Before she clicked the remote, Ronin said, “Arch your back and turn your head to the right instead of looking forward.”
“I don’t want anyone to see my face, remember?”
“Only your profile is visible and you can darken that after you get the shot.” When he closed in behind her, his body heat warmed her and his presence soothed her. He tugged the ponytail holder free, running his fingers through the long strands. “There. Now take it.”
Amery angled her head and pushed the button.
When she whirled around, she expected to see Ronin behind the camera checking out the shot, but he remained off to the side, letting her do her job.
“You’re right,” she admitted. “That is much better.” She tested a couple more, adjusting the zoom a fraction. After repositioning the tapes, she inhaled a deep breath, waiting for Ronin’s instruction.
Then he was behind her, that deliciously deep voice in her ear. “You ready for me to start tying you, beautiful?”
“Yes.”
He placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. “Arms at your sides.”
Amery lowered her arms and closed her eyes.
She heard him behind her. The rustle of fabric as he removed his shirt and became Ronin the rope master.
His bare skin brushed hers as he swept her hair aside. Then he unhooked her bra and slid it off. He brushed a kiss between her breasts as he unzipped her jeans, tugging them down her hips and to the floor. When she attempted to kick them free, he said, “No. Keeping them around your ankles will hold you in place.”
Just another way he chose to bind her.
His finger leisurely followed the lace edge of her panties hugging her lower curves. Then his lips thoroughly tracked her spine from the dimples above her ass to the nape of her neck.
Although her pulse raced and her blood seemed to pump hotter with anticipation, she focused on her breathing.
Ronin slipped rope over both of her shoulders. She felt a quick pull, and sections of rope brushed the inside of her arms as he secured the first knot. More rope slid up her wrists and over her elbows to cross her upper arms. Another tug, another caress on her skin beneath the knots. His soft, steady exhales drifted over her damp flesh.
Goose bumps spread just from the nearness of his mouth to her skin.
Callused hands were busy behind her, rarely jerky, never clumsy. At times the rope would swing across her calves, giving the impression of his fingers teasing her there, even when she felt his fingertips on her spine.
The more knots he added to the rope configuration, the closer her arms got to touching. This pattern didn’t restrict her breathing like some of the chest harnesses he’d crafted. Yet Amery found herself floating into that same headspace, where his fleeting touches set off little pulses beneath her skin.
He held her wrists and placed several thick loops in the center of the rope that kept her wrists from touching.
Amery knew when Ronin finished. He stepped back to scrutinize his creation, much like an artist. Then he’d make minute adjustments to the ropes. Sometimes he’d circle her, looking from all angles. But this time he stayed behind her.
And his voice was so perfectly modulated it never abruptly brought her out of that trancelike state when he spoke. “Amery.”
She didn’t have to answer him; he just needed to know he had her attention. She barely moved her head in acknowledgment.
“You are stunning bound in red. I’m grateful you’ll get a chance to see the pure beauty that shines through you.” Then Ronin’s hands were on her once again, circling her hips as he snugged his body in behind hers.
“Stay in this heightened state and tell me what I need to do to capture the picture.”
Amery fought against the pull that would yank her out of blissful nothingness. “The remote button is attached to the camera. Press it when you have the shot you want.”
There was movement behind her and Amery managed to stay still.
He adjusted her arms higher. “Hold like that.”
The shutter made a whirring click. Then another. And another. So many she lost count.
Ronin didn’t suggest she change poses. She understood his gaze wasn’t behind the lens, but entirely on her.
“Will you let me try something?” he asked. “I won’t move you, I promise.”
“Yes.”
“Stay still no matter what I do to you.”
That meant he planned to touch her.
Stretching out the anticipation was Ronin’s specialty. He’d never kept her hanging on the jagged edge for long. Yet knowing he could keep her there indefinitely, that she had no control in how or when he chose to send her soaring into pleasure, added another layer to their play.
His gi pants teased her bare toes when he dropped to his knees in front of her. He kissed the skin below her belly button.
The same time Amery released a little gasp of surprise, the shutter whirred behind her.
Ronin’s breath drifted over the damp spot he’d just kissed and she bit her lower lip as the camera clicked. His warm mouth slid a fraction lower.
Click.
Another inch put his mouth right on the lace band of her panties.
Click.
But the sneaky man didn’t kiss her there; he dipped his tongue beneath the lace.
She jerked and her head moved out of position.
“Don’t move.” Those rough fingertips were on her hips and he tugged her panties down—not off—but far enough to prevent her from widening her stance.
Click.
Amery felt the hot wash of his breath over the rise of her bare mound. No. He wouldn’t.
And then he did.
Ronin burrowed his tongue into the top of her slit and licked down, then back up. Zeroing that flicking tongue directly on her clit.
Somehow she held the position as he used that wicked tongue to drive her out of her mind.
She thought she heard the camera clicking, but she wasn’t sure she wasn’t hearing the muscle in her jaw popping from clenching her teeth.
No teasing. No slow buildup. Ronin just tongued her insistently until that breathless moment right before the orgasm slammed into her. Amery couldn’t help dropping her head back in ecstasy and sucking in a few gasping breaths as she gave herself over to the pleasure.
Once the fog lifted, she let her face dip down, almost in supplication.
Several more shots clicked.
“Amery.”
Her heart rate picked up.
“Look up for a second.”
As always when he bound her, she followed his instructions.
“Good. Now turn your head and glance over your shoulder.”
Her hair hung her face and she tossed her head to clear her line of sight.
Click.
The flash startled her, but she stared right into the camera lens.
Click.
“Beautiful, baby. Now relax.”
She allowed herself a small smile but didn’t otherwise move.
Click.
Then Ronin’s hands were on her face and his mouth captured hers in a combustible kiss. Although her heart still thumped like mad, she existed in that post-orgasmic haze.
“Need to have you like this,” he murmured against her lips. “Step out of your jeans.”
As soon as she kicked them free, he herded her backward to her office.
Ronin turned her around and bent her over her desk. She hissed in a breath when her nipples and belly connected with the cold surface.
The head of Ronin’s cock nudged her hot, wet center. He jerked on the rope dangling between her wrists. “Arms up and keep them up. I want to see your ass shake as I’m fucking you.”
Amery pressed her cheek into the cool wood and lifted her arms. The silken cord dropped between her butt cheeks.