“Shit,” I laugh. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“Good. That reassures me that you will complete the bond soon.”
“Maybe…”
“No. You have to be sure.”
“Will it hurt you?” I crawl toward him.
“No.” He grabs my hands and helps me stand.
“Would you lie to me?” I narrow my eyes. I know the basics of mating. I’ve heard that what he is saying is possible. When he bites me, it will be physically impossible for him to leave me without the excruciating pain of an unfulfilled bond. With a human-shifter mating, doing this is impossible. Once the shifter bites a human, the change into a shifter begins.
“Baby, I’ll be fine.” He smiles. “Do you trust that I would never do anything to hurt you?”
“Yes,” I say quickly.
“Wait here,” he says, and leaves the room.
Shaking out my arms, I release the tension the conversation caused. Within a few days, I’ve bared my soul, and it’s been more freeing than difficult. He makes it easy. There is something about him that makes people at ease, unless he’s holding a knife to your throat. I turn as he returns, and freeze.
“Mate?” I stare at the leather bindings he has gripped in his hand.
“I would never force you to be tied up. These aren’t for you,” he says, and my eyes widen, meeting his.
“What?”
“I listened to your fears.” He walks toward me. “You’ve been worried about your reaction. Using these on me will ease some of that.”
“You are going to let me bind you,” I say slowly.
“You’re shocked,” he smirks.
“Well, yeah.” I motion toward his body. “You’re a badass assassin. Won’t it go against your male-dominant thing?”
“Baby.” He chuckles. “I do like control. In my work, and my life. This is different. If I have to do this to make you feel comfortable…I will. I hope that after a few times, you’ll be alright without them. I want you to be in control this time, and be able to explore.”
“We both know that those aren’t strong enough to hold you if you wanted loose.” I step close and trail my fingers over the leather.
“Yes, but it’s the illusion. Also, if you needed to get away, it would give you enough time before I broke them.” He lifts a shoulder. “It’s up to you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Will you welcome my mark?”
“I will.” Tingling starts to move through my body. I can’t say I’ve never thought about tying up a man. It’s not the same as confining a man I plan to torture.
“Hold them.” He holds the leather out, and I close my fingers around it. “What is your word?” He takes off his jacket.
“Captive,” I whisper, greedily watching him.
“Don’t hold back.” He drops to a knee and unlaces his boot. “If you are scared, say it. I will never be angry at you.” He switches knees to work on the other boot, removing the knife strapped to the side. “I give you free rein to do what pleases you.” Hestraightens and unbuttons his shirt. “Where would you like my mark?” He shrugs the fabric off his shoulders, laying it over his jacket.
“Uh…” This is the first time I’m seeing his skin. He’s muscled, yet not overly so. There are tattoos scattered over his chest.
“Baby,” he chuckles.
“It’s up to you.” His pants are next, and I try to control my expression as they drop.
