it my artwork or the thought of us having sex that makes me the most promising?" "Raini, you know I think highly of your talent." He smiled. "On the canvas and on the bed sheets." His hand slid to my bottom. This time I wasn't discreet when I stepped away from his touch. His expression soured. "What is it about you and commitment, Raini? What the heck are you so afraid of?" I stared up at him. "The only thing that scares me about commitment, Anthony, is committing to the wrong person. I respect you as my teacher, but whatever else we had, that's in the past." His dark brows knitted together. "Is there someone else?" A dry laugh followed. "Look who I'm asking that question to? Did you meet someone? Is there actually a man out there who has snared the most elusive catch of all, the heart of Rainsford Bonneville?" "No. Yes. Maybe. Probably not." An annoying smug laugh followed. "Well, that answers that. I need to get back inside. You think about my offer. Paris, baby. Paris." He walked back inside. I leaned against the stone retaining wall dividing the patio area from the parking lot. I finished my cocktail as I stared down at my bright blue dress. I wondered if he ever gave me a second thought after that weekend.

Chapter Twenty ZANE

T rey and I walked back in from the warehouse. Aidan had been showing us his

plans for adding some new conveyor belts in shipping. Trey was heading back in to crunch some numbers. Suzy, one of the box designers, met us on our way up to the offices. "Zane, I put the new box for In a Bind on your desk an hour ago. See what you think for the marketing campaign." She grinned. "Although, I think it kind of sells itself. We've put some fun stuff in there." "Thanks, Suzy, I'm heading back to the office right now. Looking forward to seeing it." Trey and I turned down the corridor toward the offices. "You never did say what your inspiration was for that theme," Trey noted. "Didn't I?" "No, and I think I was promised some details." "No, you asked for details. I never actually promised to tell them." We stopped outside my office door. "It's not like you to keep stuff like that to yourself. I figure one night when we've had enough beer, you'll spill." "Don't count on it." Trey looked at me as if he was trying to read the details in my face. "She must have been something else," he quipped as he continued on down the hallway. I walked inside my office and stopped short. Someone had been at my desk. The items from the box were strewn across the paperwork I had piled there. It would have been unusual for Suzy to spread the stuff out. It would have been even weirder for her to sit in my chair, which I knew someone had done because it was turned around to face the window. I slapped the door shut behind me and took a step back when the chair spun around. It had been a month, but I hadn't forgotten one thing about her, the pearly blue eyes, the way her nose turned up just a smidgen and her smile. That smile had been stuck in my head like a damn picture. She held up a pair of leather handcuffs and a whip made from long strands of

satin. "These look fun." She sat forward and perused the items on the desk. "The whole box looks fun. When should we try it out?" I walked toward the desk and stood over it, staring down at her, trying to decide if she was real or if I had just dreamt her up. It wouldn't have been the first time. But as the scent of her perfume drifted toward me, I knew she was real, sitting in my chair and staring up at me with expressive blue eyes and a pair of bondage restraints in her hand. "How'd you get in here?" I asked for lack of a better question. "A tall guy let me in. A partner, I think and a piece of eye candy on steroids I might add." I nodded. "Chase." "Yes, that's the name. To his credit, he did refuse to let me in at first. Then I told him my name was Rainsford Bonneville, and he waved me in with a gentlemanly bow. I hope you're not mad." I shook my head. "How have you been?" "I've been good." She dropped the cuffs and the whip and leaned back in my chair. "This is nice, by the way." She smoothed her hand over the fabric on the chair. "The whole place is cool. Very impressive." She stood up and walked to the window. "The view is amazing." She turned around. She was wearing a short green dress that tied behind the neck like a halter. All I could think about was yanking the knot out of it. My feet moved forward but then I stopped. She looked disappointed. "I hoped you'd be happy to see me, but maybe I overestimated my lure and charm." "You didn't. Guess I'm still stinging. Why did you leave the ranch without saying good-bye?" "Oh, didn't I tell you? I'm a big chicken when it comes to relationships. I put on a good, confident air, but the truth is, I'm a coward. Especially with men I find interesting." I walked toward her, knowing full well that I wasn't going to be able to stop whatever happened once I got close enough to touch her. "If you're an example of a coward then . . ." I took hold of her face and lowered my mouth over hers. I could have devoured her right there in my office, in front of the windows, but I held back. It had taken me more than a few weeks to accept the reality that I'd never see her again, and I wasn't going to be careless this time. I wasn't going to allow myself to fall for it again. A certain amount of unpredictability was fun, but Raini took it to a whole new level. I wasn't going to be caught with my pants down again. At least not metaphorically. Literally was another thing altogether. My cock was already pressing urgently at my fly, asking for another taste of what had turned out to be the sweetest pussy ever. Just like she had mentioned after our first time together, about setting the bar high for the future, she had set the bar so high for me, I hadn't fallen into bed with anyone else since that weekend.

I lifted my mouth from hers. She peered up at me with a dreamy look that I could almost have believed meant she'd been waiting for my kiss. But I knew that was just wishful thinking. "I left my address on a sticky note on your desk. If you're not busy, why don't you come by tonight. I'll make some spaghetti from a jar. We could pick up where we left off at the ranch." I didn't answer at first. "You don't have to say yes or no right now. Just think about it." She lifted up to her toes and kissed me once more. I lowered my arms and had to ball my fists to keep from reaching for her again as she slipped out of my embrace. She glanced over at the items spread out on my desk. "And bring one of those boxes with you. I like to stay involved with the family business." Her long, tanned legs were in perfect contrast to the pastel green of her sundress. As she headed to the door, I noticed a new koala bear tattoo on her shoulder blade. Who was I kidding? I was going to see her tonight. No matter how much the reasonable side of my brain said stay away, the other side, the side that seemed to have total control of my physical needs, said go. But this time, the game would be on my turf. "Wait." I walked over to my desk and picked up the sticky notepad. I pulled off her address and wrote mine down on the next piece. I walked over to her and pressed the sticky end of the note right over her breast, taking the time to rub my thumb over it to make certain it was extra secure. "You come to my place. No spaghetti from a jar. Just you and me picking up where we left off. I don't need a yes or no. But now you'll know where to find me. And if you wear this green dress, I won't complain." Raini took the paper off her breast and folded it in her fist. She walked out without a word.

