I hadn’t expected Nick back in Colorado for a few days yet, but it seemed Thresh had told him to get lost, his life wasn’t in danger, and Nick’s presence would just be a cock-block.
So Nick came home early from Miami.
He slept lightly that first night. Probably a good thing, because I had nightmares. I kept hearing gunfire in my dreams. Kept seeing that guy’s throat explode, kept feeling the pistol buck in my hands. Nick woke me up, comforted me. Held me. Stroked my skin and let me be weak and vulnerable.
The next night was better. No nightmares, no dreams. Just deep, peaceful sleep in Nick’s arms.
There was tension simmering between us, still, though. Nick had tied me up, and without asking me first. And yes, I’d been so turned on I hadn’t known which way was up and, in the moment, certainly hadn’t remembered that I’d intended to seduce him. I’d waited in his office for fifteen, twenty minutes, and then I’d heard him on the phone just outside. I still don’t know what possessed me, but the second I heard his voice, I’d stripped naked. I don’t know if I’ve ever shucked my clothes that fast. And then, when I heard the knob twist, I’d started touching myself. Naughty, naughty girl, I know. Right there in his office. Stark naked, flicking my bean. Blinds open, no less.
And the bastard had turned the tables on me.
That pissed me off.
And the way he’d intended to just…send me home like a bad little disobedient wifey? Ohhellno. I was hurt, deeply. Beyond hurt, beyond pissed.
Duke and the others had come through for me, and Nick had come around.
But still. I hadn’t forgotten.
So now I was awake, at four thirty in the morning, waiting for Nick to wake up.
I may or may not have roofied his scotch. Just a little, so I could tie him up without having to fight him.
Yes, I’m a terrible person, I know.
I heard him stir. Groan.
“Fuck. What the hell happened?” He sounded groggy, scratchy voiced. Then I heard him yank on the neckties I’d used to spread-eagle him to the bed. “What? Shit. Layla? Very funny. Untie me.”
I didn’t answer right away. I wanted him to sweat.
“Layla?”
More struggling. But I’d been practicing my knots, so I was reasonably sure he couldn’t get free.
“Layla? Where the hell are you, woman?”
The room was dark enough still that he couldn’t see me. I was about eight inches to his left, but he didn’t need to know that. I was breathing as quietly and softly as I could.
“I fucking hear you breathing, Layla. I cansmellyou. Untie me.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.” I stood up. Moved forward exactly one step; I’d practiced. Reached a hand out, trailed my fingers along his skin, from toe to hip. “You had to know I’d find a way to get even, Nick.”
“When did I fall asleep? And how did I stay asleep while you did this to me?”
“Oh, I roofied your scotch last night.”
“Youroofiedme?” He sounded utterly incredulous. Admittedly, it was a pretty extreme length to go to.
“How else was I supposed to get you tied up? You’d have woken up and overpowered me otherwise.”
“So youROOFIEDme?”
“Yep.”
“And now what?” He sounded…hesitant.
“And now?” I slid my palm along his belly. Walked my fingers up his chest, found his lips. Used my thumb to pull his lower lip down. “And now, stud, I have my way with you.”
