Caspian (Carolina Reapers 8)

Caspian leaned down, capturing my mouth with his. I arched into his kiss, opening for him as he slid his tongue inside my mouth. He teased and rubbed my tongue with his, grazing the roof of my mouth before pulling back an inch. “It’s not a game for me either,” he whispered against my lips. “It hasn’t been. And I can’t promise you anything because I have to go back to Charleston for the season. I’m contractually obligated to leave. But I’m here now. And it’s real for me too.”

My heart stuttered at his declaration. “I know you have to leave soon,” I said. I’d always known that. But the fact that this was real for him? That I wasn’t just some random pastime? It gave me hope. For what? I wasn’t sure. But it was a hell of a lot better than the unknown I’d been living in the last few weeks. “I’m not asking you for anything except for this to be real.”

Caspian shifted, sliding his fingers into my hair as he tilted my head back. His eyes grazed over my face like he was memorizing every detail. It made me feel wholly vulnerable and yet totally empowered at the same time. The way he looked at me made me feel like a damn queen.

“It’s real,” he said, slanting his mouth over mine. “This?” he asked between my lips. “It doesn’t get any more real than this, Ryleigh.” He brought one of his hands down, sliding around my hip and to my lower back, hauling me flush against his body. I gasped at the contact, at how hard he was already. For me. “Now for the really serious question,” he said, drawing away enough to look down at me.

A knot formed in my throat, nerves tangling everywhere. “What’s that?”

A wicked smile shaped his lips. “You said I could do anything in the bedroom and you’d like it,” he said, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s not a question,” I said.

“I’m asking you if you really meant that,” he said, his voice low.

Warm shivers raced across my skin. I reached up on my tiptoes and nipped at his bottom lip. “Absolutely,” I whispered.

“How about we go find out?” he asked, tugging me away from the island and leading me toward my bedroom.

Anticipation flared inside me so much I almost skipped after him, but I managed to maintain some dignity and just walked. The elation I felt at having told him how much he meant to me, and that this wasn’t an act for me, made my head spin. But the mischievous lustful look on his face as he gently nudged me onto my bed? That had me breathless.

“Stay,” he said, and I arched a brow at the demanding tone. But I stayed, watching him as he crossed the room, rummaging in the duffle bag he’d brought over several nights ago. In seconds, he was back, fabric hanging from his hands. “Do you trust me?” he asked, showing me the ties he’d no doubt had in his bag leftover from the wedding events.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. “Yes,” I said on a whisper.

“Then take off your clothes,” he said, his tone purely primal. I did as I was told, relishing each flare in his eyes as he watched me strip until I was completely bare for him.

He groaned, his eyes trailing the length of my body. “Lay back,” he said, motioning to the head of the bed.

I shifted, scooting back until my head hit my pillow.

Slowly, he leaned over me, taking my left hand and gently tying it to one post of my bed. My chest rose and fell rapidly as he tied my other until both my hands were secured. He grinned at me before covering my eyes with the last tie he held, the silk soft against my sensitive skin.

“Caz,” I breathed his name as my eyes were covered.

“Yes,” he said, his voice all tease. “Comfortable?” he asked, a serious concern in his voice.

“Yes,” I said, and then gasped as his mouth closed around my pert nipple. The shock of the sensation rippled down my body, not being able to see only heightened the touch. He palmed my other breast as he flicked and teased the other with his tongue. I arched against him, my hands halting from the bonds as I instinctively reached for him.

“I can do whatever I want to you right now,” he said, and I arched my hips up, desperate to feel him. But he shifted away, and I turned my head toward the sound of clothes hitting the floor.

“As long as you touch me,” I practically begged when he’d gone silent in the room.

“In a hurry?” he asked, and I sucked in a breath as the bed dipped with his weight next to me.