over his legs. “Presumptuous mortal, you must learn to be respectful.”
Three not-very-stinging swats hit her tender butt.
“Ow!” Only it didn’t really hurt.
His unmoved expression indicated he didn’t believe her in the least.
And she started to giggle.
With a grumbling sound, he sat her up and pulled her into his arms. “I beat on the woman, and she giggles. You’re killing my ego.” Chuckling, he murmured, “Fuck, I love you.”
She froze, and her breath caught in her throat.
“Such an expression.” He cupped her chin, watching her face. “Too soon?”
Breathe, Valerie. “You’re serious?”
His eyes turned soft. “Yes, Dr. Winborne, I’m profoundly serious. I love you.” His thumb stroked her cheek.
“But… I didn’t want a relationship.”
He chuckled. “Oops?”
Even as her heart swelled with joy, his unapologetic smile made her laugh. “I suppose if I say I still don’t want a relationship, you’d say you’ll wait?”
He tilted his head. “Sometimes patience is needed to win a war.” He firmly gripped her hair and tilted her head back. “As it happens, I’m an expert at strategic planning.”
His mouth covered hers in a slow, provocative kiss. One that left her boneless.
He pulled back far enough to look into her eyes. “Now, tell me the truth, woman.”
The words left her in a long sigh. “I love you.”
When his lips curved up, she blinked, tried to scowl, and laughed. “You… Yes, I really do. uHibbuka,” she murmured in Arabic. I love you.
“Thank you, ya amar.”
My moon—saying she was beautiful. She sighed and tilted her face for another kiss. And another.
Eventually, when she was purely boneless, he let her go.
“Now, let’s discuss.” He leaned forward and picked up his beer, then realized it was empty. His grumpy frown made her grin.
Without a word, he set the bottle back down. He rarely had more than one beer in an evening.
Still…how could she not offer another and have another chance to tease him? “Oh, my Supreme Power, let this unworthy one fetch you a fresh drink.”
She said the whole thing without laughing.
His head turned as if on a swivel, and he pinned her with a disbelieving gaze. “Again? I get the feeling my professor is craving an extended amount of discipline.”
Her mouth went dry…and every nerve in her body sparked to life.
Ghost was surprised—and pleased—as Valerie’s eyes dilated and red rose from her neck into her face. “Well, well, well. Far be it from me to turn down such an interesting request.”
Her swallow was audible. “I…didn’t request anything.”
“But you did.” He rose, took her hand, and pulled her into the bedroom. A twist of the wall rheostat set the Moroccan lanterns to a low glow. The light scent of sandalwood from the infuser drifted in the air.
Hearing the music, she tilted her head and smiled.
“I thought you’d enjoy it.” He’d put together a very sensual Middle Eastern playlist, and now, over the hidden speakers came the rhythm of the dumbek with the clear tones of the zumara and mizmar.
Smiling, he pulled her soft shirt up and over her head, baring her upper body. Unable to resist, he fondled one breast, then the other. “I’m going to have so much fun with these tonight.” Under his palms, the nipples bunched into delectable peaks.
In her wide eyes, anticipation warred with anxiety.
Perfect.
He backed her to the bed. A few days before, he’d stocked the big nightstand on his side with interesting toys for her. The Velcro cuffs went on her wrists. After checking the fit, he hooked them together in front of her.
“Now, I want you to sit here quietly and await the orders of your Supreme Power.” Supreme Power. He’d known she had a quiet brat streak.
Tipping her chin up, he took another quick kiss, then pinched the tips of her breasts, watching to see when she reached the border of pain.
In a while, he’d take her to that edge…and keep going.
Sit quietly? Valerie stared at the Colonel. Was he insane?
From his nightstand, he pulled out what he called toys.
Who in the world came up with the notion a cane was a toy?
First came a long stick with a square of leather at the end—a crop. Then a paddle. After each, he met her gaze with a wicked glint in his eyes, as if silently asking, Now, what might I do to you with this?
The quivers deep in her belly moved outward until her fingers trembled.
“Stand up for me, please,” he said quietly.
She wiggled off the high bed and let him pull her pants down, then help her step out of them.