All Tied Up Read online

  His stomach clenched. Fuck, he already knew Lindsay was just in it for the ride, he didn’t need Pamina reminding him.

  Pamina tsked and shook her head. “Such a shame, really. It seems that all the men in her life had been eager to mooch off her, eager to separate her from her money. A few months back, she’d had enough of it and had given up on the opposite sex.”

  His mind raced, remembering their conversation over lunch. Him telling her he needed money for his exams. Obviously she thought he was looking for something from her, the same way every other man had. But after everything they shared, he thought she’d have known him better than that, thought she’d seen him as something different.

  “I guess it would take a pretty special guy to get her to trust again. And if she ever offered a man money, it would merely be her way of showing she trusted, she cared. It’d be a big leap of faith on her part, don’t you think?”

  Brad stilled. Oh shit. He hadn’t seen that coming.

  * * *

  Numb and a bit confused, Lindsay watched him go. Okay, that hadn’t gone quite as planned.

  Just then Candace and Anna came racing in from their rooms. Candace reached her first. “What’s going on? I heard a bang? Are you okay?”

  Stomach in knots, Lindsay said, “I don’t think so.”

  Anna wrapped her arms around her waist. “You’re so pale.” She touched Lindsay’s forehead. “Are you sick?”

  When she shook her head, Candace and Anna exchanged a worried look.

  With kid gloves, Anna walked her toward the door, Candace tight on their heels. “Come on, let’s get you some water.”

  They led her to the kitchen and once she was seated with a glass of ice water in front of her, Candace plunked down in the chair beside her. “What’s going on?”

  She wrung her hands together. “I just gave Brad a shitload of money.”

  Anna pulled a chair up beside her and kept her tone soft. “Are you kidding me, Lindsay?”

  “Afraid not.”

  “Holy shit! Why did you do that?” Candace asked, eyes wide in total shock.

  She shrugged. “He needed the money.”

  Candace threw her head back in disbelief. “So once again a guy has managed to schmooze you and separate you from your money.”

  Anna cut Candace a stern glance. “Don’t be so hard on her.”

  Candace ignored Anna. “So now that he’s got your money, he’s gone, right? Good Lord, when are you going to learn the kinds of guys you attract are lazy bastards who simply want to mooch off you.”

  “Don’t talk about him like that, Candace. He’s not like other guys. He’s a hard worker and he takes care of his family.” She lowered her voice. “He’s really wonderful. And he didn’t even take the money.”

  “Oh boy,” Anna piped in.

  Lindsay and Candace turned to face her. “What?” they said in unison.

  “Lindsay, do you realize what you’re doing?” Anna asked.

  “What?”

  “You’re protecting and supporting him. The same way you always protect and support me and Candace. You only do that with the ones you love.”

  Oh God, she loved him. She really and truly loved him. And now her goddamn plan to show him just how much she cared had backfired.

  “Did you tell him how you felt?” Candace asked.

  “I told him I only wanted sex. He agreed.”

  Candace shook her head in confusion. “So you gave him money?”

  “He told me no one had ever supported his dream. I figured if I gave him money it would show him how much I cared. Show him that what was between us wasn’t just about sex for me, like I had originally said.”

  Anna softened her voice. “Has he ever told you he felt differently?”

  “No, why would he? He went into this thinking of me only as a playmate. And after talking with him, intimately, I now know he’s used to that type of behavior from women. He doesn’t expect anything more. That’s why I felt I needed to show him, and not just tell him.”

  Brad’s voice sounded in the doorway. He pointed to Lindsay. “You. In your bedroom. Now.”

  Lindsay stood on shaky legs and, as though fearing she was going to bolt, Brad cupped her elbow, packaged her tight against his body and escorted her up the stairs. When they reached the bedroom, she twisted to face him.

  “Brad, I…”

  He pressed his fingers to her lips. When his eyes met hers, a shiver traveled all the way to her toes. “I’m an idiot.” His voice was low, harsh.

