All Tied Up

“Good,” he said of her agreement, reaching behind him to ease her leg from his with gentle insistence. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He settled her foot back on the ground and worked her fingers from his wrists.

He realized then that he’d gotten the trust he wanted. But now that he had it, that trust felt like a hot potato he should toss back. All the women he’d been with these past three years were of Alvarez’s world. They were criminals, no better than the man they served, because of their choices. He’d tried to group Nicole into that category—just part of his assignment, gratifying his own needs. But Nicole wasn’t one of those other women; she wasn’t anything like them.

At the same time, he himself wasn’t the type of man who walked in her world. He barely remembered his real name half the time. He didn’t even have a home right now. Everything was in storage. His life was danger, sex, poison, in all different flavors. Nicole’s world was a direct contrast to his: full of order and the pursuit of justice, by way of perfect appearances and rules.

Yet…he still wanted her. Not only did he want her, he had to have her. Just one time, he told himself. He’d make sure she enjoyed every last minute of it, too.

Chapter Six

NICOLE HATED DEFEAT, and defeat created by one’s own self was the worst kind. For all the structure and control in her life, claustrophobia had been her nemesis. She’d learned relaxation techniques to deal with it. She had even managed to get on a plane, albeit slightly sedated, but still, she’d managed to fly and not panic. She could do the same with this damn cave, and doing it without drugs would be a sign of real progress.

Easier said than done, she thought, as she stared at the black hole Constantine had disappeared into, and waited impatiently for the light he’d promised. All sorts of horrid fates that could befall him raced through her mind. Maybe a wild animal? Another snake?

Her eyes went to the giant rock Constantine had removed from blocking the hole that seemed barely big enough for him to slide down into. Retrieving a rope hidden somewhere inside the cave, he’d tied it around the rock, which she assumed was to pull it back in place when ready. She couldn’t see how else the rock would get there once they were belowground. Quite ingenious.

Suddenly, a warm glow filled the cavern, and Nicole let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding. That was the signal to follow him. She steadied herself, pressing one balled hand to the center of her chest and her racing heart. She could do this, and she would not hyperventilate. Inhale, exhale. Okay. Maybe this was just what she needed. To face her fear.

Thunder crashed overhead, almost directly on top of her, and Nicole jumped at the ferocious sound. The violence of the storm somehow reminded her of the violence hunting them. This stupid phobia was not going to get her killed.

She didn’t give herself time to think any further; she quickly narrowed her gaze on the makeshift stairs Constantine had told her about. Clear on where to step, she went into action, and started down the wall, the steel stakes, thankfully, as sturdy as Constantine had promised. She passed an electric lantern—the kind that campers use—hanging to her left a few steps down. It was a comforting sight as these lanterns weren’t likely to burn out.

She focused on each step, refusing to look down, except that she ran out of metal stakes too quickly, with nowhere to go, and the ground still a long ways off. Nicole twisted around, placing her back to the wall, to find Constantine standing directly below her. She scanned the area, surprised to find it the size of a small bedroom.

Constantine held his hands out. “Jump,” he said, pulling her attention to him. “I’ll catch you.”

If she tried, Nicole knew she could think of a million reasons not to jump. But then, she didn’t want to try. She was frustrated with herself—for her fear, her blisters, for letting herself expose a weakness to a mere stranger. She jumped, her heart all but stopping with the act.

A second later, Constantine’s hands settled on her hips, the fingers of one hand spread on her backside, seemingly holding her without effort. The heart that had stuttered was now back to pounding a rapid drumroll.

Constantine slid her body down his rock-hard perfect one with delicious slowness, their hips melting together. Somehow they froze like that, her feet not yet on the ground. The instant her gaze found the heat in his, her body reacted, nipples tightening, thighs aching with the burn of desire. He certainly knew how to take her mind off the small space.