Chapter Twenty-One RA IN I

I walked through the glass doors of the apartment building. It was an old, well kept

building that had far more character than the modern buildings it was sandwiched between. It was not nearly as high end as I'd expected and that made me smile. A snooty high rise with pompous decor would have disappointed me. It wouldn't have gone well with the image I had of Zane in my head. As successful as he was, he seemed anything but snooty or pompous. I stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the tenth floor. I smoothed down the skirt of my green dress. It was a little summery for evening, but Zane seemed to like it. An hour after I'd left his office and sat myself down in my studio to do homework, I'd convinced myself not to meet with him. The second he kissed me in his office, I knew why I'd shown up there in the first place. I had missed him. Everything about him excited me. The way he looked, his dry sense of humor, his intelligence and, of course, the way he had mastered my body in just one weekend. He knew what I wanted more than I knew myself. I walked down the quiet hallway to the door of his apartment and stood in front of it. Maybe sex was all this was about. Maybe I just wanted to be taken to the height of pleasure again. Or maybe there was more to it. My thinking was muddled on my motives, and my reasoning was muddied even more by the anticipation of a wild evening of sex with Zane. I knocked and footsteps grew louder. The door opened. Zane's long hair was combed back off his face. The ever changing color of his eyes had settled in on a light brown. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, exposing the hollow at the base of his throat. I opened my mouth to say hello but before one syllable had left my mouth, Zane had me in his arms. His urgent, fevered kiss assured me that polite, casual conversation was going to be skipped this evening, and since his kisses sent me immediately into the usual state of semi-conscious delirium, I was fine skipping small talk.

He ripped his mouth away from mine. I fell forward as if my lips had been magnetically attracted to his. His hand wrapped firmly around my wrist, and he led me down a short hallway and into his bedroom. The massive bed was positioned in front of the windows, which afforded a view of the entire city. Multicolored lights spread out far and wide below. Zane spun me around in his arms so my back was to him. "New tattoo?" He kissed the koala tattoo I'd recently had drawn on my shoulder. "Yes. Do you like it?" "I like every inch of you, koala covered or not." He unfastened the knot on my halter top dress. The bodice fell down. The zipper on the skirt came next. "Since you asked me to wear the dress, I sort of expected to be wearing it for awhile." "I just wanted you to wear it, so I could take it off." The dress dropped to my feet, revealing a little surprise I had planned for him. "I decided to go panty free tonight." "Good decision." He stooped down behind me and lightly bit my ass. It was just a teasing nibble of my flesh between his teeth but it sent a surge of wetness through my pussy. "I was hoping one of those boxes would be sitting on the bed. I thought it might be fun to give it a try." "The box is under the bed. The contents are waiting at the bedside. Unless, of course, it was the box itself that excited you." I laughed and spun around to face him. He was still fully clothed as he wrapped his arms around me. "What is it about standing naked in your arms that makes me want to melt into a damn puddle?" "Then I guess I shouldn't let go. Although, I did have some fun things planned." "I'll stay solid when you let go. I promise." He lowered his arms, and I pretended to collapse in a swoon. His reflexes were sharp, and he grabbed me before I could finish my act. The momentary look of concern on his face made it impossible for me to hide a smile. He shook his head and released me. He walked to the side of his bed and pushed off his shoes. The shirt hugged his wide shoulders and as my gaze dropped down to the small waist and tight ass bound in his jeans, I swayed on my feet. Only this time it was real. I was practically out of breath just thinking about what he had planned. Zane picked up a satin bag off the dresser. My curious, anxious gaze followed him as he walked to a panel of switches next to the closet door. The building might have been historical, but there was plenty of technology inside of his bedroom. He flicked on some mild music, and the lights dimmed to a warm glow. "I guess this is what they call the ultimate bachelor's pad," I said it lightly, but there was a hitch in my throat. Zane peered sideways at me as he flipped another switch to open the closet doors. He disappeared inside and seconds later a strange looking chair rolled out

that looked a bit like a tattoo chair. It seemed there were separate sections for each limb to rest on. There were wide leather cuffs attached to straps on the arm rests and on the feet of the chair, below the two panels where the sitter's thighs would rest. A small, nervous laugh escaped me, and I covered my mouth to silence it. Zane fished through the satin bag and pulled out several items, including a satin blindfold and a smooth white vibrator. He stuck the vibrator in a hole that had been designed into the chair between the thigh panels. My legs wobbled beneath me, and this time, it seemed, if I collapsed it wouldn't be an act. Zane walked over and stood in front of me. He yanked off his shirt and slid off his jeans. Seeing his erection was all I needed to make the room spin. He grabbed my arm to keep me upright. "Everything all right?" he asked. He touched his hard body against mine and lifted my chin with his fingers. "That time it was real, wasn't it?" I could barely answer. "Yes." He held up the blindfold. "Do you trust me, baby?" I gazed up at him, thinking there was no other man in the world for me except the copper haired dream standing in front of me. "If I did, this wouldn't be nearly as much fun." His eyes glinted with a smile. "Holy hell, woman, am I ever going to ask you something and not be totally stunned by your response?" "I hope not." I reached down between us and stroked his cock. "Now, if you don't get this started soon, I'm going to come just standing here next to you." He kissed me once, then his hand wrapped around my arm and he led me forward to the chair. "On your stomach." I straddled the chair, facing the long, narrow back. He placed my arms against the arm rests and hit a switch. The back of the chair lowered down so that my body was parallel to the ground. Another switch moved the arm rests so that my arms were straight out at my sides. Zane crouched down in front of the chair and watched me with a fevered gaze as he wrapped the cuffs around my wrists. Then he reached forward and slid the blindfold over my eyes. My feet were still on the ground, but my top half was resting on the soft cushions of the chair and my arms were splayed out away from my body. "Oh shit, Zane, I'm so ready. Please hurry." I heard him move around the chair. He lowered his mouth to my ear and nibbled it. "Scoot back a little until you feel the smooth bump of the clit stimulator pressed against you. And don't you dare come yet, baby, cuz I'm just getting started." "No promises." I wriggled back. His hands took a firm hold of my hips to position me over the smooth top of the vibrator. I sensed that he was leaning down next to the chair and suddenly a motor buzzed. I gasped as rolling vibrations massaged my clit. "Oh shit, how am I not going to come?"