  Before she had a chance to respond, his mouth smashed down on hers. Hard. His kiss was so full of urgency, need and passion, her body responded in kind. Blood racing, she kissed him back with all the love inside her.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered into his mouth, her voice rough with emotion.

  Bodies still molded together, Brad inched his mouth back. He cupped her cheeks and held her face between his palms. God, she loved how he touched her in such a familiar way. She arched into him and when she saw love shining in his eyes, her heart slammed in her chest.

  “You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” The heat of his breath assailed her neck and aroused all her senses. Her skin came alive with desire.

  She worked to find her voice and slid her tongue over her bottom lip. “When I offered you that money, I didn’t stop to think it would offend you. Or make you feel used, the way other women have made you feel. It was just my way of showing I cared, where no one else did.”

  His hands were all over her, like he couldn’t get enough. “I know that now, Lindsay. I should have trusted that it was a heartfelt gesture, that you were doing it because you cared.”

  “Old insecurities are hard to let go of, Brad. I know that firsthand.”

  “Fortunately Pamina helped me understand things.”

  Lindsay’s fingers raced through his hair, pulling him impossibly closer to her. “Pamina?”

  She could feel his body trembling with pent-up need. “Yeah, she explained to me how men always used you and how offering me money was a big leap of faith on your part.”

  Lindsay furrowed her brow. “I don’t know how that woman knows so much.” But none of that really mattered to her right now, because standing before her was the man of her dreams and the look on his face told her all she needed to know. He loved her as much as she loved him.

  Brad slipped his hands to the small of her back and splayed them open. She watched his throat as he swallowed. His voice dropped to a whisper and there was such tenderness in his gaze. “Before you I never believed in love at first sight.”

  “Me neither.”

  “I love you, Lindsay, and I’m never going to let you slip away.”

  She grinned, her heart nearly exploding in her chest. “I love you too, Brad. But just how do you plan on doing that?”

  Mischief filled his eyes. “I do have my ways,” he assured her, his glance going to the goodie box.

  “Show me,” she said, inviting him to answer the pull between her legs.

  “It’d be my pleasure.”

  She smiled. “I’m pretty sure it would be my pleasure too.”

  He furrowed his brow, his voice taking on a hard edge. “I’m sorry, did you somehow think I gave you permission to talk?”

  Lindsay bit back a smile, thrilled with the way he so easily slipped into his role, a role he played just for her. She’d never met anyone so in tune with her needs, her desires or her emotions before. God she loved him so much she ached.

  She assumed her role. “I should probably be punished.”

  Brad stepped back and let his gaze pan over her body. “Take off your clothes but leave on your panties and bra.”

  She obliged without hesitation, thankful that she’d put panties on that morning.

  Her entire body shook as she watched the way his eyes devoured her with hunger, with heat. Once she was naked, he gripped her hips and backed her up until she was next to the window again. He went to the box and pulled ou
t a set of leather straps.

  Oh. Good. God.

  With predatory moves he stalked toward her, gripped her wrists and wrapped the straps around them.

  “Spread your arms.”

  Brad shackled her wrists and tied her arms to the hooks meant for the curtain tiebacks, prohibiting her from moving. Such ingenuity. Her body quaked in anticipation, certain she’d never been so excited in her entire life.

  His hand stroked over her body, a slow seduction that nearly unhinged her. He caressed the pattern of her curves and then casually made his way downward to her panties. He pressed his finger into her heat and moaned.

  “You’re very wet, Lindsay.”

  He was testing her to see if she’d speak, knowing if she did punishment would come. Hell, who was she too disappoint him?

  Her mouth curved invitingly. “You make me this way.”

  He silenced her words with a kiss and inched back. His eyes darkened with passion. His gaze dropped from her eyes, to her lips, to the damp triangular patch between her thighs. He gripped the thin white lace of her panties and, with a light tug, stripped them from her hips.

  “Oh my,” she whispered, her head falling to the side.

