Bound by Steel (7 page)

The minute I open the door, Cody’s right there to greet me. Lyra, on the other hand, is a no-show. No problem. I’m not up for conversation right at the moment. For some reason, the drive home made me tense and restless. Normally, it calms me. Not a happening thing today.

After throwing my bag on the bed and taking a change of clothes, I head back downstairs, just as Lyra strolls out of the library. Shit! I was hoping to avoid her after what I witnessed last night. Instantly, our gazes lock and neither of us dares to breathe. Tension fills the room, so thick and clawing it’s suffocating. Then she makes it worse by speaking. “You look like hell, Ryker. Is Sonia too much of a woman for you to satisfy?”

I have two choices: walk away or tell her the truth. In two long strides I’m invading her personal space. When she tries to take a step back, I restrain her by wrapping my arms around her. She’s secure, with her arms pinned at her sides. “I didn’t go into town to get laid, precious. Although, if Sonia had been available, I would have made her my top priority. It was just a business trip. So beware, Lyra, I’m just as sexually frustrated today as I was the day I found you. And since you refuse to help me out, I’m off to take matters into my own hands.” I lightly brush my lips along her jawline before releasing her. Lyra sways like a reed on a windy day as I try hiding a shit-eating grin. Whether she wants to admit it or not, I arouse her.

After I’ve washed all the creepy crawlies off of me from the hotel room, I rest my hands against the glassy tile. Letting the heat from the piping hot water seep into my weary bones. Once I’ve had enough, I wrap my hand around my thickening cock. Stroking. As my heart kicks up a notch when Lyra’s image invades my thoughts. And when the bathroom door suddenly bursts wide open, she’s no longer in my mind, she’s standing in the fucking bathroom. Watching me.

Lyra

My feet have a mind of their own when I step inside the bathroom. Unfortunately, it takes my brain a minute or two to play catch up. I don’t care. Not when I can still feel his warm lips skimming along my jaw. I want to be here. God help me, I do. My heart flutters when the steam begins to evaporate. Revealing a muscular physique through the clear curtain. I’m captivated as I witness the water ripple and caress over every taut muscle on his beautiful body. Confirming what I already knew. The water loves the feel of his skin just as much as I do.

I’m nervous, so I start counting.

One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three…

I inhale sharply when Ryker’s head snaps up. While his smoldering gaze locks me in place. He doesn’t flinch, or miss a beat as he continues to pleasure himself. Watching me. Watching him. I desperately want to go to him, but I’m afraid he’ll reject me. He must sense my indecision, so he opens the curtain. Letting me make this irrevocable choice. And I know once I’ve crossed the line, there’s no turning back.

My heart’s beating out of my chest when I slowly inch my way inside. I’m hesitant whereas Ryker exudes confidence. So he reaches for my hand and helps me take that final step. Our gaze never wavers as he pulls me into the shower, clothes and all. My body has never reacted like this with anyone. Ever. Not even Gage. Like I’m on fire from the inside out. Ryker’s sexual dominance frightens me. So much so that it causes me to blow out a breath before a whimper catches in my throat.

What the hell am I doing?

He doesn’t say a word when he pulls my shirt over my head. Or when he pulls my panties down around my ankles. And his eyes never leave mine until I’m naked and fully exposed for his scrutinizing stare. I desperately want to cover myself up but he grabs my wrists and holds them firmly in his grasp. I can’t watch as he begins his thorough examination, so I cast my gaze downwards and become fixated on his length, his girth, and...

Holy mother of god! His cock is pierced.

I’m in way over my head with this man. “What is that?”

I shiver when his husky voice whispers in my ear, “It’s called an apadravya, and it’s for your pleasure. Do you want me, precious?”

Yes… yes… yes… yes…yes! God, yes!

A voice I don’t even recognize whispers, “Yes, I do.” Was that me?

His laugh is so deep and sensual that it makes my clit throb. When he tucks two fingers beneath my chin and tries to persuade me to look up at him, I wonder if he likes what he sees.

Ryker’s dark gaze is my undoing when he struggles to speak. “What made you change your mind Lyra? I need to know.”

Should I tell him the truth? Something tells me if I don’t, he would know. “I don’t want you going into town to seek pleasure, when I’m here. With you.”