A stinging slap on my ass made me startle, and I temporarily hopped off the vibrator. I quickly maneuvered to find the device, making my clit delightfully satisfied once again. "If that spank was supposed to stop me from coming, you obviously haven't figured me out yet." After I spoke, I sucked in a breath as the two thigh panels move lower, where I was all but kneeling over the chair. "Trust me, I've got every inch of you figured out." A cool, satiny piece of fabric wrapped around my leg, securing my thigh to the panel. He repeated it with the second panel. The restraints held my arms and legs so securely, I was completely at his mercy. The thigh panels moved again to spread my knees wide. Suddenly, the back of the seat that I rested on inched lower at the top, so that my head and shoulders were now much lower than my ass. For a fleeting second, a feeling that might have been fear or just the thrill of what would happen next shot through me. Then Zane's deep, soothing tone rained down over me from behind. "How do you feel, baby?" "A little nervous. A lot ready." The vibrator snuggled against my clit had brought me to the height of arousal, and I found myself writhing against it to get even more pleasure from it. A whip snapped through the air and I startled, reminding me of my restraints. "I'm holding that satin whip in my hand. The one you were looking at on my desk. It sounds more menacing than it is. Yes or no?" "Yes." "Thought you might say that." I held my breath as I waited. The satin strips smacked my ass with only the slightest sting, just enough to send a shiver of delight through my body. Zane whipped my bottom again but then a frustrated groan followed. "I'm sorry, baby, I'm just not that tough. I want you so badly right now I'm about to break all my teeth from clenching my jaw." I felt him kneel down between my spread thighs and without warning his mouth pressed against my exposed pussy. If there had been no cuffs on my wrists and ankles I would have shot right off the chair. "Hot sweet honey, that's all I taste when I lick you, baby." I rubbed against the clit stimulator, and each time lifted my ass higher, letting him know I was more than ready. Restraints and being spanked with a whip wasn't nearly as punishing as waiting for him to push me over the edge. I heard the satin of the bag as he rifled through it for something, a condom perhaps. "Zane, if you don't fuck me soon, I'm going to scream." "You save that scream for the real thing." He took hold of my hip with one hand and his well lubed finger pushed into my ass I felt his cock press teasingly at my pussy, but he held back. "Please, Zane!"

His cock jammed into my pussy, and I hurtled toward an orgasm. He reached forward and pulled my hair back just enough to lift my face from the chair. "Not yet, baby. Let it build." "I can't," I whimpered. "Not yet. Promise me." He pulled my hair just a little harder. "Yes, I promise. I hate you but I promise." My voice was shaky, and all I could think about was that orgasm waiting to explode through my body. He rocked against me, driving into me while my clit was brought to a frenzy by the vibrator. I was there at the edge, the sensations building up inside of me and each time he entered me it awakened a new set of pulses. I balled my fists and pulled against my restraints, but I couldn't move. All I could do was lift my ass a little higher to meet his thrusts and his invading finger. "Zane," I cried, "I can't!" A sob of relief left me as my pussy clamped down around his cock. It seemed the throbbing waves wouldn't stop coming or slow down. He didn't slow either. He continued to penetrate me from behind and with his cock. The humming machine kissing my clit pulsed on. I could hardly catch my breath. It seemed my entire body trembled with the orgasm as if it hadn't just been in my pussy but through my entire being. And just as the waves slowed, Zane pumped harder and faster, reigniting the orgasm and bring my body right back to the height of ecstasy. I had never come twice in a row, and I was sure I would drift off into a dizzying coma from the intensity of it all. I collapsed against the chair, no longer pulling against my restraints or even able to lift my head from the cushion. Zane moved inside of me at a frenzied pace as he held firmly onto my hips. He drove into me with such power, the chair inched across the floor. Each time he filled me, the tenderness left behind by the double orgasm made me mewl in pleasure. "Fuck yeah," Zane groaned, as he came. He stayed there for a few long, luxurious moments. He leaned down over me and kissed back of my neck as he reached for the wrist restraints. Then he removed the bindings around my legs. I was weak and lightheaded and not completely sure I could stand on my own. Zane seemed to sense it. He lifted me off the chair and into his arms. I rested my spinning head against his shoulder as he carried me across the room. He lowered me onto the bed and pulled the quilt up over me. "Get some rest, beautiful. That was just the first round."

Chapter Twenty-Two ZANE

C hase walked in as I was shutting the automatic blinds on the office windows. He

laughed. "Either you're about to meet with counter intelligence officials about a spy mission or Raini is coming by for lunch." He walked over to my desk and picked up one of the roses and pressed it to his nose. "Since I know you're not a spy and since roses don't usually go with counter intelligence work, I'm going to stick with the Raini lunch theory." I walked over, plucked the rose from his hand and put it back in the vase before circling around to my chair. "Did you come in here just to irritate me, or is there a purpose for the visit?" He dropped into the chair across from me. "Well, I had come in here to see if the new copy was ready for next month but I think irritating you is a lot more fun. How long have you two been dating? Two months? A personal record for you, isn't it?" "No, that was your personal record before Macy. I dated Megan Smith in high school for an entire year." "Pre-adulthood doesn't count. Does Carter know yet?" "Yes, and he has congratulated me for winning what he called the most hard won prize in the world." "Cool. It always helps to have the dad's approval. Especially if Dad is a major investor. I can't help but notice that you look kind of worn out all the time. Guess you two are breaking in the bed springs, eh?" I shrugged casually but then sat forward. "I'm going to have to take some kind of fucking vitamins just to keep up." Chase laughed. "That's fucking classic. Zane Bostwick has finally met his match, and he can't keep up. So, do you think you can hang on to her?" "What's that supposed to mean?" He lifted his hands in surrender. "Nothing. Just asking. You must really like her because you are touchy as hell." He stood up. "I'll let you get prepared for your hot lunch date. Just send the copy over when you have it." He walked out, and I heard him greet Raini in the hallway. I got up from my desk and walked toward the door. My heart raced ahead like it

