handiwork, Xavier surprised her by sinking down onto the bed and taking her in his arms. He kissed her deeply, as if he needed her like his next breath. He overwhelmed her, drowning her senses in the scent, taste and feel of him. When one of his hands roamed downward to slide between her legs, she knew he would find her wet and wanting, ready and willing.
He ended the kiss, holding her gaze as his hand took possession of the area between her legs, cupping her, warming her, making her want him even more. She wanted to turn the tables. He’d overwhelmed her on the couch. This time, she wanted a chance to do something more than just lie there and take it—although that had been a glorious experience. This time, she wanted to give as good as she got.
A little demon of mischief riding her shoulder, Sarah caught his attention with what she hoped was a sultry smile.
“If I recall correctly, you said the silk hangings were giving you ideas. Did you mean…?” She licked her lips. “Were you thinking about tying me up?”
She felt the flame leap in his pulse and knew she’d hit the nail on the head.
“Would you like that?” His voice was gravely and pitched low, almost coaxing. Just the sound of it made her abdomen clench.
“You know, they say turnabout is fair play.” She wondered if she could get him to agree to her daring plan. He looked willing to humor her.
“You want to tie me up?” He sounded surprised.
“I’m a cop, Xavier. I have a pair of shiny handcuffs on my belt that I’ve always wondered about.”
“You’re kidding.” He didn’t sound appalled by the idea, much to her delight.
She’d fantasized about using her cuffs on a lover since the day they’d been issued but had never found the right man to approach with her secret fantasy. Something told her Xavier was bold enough, and confident enough in himself, to let her explore some of the forbidden things that had crossed her mind from time to time.
“I’ll even leave the key within reach, just in case. The question is, are you willing to put yourself at my mercy?”
His answer was all-important. Did he trust her enough to let her do this? Was he willing to give over control to her? More than anything, the next moments would tell her if he was willing to be a true partner, willing to share control with her once in a while. That was the kind of relationship she’d searched for all her life and had never found.
Until now? She’d know the answer soon enough.
Instead of giving his answer in words, Xavier rolled to his back on the bed and held his arms out in front of him, hands fisted, wrists side by side.
“Do your worst, Officer Petit.”
His gaze held humor, adventure and something much more tender that touched her heart. She went to get the cuffs.
He wasn’t sure why he was doing this. Never before had he been with a woman he was willing to make himself helpless for, but Sarah Petit was breaking all sorts of new ground with him. He saw deeper into her psyche. He knew her background and all about her family. He also knew the kind of person she was—driven to succeed in a family and a profession that had been dominated by men.
She needed to know he was willing to let her drive more than just the car. He had to pass this little test of loyalty and trust or they’d go no further. It was clear to him, though she probably didn’t even realize what she was doing herself. He could see her need for his respect and trust.
Maybe it was because he knew more about her, thanks to the mission and his need to read the investigative report on her background. The result was that he knew her better than any woman he’d ever had. Even the woman he’d thought had been the love of his life. In reality, he hadn’t understood what made Heather take the job in Manhattan that kept them so far apart so much of the time.
He still didn’t understand it. No more than he understood why she’d had to die in such a senseless act of aggression.
Sarah came back to him, a sexy little grin on her face. Damn, she was beautiful. Strong yet vulnerable, confident in her abilities, yet unsure of herself as a woman in so many ways. She was a fascinating