Exposed by Fate (Serve #2)(18)

She paused in the act of removing her sports bra when she saw something hanging from the ceiling. The wooden beams that ran the length of Oliver’s loft continued into the bathroom and a leather strap had been thrown over one, leaving two wrist restraints dangling into the shower, ending just above the stream of water.

Eliza’s pulse danced, but she didn’t have time to prepare herself before the bathroom door opened and closed softly.

Just like earlier at the gym, she watched Oliver’s reflection in the mirror as he approached. By that time, steam from the shower had permeated the space, making him look like he’d been conjured from her fantasies. He owned his lack of clothing like he’d been born to be naked, all animal grace and swagger. His thick, jutting erection was already covered with a condom and that turned her on even more, knowing he wanted all distractions out of the way. She could only watch him with appreciation, doing her damndest to remember how many women had seen him this way. Had seen that predatory gleam in his eyes, knowing they were about to be his meal. Wanting to be his only meal, forever, even though it was impossible to tie a sexual creature like him down. Just keep thinking that way, Eliza. Don’t get attached. Don’t be one of them.

“Eliza,” he said firmly, meeting her eyes in the mirror. His were narrowed, a hint concerned, as if he could read her mind. “Safe word.”

Worry slowly seeped her mind. This was Oliver, a man she trusted. “I remember,” she whispered back, afraid to repeat the safe word, lest he vanish into the steam.

He regarded her closely another beat before raising his hands. In them, he held a blindfold she hadn’t noticed before. Her world went black a moment later when he tied it over her eyes, but almost immediately, it expanded. She could feel the steam dappling her naked body, feel every trickle of moisture as it rolled down her skin. Her thighs slipped together as he led her toward the shower and brought her inside. The tile felt slippery against her feet, Oliver’s spicy soap scent invading her head, making her hyper-aware of his hands on her arms. They slipped up her slick skin, circling her wrists and bringing them high against the shower wall. Shower spray warmed the top of her head, coating her face and neck like a caress. Even under the onslaught of water, the blindfold stayed in place, tied just tightly enough to remain comfortable.

“Keep your arms raised and face me.” Desire throbbing in her mid-section, she turned to face Oliver, picturing his face and body in the center of the white fog. “Christ, you’re gorgeous,” he grated.

Even with her vision gone, she felt everywhere his gaze landed as sure as if he’d touched her. In his voice, she heard a thread of desperation, same as she felt. The observation sent her need for him skyrocketing, giving her no choice but to reach for him. Before she made contact, he grabbed her wrists. “You’ll do as you’re told. My palm is dying to make contact with your ass. Don’t give me an excuse.”

Yes. Tell me what to do. She put her arms back over her head, commanding herself to breathe as he reached up and slid her hands into the leather restraints, buckling them tight with a metal clink. When she attempted to look up even though her eyes were covered, he held her chin steady.

“Relax, Eliza. Trust me.”

Relax? She felt a rush tearing through her system at a thousand miles an hour. In her mind’s eye, she could imagine how her position caused her breasts to jut out, a private display just for him. Her core suddenly felt so empty and desperate, she had to squeeze her thighs together hard. Right in front of her, she could hear Oliver’s breathing pick up speed, warm puffs against her lips. Turned on by the image of her bound? Trapped? When he didn’t touch her, she realized he was waiting for her signal to continue. “Yes…I’m okay,” she finally managed.

“Good girl. Just feel.” The concern had fled from his tone, leaving his voice haunting, dark. So low it almost got swallowed up by the drumming shower spray. With a single finger, he traced a path from her collarbone down, around her stiff nipples and lower…until he reached the apex of her thighs. Eliza held her breath as he spoke. “I’ve wanted to lick between these thighs since the day we were introduced. That probably makes me sick.” He slid his middle finger through her damp folds, then pushed it deep, ripping a cry from her throat. “Ask me if I care.”

Oh God, oh God. I’m dying.

“Your first day of college. So nervous and unsure.” He worked his finger out, then slowly, torturously drove it deeper. “What did you need, babe? Did you need me to stay behind and take off your jean skirt like I wanted to? Would you have let me f*ck you on your dorm room bed?”

If her restrained hands weren’t holding her up, Eliza knew with total certainty, she would have been in a pile of boneless limbs on the tile floor. How had she known him for so long and never suspected he’d felt the same attraction? Just an attraction. Just an attraction.

“Answer me. Would you have spread your legs and let me break you off?”

“Yes,” she sobbed, grateful she couldn’t see anything. Admitting the secret didn’t seem to count when her world was entirely dark. “I would have.”

The most exquisite pleasure caught her off guard when he sucked her right nipple into his mouth, growling around it like the taste was driving him insane. As insane as she felt. Myriad sensations shot to her core, making her writhe helplessly against the wall, wrists clanking above her head. She wanted him to stop, to keep going, she didn’t know. Relief mixed with denial when he pulled back, his mouth making a pop noise as he released her nipple. “I like when you’re honest with me, Eliza. Maybe a little too much.” She heard something land heavily on the shower floor, then his hands were on the insides of her thighs, pushing them apart. Kneeling. He was kneeling. Oh, please. “Are you as tight as you look? We’ll find out as soon as I kiss all this pink.”