  He tsked and shook his head. “Such disobedience. I believe a tongue lashing is in order.” He dropped to his knees and put his mouth close to her pussy. His nose nudged her clit, drawing it out from its fleshy hood. He inhaled her scent before licking her lightly.

  “Jesus,” he growled. “You taste sweeter than a peach.”

  Lindsay bit down on her bottom lip to suppress a sexually frustrated moan. A shiver prowled through her. “Please,” she begged, her body reacting to the lust in his voice.

  His rough tongue touched her lips and spread them wide apart. “Open your legs,” he demanded.

  Lindsay spanned them as far apart as possible. Her entire body lubricated. Warm liquid touched her thighs and made them quake. Heat crawled over her body and warmed her from the inside out.

  “So perfect.” The warmth from his breath caressed her flesh and stroked her clit. Her entire body shuddered and she jerked her hips forward, pushing her pussy against his face, begging for more, begging for him to ravish her.

  His hand came around to smack her ass. “You’re not ready for me yet,” he bit out.

  Oh God, that slap did the most amazing things to her nerve endings.

  His thumb touched her clit, applying gentle pressure. The sweet torture made her convulse. When she wiggled, he smacked her again. “Keep still, Lindsay, or there will be no pleasure for you.” The heat in his voice excited her even more.

  She whimpered and almost lost it right then and there. She loved how he took control, of her pain and her pleasure.

  When he turned his attention to her pussy and dipped his tongue inside, she knew she wouldn’t last long.

  Brad reached inside the box again and pulled out the bottle of peach-flavored Hot Kisses. He gave it a slight shake and opened it. With a wicked grin on his face, he dipped his finger into liquid and dabbed it on her clit.

  The minute the cold touched her heated flesh, she felt all her composure slip away. Brad rubbed, until she was sufficiently coated. Then he pulled her swollen lips apart and blew a cool breath. Her clit tingled, her sex quaked, her world turned upside down. Palming her curves, he held her and absorbed her tremor. Once she stopped shaking, he blew on her sex, and her entire body went up in a burst of flames.

  “It feels so good,” she managed between gasps.

  One finger slipped inside her. “You’re very close, Lindsay.”

  She made a move to rake her hands through his hair but when her arms were tugged back by the leather restraints, it excited her even more.

  Brad pushed another finger inside her. It was a deliciously snug fit. With the tip of his tongue, he went to work on her clit. As his heat seared her aching bud, it became her undoing. Lindsay could feel the pressure building inside her, growing in intensity until her body shuddered and throbbed and splintered into a million pieces. Breath rushed from her lungs, liquid arousal rushed from her sex and her legs nearly gave out.

  “Brad,” she cried out as her orgasm washed over her.

  Brad stayed on his knees for a long time, his tongue licking her sex. “God I love you so much, Lindsay,” she heard him whisper from between her legs.

  A moment later he climbed to his feet and brought his mouth to hers. She could feel his cock press insistently against her stomach and knew she had to feel him inside her.

  She could barely think, barely talk. She forced the words out between labored breaths. “I need you inside me, Brad. I want to make love with you.”

  He touched her cheek and ran his thumb over her eyes, her nose and her mouth. “I’d like nothing more, Lindsay. But you’re not ready for me yet.” His hands went to her leather restraints and unleashed her.

  Her eyes felt heavy. “What are you doing?”

  “Now it’s my turn, my way.”

  With her brains still fuzzy from that powerful orgasm, she couldn’t comprehend anything he was saying. Instead of asking, she just blindly followed him to the bed.

  She stood there, awaiting instruction. As his gaze washed over her with love, it suddenly occurred to her, no instructions were to come. He was showing her what he wanted and needed.

  Warm arms circled her waist, his eyes were filled with such tenderness, everything in her reached out to him.

  He put his mouth close to her ear. His silky hair swept over her shoulder and brought on a shiver. “I’m so crazy about you.” He eased her onto the bed, stood back and removed his clothes. Lindsay watched with heated interest, enjoying the show.

