Page 54 of Bound

He’s coming. And not in a sexual sense. I can sense himphysically approaching.

He throws the door open and tosses himself on the bed nextto me. He hasn’t put on his clothes. I should get up and put some distancebetween us. I need to be smart about this. Just because he was open doesn’tmean this will end any better than it did with Beck. A million things can gowrong. I should push him away and get dressed. Instead, when he puts his handpossessively over my stomach, I find myself moving my head to his shoulder,unable to force myself to break the connection.

“That was fun,” he says with a wicked grin. He’s sobeautiful it makes my heart ache.

“Is that the way you invite a woman to play?” I admit, it’san effective seduction technique. Suddenly I feel so vulnerable. I saw hispast. He’s had hundreds of women. They lined up for him. How can I evercompete?

His perfect face is suddenly very serious, looming over me.His gray eyes look almost silver in the soft light of morning. He sinks hishands into my hair and turns my face up to his. “I’ve never done that with anywoman before. I’ve waited my whole life to connect with another soul the way wedid, and we could have so much more, Meggie mine. You’re my wife, my bondmate.It won’t work with anyone else.”

I look up at him and finally realize he isn’t his brother.Technically, he’s half his brother, but they are so very different. How can Iever find happiness if I never ask for what I want? If I keep telling myselfno, I never give anyone a chance to say yes.

“I’m scared,” I tell Cian quietly.

“I know,” he replies with soft eyes. He leans down andpresses a kiss on my forehead, as tender as the pleasure before was rough. “Howabout we do this? Let’s take it slow. No more overwhelming you with my dirtyself-pleasure. I want you, Meggie. I want you to come to me because you wantme, not because I’m the only one available. Though I am, you understand. I knowyou are stubbornly telling yourself we’re not truly married, but I wouldn’tpush that if I were you. I’m willing to be reasonable. I’m willing to bepatient. I am not willing to watch you flirt with another man.”

“I can’t handle the two I have.” It feels so good to sinkinto his strength. It helps me find my own. “I want things, Ci. I have certainneeds that Beckett found distasteful. I’m worried you will, too.”

His laugh rumbles through his chest as he pulls me close. Hetangles our legs together. “I don’t find much distasteful sexually. Why don’tyou explain what you want? I saw flashes of it, but I don’t completelyunderstand. I liked how you looked tied up and spread out for me.”

I take a deep breath and proceed to explain Dominance andsubmission to Cian. He’s patient and asks questions.

“You want me to make decisions for you?”

“No.” I’m sure of that. “That’s the way it works for somecouples, but I would rather we had a partnership in our daily lives.”

“And at night, when we’re alone, I’m your Master,” Ciansays, his voice hoarse. His hands tighten around me, and I can feel his cockstarting to revive. “Your body is mine, and I do what I want with it.”

I sit up and look down at my husband who is, once again,sporting a huge erection. At least he seems willing to hear me out. “I haven’ttried this with anyone. I don’t know what I’ll like and what I won’t. Hell, atthis point I’m not even sure it was what I liked or if I was just overwhelmedby the bond. I have to admit I’m curious and a little scared by all of it.”

“You liked what Beck did to you,” he points out. He seems tobe carefully thinking through the problem. “Whether it was the bond or your ownneeds, you enjoyed yourself.”

I nod. “I loved it. It was the best sex I’ve ever had. Ishould warn you, though. I hadn’t had great sex before that. It was mediocre atbest. Beck was upset afterward. He doesn’t think I should like it. It can’twork if the Dom hates himself for dominating his submissive. It kind of defeatsthe point.”

Cian props himself up on one elbow and brushes the hair backfrom my face. “He’s fighting himself. He’s trying to be something we’re not.Give him time. Meanwhile, I’m more than willing to explore this with you. I’lladmit I’m not the dominant half. I’m very carnal, but I tend to be softer thanBeck.”

“If you don’t…”

His finger comes up to my lips. “Hush. I’m still male. Ithink I can handle it just fine. How about we make a vow? I’ll fulfill yourfantasies to the best of my ability, and you’ll do the same for me?”

I grin. “Deal.”

He reaches over and takes my left hand in his. He brusheshis thumb over the golden band that rests there. “This was my mother’s. I toldyou about it last night, but I don’t think you remember.”

Should I offer it back to him until we’re sure it can work?“I don’t. It’s beautiful, though. Maybe you should take it back for now.”

He gently squeezes my hand. “Please wear it. It wouldconfuse our people if you didn’t. But you should know that it’s important. It’sthe queen’s ring. My sister…”

Tears pierce my eyes because I remember this part. “Shedied, and the last thing she gave you was this ring. She wanted to save itbecause she watched your mother die. Ci, I’m so sorry about what happened.”

I feel him sigh, his body cuddling mine.

“Is it odd that it doesn’t feel as bad now that I’ve sharedit with you? Now when I think of that terrible time, I’ll remember that youwere there with me.”

Oh, how will I ever keep myself apart from this man? “I’llwear the ring, but if you ever want it back, I’ll understand.”

He sits up and kisses me firmly. “I won’t. I promise youthat. But, for now, we work on being friends. I want you to take this time I’mgiving you. I’ll back off, but the minute you say yes, everything changes. Doyou understand?”

I nod, seeing the trap he’s laid. I’ll have to be carefulwith my words for a few days.