always did when I heard her voice. Raini and I had been seeing each other more and more, and things seemed to be gliding into what could only be called a steady relationship. I wasn't used to having someone who was constantly on my mind, but it was nice. I decided I could get used to the idea of having a significant other. Raini walked in wearing shorts and a zipped up sweatshirt. She held up two grease stained paper bags. "Tacos and chips." "That works." I shut the door and clicked the lock. Raini dropped the food on the desk and headed over to my mini refrigerator for some cold drinks. She leaned down into it and knowing full well that I was watching her, she added in an ass wiggle before emerging with two sodas. I rested against the front edge of my desk. She walked over and stopped in front of me. She pressed against me as she placed the sodas on the desk. I looped my arms around her back. "What's with the sweatshirt?" I asked. "Last time I stepped out on the sidewalk it was hot enough to melt the soles of my shoes.” "You're right. It is hot." She bit her lip and peered innocently up at me as she lowered the zipper. She parted the panels of the sweatshirt to reveal a lacy black bra where the cups stopped below the nipples. "But then I wasn't sure if I should walk down the sidewalk without it." "Fucking hell." I pushed the sweatshirt off her shoulders and lowered my mouth to taste her nipples. They tightened as she arched her breasts harder against my mouth. She quickly unbuttoned my fly. She jammed her hand beneath my briefs and took hold of my cock. We'd taken blood tests to clear the need for condoms, and I was loving the fact that there was no more barrier between us. She dropped down to her knees in front of me. I tangled my fingers in her hair as she pushed my pants down to my thighs. She cupped my balls in one hand while she held my shaft with the other. Her blue eyes peered up at me as her lips wrapped around my cock. "Baby, your mouth feels so good on me." I closed my eyes and felt the heat of her lips and hand on me, bringing me closer and closer to coming. "Enough," I groaned. "I need you right now." She took her time drawing her mouth away from my erection. Then she pushed to her feet. Her nipples were erotically framed by the seductive bra. I reached forward and gave each one a teasing pinch. Raini pushed her shorts off and stepped out of them. I was beyond ready. I spun her around with her back toward the desk. I shoved back the lunch and the paperwork and wrapped my hands around her waist to hoist her up to sit on the desk. She wrapped her arms and legs around me. "I'm a koala and you're my eucalyptus tree," she said with a laugh. "Oh? Can a eucalyptus tree do this?" I jammed my cock into her, and her laugh morphed into a long, appreciative moan. I kissed her and pounded into her. "That's it," she whispered, "hard and fast."

I wrapped my arms around her tighter. "I love you, Raini." The words came out without me thinking. Raini's body stiffened some in my arms but then we both fell over the peak and came together, erasing the moment. It had been blurted in the heat of passion, but I had meant it. I was crazy about Raini. But what I wasn't crazy about was her reaction. It seemed, that at least for now, this was a lopsided relationship. We got dressed and ate lunch, talking about silly things. The topic of my love declaration never came up. I was both relieved and if I really thought about it, more than a little heartbroken.

Chapter Twenty-Three RA IN I

T he intercom buzzed, and I hurried out of the bedroom to answer it. "Hello."

"Hey, Raini, I got off work early and thought we could take a drive to the beach." My chest felt heavy at the sound of his voice. I hadn't expected him. "Come on up, Zane." I pressed my arms against my stomach and paced the room, waiting for him to get up to my apartment. "Coward, coward, coward," I repeated to myself. His knock startled me out of my self-scolding session. I walked to the door and opened it. Why did he always have to look so damn amazing? He came right in. "I got done early and thought it'd be nice to drive down to the —" He stopped when he saw the suitcases. I tried to gather my courage before he turned around to face me, but I couldn't muster any. My throat ached as his gaze came around to my face. "You're leaving?" "Just to Paris to study with some other artists," I said it airily, as if it was no big deal and as if I wasn't the world's biggest coward. The instant hurt in his expression made tears burn the back of my eyes. "And when were you going to fucking tell me? When you were walking through the Paris airport?" "I had meant to tell you but this all came up so suddenly." "So you really are a chicken. Just like you said. Things got a little too much for you so off you fly to France." "It's a great opportunity," my voice was shaky, and I had to work hard to keep it together. "Sounds like it." He headed for the door. "I'll call and write whenever I get a chance." He stopped at the door and looked back at me. "Don't bother." He walked out, and I sat down in the middle of the floor and sobbed.

Chapter Twenty-Four ZANE

T he week had dragged on impossibly long. I successfully managed to avoid any

conversation about Raini. I'd mentioned to Trey that it was over, and he must have told Aidan and Chase because they never brought her up. I was determined to keep every relationship from this point on completely casual. I didn't need this kind of aggravation. It only got in the way of living. I walked into the elevator holding the bottle of whiskey in a brown paper bag like any respectable drunk. The whiskey was going to be my date for the night. I told myself I could wallow through the weekend and then that was it. I was going to wash her from my mind and heart for good. At least that was the plan. I slid the card into the door and walked inside. I headed to the kitchen for a glass and caught something out of the side of my eye. I looked into the living room. A pastel green sundress was hanging over the back of a chair. I followed the trail of clothes. A bra was hanging on the corner of a painting frame in the hallway and a pair of panties hung on the doorknob to my bedroom. I pushed open the door. Raini was sitting stark naked in the center of my bed with one of my neckties wound around her two wrists. She lifted her hands. "I seem to be in a bind here." She climbed off the bed and walked over to me. "You haven't said anything yet. That's either bad or good." "What happened to Paris?" "Well, I got to the airport and I was sitting in one of those black leather chairs in the terminal and I thought what the hell am I doing? I've always told myself I'm a chicken when it comes to relationships but that was only because I hadn't ever met anyone I wanted to stay with. I hadn't ever fallen in love. Then one day, I walked into my dad's sitting room and this ridiculously handsome, extremely smart man with dark red hair and a dry sense of humor was standing there just waiting to be the man who would steal my heart." I grabbed the loose end of the tie and yanked it. She fell against me and I wrapped my arms around her. "And did I mention along with the other list of attributes that he happens to be the best damn lover on the planet?"

