tie it loosely around my neck. What a great reminder of the bondage chapter.
The roar of his Mustang rattles the windows as he pulls up in front of the house. I rush out the door with the book in my hand and hop into his car.
“I would have come to the door for you, Kat.”
“I know, but I’m so excited to talk about the chapter. I think our discussion will titillate, don’t you?” I play with the scarf, wrapping it around my wrist repeatedly.
“You’re doing that on purpose. Stop it, or we won’t get to dinner.” His tongue slips out of his mouth to moisten his lips, and all I can think about is how much I want to suck that tongue into my mouth.
“So many threats, and so little action,” I tease as I roll my tongue over my lips, mimicking him.
His eyes widen, and a soft murmur that sounds like hmm comes out.
Moon Mongolian Barbecue is the perfect location for tonight’s talk. The chapter was descriptive, and I’m sure I can make him squirm. He seems to enjoy making me come unhinged, so let’s see if I can turn the tables.
We both head to the buffet to fill our bowls with various meats, veggies, and sauces. While we wait for our food to grill, I reach for my silk scarf and weave it around both of my wrists, raising my hands above my head to grab his attention. I keep twisting the ends until I’m bound.
“Is this what you had in mind?” I whisper. “The fabric is soft, yet so strong.”
Damon lunges forward and unwinds the scarf from my wrists and places it back around my neck. “Be careful, Kat. You don’t want to go there. You don’t know what you might unleash.” He bites his lower lip and lets it pop free. “I’d have no problem tying you up right here in front of everyone.”
Shocked, I step back but never stop playing with the soft fabric.
His expressive eyes track my every move. I think about his threats and convince myself they are simply that—empty threats.
Once we have our plates of food, we walk to our table and start tonight’s book club meeting.
“What’s your take on this week’s read?” I ask.
“Well, last week we discussed their good looks and how that might influence them. Do you still think that’s the case?” He eats a forkful and looks to me for an answer.
“I think their attraction to each other draws them together. Combined with the pure sexual chemistry they share, it’s addictive, but it goes deeper than that. She cares about him and wants to please him because she wants to be everything he desires.”
“Don’t you think being someone’s everything is taking it too far?” he asks.
I debate the question for a minute or two. “You can lose yourself in a passionate romance, but there’s a way to navigate it and remain true to yourself.”
“How far would you go for a person you cared about?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never been tested that way. I see the main character’s perspective. She cares for him, and she also knows he’ll take her to places she’s never been, but it scares and intrigues her. Why do you think he insists on the contract?”
He glances from side to side, then looks at me before saying, “The exchange of money keeps feelings out of the equation.”
I move the broccoli around my plate. “Is that why you hire escorts? Are you afraid of emotional attachments?”
His head snaps back like I splashed him with ice water. “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about the book.”
“I think we may be talking about both.”
“I’m not up for discussion tonight. And on that note, I think we’re done for the night. Ready to go?”
I’d hit a nerve with my comment. Rather than pick at a scab, I pay the bill, and we leave the restaurant.
Once we are back in the car, he reaches into the back seat and pulls out a large box. “This is from my mom. She thought it would look nice on you.” He sets it in my lap. “You shouldn’t have to borrow a gown for Saturday, especially that blue one.” He taps the box. “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to wear it.”
“Tell your mom thank you.” I’m floored his mother sent me a dress for the performance.
As we pull up in front of my house, I wait for him to come around and let me out. I’m not letting him