I ran it the length and felt his fingers around my wrist tighten. I took that as a good sign so when I came back down his jaw, I used my lips.
He pulled back and shook me carefully. “Maddie, look at me and listen.”
“Come closer,” I begged.
“I need to gag you and tie you to the bed,” he declared.
Oh God.
Awesome.
“Yes,” I breathed, pressing close to him again.
His eyes flashed, the pads of his fingers at my waist and those around my wrist dug in and he said, “No, my dove, not for that. For your own good. You’ve had adela tea and the effects won’t wear off for some time. I need to leave you alone. And so you don’t get into trouble, I need to tie you down.”
“I’m okay with the tying down bit, not okay with the leaving bit,” I told him.
“I must.”
“You mustn’t.”
“Maddie, I must.”
I shook my head and pressed closer. “Please, don’t leave.”
“But I must,” he repeated.
I ignored that and pulled him with me as I took a step back, urging, “Come to bed.”
“I can’t.”
I slid my hand to his jaw and got up on tiptoe, begging, “Please.”
He moved both of his hands to my face and dipped his close, but his hold on me was firm so I couldn’t get to his mouth. I knew this because I tried.
“My poppy, focus on my eyes, listen to me.”
“I’m listening,” I assured him. “But I can listen better in bed.”
“We get in that bed, neither of us will be talking.”
“I’m down with that too,” I shared.
“I think I understand what you mean by that, and if I do, I can also assure you won’t be down with that in the morning.”
“I will,” I replied quickly. “I promise. Swear.”
“Maddie—”
I got up on my toes as close to him as I could.
He moved that inch away, which sucked.
I tried a different tactic and whispered, “It’s been over three years.”
“Gods,” he rumbled, the sound of that single word going through me in a way that I had to stifle a moan of pleasure.
“I need you, baby,” I pleaded.