Free His Contract: Legally Bound, Book 1 by Rebecca Grace Allen Page A

kind of relationship you were in, it isn’t surprising that you trusted him so completely.” He gave her a teasing grin. “And I didn’t say you were a ‘little’ girl. You added that part.”
    Her eyes cleared, lips curving up into a small smile. He liked having that effect on her, and seeing the fire in her despite her pain.
    “Sorry. I overreacted,” she said. “Anyway, that’s my story. I wasn’t in any shape to take the bar after that. I’m not really sure I ever will. I mean, I had all these dreams about protecting the innocent and defeating the bad guy, but how could I ever defend anyone else’s rights when I’d been unable to defend myself?”
    Jack sighed. It seemed a little extreme to give up years of hard work all because of a guy, but it wasn’t his place to judge.
    “Does Nick know?”
    “Not really. All I told him was that I’d had a bad breakup and needed a fresh start. Gabe got me a job and I came out here.”
    He squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry. That’s not how it should be.”
    “How—” She stopped herself. Looked up at him. “How was it for you?”
    He sat back, stunned he’d revealed something so private after years keeping it hidden. Jack gently released Lilly’s hand and stared out the window. Eve’s ghost filled the room like a fog.
    “It’s not something I talk easily about. My wife and I were very private.”
    “I don’t mean to pry.”
    “You’re not.” Jack turned back to meet her gaze. “I always knew I was…different. Even as a teenager, I had these fantasies about spankings and bondage, of depriving a woman of pleasure and then giving it at my will.”
    Lilly’s eyes dilated slightly. God, she was responsive.
    “I thought something was wrong with me, that I was sick and twisted. I tried to bury it, but it didn’t work. We were married for ten years before I looked up BDSM on the Internet and discovered I wasn’t such a sicko after all. Suddenly this door opened up to a world I never knew existed.”
    “Did you tell your wife?”
    “I wanted to, but I was scared shitless to mention it.” They shared a quiet laugh. It was the first time the recollection didn’t sting. “She pulled it out of me, though. Got me to admit wanting to tie her up. I was sure once we’d acted out the fantasy, then that would be it. But neither of us knew how much I’d like it.”
    “How much was that?” Longing flashed in her eyes, the color on her cheeks returning, spreading to a blush that made him hard for her all over again.
    “So much that I knew I couldn’t live without it.”
    She nodded. He could hear her breathing quicken. “I know what you mean. That moment when you realize this—”
    “—is what’s always been missing.” Their eyes locked.
    Fuck.
    Jack cleared his throat. “So, I understand how addictive it can be. I’m sorry your experience was so bad.”
    “Thanks. What I don’t understand is why I still…I mean, how could I want to…”
    She trailed off, and what she was trying to say dawned on him.
    “You still want to be dominated.”
    Her gaze dropped to her lap. “Yes.”
    A spike of desire pounded through him. He wanted to hear her whisper that word again, naked and kneeling on his playroom floor. A wet mess barely able to remember her own name.
    He was halfway ready to suggest it when her phone rang.
    She wrenched it from her purse. “It’s Nick,” she said before accepting the call. “Hi… Yes, I’m fine.” She paused and frowned. “No, I just drank too much. Jack took me home.”
    He bristled at her lie. Home was where he should’ve taken her. And it was where he was going to take her, right now. His thoughts were already completely out of line, his body vibrating with hunger when his brain knew better. An unspoken attraction was developing between them, crackling in the air like static on a cold night, and igniting it was a mistake he couldn’t afford making.
    Jack waved down the waitress for the check. By the time Lilly said