Free Wedding Favors by Sheri Whitefeather Page A

bedroom?”
    “For instance. Shall we take a look?”
    Through an open side door she caught a glimpse of an antique wrought-iron bed. It looked high and wide and very sturdy, with ironwork rising from each of the four corners to form a sort of canopy box, but without the canopy fabric itself. “Is that where you keep the velvet bonds?” she asked, her pulse starting to pick up speed. Her boldness was so out of character, she hardly recognized herself.
    His lips curved. “Would you like to try them?”
    She swallowed heavily. This was it. This was something she’d been fantasizing about since Shay had taken charge so thoroughly last night. She hadn’t had the guts to bring it up then. But today, ever since Laura had mentioned his predilections ... well, she hadn’t been able to get the idea out of her mind ... or her body. “Shay ...”
    “Yeah, cher?”
    Her knees started to tremble. “Laura told me you’re into bondage and domination?”
    His eyes narrowed, a shade warily. “I got the impression you are, too.”
    “I...” Nervously, she slipped her hands under his tux jacket, brushing them over his white silk shirt. She could feel his compact nipples harden at her touch. It gave her the courage she needed to say, her voice almost a whisper, “I want you to dominate me.”
    He regarded her cautiously. “What exactly do you mean by that, cher ?”
    “I don’t know,” she quietly confessed, feeling her face heat with mortification. Both at her request, and at her naïveté. “I’m not even sure what it involves.”
    His fingers tightened on her hips. “You want to find out? Is that what you’re saying?”
    She pillowed her aching breasts against his chest. “Last night you called me your sexual possession. That’s what I want to be. Yours, to do anything and everything you want to. No limits. Nothing forbidden.”
    His black eyes swirled with dark, glittering excitement. “Are you sure?” he asked.
    “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m sure. Take me, Shay. Make me your odalisque.”

Chapter 12

    For a second Shay’s heart stopped in his chest, then surged to life, pounding fast and hard in exhilaration.
    Tessa’s tremulous request thrilled him to the marrow.
    This was exactly what he needed.
    “And you’re willing to do anything I ask of you?” he wanted to know. “You’re not afraid?”
    “Terrified.” The shaking of her voice confirmed it, but she said, “I trust you, Shay. I know you won’t hurt me.”
    Her blind trust humbled him, filling him with a fierce surge of protectiveness. “I am not into pain,” he assured her. “Strictly a pleasure man.”
    “I’m glad to hear that.” She smiled uncertainly, as though she’d never considered that risk. Dieu, she was an innocent.
    “Donc, if at any time you wish to stop, just say”—he thought for a moment—“coffee break.”
    She seemed to understand. “Okay. But I won’t.”
    “Best to be safe.” He smiled back. “This way you can scream no all you like.”
    She paled, but in a good way.
    Last night he had toyed with her will, coaxing her submission in their light forays into public exposure; he had also bound her wrists during their love play. He’d sensed instinctively she’d enjoyed both experiences. She was a natural submissive with daring tastes ... yet another thing that had fascinated him about her. The adventuress inside versus the conservative exterior—an intriguing combination.
    What submissions should he choose for her tonight? The possibilities were endless. It would take a lifetime to explore all the facets of bondage and domination they could enjoy together. Suddenly, he wished they had a lifetime to do so ...
    Tessa, she just may be the special woman he’d been looking for.
    Wordlessly, he took her through the open door to his bedroom. He watched as she absorbed the room and its decor. His grandfather had been a collector of erotic art, and much of it was on display here. Little-known paintings by well-known