The way he kissed her told her how much he liked hearing it. And then she surprised them both by shrugging off the robe, lying back against the pillows, and lifting her arms over her head.

“Tie me up.” Heat flared in his eyes, but when he didn’t move to do it right away, she knew he was concerned that she might not really mean it. So she added, “Show me how much I’m going to love this, too.”

Finally, he smiled, and reached for her wrists with the sash. “You’ll never look at a headboard the same way again, that’s for sure.”

Despite her sudden nerves at trying another new thing with Adam, she had to smile back. His grins were infectious.

Heck, everything about him drew her in. His smart mouth. His wicked smiles. His passionate kisses. His brilliant hands, always knowing just how—and where—to touch her.

When he’d finished tying her up, he shifted back to look at her, his heated gaze slowly roving head to toe and then back up again. “You’ve got to be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever set eyes on.”

She could feel her skin flush, both at the way he was taking in her nakedness and at his compliment. “Thank you.”

“Jesus, hearing you say that prim little thank you while I’ve got you tied to the bed... You just might be the end of me, Kerry.” His eyes looked a little wild and a muscle in his jaw was jumping as he directed her. “Tug on the sash.”

She tried to move her arms, but though she wasn’t in any pain, they didn’t have much give. She was well and truly at his mercy now. But though she supposed she should have been nervous about giving herself over to him this way, the only thing pumping through her veins right then was a desperate anticipation.

“Looks like you’re all mine to play with now, aren’t you?”

Did he know how his question—just on the edge of wicked—made her heart feel as though it were going to pump out of her chest? Or how badly she wanted him to kiss her?

And then, just like magic, his mouth was on hers. Warm and heady, reassuring and wild, all at the same time. She got so lost in his kiss that she almost forgot her hands were tied up until she tried to reach for him. That was when he finally drew away from her mouth.

“Every inch of you,” he promised. “I’m not going to miss a spot.”

And, oh my, did he ever make good on his promise as he took advantage of having her at his mercy. He ran his fingers and lips and tongue over her curves, her hollows, lingering at the most sensitive spots. Higher and higher he took her with every caress, with every sensual stroke of his fingers over her until she was simultaneously shattering and begging for more of him.

Thankfully, he didn’t keep teasing. Maybe because he could see that she was at the breaking point. Or maybe because that was right where he was himself. Barely able to survive staying apart, when all either of them wanted anymore—all either of them needed anymore—was to be connected in the most elemental way possible.

Her name was on his lips, and his was on hers, as he cupped her face in his hands. The moment hung between them like a gift you couldn’t wait to open, but wanted to savor for just one more moment before you tore off the wrapping paper. And then, a heartbeat after he’d sheathed himself, his mouth was on hers again as he thrust into her.

Unable to get her arms around him to hold him close, she wrapped her legs around his hips and rode him, taking everything he was giving her and giving it back to him tenfold. Her climax crashed over her, and Adam’s did, too, as her release sent him over the edge.

Kerry had never felt so blissfully wild. So wonderfully savage.

Or so perfectly free.

* * *

When Kerry could finally get her breath back, she said, “Do you think the designer knew people were going to use this headboard like that?”

Adam’s laughter warmed her up all over again. “I sure hope so.”

She shouldn’t be shocked, not anymore. Not when he’d just blown her mind in a thousand new ways. But she needed to know. “Do you ever design things for...”

“For kinky clients?”

She nodded.

“Well...” He had her right there on the edge, waiting for his answer. “I never design and tell.”

“I need you to untie me so that I can smack you.”

“Sounds to me like that’s exactly why I should keep you tied up a little longer.” He ran the tip of one finger down over her curves. “Oh, look, here’s another reason.”

She should be sated, should be done by now after having made love with him three times already tonight. But, of course, her body instinctively arched into his touch.

“God, you tempt me.” He kissed her. “Do you have any important meetings tomorrow?”

She couldn’t hold back her groan as reality came crashing back in, even with her hands still tied to the headboard. “Seven a.m. A breakfast meeting.”

“And I thought my nine o’clock was early.” He didn’t look any happier about it than she felt as he untied the sash and gently began to massage her arms, from her wrists up to her shoulders. “Next time, we both need to clear the decks the morning after.”

Next time. It shouldn’t thrill her so much to know they’d be doing this again. But, boy oh boy, did it ever.

He looked over at her overnight bag. “You brought clothes for tomorrow?”

Not wanting it to seem as though she expected them to spend the night together, she explained, “I like to be prepared, just in case the outfit I wore tonight got ruined before I left.” Which it definitely had, given that it was currently lying in shreds by the door.