Bonds of Trust by Lynda Aicher Read Free Book Online

waves of tension. Finally she opened her eyes and raised her head until her gaze held his. The green of her eyes had darkened to emerald gems, her lips slightly parted and slick from being licked.
    The moment lengthened until she said, “Yes.” The scarcely spoken word echoed through the empty quiet. With more conviction, she gave him a half-smile and finished. “I want to proceed.”
    His tight muscles loosened with the release of her words, but he didn’t let her see that. Internally, the relief he felt at her agreement was both foreign and disturbing. Externally, he retained his composure and gave a sharp nod. “Good.” He stepped forward and cupped a hand around the nape of her neck. “That deserves a reward.”
    Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her with all the desire and need that had been building in him since she’d stood and extended her hand in introduction. She moaned and opened to him, her tongue meeting his in an instant duel of longing. The hint of mint mixed with the heat of her mouth, drawing him in deeper. His fingers threaded through her hair, the soft strands encouraging him to hold on, to yank her close and savor the moment, but he drew back, leaving them both wanting.
    Their breath mingled in shortened pants in the small space between them. He slid his hands down her sides then under her shirt, letting his palms rest against her warm, silky flesh. She flinched at his touch, her stomach muscles contracting sharply before they slowly relaxed.
    “Remove your top.” Her eyes flashed, and he struggled to keep his voice even. “I want you naked.”
    Her lip was immediately sucked between her teeth, but she didn’t pull away. He took a step back and watched. Would this be where she balked?
    With shaky hands, she grabbed her shirt hem and followed his orders, removing the top and letting it drop to the floor.
    The Scene had begun.

Chapter Five
    The air whispered over her heated flesh, the cool edges barely registering against Cali’s flushed mind. It was all she could do to stay standing. To remain focused on what Master Jake was saying to her.
    His touch was both firm and soft as he stroked his hands over her skin. She bit her lip to contain the whimper that threatened at the back of her throat.
    “Don’t,” he commanded, his grip flexing on her sides. “Don’t hide what you’re feeling from me. I want to hear everything. Every sound, every moan, every desire you feel. Understand?”
    She exhaled, a small wheeze escaping with it. “Yes...sir.”
    He walked behind her, never releasing contact with her body. It was his touch that held her there. In the room. The simple pressure on her chin, the brush of his thumb over her lips, the slide of his palms down her sides—not once had he stopped touching her since the Scene began. It was as if he knew she needed that.
    Like he understood her.
    After being physically starved for touch for years, he was providing her with the intimacy she craved. The actual act of sex was secondary to the connection he was building. She wanted what he offered, but it was her own personal fear of everything he embodied and represented that made her legs tense, ready to bolt. Her senses were in overdrive, her base survival instincts in a fight or flight mode.
    This man, Master Jake, owned his sexuality and desires without shame. He was decadence and freedom rolled into one delicious package.
    And he scared the shit out of her.
    Not him exactly, but how he made her feel.
    Everything about him, from his looks to his actions to the way he touched her, made her knees weak and her mind reel. The whole experience was so much more than she’d expected. More than she’d wished for, and they were still clothed. If she was being honest, it was the intensity of the feelings and desire he stirred within her that she truly feared.
    His warm breath fluttered over her bare shoulder as his hands smoothed down her back and deftly unclasped her bra.
    “You have