"You didn't mention that, but I think it still works as an afterthought." I smoothed my hands over her back and pressed my mouth over hers.

COMING SOON

More from Tess Oliver

Loved In a Bind? Ready for more? Aidan’s story is up next in Role Play!

In the meantime, keep reading for a sneak peek at the first three chapters of Tess’s other super sexy novella, Hot Buttered Rum. Hot Buttered Rum is part of the Silk Stocking Inn series in which each book can be read as a standalone.

HOT BUTTERED RUM Copyright© 2016 by Tess Oliver & Anna Hart Cover photo by: Sara Eirew Photgrapher Cover model: Nick Bennett

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. All Rights are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Chapter One

I should have felt terror and disgust as his dark eyes surveyed me from head to toe,

lingering overlong on the swell of my breasts. That’s what a decent woman would have been feeling. The deck of the ship rose and fell violently as the rest of the pirates boarded, each one more menacing than the last and still my body did not shudder with fear. In fact the opposite. My body shook as a thrill pulsed through me. The captain and his crew watched helplessly as the galleon was plundered and stripped of its cargo. Not one sailor had the courage to draw his sword or pistol against the cold-hearted thieves who had swarmed the deck. I lifted my chin and took a deep breath for courage as I stared back at the rogue. Thick black hair waved in the breeze, much like the black jolly roger flying high above the mast of his vessel. Beneath the shade of his hat, the pirate captain’s smile flashed pearl white in stark contrast to his sun darkened skin. I could almost have imagined a thin dagger clenched between his teeth. He knew. He knew I wasn’t repelled. I should have looked away or screamed or thrown myself into the waves. He stuck out his hand and again raked his dark, lascivious gaze over my body. “Come on now, wench, take my hand. You’ll be my greatest treasure this round.” “What will you do with me?” I asked weakly. “I will keep you captive in my quarters so that I may have the pleasure of your silken skin and warm, tight pussy any hour I choose.” Rory knocked on the office door, erasing the next sentence from my head. No doubt it was going to be another golden nugget of literary wisdom but it was gone. I minimized the document. Romance writing was my guilty pleasure, my chili cheese fries for lunch, a diversion from the logical and precise world of automotive engineering where I spent most of my day. “Come in, Rory,” I called. My assistant’s slim, well-manicured hand curled around the edge of the door, giving me a good long look at the massive diamond engagement ring on her finger. Not only had she managed to land a rich guy, but Edward was charming and likable to boot. I had to work hard at hiding my envy. I didn’t even need the rich part. I was

doing fine on my own. I just wanted to find that person who was the perfect mix of lover and friend and soul mate. Like every character I created in my stories, but preferably not fictional. Rory flounced into the office. She was the only person I knew who could flounce on four inch heels, and she did it with all the grace of a ballerina. She stopped at my desk and put her hands on her hips as she stared down at my half eaten sandwich. “Did the deli mess up and put mustard on it?” “Huh? Oh no, the sandwich was fine.” I folded it up in its wrapper and walked over to the mini fridge in my office. It had taken me five years, three promotions and four awards for automotive design to land the corner office with the view and wet bar, but I’d discovered, once they’d hauled my grandfather’s antique desk, a family heirloom, although one that was truly only valuable to me, up to the top floor that the corner office just wasn’t that exciting. “Ahh,” Rory said with a confident nod, “you’ve been spending your lunchtime with one of your many book heroes, haven’t you? I swear, Ginger, you need to publish those stories.” “I would if I ever actually finished one. Happily ever after endings are kind of unchartered territory for me. I’ve only had relationships that either went badly south or just faded away. I don’t know how to end my romances because I don’t know what it’s like to end up deliriously happy and wrapped in the hero’s arms. Like you, my friend.” I sighed. “You are so lucky.” Rory stared down at the gleaming stone on her finger. “Trust me, I wake up every morning wondering if it’s all real. Well, anyhow, I came in to let you know that the meeting has been moved an hour later to three o’clock. The boy’s club,” she said with an eye roll, “is still out at lunch. How come you didn’t join your team today? They went to that posh seafood restaurant that just opened on the wharf.” “Because, and to use your words and your special pronunciation, the boy’s club has been on my nerves lately.” I was part of a five member design team for the luxury sedan division, and I was the only woman. It had taken me a good long year and an impressive show of designs to earn my team’s respect, but when I’d also earned the respect and high praise from the president of the company, I’d lost some of the good will it had taken me so long to earn. Occasionally, they banded together, like a pack of wolves, to give me a hard time. Lately, they’d all found reasons to nitpick at my designs. I’d happily turned down their lunch invite. “I’m glad the meeting has been postponed. I’ve still got so much work to do.” “Well, I’ll let you get to it then. And, Ginger, I think your happy ending is just around the corner. I can feel it,” she said as she walked out of the office. I moved the mouse and clicked on my latest project. For a brief, unexplained second, the air around my desk smelled like a fresh ocean breeze, as if I’d somehow been transported onto the deck of a ship in the middle of the sea. I took a strong second whiff, but the scent vanished. I swiveled around in my chair to see if Rory had stuck an air freshener into the plug. The outlet was empty. Obviously, my head was still in my pirate story.

