BindingCherryBlossoms by Gia Dawn Read Free Book Online Page A

bamboo ladle to pour hot water into the bowl before using a bamboo
whisk to swirl the water and clean it before disposing of the used water in a
different pot. There was not a single thing hurried or careless in his
movements as he scooped powdered tea into the bowl and added another ladle of
hot water before he whisked it into the proper consistency.
    “Take the tea in both hands,” he said, handing her the bowl.
“Then you will take two or three sips before passing it back to me. In a true
ceremony you would pass the bowl on to the next guest so they could share the
tea.”
    Sakura brought the bowl to her lips and took a tentative
sip. It was terrible. Bitter and much too strong. “Ugh.” She tried to hide the
sound of disgust, hoping he would not take offense.
    “It is an acquired taste,” he admitted, “but you will
refrain from any negative expression or comment unless you wish to bring
disgrace to your family and their honored guests. Now take another sip.” He
placed his hands over hers on the bowl and lifted it to her mouth.
    She drank as he told her to, the tea taking on an entirely
new flavor as her body reacted to his touch. Desire flooded her senses,
blocking out all other input.
    Despite her best intention, she wiggled to ease the pressure
between her thighs, then froze when she saw his mouth turn down.
    “Take off your dress. Do you still not understand my rules?”
he demanded when she hesitated. He grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet.
“Take. Off. Your. Dress.”
    Sakura reached behind her back to pull down the zipper but
her legs had grown numb from sitting on the floor and she stumbled, crying out
when his hand clamped hard around her arm to steady her. Some of her anxiety
must have shown on her face because he lessened his grip immediately.
    He sighed and ran his fingers down her cheek. “You have no
need to fear me. As your Bakushi it is my job to keep you safe. See that
you are never harmed—no matter that I would love to wring your beautiful neck
on occasion. But I will be obeyed. And for that you must trust me.”
    “If I don’t?” She backed a step away, refusing his offer of
support.
    “Then leave. The door is open. It always has been.” He let
his hands fall to his sides. “The choice is yours.”
    “What if I stay?” The thought of never seeing him again was
more of a sacrifice than she was willing to make. But she needed some
assurances that he had her best interests at heart. “Don’t I get a safe word or
something?”
    He muttered a curse beneath his breath. “Forgive me, keisei .
I should have thought of that before.”
    “Are you admitting you made a mistake?” She couldn’t wait to
hear his answer.
    “Yes,” he stated simply. “I was too focused on my own
gratification. It will not happen again.”
    “But you still intend to tie me up?”
    “I offer you the chance to experience something completely
out of your comfort zone. Why can’t you accept my offer for what it is without
trying to put your own definition on the process? How do you feel now? Are you excited?
Are you aroused? Or have your defenses robbed you of those feelings?” He took a
step toward her, his voice losing its rational tone and dropping back into its
usual state of seduction. “Wouldn’t you rather ache with desire for me?”
    Yes. She desperately wanted to be able to release her
inhibitions and let him have his way with her. If the sound of his voice alone
was enough to make her tremble, a full lovemaking session would surely blow her
mind. And since he’d begun to woo her once more she’d started to respond in
kind, her need returning in full and major force.
    “How did you do that?”
    “What?” He circled behind her, stalking his prey.
    “Make me want you enough to stay?”
    “Because I want you enough to demand it. You questioned me
once about balance. Are you beginning to understand? And do you think I am
stupid enough not to offer you the same pleasure that you gave me