Dax’s hand trembles as he lifts the cigarette to his lips. He takes a long drag and also takes his time blowing out the smoke.
“Baby,” I whisper as my heart aches. “Those things are killing you.”
His wrist rests on his knee, and he flicks ash onto the ground. “I don’t want them, but I’m going out of my mind. They’re the only thing keeping me semi-stable.”
Adrenaline surges through me. “I’ve gotta get you out of here.”
He looks at me with a guilty smirk. “You’re the one tied up, Sassy.”
I sit taller and thrust my fist upward in a futile attempt to break free. “But I’m walking out of here.”
He returns the cigarette to his lips, getting up. He ambles over to me, his eyes running over me adoringly. “You’re too much. I’d never have guessed such a good girl could be so feisty.”
“I told you,” I whisper, looking up at him. “I gave up the good girl routine.”
He takes another puff and expels the smoke out the side of his mouth. His hand brushes over my hair, and my skin tingles.
He angles the cigarette downward and lowers it toward my arm.
I suck in a breath, flinching in the seat. “What are you doing?”
Dax presses the ashy end of the cigarette against the rope. As it singes, the rope crackles and hisses.
“See,” he says in a gravelly tone. “They come in handy sometimes.”
I look and a smile curls his lips. My stomach flutters, and I let myself crack a smile too.
He lowers, kneeling in front of me, and butts his cigarette on the ground. “Do you trust me?”
“Wholeheartedly.”
Dax reaches inside his jacket pocket and pulls out his lighter. There’s a noticeable break in the rope, but not enough to tear it apart. Dax flicks on the lighter and moves the flame toward my wrist.
I hiss, backing up in the chair.
He holds my hand as he guides the flame over the rope. “I’m right here with you. I won’t hurt you.”
I squeeze his hand, holding my breath as the rope catches fire.
The flame breaks through the fibers of the rope, finally splitting it in two. Swiftly, Dax lowers his head, blowing hard to extinguish the flame. Coughing hard, he closes the lighter and pulls at the rope until my hand is free.
I pull my hand up and press it against my rising chest. With relief, a soft laugh trickles out of me.
Dax leans over, kissing my free hand. His breath patters against my chest, upping my adrenaline.
He pulls away, looking into my eyes. “Ready to go again?”
I nod.
Suppressing another cough, Dax flicks on the lighter and angles the flame at my other wrist. The flame catches onto the rope and licks my skin. I yelp in pain, and Dax hurriedly blows out the flame.
“I’m sorry,” he blurts, cupping a hand over my tender skin. “Are you okay?”
I press my lips together, nodding. “Mm-hmm.”
“Are you okay to try again?”
I gasp for breath. “Yeah. Just do it quickly.”
