And that’s when it happened.
The great sex turned into more. Arilyn looked at this massive, pissed-off male cradling the tiny Chihuahua, with her pink collar and soft brown eyes that had come back to life, and did the dumbest thing in the whole wide world.
She tumbled into love right then and right there with Stone Petty.
He loved Pinky. Oh, yeah, he fought it and hated the idea, but he loved her so much, he didn’t want to leave her alone. That was just the type of man he was. He didn’t fall gracefully or willingly, but when he did, Arilyn knew he belonged to you for life. God, how she wanted him to belong to her like that.
What had she done?
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she fought for composure, swearing to bottle up the tide of crazy emotions to deal with later. Smiling through the sting of tears, she reached out and took Pinky from him, murmuring soothing nonsense to her. She shook slightly in her arms, looking back to Stone with an imploring look. “Don’t be silly, I’m glad you brought her. The worst-case scenario: she can stay in the bedroom. But let’s see how she does meeting Robert.” She turned at the sound of front paws skittering over the wood floors and kept Pinky safely tucked in her arms. “Here’s my good boy. Robert, we have a special guest tonight. Her name is Pinky, and she’s been hurt. But she’s a fighter like you.”
Robert’s tongue lolled out in excitement, but he stayed quietly in front of her, waiting for the go-ahead.
“She’s scared, especially of pit bulls, so we need to show her how to trust again. Just like Stone did.”
Robert looked up at Stone as if giving him a doggy high five.
“I want you to stay. I know you’re happy for some company, but don’t move. Understood?”
Robert dropped his head to his front paws and stilled.
“Damn, he’s smart,” Stone muttered. “Good boy.”
Arilyn smiled and slowly knelt. Pinky began to shake with mini convulsions, a high-pitched whining beginning from her throat and growing into a panicked howl. Arilyn settled her on her lap, her hands stroking her small body, and allowed her to get used to Robert’s presence. The howling went on for a while, but Arilyn never moved, and neither did Robert. As if he understood how important it was to remain completely still, Robert barely breathed, keeping his submissive posture.
Finally, the howling stopped. Pinky stared at Robert, who didn’t make a move to attack her, and calmed.
Stone let out a breath. “My ears won’t recover.”
Arilyn kept soothing the dog and whispering low nonsense. “It’s the only thing she had left, I think. Her voice. They’re going to be okay together, but I think we’ll keep Pinky separate for a while. Build up her level of safety. Can you take Robert to his bed and give him a dog treat? His purple bunny squeaker should be there, too. Tell him to stay.”
Stone followed her instructions, and Pinky’s body finally relaxed as Robert trotted off.
Arilyn pressed a kiss to her tiny head. “You did so good. You were very brave. Now, I have an extra dog bed so I’ll set you up where you’ll feel safe.”
They fixed up the separate spaces and finally both dogs were happily settled. Stone went to the refrigerator and pulled out an IPA. “I’m sorry, Arilyn. I shouldn’t have brought her. Do you want wine?”
“Yes, please.” She let him fix both drinks and leaned over the counter. “I’m glad you brought her, Stone. She’s doing so much better. Because of you, she gets to have a real life.”
“Well, it’s only a week left. I guess I can handle one more week.”
She didn’t answer, just sipped her wine. His voice held a tinge of regret, and Arilyn knew he wouldn’t give her up. But he didn’t realize it yet. He needed to figure it out on his own. “How was work?” she asked.
He tipped the bottle back and drank. Wiped his mouth. “Fine. We found a stolen car, which was so fucking exciting I thought Devine was gonna have a heart attack.” She laughed. “Anyway, ended up being a kid dared by his friends, but for a while it was like being back in the Bronx, having a car chase.”
She traced the rim of the wineglass with her finger. “Do you miss the Bronx?” she asked. “I mean, I know it was tough, but you got used to being challenged all the time. You nabbed real criminals, made a difference. Would you ever want to go back?”
He scratched his head. “Hell, no. Sure, it fed my ego a bit. I was always on, the rush of adrenaline kept pushing me for more. I worked around the clock, needing the hit like the junkies I busted. But I like Verily. I like what it represents. I have a real life here I wouldn’t want to give up.”
Happiness flooded her. She kept her head down so he wouldn’t catch how much his words meant to her. “I’m glad.”
“Are you?” He studied her thoughtfully and placed his beer down. “Why?”
She shifted her weight. “Because you’re good for this town.”
“Anything else?”
“Because I want you to be safe and like where you live.”
“Hmm. I think there’s more here you’re not telling me.” Her breath got trapped in her chest and she fought for oxygen. “There’s a selfish reason you want me to stay.”
She opened her mouth to answer, gave a squeak, and tried again. “Nope. Just want you to be happy.”
His eyes held amusement. Slowly, he opened the freezer, took a cup, and began filling it with ice. “I think you like torturing me. Forcing me to exercise in a hundred-degree room while I watch you parade around half-naked. Tempting me with your gorgeous body on display, flaunting what I couldn’t taste and touch, while you called me ‘Officer’ in that snotty tone.”
Her skin heated. She watched as he took the half cup of ice and set it on the counter. “I didn’t think you liked beer with ice.”
“I don’t. I have another use for this. You’ll see in a minute.” She looked at the cup. Worry creased her brow. There was something almost threatening about his tone of voice. “You were hot in that room with me, weren’t you, Arilyn?”
“Yes. That was the point. Pumping the temperature helps release the toxins. I bet you felt amazing afterward.”
“After a cold shower, I did. Will you take off your clothes for me?”
She stared at him. A shiver of trepidation raced down her spine. “Am I going to be naked again while you’re dressed?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He smiled. “Because it turns you on.”
He was right. The secret, shocking exhibitionist in her had been let loose. Maybe it was the way he devoured her with his gaze. He never let her doubt what she did to him, giving him pleasure, and that made the whole encounter more exciting. And the naughtiness with him fully dressed, using his authority to command her to do things, totally wrecked her head. In a good way.
She placed her wineglass down and backed up. Arilyn had already planned to take charge with his seduction tonight, so this went with her goal perfectly. Slowly, she took off her clothes, running her fingers lightly over her skin in a caress, causing a groan to rip from his lips as she stroked her belly and thighs before shedding her entire outfit and underwear. By the time she was done with him, he wouldn’t know how to speak English anymore. That would teach him she wasn’t a woman who always bowed to direction. His hot gaze probed every inch of her body, lingering on her hard nipples, her tummy, her pussy.
His voice came out hoarse. “Every time I look at you I die a little. I brought a little present with me. Wanna see?”
She nodded, so aroused already she’d be lucky to know English herself. He reached in his back pocket and drew out two strips of red silk.
His ties.
Arilyn tamped down a moan. He watched her carefully and then, grabbing the cup of ice, began to close the distance. “I want to tie you up, Arilyn. Do things to you. Very bad things. Will you let me?