I cocked an eyebrow at her, grinning, glad that she was enjoying herself at my expense. “Your level of punishment is rising by the minute. Unless you’re doing it on purpose?”

We stood at the front door to my apartment, and I dug the key from my pocket.

“Here, let me do it.” She took the key from my hand and inserted it into the lock, turning it quickly. I rubbed my cock against her ass, pressing hard into her softness.

“Jesus, you’re a horny boy tonight,” she teased as the door swung open.

“Yes. For you . . . horny for you.” I panted as I slammed her against the inside wall, my hands on those tits that had been torturing me. I grabbed the ends of her shirt and pulled hard, smiling as tiny buttons scattered over the wooden floor.

“Harrison,” she grumbled, “that was one of my favorite damn shirts.”

My lips burned into the soft skin of her neck. “One of mine too, but not for the same reasons as yours,” I mumbled against her velvet skin.

“Oh yeah?”

“Because of what’s in it,” I said, as I slipped it off her arms. “You.”

Her breath hitched as the shirt dropped to the floor. I pushed the cup of her bra down and sucked a nipple into my mouth, not bothering to remove it first. Her fingers twisted in my hair, pulling me closer to her as she moaned loudly.

“Fuck. You’re enjoying this far too much.” I grabbed her wrists and before she knew it, I’d secured handcuffs around both. “Down. On your knees,” I demanded, pushing her down by her shoulders. She had to pay for torturing me.

She obeyed without a word, casting her eyes down and waiting for my next order. Her short skirt had ridden up her thighs and exposed most of her lean legs. My heart squeezed in my chest seeing her like this, every dip and curve highlighted from this vantage point.

“Eva. Look at me,” I commanded. She kept her head down.

“Eva,” I repeated, needing to see her eyes. I had no idea why, but it just wasn’t the same if I couldn’t see what she was feeling in those intelligent, expressive eyes. I also knew just how far I could push her simply by looking into those orbs.

Her head rose slowly, exposing her swanlike neck. But her eyes were closed, her long dark lashes resting on her cheeks, and a small, nearly unperceivable smile twisted the corners of her mouth. I sucked in a breath at her sheer beauty; no matter how much I stared at her face, it blew me away every time.

Who the fuck was in command here? It was me, right?

Then why did I feel as if she had all the power?

I gripped her scalp and tilted her head back even farther. “Look at me, baby,” I said softly, keeping the tone of my voice even.

Her eyes fluttered open and she found mine. For the first time I couldn’t read her expression. There was something in them bordering on sadness that flickered for a few seconds before she closed them again.

Fuck. What was that?

As punishment, I was going to make her suck my cock. I was going to relentlessly fuck her mouth with my dick, taking my time drawing out my pleasure as she made me cum, then watch her swallow every drop. And yet I had an overwhelming urge to hold her tightly to me and comfort her.

I fell to my knees and took her face in my hands, my callous thumbs brushing her soft cheeks reverently. Her eyes flew open as I leaned in and pulled her in close, kissing her sweet lips with everything I had in me.

“Baby,” I grunted, overcome by a severe tightness in my chest I didn’t recognize.

“Harrison,” she whispered, her warm breath skimming over my cheek. It was a moment so sweet it knocked the air right out of me.

I cleared my throat, regaining my composure. “Set me free,” I ordered, my voice unnaturally loud in the silence of the room. God, I was losing my touch. I was turning soft, and all because of Eva.

Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but changed her mind. Even though her wrists were bound together, she worked with nimble fingers to undo my belt and pull the zipper down, keeping her eyes trained on my crotch as I kept staring at her face.

Something had passed between us. Something special. Something that made my heart swell, and beat a million miles an hour.

She lowered her eyes, refusing to look at me.

Had I imagined it? No. It crackled in the air between us. Thick. Invisible. Yet oh so fucking tangible.

Just what in fuck’s name was it, this electricity that set every nerve ending on fire and made my head spin?

Chapter 3 — Eva

“I’m running a little late. Sorry, this pregnancy is kicking my ass. I’ve been nauseous for a few days, and I freaking hate it.” Jade sounded tired and not quite like her normal perky self.

I pinched the phone under my chin as I fastened the top button on my jeans. “Listen, hon, if you’d prefer to go another day, that’s fine with me. Rest and get better.”

I turned to view my ass in the mirror. Not too bad. These jeans were my favorite, and I wished I’d bought ten pairs when they were on sale because they were just a little worn out. As soon as I found something I really liked, it was usually discontinued, and it drove me crazy.

Jade laughed. “Oh hell no. I’ve been cooped up for a few days, and I’m dying to get out a little. There’s nothing like shopping to make me forget my own worries and have some fun. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

“If you’re sure, that would be awesome. This event Harrison invited me to is important, so I need help finding the perfect dress.”

While we talked, I brushed my hair and pinched the phone under my chin as I tied it into a ponytail. Since it was my day off work, I was in a relaxed mood, and embraced the casual look instead of the smart suits I usually wore on a weekday.

“I’m just grateful it isn’t me having to try on evening dresses with this baby bump. But it will be fun helping you find something. Do you have anything in mind?” Since we’d started talking about shopping, Jade was already sounding a lot better.

I shrugged as I shoved my feet into shoes. “No, not really. I’ll know it’s the right dress when I see it.” Unlike my usual well-organized self, I’d left the dress shopping to the last minute. Something about going to this function with Harrison was bothering me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

Jade laughed. “Oh dear, that means I have to wear comfortable shoes, huh?”

“That sounds like a good idea, if you don’t want blisters. I’m just wearing jeans and flats, so dress any way that you’ll be able to handle a shopping marathon.”

“Okay. And you are aware I need to eat often? This baby factory drains all my energy.”

Feeling sorry for her, I chuckled. “I’ve booked a table at your favorite place with all those healthy salads. I hope I don’t become a vegetarian when I get pregnant.” I shuddered at the thought.

“Hmmm,” Jade hummed. “It’s weird, but I can’t even stand the smell of meat. Poor Ryder. If he wants a steak he has to go out to get one.”

I laughed at the image in my head of Ryder living on greens. He was a true meat-and-potatoes man, and I could not see him coping well going without his favorite source of protein. I made a mental note to call him next week and invite him for the juiciest steak in LA.

I loved catching up with him; the man never ceased to amaze me with his stories, which I usually soaked up, letting him do most of the talking. Learning how different his childhood was compared to mine pulled at my heartstrings and helped me understand my half-brother just a little better.

Jade and I said our goodbyes and ended the call. I applied a dab of perfume and lip-loss before I grabbed my purse to leave.

As soon as I locked the door behind me, my phone rang again. Thinking it was Jade, wanting to add something to our conversation, or maybe she’d changed her mind, I answered without checking my screen.