Page 106 of Hat Trick
“And that’s something you want to try?”
“Yes. I might hate it, but… it’s one of my biggest fantasies. I’ve never felt safe enough with someone to explore it and find out.”
This is very dangerous territory. My teammates are fifteen feet away and could come in here any minute. We saidjust once. I’ve spent weeks trying to get Lexi out of my head, and seeing her wrists turn a pretty shade of pink from where the ropes press against her skin is making forming coherent thoughtsreally fucking difficult.
Especially when it sounds like she’s implying she feels safe with me.
“I want to respect your rules,” I croak. “We agreed we would sleep together one time. Doing this—” I gesture at the knot and will myself not to get hard. “Goes well past that.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” she whispers.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Lex.”
“This is—” Lexi tries to release the knot but can’t. “Forget I asked. Can you?—”
“I’ve got you. Stop moving for me? Thank you.”
I pull the loop on the excess part of the rope until it loosens, and when I untuck the rope from where it’s pressing against the inside of her wrist, it falls to the floor. I curl my fingers around her wrist, inspecting her to make sure she’s okay, and smooth my thumb over the tiny mark that was left behind.
“I should…” She shifts and licks her lips. “The girls. The team. Dinner.”
“Right. Yeah.” I drop the discarded rope back in the bottom drawer and shove it closed. “Don’t forget your drink.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later?”
“My house. Nowhere really for me to go.”
“Right.” She laughs, but it’s forced. “Thanks for giving me a tour.”
“Sure.” I shove my glasses up my nose to give my hands something to do. “No problem.”
Without saying anything else, she turns for the door and disappears down the hall. I watch her leave, feeling like I definitely fucked up.
THIRTY
LEXI
I’m in a daze.
Ever since I walked out of Riley’s room, I can’t focus on anything but the red mark on my skin, the confidence in his eyes when he unknotted the rope from around my wrist, and howsureof himself he was when he talked about the things he liked.
I wasn’t lying when I said bondage is something I’ve never tried in the bedroom but always wanted to. I can’t explainwhy; I’m not in the least bit submissive. If a man tried to tell me what I could and couldn’t do, I’d probably punch him in the face.
There’s something about knowing I can’t escape, knowing I can’t get away and I’m just a vessel of pleasure for someone else that’s hot as hell.
And I shared that fantasy withRiley, the guy who blushed when he saw me naked.
I need to move and find a new job immediately, becausewhat the fuck is wrong with me?
“Earth to Lexi.” Piper snaps her fingers in front of my face, and I blink. “Are you okay?”
“Hm? Yeah. I’m great. I think I drank that last gin and tonic too quickly. I should eat something.”
“Here.” Emmy hands over a plate of olives and puts a hand on her stomach. “I’m stuffed, and I don’t want those to go to waste.”
“Why do you have a plate of only olives?” I ask. “Do we not care about the other food groups?”
“Years ago, I mentioned to Maverick I liked them in my drink, and he started carrying around a jar so I can have them whenever I want,” she explains. “It’s probably the reason why I fell in love with him.”