  Without taking his hungry gaze off her, Brad grabbed a condom from his wallet, sheathed himself and slid back onto the bed with her. With the utmost care, he lay on top of her and spread her legs with his knees. He traced the pattern of her face as his mouth found hers. His kiss was deep, emotional.

  He inched back and met her gaze. His eyes had softened and gone was all the dominance from earlier. One hand touched her face, heat radiated from his fingertips. “Now you’re ready for me.”

  Shifting his position, he took a long moment just to look at her. Then he eased his thick cock inside her, slowly, giving her only one inch at a time, prolonging her pleasure.

  His lips took possession of hers and his kiss touched her in places so deep she thought she’d burn up. His warm familiar scent curled around her as he moved his hips, gently, methodically, giving and taking. She became pliable beneath him, offering herself to him fully, body and soul.

  His cock pressed deeper, and his thrusts became more urgent. Deep breaths expanded and collapsed his chest as he rocked against her.

  “Oh, babe, you are incredible.”

  Sex had never, ever been this good for her. And she knew why, because she’d never had sex with a man she loved.

  His lovemaking was so slow, so tender that it filled her with love and brought her to the edge in no time at all. Her hands curled around his neck as another orgasm pulled at her. “I’m there.”

  As his eyes locked on hers, languorous warmth stole through her. “Me too.”

  She gave herself over to her orgasm and could feel his cock pulse inside her as he too reached his climax. Corded muscles shifted when he angled her for a deeper thrust. His breath came in a ragged burst and he threw his head back as he emptied himself in her.

  Her bottom lip caught between her teeth, her whole body shook in delight and the world around her tilted on its axis. Brad remained inside her for a long time, until their breathing returned to normal. She played with his hair, enjoying the weight of his body on hers.

  Rolling onto his side, he dragged her with him and pulled her in close. He touched her cheek and gave her a warm smile.

  “Wow,” she murmured.

  Brad chuckled. “You really are something else, you know that?”

  When she offered him a sassy grin, his eyes filled with laughter. “Why y
es, I do, Brad. But feel free to keep reminding me of that.”

  “That’s a pretty smart mouth you’ve got there, Lindsay.” His hands moved to her hips, his fingers bit into her flesh. “And you know what I do with smart-mouthed women.”

  Her eyes lit with intrigue. “No, what?”

  “I punish them.”

  Afterword

  Thank you so much for reading, ALL TIED UP in my Pleasure Inn series. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I loved writing it. Be sure to check out books 2 & 3, ALL WORKED UP, and ALL LIT UP. Please read on for an excerpt from ALL WORKED UP.

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  Interested in leaving a review? Please do! Reviews help readers connect with books that work for them. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.

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  Happy Reading,

  Cathryn

  All Worked Up

  Interior designer Candace Steele stood on the cracked and pitted sidewalk fringing the unsightly Victorian inn, which was unquestionably defacing the quaint town of Mason Creek, a small community on the outskirts of Connecticut. As she examined the array of landscapers and painters all milling about in an effort to return the insect-infested yard as well as the paint-chipped cedar shingles to their natural beautiful state, she stretched out her legs in preparation for her habitual early-morning run.

  Just because she was on a job, hired by a strange mystical-like woman named Pamina, and was on a tight deadline, it didn’t mean she was about to give up her regular exercise routine—partly due to the upcoming fall triathlon and partly because the exercise filled her sex-deprived body with endorphins. Since she and her colleagues, Lindsay and Anna, childhood friends and co-owners of the bustling interior design shop, Styles for Living, had all recently sworn off men, she damn well had to get her “natural high” from somewhere.

  Candace lunged forward, preparing her thigh muscles for a strenuous workout. While she stretched, she thought about the job ahead and the fantasy-inspired theme room each designer had been hired to create. Lindsay had gone for a BDSM theme, Anna for sweet romance. Candace, however, drawing on her experience as a competitive runner, had decided to create a fantasy room for those interested in a little marathon sex. Talk about a room doing double duty for the actively inclined.