He tilts his head to the side as he contemplates what I’ve said. I have to swallow down the lump in my throat while I wait. “You’d be wise not to surrender to me, precious, until you hear my stipulations. If you accept my offer, then we can continue. If not…” he shrugs.

I’m breathless when he picks up the soap in his skillful hands and begins lathering my body. All thoughts cease to exist as he washes me in all of my intimate places. Am I feeling guilty? Absolutely. Will I regret it tomorrow? Possibly. But, if Ryker and I are in this for the long haul, why not. We are two consenting adults with one goal in mind. Release.

Ryker reaches around to turn off the water just as it becomes tepid. Then he quickly grabs his towel and proceeds to wrap it around me. At this point, I think I’d agree to just about anything this man could give me, and then some. I’ve just tied the towel over the swell of my breasts when I notice the hunger in his gaze. Without a doubt, the sexual attraction I feel for this man is extremely volatile.

“Are you ready to hear what I have to offer?” When I nod, his thumb sweeps across those sexy-as-sin lips. Repressing a smile? With one quick flick of his wrist, my towel is down around my ankles. And before I have a chance to catch my breath, my back’s pressed tightly against his chest. My body’s pulsating with need, when he splays his large hands across my abdomen. All the while, his thumbs stroke over the soft outline of my breasts. “This is the way I will take you, precious. From behind. I do not do missionary because I will not kiss you, stare into your eyes, or whisper words of love. But I can promise you this: I will sate your hunger, quench your thirst and fulfill your every desire. And when I allow you to come, it will be the most satisfying release you will have ever experienced. So tell me, are you in or out?”

I don’t hesitate. “I’m in.” I know the second those words leave my lips, I just sold my soul to the devil. But it’s too late to change my mind when he scoops me up in his arms and carries me up the stairs. I’m still trying to convince myself a physical relationship is better than nothing when he lays me down on the bed. I know there’s no way I could live without some kind of connection on a daily basis for the next few months, or god forbid, years. It would break me.

My breath hitches when Ryker slowly blankets me with his body, covering every inch of my small frame. His erection is thick and hard against my thigh. And my heart pitter-patters like a frightened bird when his penetrating stare locks on mine. “Do you trust me, precious?”

Everything my father preached to me about men goes flying out the window as a whispered, “Yes” expels from my lips. Daddy would be so disappointed in me. Not to mention, Gage, my mother, and my best friend, Kennedy. Please, forgive me!

“Lyra, are you listening to me?” When I nod, a silent tear makes its fateful escape. Abandoned. Forgotten. Just like me… “Good. Now I need you to feel me…”

After closing my eyes, I begin exploring this fine specimen of a man. Although, I know this is wrong on so many levels, I can appreciate all the hard work he’s done to keep his body fit. My hands seem to have a mind of their own as they glide up his sinewy forearms. Skim over his biceps. Slide down his flexing pectorals before fondling his defined six-pack. Slipping my arms around his slim waist, I skim my hands along his lean hips. Then hesitantly run them up and over his tight ass, before ending the journey with my fingertips dancing along his broad back. When my eyes flutter open I can see how affected he is by my thorough exploration.

“That was very stimulating, precious, but if you had let me finish I was going to tell you to
feel me
with your mind and body, not with your hands.”

What? He said he wanted me to feel? Dammit! He’s right, I never gave him the chance to finish his sentence before my roaming hands took over. I’m so damned embarrassed that I quickly cover my face with my ‘wandering’ hands.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Lyra. Here, give me your hands and keep your eyes closed.” Grabbing my hands, he wraps my fingers around the slats of the headboard and whispers, “Hold on tight.” And then his mouth and his hands are everywhere.

My back arches off the bed when his hands knead my aching breasts and his warm mouth latches onto my nipple. Sucking, flicking and biting until I’m throbbing with need. My hands clench and unclench on the slats of the bed, as desire infiltrates every part of my being. I whimper when his mouth laves my tender breasts, but is soon replaced with a moan when his lips begin moving south.

Yes,
yes, yes.

My heart beats staccato when he spreads me wide with his large hands and places himself at my center. But it’s soon replaced with embarrassment as his fingertips gently fondle my stupid birthmark. I suddenly want to run and hide until I hear him whisper, “Beautiful.” What? When I open my eyes to see his intense gaze staring back at me, I’m breathless. And then he breaks the connection as soon as his tongue replaces his fingers. I’m in ecstasy. Ryker doesn’t know it, but he’s branding me with his touch, searing me with his mouth and setting me on fire with his tongue.

