(Complete but Publishing Chapters In Progress) Rebound, Boundless Series, Book 1

Twenty One

"You can pretend, but I don't regret what I offered. And I mean it." He shrugged. "I want. . ." I put my hands over my ears and hummed loudly, drowning the words he was forming. He grasped my wrists and gently pulled them down. "Okay. Too soon. I get it, but you could at least take the car and drive yourself home to get more clothes and come back here to stay. You could also launder them here. You know there's a washer and dryer."

"We can both argue till the cows come home, but neither of us will change our minds." I pursed my lips, then put my head on his chest. "I'm going to miss you." We stood quietly, holding each other. His chin pressed against my crown. Our breathing reached the same tempo. We were in sync in a way I couldn't imagine being without him ever again.

"Come back to bed. It's so early. You left me alone in a big, cold, empty bed. I missed your warm body. I don't like waking up that way." He held my wrist and prompted me to follow him to his room. My heart fluttered with worry that being in bed together would be the last time. I felt pressured to leave him with the best sexual experience so he could revel in it while we were apart.

As if I had become another woman, I commanded him, "Take off your boxers. Lie down in the middle of the bed." With an arched brow and grin, he looked at me with surprise at my controlling tone, as if he hadn't before experienced my domination.

My self-assuredness pushed aside my fears. After what I was about to do to him, there would be no way that he wouldn't run back to me. I went to his closet and came back with a silky tie. I found him exactly as I instructed. His eyes were trained on me.

"What are..." He began to ask before I shushed him.

"Do you trust me?" I asked, looking him straight in the eyes. His gaze scanned between my hand holding the tie and my eyes to check the sincerity held within.

"Implicitly." He grinned lasciviously.

"Put your arms up!" He did as I asked, crossing his wrists overhead. I straddled his torso. I watched him inhale the scent of my arousal as I wove the material around the ornate, wooden headboard. I wrapped his wrists with the length of the fabric, loose enough not to damage his talented hands. "Is that too tight?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

He licked his lips, and a hoarse, whispered response of 'no' escaped from his mouth.

I bit my bottom lip to contain my glee, then kissed his perfect mouth to reassure him that I'd take care of him. When his tongue tried to part my mouth, I pulled back, looking at his handsome face. He attempted to lean forward, mouth sensually parted and eyes heavy-lidded, willing me to bring my mouth back to his.

It exhilarated me to see his gorgeous face full of desire.

"I've been thinking about doing this to you for days now. But I thought about blindfolding you, too." I shook my head. My dark curls dangled in front of my chest. "I won't do it this time because I want you to watch me, please you. I want to see every emotion in your eyes. That is... if you can keep your eyes open. And Matt, I want your eyes open."

His chest heaved with expectation and longing. I rested my hands on his chest, and with my nose, I nudged his chin up, exposing his neck to accept my kisses and licks. His muscles flexed as he groaned under my caress.