Bound to Danger (2 page)

A knock sounded at the door.

“Go away,” she whispered.

“Ivy?”

Finn. What’s his last name?

Her heart tripped in her chest at the thought of him so close, his head gleaming a little, his legs leather-bound and her in the bathtub.

She wanted to see him.

“Just a second.”

Ivy hopped out of the bathtub, grinning at herself in the mirror as she wrapped up in a short, plush towel, not bothering to wipe water out of her eyes. She had felt sparks between them.
If there are any, this will get his attention.

She opened the door halfway. “Yes?”

His eyes widened at the sight of her, and she saw him trying to keep his gaze from her chest. “I just wanted to check on you after yesterday.”

“That’s really sweet.” She opened the door wider all the way, feeling herself grow wet under his stare.

“Nah, I just was worried.”

“I’m fine, really. I mean, it’s terrible, but I’m okay. Just wish I could say the same for Jane.”

He leaned against the doorjamb, just inches from her. His scent like pines and honey assailed her, making her knees weak. “Good. Hey, are you busy tonight?”

Geez. Three offers for dates in one night. That’s a record.

“Actually, I am. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, no problem.” He smiled, and the overhead light glinted off his lip piercing. Ivy wondered what it would feel like against her tongue and in other places. Heat crept up her cheeks.

“Rain check?”

“Sure. Just let me know when you’re free.”

“I will, Finn. By the way, I’ve never caught your last name.” Ivy laughed, letting her hair fall over one eye.

She noticed the bulge in his pants and knew she was affecting him.

“Finn Calder.”

“Finn Calder. Nice to meet you. I’m Ivy Sharp.” She reached out and shook his hand, barely managing to hold the towel up as heat passed between them.

“Okay, later then. Just let me know. Leave me a note, drop by, whatever.” He winked at her and walked away.

Holy crap, he’s sexy.

Ivy leaned against the door, watching him all the way down the hall. She closed it with a smile and went back to her bedroom. No need to dress in much other than lingerie.

She put on the red leather bustier and matching underwear she had bought just for tonight along with the red fishnets hose and garter belt.

He’d better bring the handcuffs. She admired herself in the mirror, her pulse already throbbing as she put on bright red lipstick and black eyeliner. Her 1940’s pin up girl looks would come in handy tonight. She didn’t always like her square jaw, but the shiny dark hair and wide set brown eyes would do nicely.

Her thoughts turned to Finn again as she fixed something quick to eat and put out some light snacks. She didn’t think they would be doing much snacking when Remy got there.

The doorbell rang at seven on the dot.

“Here goes.”

Ivy sidled to the door, her nipples pressing against the bustier in her excitement.

“Hey, Ivy. I brought the handcuffs.”

Chapter 3

The huge, muscled guy in front of her, Remy Merrick, dangled the cuffs and grinned, showing even, white teeth. His goatee, long black hair and the leather pants he wore labeled him as a bad ass. Ivy wasn’t sure she could speak.

“Great.”

“Gonna let me in so I can use them?”

“Sure. You want something to drink?”

He towered over her, at least five inches taller than her 5’10 height.

“Vodka on the rocks if you have it.” Heat came off of him in waves, and the scent of amber filled the room. He reminded her of an animal as his arm muscles rippled when he crossed them over his t-shirt clad chest.

Ivy moved to make the drink, knowing he was watching her backside as she did so.

When his erection pressed into her bottom and he encircled her with strong arms, she leaned against him.

He grabbed the vodka and pounded it down. “What are you having?”

“Nothing. Just you.” Ivy’s clit throbbed as his hands moved to her breasts, massaging them.

“Lean over the table and spread your legs.” He ran his fingers between her legs, and she sucked in a breath as she moved a few feet away and bent over the table.

She heard a jingling sound and moaned, her cheek pressed against the cool wood.

“I’m gonna lock you up so you can’t get away. You’re under my control now.” He put her arms over her head and clicked the cuffs on. Ivy groaned as he ground his leather clad cock against her bottom. “I’m not going to wait, Ivy, because I know you’ve been a bad girl, thinking about me and my handcuffs and my fat cock.”

She whimpered, her pussy wet and open. The sound of his zipper going down made her close her eyes. The torture of waiting was exquisite.

He shoved her panties aside, ripping at her hose. His forcefulness turned her on even more, and she knew with the friction of the table against her clit and with him impaling her on his cock, she would come quickly.

It’s been too long.

“Oh, I like that pussy, Ivy. It’s pink and wet and ready for me to take it.”

“Yes, I want it now.” She ground the words out as he shoved himself inside her. His girth made her keen with need.

“You like my dick inside you, slut?” He whispered in her ear, pulling her hips against him, and forcing her to bend forward more as he plunged deep into her. The angle hurt, but she liked the pain.

“Yes, please.”

“Please, what? I’m going to come inside you and use you like you want to be used, Ivy.” His voice was a low, sensual growl.

“Please take my pussy.”

“I would have anyway whether you invited me to or not.” He laughed, and the harsh sound sent shivers down her spine.

“Could you use a condom?”

“I’m getting one out now.”

It irritated her that he had entered her without one.

She heard the wrapper crinkle, and he pulled out of her for a moment. When he shoved back inside her, her head banged against the table and she yelped.

“I’m gonna make it hurt, Ivy.” He gripped her hips, digging into her with his fingers as her pussy yawned with need.

