He lifted an eyebrow. "Would that be so bad?"
"I can't afford to need anyone."
"I think it's too late, Kelly. At least...it is for me." He kissed her gently, a mere brush of his lips over hers. The tender touch made her tremble. "I need you, and I think you need me too." His breath was warm on her face. "You came after me. Revenge wasn't the only reason, admit it."
She swallowed. "Maybe you're right." That was hard, but she'd got it out.
He stared at her for an age, his eyes searching hers, his mouth moving into a smile.
Please don't push me for more, not yet, she prayed. I love you, but I'm not ready to say it.
"Maybe I'm right, huh?"
She nodded, mustering up a warning glance.
"Good, because I don't intend to let you get away." His expression grew mischievous.
They were playing again. Her heartbeat went out of whack, a mixture of relief and desire. She felt steadier. She wanted to challenge him, sexually. "How could you stop me, if I wanted to run?"
She wanted to hear what he would say, needed to know. Yes. Need. Damn him, he was making her fall for him by pushing her—pushing her just enough.
He didn't reply, but gave her a knowing, suggestive smile, then released her and walked over to the bench press. Reaching behind it, he lifted up a bag, which he placed on the bench. Then he went back to the door, and pulled the blind down, turned the key in the door and gave her a once-over that indicated he meant business. He was pacing himself, building up her anticipation.
She glanced over at the closed-circuit camera and noticed for the first time that there was a towel hanging over it. "You planned this all along."
"I came here with certain intentions, you know that, but the surroundings lent themselves perfectly to my plan." He gestured around the room. "And like you said to me on Saturday, I intend to enjoy it while I'm here."
Suddenly, the exercise equipment looked perfect for a workout of an entirely different kind. A thrill ran through her veins. Tommy flexed his body as if he were getting ready for a real workout. He looked dangerous and, in a room like this, the possibilities for kinky sex were numerous.
"You're all mine, and I'll do anything I have to, to keep you." He went over to the weights bench. Reaching inside the bag, he pulled some lengths of black tape.
She recognized it immediately. It was the same bondage tape she had used on him. "I thought we were done with revenge?"
Heat coursed through her. Instinctively she took a step back, but she wanted to be chased, to be hunted by this man who responded to her needs so well.
He ran the lengths of black PVC tape through his hands, the look in his eyes dangerously arousing. "You're going to be mine, and you will have to take everything I give you."
"I'll only get my revenge next time."
"Next time?" He smiled insinuatingly, and wound the length of tape around his fists, stretching it tight. "If it's anything like last time, you'll drive me insane."
"That could be entertaining," she retorted, her blood rushing with excitement. Her heart pounded against the wall of her chest. She noticed his gaze drifting over her breasts as they rose and fell inside her tight Lycra top.
He moved up against her in a flash.
Her hands clasped around his head, scrunching into his hair, reveling in that sensation she'd longed to feel again. Stroking him beneath his ear, where she knew his hidden erogenous spot was, she bit her lip and chuckled.
"There's no need for that." He squeezed her closer and let her feel how hard he was.
She hummed approvingly, her body soaring. "The chase has been kind of fun."
"The capture will be even better, I assure you." He put one large hand around the base of her neck, resting the palm on her collarbone, and walked her back towards the wall.
Overwhelmed, she moved under his control. She felt the stretch bars against her back and exclaimed.
"You are the most beautiful, crazy woman I've ever known." His hands moved to her wrists and he lifted her arms over her head, to the bar above.
She didn't fight him.