Unconsciously, my hands seek the thickness of his hair. “Lyra, no hands!” In a matter of seconds he’s off the bed, opening the bedside table and holding a pair of handcuffs.

I’m trembling when he picks me up, swivels me around to face the headboard, and handcuffs me to the damn bed! “Dammit, Ryker! This was not part of the deal—”

I’m just as stunned when he lies on his back, picks me up and murmurs, “Sit on my face, precious. I want you to come in my mouth.”

Oh, sweet baby Jesus!

With his hands gripping my waist, he can easily slide me back and forth. The gentle roughness of his beard, grazing every intimate part of me. Eliciting both pleasure and pain. At this moment, I’m so lost that I don’t want to be found. “Oh, Ryker. Yes. Just like that.” His lips wrap around my clit as he pulls me into his mouth. Flicking the sensitive bud with his tongue. Over and over again until my muscles clench and I’m coming all over his face.

Once my breathing’s slowed, he picks me up and places me on my knees. “I’m giving you the option to lie on your stomach, or I can take you like this. What’s it going to be?”

I’m so relaxed from my orgasm I purr, “Like this.” A scream catches in my throat when Ryker claims me from behind in one deep thrust. He’s so big and I’m so small that my knees feel like they’re about to buckle. So I do the only thing I can. I hold on to the headboard for dear life as he impales me from behind with his thick, hard cock. One of his arms covers my breasts, while his hand splays across my abdomen. Supporting me. My scent still lingers on his lips when he leans in to whisper, “Can you feel me now, precious?” Yes, oh god yes. His piercing massages my sweet spot with every thrust of his hips. It’s fucking erotic and feels so damn good…

Ryker’s dirty mouth might be considered obscene to some people, but to me, it lights a fire deep inside of me. Now that I’ve adjusted to his extremely large size, I can feel myself climbing once again. I desperately want to reach down to touch that little bundle of nerves, but I can’t! He handcuffed me to the damn bed. It’s as if he can read my mind when his hand suddenly reaches between my thighs. Using just the right amount of pressure to push me over the edge. “Oh, god. I’m coming, Ry…”

Chapter Eleven

Ryker

Lyra looked so damn beautiful splayed out across my bed last night. With her pale skin glowing from the moonlight that filtered into the darkened room. It was picture perfect. In fact, the whole scenario could have easily been created from one of those made-for-TV movies. You know, the exact same ones they play on the
Hallmark
or
Lifetime
channels. Fuck me. I knew deep down that’s what she wanted all along. I could see it in her eyes. Lyra craves some kind of connection. This being the only reason I ever agreed to this façade in the first place. I just pray she doesn’t leave me to drown in those somber hazel eyes. It could very well be my undoing.

Especially since I’ve been sitting in the kitchen, clutching the same cold cup of coffee that I poured myself hours ago. Feeling both physically and emotionally drained. I’m hoping it has something to do with lack of caffeine or not enough sleep. Not the fact that I couldn’t finish what I started last night. That’s never happened before. Ever. I literally froze when Lyra screamed out my name as she was coming. She called me ‘Ry’ with such conviction and so much passion that for a moment I thought she was my wife. Until my brain processed the fact that it was Lyra and not Bella. So, I did the only thing I could. I took off her cuffs, threw on my boxers and rushed downstairs. And I’ve been sitting down here ever since.

I feel numb. So much so, that I don’t hear Lyra approach until her hand gently squeezes my shoulder. “Look, I’m the one who propositioned you. So don’t beat yourself up about it just because you weren’t feeling it, Ryker.”

Is she fucking serious?

Is that what she thinks? That I wasn’t feeling her?

Lyra squeals when I suddenly bolt out of the chair, throw her over my shoulder and carry her up the stairs. My head is pounding to the same rhythm of my heart as I toss her on the bed. And when she scrambles to get away, I grab her by the ankles and pull her close to the edge. When her frightened eyes lock on mine, I see a deer caught in headlights, accepting its death with trepid determinism. Because she is surrendering to me with the same grace and courage as a deer just before I squeeze the trigger. Fortunately for Lyra, the only gun I’m packing is the one in my boxers.