He plunged in and out of her, shoving her against the table, giving it to her rough. She wanted to cry with the pain and pleasure of it as his cock filled her like it was custom made for her sex. Her orgasm loomed as he whispered in her ear.

“You’re a dirty slut, Ivy, letting me use your pussy.”

“Ummm.”

“I like it, and I’ll use it all I want, and you’ll beg me for more.” He smacked her ass so hard she cried out. When his palm met her butt again, her orgasm overcame her, and she moaned and sighed, pressing back against him.

He pinched her nipples, squeezing them until she whimpered and screamed. “Now it’s my turn to fill your cunt.”

He grunted and shoved her hard against the table as he spilled into her, ramming into her over and over again until she felt like she would break apart. “Damn, you’re hot, Ivy.” He pulled out of her and zipped up as she gasped, still lying against the table, cuffed.

“Can you let me out?” She felt raw and bruised but sated.

“Maybe.”

Her heart bumped in staccato at his words. “What do you mean?” Something in his molten brown eyes made her afraid.

I don’t even know this man, and I just let him handcuff and screw me. I’m totally helpless.

“I’m just kidding, Ivy. I’ll go easy on you tonight, but when you call me next time, I won’t.” His words made desire shoot through her again.

“You’re leaving?”

“I am. I just wanted to meet you, and I have to be at work at 8:15.”

“Really?” Disappointment infused her that he had come and was leaving so soon.

He used me, and I wanted him to.

“I like you, Ivy, but I want you to beg me for it. I didn’t hear enough of that tonight, but next time I’m here, I’m going to make you get down on your knees and beg for my dick.” He uncuffed her, squeezing her ass as he did so. She wanted him again but knew it was better to play it cool.

“I might.”

“Oh, you will. Trust me.” He leered at her in the near darkness, and she shivered. “I’ll talk to you soon, Ivy.”

He walked out of the apartment without another word.

Ivy collapsed on the couch, her arms and legs shaky. “What the hell is wrong with me?” She lay down, her head swimming. It took an effort to propel herself off the couch and close the door. Ivy went to her bedroom and fell on the bed, gasping. Her whole body ached, and she felt emotionally and physically wrung out but, somehow, also clean.

I enjoyed it, at least in part. I could have done with more foreplay, more tenderness...

But it was crazy.

With a murderer out there who had been in this very building, to let a man like Remy Merrick put her entirely under his will was madness.

“Never again.” Her thoughts turned to Finn Calder.

“I’ll play it safe from now on.” Her mind grew silent as she drifted off to sleep.

****

Ivy dragged the next day getting to work.

Thank God it’s Friday
. She was still shaky from the previous night and her realization of how foolish she had been.

Guy caught her on her way out to lunch. His usual healthy glow was gone, and his face was ashen.

“Hey, Ivy. Did you hear?”

“What?” Her stomach twisted.

“Let’s walk together. Where you going?”

“Subway.” She didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

“Me too, then.” He grew silent for a couple minutes.

“Well?”

“Another woman was murdered last night. Same sort of thing-- just a few blocks from you.”

“What?” Ivy stopped, unable to open the restaurant door. All the blood rushed to her head.

“Yeah, I know. I’m worried about you.”

“I am, too, but I’m not stupid.” Heat rose in her face as she thought about how dumb she had been just the night before.

“I know. Just please be careful.” He gave her the most serious look she had ever seen from him, this man who liked to wear bright colored everything and whom she had mistaken for gay when she first met him because he was larger than life.

“I will. I swear.”

“Good.” He smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes.

Chapter 4

Ivy made it home, feeling exhausted. She flipped on the TV, not wanting to but needing to know about the woman who was murdered.

Two in three days. He must be a monster.

Amber Kade, the latest victim, smiled out from the screen, all blonde hair and ethereal expression.

“Oh my god.” A tear slid down Ivy’s cheek.

“... was last seen by family two nights ago at dinner. She didn’t have a boyfriend that family or friends knew about. Police say, though, that evidence from the scene points to someone she knew. The slaying was brutal, the victim stabbed multiple times and raped and bound.”

Bound with what?

The thought threatened to do her in. Her hands shook, and she rocked back and forth on the couch.
I don’t want to be alone now.
But who to call? Guy? No, she wasn’t in the mood for him tonight. He would just want to talk about the murder, and Ivy couldn’t handle it.

Sometimes having no family nearby sucked. Her few girlfriends were always out on Friday nights with either boyfriends or flings.

Finn.

The idea curled in her mind, dark and delicious as a venomous snake.

“No.” She balled her fists into knots then sighed. What could it hurt as long as she just went by his place and said hello?

Ivy went to the bathroom, taking deep breaths. She straightened her short, brown hair and rubbed concealer under the black under-eye smudges.

“There.” She smiled, but it looked like a nervous tic.

Pushing her resistance away, she walked outside and down the hall to his place.
So close.

Ivy knocked, biting her lip.
He won’t be here anyway. It’s a Friday night.

He opened the door after a few seconds, wearing a baby blue t-shirt and soft pants, different from his usual leather. The lip ring remained.

“Hi. What a nice surprise. Come in.”

“Are you sure? I thought you might be busy.”

“I’m not. I was just doing some sketches for cover art.” He ushered her in. Ivy sank down on a leather couch, marveling at how mod and clean the place was.

“I see. Are you a graphic artist?”