Hearts Aflame Collection III: 4-Book Bundle by Melissa F. Hart Read Free Book Online

do,” Jocelyn said lightly, as she downed the last of the wine.  Her voice was thick and sultry with desire.  She’d always been attracted to her handsome boss, but hearing him open his heart to her made him even more desirable than ever before.  She understood instinctively that he wasn’t the kind of man who shared such intimate secrets lightly, and this moment they were having tonight was something special.  She wanted to share something special with him in return; she just hoped he liked what she had to offer.  Her instincts told her that he would.
    “How do you know what I need to do?” Ethan asked, raising his brow skeptically.  His own voice was rather thick too, as his head swam with the influence of the alcohol and being so close to such a beautiful woman.   Jocelyn was not only sexy, intelligent, and an excellent chef, but she had a warmth and compassion that nurtured his soul.  He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anyone before, and it crushed him that he had to keep away from her. 
    “I know, because I’ve been listening to you.  The solution is simple.  You need to give up complete control.”
    “Sure!” Ethan laughed loudly at what he assumed was a ridiculous joke.
    “I’m serious,” Jocelyn said, and he could tell from the stern look in her eyes that she meant it.  He stopped laughing and stared at her, wondering what she meant.  “You feel an enormous amount of pressure to make the right decisions all the time.  The cure is simple.  Give up control.  Take a break to let your mind and body rejuvenate.”
    “And how exactly do I just stop making decisions?” Ethan smirked, thinking it was impossible, but Jocelyn knew it wasn’t.
    “Like this,” Jocelyn said with a sultry purr and everything suddenly went black.
     

Chapter Three
     
    Ethan reached his hands up to remove the dishtowel that had been tossed onto his head and was now covering his eyes, but Jocelyn put a gentle hand over his own.
    “No, keep your eyes covered.  I’m going to show you how to give up control, relax, and find true peace and happiness,” she said softly.
    “With a dishtowel on my head?” Ethan teased, but he left it there and placed his hands back onto his lap.
    “Not just a dishtowel, but a blindfold,” Jocelyn explained.  She folded the towel and tied it in a knot behind his head, securing it over his eyes so he was submerged in darkness.  “This will prevent you from knowing what’s going on around you and attempting to manage everything.”
    “Blind people are still capable of doing almost anything a sighted person can do,” Ethan said defiantly.  Suddenly, Jocelyn grabbed him by the hand and he felt the sensation of her binding his wrist to the back of the chair with a plastic twist tie.
    “What are you doing?” he tried to object, but it was too late.  He was already bound to the chair by both his arms and unable to move.  Combined with being unable to see, he suddenly felt uncomfortably vulnerable.  “What is the meaning of this ridiculous game?  Release me at once!”
    “I’ll release you if you truly want me to,” Jocelyn said gently and Ethan knew in his heart that her words were sincere.  “If you don’t want to do this, all you have to do is say the safety word Hippopotamus and I’ll let you go.  However, I think if you let me keep going that you’ll really like what I have to show you.  Surrender your control.  Let me guide you to a place of complete relaxation and satisfaction. You’ll be glad you did.”
    Ethan paused, considering her words.  He knew what he should do.  He should say the safe word, get out of this kitchen and get back to work.  He drew in his breath, ready to say the word to end this ridiculous game, when his curiosity got the better of him.  What would happen if he didn’t quit the game?  What magical trick did Jocelyn have to help him find relief from all this pressure he was under?  Would it work?  He decided that he had