I know you weren’t sure whether this type of sideline would be worthwhile, so I haven’t given out your contact information. A really selfish part of me wants to keep you all to myself, but I realize that’s unrealistic 
.
She laughed and sipped her coffee.
If you’re interested, let me know—I’ll let you contact them. One of my friends has a sideline giving sex toy parties, but the kicker is, she’s teaching her customers how to make their own toys out of everyday household objects. And yes, this is classier than carving a dildo out of a cucumber. But she’d like a professional brochure done, and I immediately thought of you.
Last thing . . . I don’t remember if I told you I’d planned a three-books out of these characters, and I’ve already started writing the second book. I’d really love for you to design the next two book covers in this series. I’m envisioning a man in bondage on the next cover—something sexy and edgy like you do so well. No rush. Let me know . . .
Cherry Starr~
A man in bondage. That could have some really interesting possibilities. A hot guy, bound up. . . .
She’d snapped a couple of pictures of a really hot guy yesterday.
Ronin.
They’d gotten so involved last night that she hadn’t even looked at the shots. Not that she expected they’d be any good. Ronin was a beautiful subject matter, but she’d been so high on binding him and being in control of his pleasure that she’d more or less taken snapshots.
Still, she couldn’t wait to see them.
The door to the practice room was shut. She felt strange even briefly popping in because the space, more so than any other place in the house, was entirely Ronin’s domain. She saw the camera on the floor, grabbed it, and scooted out.
Back in the kitchen, she found the first picture of the session and clicked on it.
Holy shit. Her heart skipped a beat when she scrolled through the images. They were fantastic—Ronin couldn’t take a bad picture. The darkness in the background made the light glow on his tawny-colored skin. The flexing of his arm showcased the cut of his biceps and triceps. His well-defined chest was arched, leaving the candle wax hidden in shadow. The stubborn angle to his jaw and the way his head fell back allowed his hair to cascade over his shoulders like black silk.
Ronin Black was a fucking god. Any one of the images would create a stunning cover. Too bad she’d promised him no one would ever see the pictures but them.
After she fixed herself toast and eggs, she looked around the cluttered kitchen and living area. Ronin’s housekeeper hadn’t come this week, and it was testament to how out of it he’d been that this mess hadn’t bothered him. The man hated clutter.
Turning off the snarky voice in her head about nesting in a place that wasn’t hers, she started to tackle cleaning the penthouse since they’d probably be staying in all weekend.
• • •
SUNDAY afternoon, as they were lazing in bed after another mind-blowing “lesson” in reestablishing intimacy, which included her being bound to a chair, Amery released a soft sigh.
Ronin trailed his fingers up and down her spine. “Something on your mind?”
“This has been a great weekend, just relaxing and hanging out.”
“You mean locking us in the penthouse so you could make me rest.”
She peered at him over her shoulder. “Your idea of rest is vastly different from the norm, Master Black.”
“We spent most of the weekend in bed. That counts as rest.” He smiled unrepentantly.
“Still, I should probably go home. I have to be in the office early tomorrow—”
Ronin moved in closer. “Then we’ll go to bed at a decent time so you can be up early. But you’re staying here.”
She hadn’t expected that vehement response.
“What’s going on that you have to be there early?”
“I’ve gotten behind in the last week and need to catch up.” Not entirely untrue. She’d scheduled an early coffee date with Molly to run the Okada deal past her. Amery couldn’t take the job without her only employee’s support. Since Molly was in grad school, Amery needed a better idea on Molly’s future plans. She probably should get Ronin’s input, since he ran a successful business, but for now she wanted to weigh her options outside of her lover’s purview.
“I realize you’re behind because of me. But I don’t feel guilty enough to let you leave tonight. And that brings up something I wanted to talk to you about anyway.” He rolled on top of her and pinned her down. “I want you to move in with me.”
Stunned, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
“This isn’t a temporary thing between us. We were headed that way before I fucked it up.” He rested his forehead to hers. “I love you. I need you in my life. I don’t want to be apart from you for even one night.”
By the way his body tensed up, she knew that wasn’t easy for him to admit. Even though he had been using the L word at every opportunity. But she couldn’t make this decision in the space of one week. She kept it light. “You sure you wouldn’t rather move in with me? There’s a great organic foods grocery store within walking distance of my cramped hovel.”
Ronin laughed—like she’d hoped.
“It’s a big step for us. I’ll think about it, okay? But I need some time before I can answer you.”
“Okay. In the meantime, I’ll give you another reason to make this permanent.” He pushed up. “I’m cooking dinner. Pulling out all the stops to wow you with my culinary expertise.”
“You’re making hot wings?” she asked hopefully.
He sighed. “I’ll make spicy chicken breasts.”
She smiled. “Close enough. See? I’m willing to compromise on some things.”
A dangerously possessive look flitted through his eyes. “Understand that when it comes to what I want from you, I’m not willing to compromise. At all.”
• • •
AMERY picked up croissants and fruit tarts on the way to her place Monday morning. The coffee had just finished brewing when Molly yelled, “Amery?” from the bottom of the staircase.
“Come on up.”
Molly looked professional in a western-cut tweed blazer, a dark brown A-line skirt, and tan riding boots. Something had prompted her employee to care more about her appearance both on and off the job in the past two months. With a flattering new hairstyle, different makeup, and age-appropriate wardrobe updates, she’d transformed herself from geek to chic. Molly had also lost the baby fat in her cheeks, and overall she was much more toned since she’d started taking classes at Black Arts.
“Hey, woman, what an awesome outfit.”
Molly blushed. “Thanks.”
“Seriously. You look great.”
“I credit kickboxing at the dojo three times a week. Deacon is a mean bastard, but I won’t let him chase me off or convince me I’m too soft.” She checked out the food on the counter. “Wow. Now, here’s a breakfast spread. What’s the occasion?”
Amery filled two cups and slid one across the counter. “I wanted to—” She glanced up sharply when Molly gasped. “What’s wrong?”
“You’re firing me, aren’t you? This is a goodbye breakfast.”
“God, no. Take a breath, okay? This is just breakfast.”
Molly nodded and wrapped her hands around her coffee cup like it was a lifeline.
“I needed to talk to you about something before we tackle the Wicksburg Farm project.”
“What’s going on?”
“I had lunch with Shiori Hirano on Friday.”
“No wonder you were so distracted.”