"What’s your safe word?" Zack murmured against her ear as he worked.
"Red," Dani whispered, her voice breathy with arousal.
"Good girl," he praised, continuing his meticulous work, even though his heart dipped a little that she’d chosen to use the traffic light system, rather than the unique safe word they used to use. Clearly, they had a little way to go before the trust was completely rebuilt between them, but that was okay. She was giving him a chance. That’s all he could ask for. The rest he was more than happy to prove to her.
The familiarity of the rope in his hands, the silky lengths drawing through his fingers, calmed Zack’s mind. Each movement was deliberate, precise, his practiced touch working with an almost meditative focus as he began constructing the sinuous weave.
He’d missed this. The intricacy of the knots, the beauty of the filigree pattern he began to construct, the way the bright red hugged her flesh and contrasted so beautifully with her olive skin—all of it took him to his own happy place. It had been too long. Far too damn long. Where once they had known each other’s every kinky secret and every dark desire, now there was so much uncharted territory for them to explore.
Above all, he’d missed her. Missed the undeniable connection they shared.
He’d half expected never to have this again. Yet here they were, and Zack was determined not to let anything stop him from savoring Dani this time around.
As he worked, he watched her closely, noting the way her eyes fluttered closed in submission. She’d missed this too if the look of absolute peace on her beautiful face was anything to go by. He knew it from the way a small sigh escaped her lips and the way she surrendered each time he extended her bindings.
That sigh was sweeter to him than any words she could speak. That sigh was the promise he’d hardly dared to hope for. The promise that they could make things work.
19
As the minutes ticked by, Dani felt herself slipping into that blissful headspace she'd missed so desperately. The outside world faded away until there was nothing but the sensation of rope against skin and Zack's steady presence behind her. She’d never had this with anyone else. Hadn’t wanted it after her split with Zack. It was something so innately theirs, she couldn’t bring herself to share it with anyone else. Now though, the years, the hurt, the disappointments; all of it slipped away.
Zack's fingers danced across her skin, sending shivers down her spine as he adjusted the complex web of knots and loops. With each tug and twist, Dani felt herself sinking deeper into submission, surrendering completely to his expert touch.
"How does that feel, pet?” Zack's voice was low and husky in her ear.
"Perfect, Master," Dani breathed, her eyes fluttering closed. "I've missed this so much."
A soft groan escaped Zack's lips as he pressed a kiss to her shoulder. "Me too, baby. More than you know."
With the final knot secured, Zack stepped back to admire his handiwork. The red rope crisscrossed Dani's voluptuous form inan elaborate diamond pattern which pushed her breasts forward enticingly.
"You're a work of art," he murmured, circling her slowly. His fingertips traced the lines of rope, barely ghosting over her sensitive skin. Dani whimpered at the teasing touch, her body trembling with need.
Zack reached out to cup her face, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze, and the intensity in his eyes made Dani's breath catch.
"I want to suspend you," he said, his voice low and commanding. "Will you let me do that?"
Dani nodded eagerly, her pulse quickening at the thought. "Yes, Master. Please."
With a satisfied smile, Zack guided her to the center of the room where sturdy hooks hung from the ceiling. He worked swiftly, attaching additional ropes to the harness already adorning her curves. Dani felt herself being lifted, her feet leaving the ground as Zack carefully adjusted her position.
Soon she was floating, her body held securely in an elaborate latticework of red rope. The sensation was intoxicating - weightless yet completely under Zack's control. She could feel the rope biting deliciously into her skin with every small movement.
Zack circled her suspended form, drinking in the sight. "God, you're beautiful like this," he murmured, trailing his fingers along the taut lines of her skin. "So perfect. So mine."
A whimper escaped Dani's lips at his possessive tone. The words sent a thrill through her, rekindling a fire she thought had long since been extinguished.
"Yes," she breathed. "Yours."
Zack's eyes darkened with desire. He leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. "I'm going to make you feel so good, pet. Remind you of everything you've been missing. That we’ve both been missing.”
His hands traced her curves, teasing and caressing. Dani gasped and writhed in her bonds, the ropes creaking softly as she moved. Zack's touch was electric, igniting every nerve ending.
He circled behind her, his chest pressing against her back. One hand snaked around to cup her breast, while the other trailed lower, ghosting over her abdomen.
"Tell me what you want," he commanded softly.
Dani's mind was hazy with lust, coherent thought slipping away. "You," she managed. "Please, I need you."