As I turned back toward my computer an odd website popped up with a banner that read, “I hear you are looking for a happily ever after.” I blinked at the words and wondered if I was actually seeing them. “What are the odds of that?” I muttered to myself and clicked the X. The banner rolled away, but a new one replaced it. It was an advertisement for a place called the Silk Stocking Inn. An early century house draped with rose vines and dotted with leaded glass appeared below the banner. It was as if the advertisement had just appeared out of thin air. “Someone has a great marketing team. And a clairvoyant one too,” I thought wryly. I clicked my mouse feverishly moving it all around the screen trying to get rid of the website, but the gifted marketers were apparently even more genius with programming. The stately old inn, with its shawl of pink roses, stuck like glue to my monitor. “Now that I’ve got your attention,” a text box appeared. “In one sentence, tell me what you want from a man so you can catch that elusive happy ending.” I stared at the monitor. The glare from the afternoon sun shining in through the big window cast my own wobbly reflection in the glass. I had no idea who was on the other side asking me questions, but then they had no idea who I was either. And the question had gotten me thinking. My fingers hovered over the keyboard a moment. My pirate story was still fresh in my mind, and I decided to have some fun with it. “I want a man who makes me his captive and at the same time treats me like his greatest treasure. And, if he’s wearing silver hoops in his ears and says things like ‘aar’ and ‘shiver me timbers’ all the better.” “That’s two sentences. You don’t seem to be taking this too seriously. But that will change.” It seemed I’d just been scolded by a spam marketer. The cryptic last sentence made me do a double take. “O.K., fun is officially over.” My fingers hit the keys harder than necessary. “No, it’s just begun. Even though you broke the one sentence rule, you took the time to answer the question, so congratulations! You have won a free weekend at the Silk Stocking Inn where every heart’s desire is filled . . . and then some.” “No thanks.” “Did I mention every heart’s desire?” “You did.” “In that case, did I mention a cozy room, deep soaking tub and an ocean view?” “Now they’ve been mentioned, but it’s still a no. I have plans this weekend.” Of course helping my aunt pick out a new refrigerator could hardly be classified as plans, but knowing my Aunt Frida, it could take all weekend. I smiled thinking how ridiculous it was having a conversation with a complete stranger, yet I continued typing. Something about the whole exchange intrigued me. It might just have been the impossibly tenacious website that I couldn’t seem to make vanish. Or it might have been that it was a fun diversion from my usual work day.

“Then I suppose the lobster pot pies and hot buttered rum cupcakes will have to go to another guest then.” My mouth watered just reading the words. “You should have started with lobster and cupcakes.” I sat back and stared at the screen. This was crazy. Why was I even considering this? It was obviously just a marketing ploy. A short laugh shot from my mouth as I metaphorically patted myself on the back for not falling for it. “I’d love to keep chatting with you, but I’m a busy woman. So I’m signing off now.” Then it occurred to me I’d never actually signed on, and I had no real idea how to sign off. I reached for the power button, the last resort button as I liked to call it. One more message flashed on the screen. “Oh come on, Ginger. Take a little risk. Your aunt’s refrigerator can wait. See you soon.” I stared at the screen and went through a flurry of emotions, ranging from shock to terror to complete disbelief. Before I could catch my breath or figure out what the hell was going on the website disappeared. I needed to stop spending my lunchtime writing fiction. My imagination seemed to be working overtime.

Chapter Two

P athetic was a good word for my social life, but I couldn’t think of a strong enough

word for a social life where the weekend highlight of refrigerator shopping with an elderly aunt was cancelled because of a senior’s bingo game. I closed the door to my office. Rory was just shutting down her computer. “I’ll walk out with you, Ginger.” She plucked her purse out of the desk drawer and scurried on her heels to catch up to me. “So where does this weekend’s big refrigerator hunt begin? Home Depot? Appliances R Us?” I pressed the down button. “Sorry I even mentioned it. Besides, there’s no hunt. No Home Depot. Aunt Frida stood me up for bingo with her church buddies. Can’t really blame her. I mean they hand out free pretzels and honey lemon tea. Can’t beat that.” Rory clapped her hands sharply. “Perfect. You can come to dinner with Edward and me. His cousin Paul is in town and—” The elevator rumbled as it drew closer to our floor. “Do you mean the infamous cousin Paul, who, when he’s not picking his teeth with his fork, is staring at his reflection in the back of his spoon? No thanks. I prefer to wallow in the humiliation of being stood up by Aunt Frida.” We stepped inside the elevator, and the doors slid shut. “You over-exaggerate. Paul is a little vain, I’ll give you that. But he’s rich.” “Not rich enough for me to ignore his inflated head.” We walked through the lobby. It was Friday and most everyone had cleared out for the night, heading off in different directions to start their weekends after a long work week. “Where did you park?” “Edward is picking me up.” She peered up at me with a smidgen of pity. “Don’t give me that look, Rory. I’ll be fine. And thank you for the invite. I’m going to take my laptop down to the coast. I’m in the middle of a story that involves the ocean and I need the salt and sea ambience to move it along.” “If you’re sure.” “I’m sure. I’ve decided it’s time for me to finish one of these damn stories. That way, I can live vicariously through my female lead. At least one of us can manage a happy ending.”

Rory gave me a quick hug. “I’ll be rooting for you—her, your female lead, that is, to have a really spectacular one. See you Monday.”

Chapter Three

I pulled off the main freeway and onto the coastal highway. The sun had just set

and the orange glow of dusk had finally been erased from the horizon. I drove past the marina, where the Friday night frivolities were just starting. Toby’s Bar and Grill, one of the hot spots along the wharf, had turned on the strings of lights and orange lanterns. People were already gathering around one of the blazing fire pits with their drinks. I’d ducked in and out of the singles dating scene for the last few years, but lately I’d been more out than in. I’d grown weary of the forced smiles and feigned interest in strangers’ life stories. It was always such a game, such an awkward human courtship ritual, hooking up in a bar or restaurant. I was tired of it. I reached over and patted my laptop, my best friend lately. I had design work to finish, but tonight was strictly for my pirate and his beautiful and slightly wanton treasure. I turned my car off along the small road that led to Northam’s Cove, a quiet bay that was surrounded mostly by cliffs. I was in luck. It was a clear night, no dreary fog to dampen my mood. The eastside of the cove was dotted with multi-million dollar beach houses, but the west side had proven too rocky and steep for even the most daring developer. My plan was to park on the street and hike with my computer, blanket and a small bottle of wine to my secret place, a small flat section of rock that overlooked the entire inlet. I drove along the quiet stretch of road looking for the Northam Cove sign, the marker that told me I was close to the turnout where I could park my car and hike to my secret spot. But as I drove along for a few minutes, it occurred to me that nothing looked familiar. Even the stretch of beach below had changed. A long, dimly lit fishing pier, that I’d never seen before, jutted out over the water. The road began to bend in a curve, and I found myself heading downhill. None of it was familiar. Somewhere along the way, a way I’d traveled dozens of times, I’d taken a wrong turn. I continued along the curved path, hoping I would eventually meet back up with the road to the cove. Instead, the paved stretch turned into a long driveway that led

