Free A Wicked Seduction by Janelle Denison Page A

back to face him. “Depends on what for.”
    He tipped his head, causing a dark lock of hair to fall across his forehead, which only added to his roguish appeal. “Don’t I get any bathroom privileges?”
    She crossed her arms over her chest and gave his question serious consideration. The bathroom was small and without any windows or other devices that would provide an escape, so she knew he’d be safe and secure in there. She’d give him time for a shower and other personal matters, if he didn’t have any qualms about adhering to her rules.
    â€œI suppose receiving bathroom privileges all depends on how modest you are,” she told him.
    â€œThat depends on how modest you are,” he countered right back, without an ounce of reserve or bashfulness fringing his deep, rich voice.
    Undeniable amusement curled through her as she strolled toward him and stopped a foot away. “I’ve just about seen it all during my time as a cop, and trust me when I say that modesty has no place on the job.” For all her frankness and direct words, she had a strong feeling seeing Dean buck naked would test her professional indifference, especially since he’d just starred in her own private fantasy.
    Tapping into a humorous incident from her patrol days, she shared it with him. “There was one time my partner and I chased a suspect over the walls of a nudist colony, which put me up close and personal with every shape, size, and color of anatomy available to the human race. The experience was quite an eye-opener, so I doubt you have something I haven’t already seen before.”
    â€œOuch.” He feigned an affronted wince, though the mischievous light shining in his eyes gave him away. “You sure know how to deflate a guy’s ego.”
    Unable to help herself, she laughed lightly. “Let’s put it this way. If you don’t mind an audience, you’re welcome to use the bathroom…with certain restrictions, of course.”
    â€œOf course.” He heaved an inflated sigh. “Lay ’em on me, sweetheart.”
    â€œI’ll take off your handcuffs so you can use the bathroom freely, but you’ll strip down to your briefs out here—”
    â€œWhat if I don’t wear any?” he interrupted, clearly looking to rattle her with the possibility.
    She remained outwardly unruffled and called hisbluff with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulder. “Then you strip down to the buff.”
    He grinned devilishly. “Just checking.”
    Which didn’t answer the question of whether or not he wore any underwear beneath his jeans. She swallowed hard. “I’ll get whatever clothes you want to wear and any toiletries you need from your duffle, and you’ll have five minutes in the shower.”
    â€œHey, you took longer than that,” he protested.
    The flush on her skin deepened when she recalled how she’d spent those extra minutes. “That’s one of the perks of being in charge.” She tossed him a tough-luck kind of look and stood her ground. “Five minutes, take it or leave it, Mr. Colter.”
    He shifted in his chair, and the cuffs rattled against the hard wood post. “I’ll take it.”
    â€œAnd you’ll leave the door open about a foot at all times,” she went on, laying down more restrictions. He opened his mouth to say something, and she held up a hand to cut him off. “My rules aren’t negotiable. I’m willing to give you a bit of freedom, with your full cooperation. Again, one false move and—”
    â€œI’ll be flat on my ass and trussed up for the duration of the ride home,” he finished for her.
    This time, she grinned. “Nice to know we’re on the same wavelength.”
    â€œYou drive a hard bargain, Jo.”
    She grew serious, wanting him to know that he was, indeed, getting a bargain when it came to his request to take a shower.