to a stately looking home overlooking the ocean and pier. I rolled up next to a sign that read “Baker’s special today- Hot Buttered Rum cupcakes”. My mind shot straight back to the unusual website. I looked frantically ahead at the house. With a gasp, I sat back against the car seat and squeezed the steering wheel in my hands to see if it was real. The only rational explanation for ending up in front of the inn that had been advertised on the site was that I was sleeping. These unexplained kinds of things only happened in novels and movies and vivid dreams. But the steering wheel was solid in my grip. I was awake, wide awake. Unfortunately. I drove ahead, deciding that it was best to confront these masterful marketers face to face. Somehow they’d managed to find out details of my private life, and I needed to find out just what the hell was going on. I parked the car and climbed out. The picture on the website had obviously been photoshopped because the cascading blooms of pink roses were no more than an ugly tangle of dead vines. The house itself wasn’t exactly ready for a magazine cover. It was in need of paint, and the porch railing looked like a set of teeth in bad need of a toothbrush. I marched up the questionable front steps with my fists tight as rocks, ready to knock firmly on the front door. Something sketchy was going on, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it. But once I reached the large mahogany door, some of my anger was appeased by the incredible aromas floating through the cracks in the windows and doors. Mouth watering didn’t even cover it. I was nearly lightheaded from the delicious fragrance, a mix of butter, brown sugar and spicy rum. My first planned firm, confident knock turned into a polite rap on the door. It was almost as if once I’d crossed the splintery planks of the front porch, my indignation had been replaced with the feeling that I’d just found a little slice of heaven in the middle of nowhere. I was instantly transported back to my grandmother’s cute little cottage in the mountains where we would all meet for holidays to eat mounds of incredible mashed potatoes and gravy and hot apple pie heaped with cinnamon ice cream. I tapped the door with my knuckles once more. It creaked open. Incredible aromas swirled around me as I stepped into the entry. Unlike the worn and tattered exterior of the house, the inside had been beautifully restored to its historical charm. Even the glossy, cherry wood entryway table looked as if it had stood there proudly for a century, welcoming every visitor that stepped through the door. A huge vase of pink roses sat on the top of the table, their fragrance muted some by the delicious food smells. They were the same pink roses that had been draped around the facade and porch balustrades in the doctored website picture. The entryway walls were adorned in vintage, cottage style wallpaper that was welcoming and charming, but it was the buttery fragrance of warm baked goods that made me want to search out a good book and curl up in an oversized chair for the night.

“Hello, is anybody home?” My voice echoed off the walls of a narrow hallway. “This way,” a cheery voice called back. “Just follow your nose.” I headed down the hallway and entered a great room that was much larger than I would have anticipated in a century old house. It had been fashioned into a quaint bakery, complete with round tables and a gleaming glass counter filled to the brim with sugary delicacies. Plump cupcakes mounded by swirls of chocolate frosting sat in perfect lines on a tray. A low, cooing sound brought my attention to the large picture window at the front of the bakery. A bright green parrot was pacing sideways along the window ledge as it stared out at the ocean view. It didn’t seem to notice me. I turned back around to the counter at the patter of soft footsteps. The woman who’d stepped out from what I could only surmise was the kitchen was carrying a glass of milk. At first glance, I’d already formed the image of an older woman, slow moving and slightly hunched with fine age lines around her large green eyes and well-shaped mouth. But as she neared, her face was showered by the pendant lights hanging over the counter. I realized then I’d misjudged her age. She was young and incredibly pretty, not so much in a traditional sense like the girls on a makeup advertisement, but more like someone whose inner beauty could not be contained and so it showed on the outside too. Her sparkling eyes seemed to be assessing me. I was just about to introduce myself, but she beat me to it. She placed the milk on the counter and stuck out her hand. It felt cool from holding the glass. “You must be Ginger. I’m Coco.” She followed with a laugh that shook me out of my stunned state. “Our names make it sound as if we belong in a bakery.” She waved her hand around. “Oh look. Here we are.” She patted the corner of the cupcake tray. “Hot buttered rum. Try one. I only make them once a year.” She put her hands on her hips and tilted her head to look at me. “I was expecting red hair.” I reached up and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind my ear. “My mom and dad both have red hair, so they had settled firmly on the name Ginger long before I popped out and surprised them with this.” “I love that story.” Coco’s laugh caught the parrot’s attention. Its tiny talons tapped the window ledge as it turned around and bobbed its green head up and down. A squawk followed that was loud enough to peel paint off a wall. “Awk, pretty girl,” the bird muttered. I turned back around just as Coco was reaching into a cabinet behind the bakery counter. She pulled out a box of crackers and removed one from the sleeve. Her rainbow striped skirt swirled with her as she spun back around. “Help yourself to a cupcake. I’ve got to feed Polly.” “Polly is eating a cracker? Seriously?” I turned to watch her feed the parrot. It was still staring longingly out the window and not at the round cracker coming its direction. But instead of stopping at the window, Coco flitted right past the colorful parrot in her even more colorful skirt. She walked out the back door and returned a minute later without the cracker.

I stared in confusion as she walked back toward the counter. “I thought you were giving Polly the cracker.” I couldn’t stop the laugh after saying the words. “I gave it to her.” She wiped her hands on her yellow apron. The wrinkles, I’d seen earlier, creased around her eyes and then instantly washed away. If nothing else, I wasn’t leaving this strange place without the name of her eye cream. I knew my mouth was hanging open, but I couldn’t seem to close it as I pointed over my shoulder at the parrot. “That’s not Polly?” “Nope, that’s Dexter. Polly is our resident squirrel. She lives in the big oak tree in the backyard. I’m watching Dexter for a friend. And, as you can see, he’s quite anxious for his owner to return.” The bird had turned its beady eyes back to the window. Its skinny bird legs nearly tangled together as it paced back and forth along the edge. “How sweet that he’s waiting like a loyal friend.” Coco pulled a plate out from beneath the counter and placed a cupcake in the center of it. “Tell me what you think.” All the trepidation and confusion I’d felt as my car rolled up to the inn was gone. I picked up the cupcake and peeled down the wrapper. I ran my tongue across the rich fudgy frosting. It was laced with just enough rum to tickle my nose. Coco pointed at me. “I thought you might be a frosting first kind of girl.” I was focused on the cupcake, but I was certain her finger had been somewhat gnarled and thickened at the knuckle. But on second glance, she had the smooth, soft hands of a young girl. I took a bite. The cake was light as air and full of all the buttery rum goodness I’d expected. “Oh my gosh, these are nothing short of magical.” I looked around. “Like this place. How on earth am I here, at the Silk Stocking Inn and nibbling on a cupcake that seems to have found taste buds I didn’t even know I had?” “You won a free weekend, remember?” She said it so plainly and confidently, I wasn’t even sure how to respond. In fact, a thousand questions circled in my brain, but I couldn’t land on just one to ask. I was about to utter something about a wrong turn when the parrot began a chorus of squawks intermingled with a few words I couldn’t quite discern at first. A short feather escaped its bright green plumage as it stretched its wings to keep balance during its enthusiastic dance. “Aye matey,” the bird screeched sharply. “Ah, that must be Turner.” Coco rounded the counter and headed toward the door. “I hope he’s brought my lobsters.” The door opened. A cool ocean breeze caused my hair to flutter in every direction. I still clutched the cupcake in one hand as I reached up and smoothed my hair back with the other. Dexter let out an ear-piercing whistle and lifted off the window sill. The bird flapped its wings, and after a clamor of shrieks and squawks, it managed to land rather gracefully on the shoulder of the man who had walked inside. With the bright green air show over, I looked at the man for the first time. A breath stuck in my throat. My fingers pushed into the cupcake I was holding.

The remainder of the frosting dislodged and fell to the floor. Coco piped up instantly. “Don’t worry about that. I still have to mop the floors tonight. Come on over and meet Turner. He’s the local fisherman and part-time treasure hunter.” I wiped my hands off on a napkin and walked over to greet him. He was well over six feet tall, with wavy black hair, piercing blue eyes and a gunmetal gray plug in each ear. His bright white smile nearly mirrored the image I had in my head of the roguish pirate captain in my story. I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m Ginger. And I have absolutely no idea how I got here. Wrong turn, apparently, but the cupcakes were worth the detour. Sorry, I’m rambling.” Working in automotive engineering, I’d taught myself to be especially confident around men, but this man had tossed me off my game. I could see a dimple beneath the black beard stubble. “Those unexpected wrong turns, and yeah, I’ve got to agree about the cupcakes.” He tilted his head slightly. “Ginger? Shouldn’t you have red hair?” I regained some of my composure. “Shouldn’t your parrot be named Polly?” As if it knew we were talking about it, the bird bobbed its head and muttered, “pretty girl”. Turner shot a sideways glance at his pet. “Damn right she is, Dexter.” My face warmed as Turner gazed at me with the same look I’d given the buttered rum cupcake minutes ago. “Did you bring me the lobsters?” Coco asked. “I’ve promised Ginger lobster pot pie, and without them, they’d just be pot pies.” Turner pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. “I left them on the porch. And since you’re making pot pie with my catch, does that mean—” “Yes, you’re invited too. Tomorrow evening.” “Oh, I can’t stay.” I’d finally snapped out of the semi-trance the incredibly handsome fisherman had left me in. “I just drove up here to—” “Nonsense. You must stay. You won a free vacation.” Coco placed her hand on my arm as I looked into her emerald eyes. It almost seemed as if she could read everything about me in my face. It was as if she knew the one thing in my life that had been missing was a passionate and true love that could rival the stories I had tucked deep on my hard drive. “You won’t regret it,” she said softly. “I—uh—well, I don’t have any plans.” My face warmed again as I realized how pitiful that sounded. “I mean my plans were cancelled at the last minute.” Of course, I felt no need to go into what those plans were because that would have sounded even worse. “Well, I’m glad you’re sticking around. Dexter and I are heading out to get below deck before those rain clouds pop.” Turner nodded politely and walked out. “Rain clouds?” I walked to the window and looked out. The clear navy blue sky had been muted by a thick ceiling of clouds, ominously dark clouds. “But that’s impossible. Earlier this evening there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.”

“Storms roll in quickly on Barbary Cove. It’ll be gone by morning. Then you can take out one of the canoes. If you paddle out far enough, the water is clear as glass. You can see everything.” “Did you say Barbary Cove? Where is Northam’s Cove from here?” Coco raised her smooth dark brows. “I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of it.” “But that’s impossible.” Coco flashed her all too wise grin. “I’ve found sometimes it’s easier not to understand the impossible and just go with it. Come. I’ll show you up to your room.” “I just realized I can’t possibly stay.” I held out my arms and stared down at my jeans. “I didn’t bring anything with me for a weekend.” “No worries. I’ll make sure you have everything you need. Oh, but I must warn you, cell phones don’t get reception up here. I’ve found it works though. You’ll be surprised how much fun you can have when you’ve unplugged for a weekend.” My highly unusual hostess winked and motioned for me to follow. Coco led me up the stairs and down a hallway with two bedrooms. She pushed open the door to one of the rooms and stepped inside. The center of the room was filled with a beautiful antique bed that was overflowing with pillows and downy quilts. “Oh my, that is a bed that you could get lost in.” I walked to the window, where a cushioned window seat was filled with nearly as many pillows as the bed. The first patters of rain hit the glass. “Will Turner be all right out on his boat?” “Oh sure. He’s spent his whole life on the ocean. His grandfather was a fisherman. He knows he can come back to the inn if it gets too bad out there.” Coco headed to another door and opened it. “I suggest you have a nice long soak in a bubble bath to start your weekend.” I walked forward and gazed into a richly appointed bathroom with a tub that was deep enough to swallow me up. The bathroom was more sumptuous than the bedroom. “I might just wrap myself in bubbles and sleep in that tub.” Coco laughed. “Might get a bit cold. I’ll go downstairs and fix you something to eat.” She waved her hand around the cozy room. “Enjoy.”

About the Author

Tess Oliver is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of sexy romances. She’s always working on new and exciting projects. You can stay up to date, and get a free book by visiting her website and subscribing to her newsletter. @Tess_Oliver tessoliverauthor www.tessoliver.com [email protected]