Bound: The Mastered Series (26 page)

Ronin kissed her quickly, but their teeth clacked together because he wore a big grin. “I’ll grab my bag.”

“You just
happen
to have a bag of red ropes with you?”

“I like to be prepared.”

In the small studio, Amery chose a different backdrop and adjusted the umbrella lights. She rarely did portraits because she didn’t feel she had the artistic eye for it. But in this case only her back would be visible in the shot.

Ronin hadn’t returned by the time she was ready to take a few test shots. After removing her shirt, she hooked up the remote button to the camera on the tripod. Using a roll of masking tape, she marked off a spot, stood on it with her bare back to the camera, and snapped a pic. Then she returned behind the camera and scrolled to the digital image. Too close. She backed up the camera, stood on the X, and clicked off another shot.

Better. But the light glared off her shoulder blade. After adjusting the backlight, she threw a diffuser—just a piece of darker opaque fabric—over the top of the light. She found her mark on the X again.

Before she clicked the remote, Ronin said, “Arch your back and turn your head to the right instead of looking forward.”

“I don’t want anyone to see my face, remember?”

“Only your profile is visible and you can darken that after you get the shot.” When he closed in behind her, his body heat warmed her and his presence soothed her. He tugged the ponytail holder free, running his fingers through the long strands. “There. Now take it.”

Amery angled her head and pushed the button.

When she whirled around, she expected to see Ronin behind the camera checking out the shot, but he remained off to the side, letting her do her job.

“You’re right,” she admitted. “That is much better.” She tested a couple more, adjusting the zoom a fraction. After repositioning the tapes, she inhaled a deep breath, waiting for Ronin’s instruction.

Then he was behind her, that deliciously deep voice in her ear. “You ready for me to start tying you, beautiful?”

“Yes.”

He placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. “Arms at your sides.”

Amery lowered her arms and closed her eyes.

She heard him behind her. The rustle of fabric as he removed his shirt and became Ronin the rope master.

His bare skin brushed hers as he swept her hair aside. Then he unhooked her bra and slid it off. He brushed a kiss between her breasts as he unzipped her jeans, tugging them down her hips and to the floor. When she attempted to kick them free, he said, “No. Keeping them around your ankles will hold you in place.”

Just another way he chose to bind her.

His finger leisurely followed the lace edge of her panties hugging her lower curves. Then his lips thoroughly tracked her spine from the dimples above her ass to the nape of her neck.

Although her pulse raced and her blood seemed to pump hotter with anticipation, she focused on her breathing.

Ronin slipped rope over both of her shoulders. She felt a quick pull, and sections of rope brushed the inside of her arms as he secured the first knot. More rope slid up her wrists and over her elbows to cross her upper arms. Another tug, another caress on her skin beneath the knots. His soft, steady exhales drifted over her damp flesh.

Goose bumps spread just from the nearness of his mouth to her skin.

Callused hands were busy behind her, rarely jerky, never clumsy. At times the rope would swing across her calves, giving the impression of his fingers teasing her there, even when she felt his fingertips on her spine.

The more knots he added to the rope configuration, the closer her arms got to touching. This pattern didn’t restrict her breathing like some of the chest harnesses he’d crafted. Yet Amery found herself floating into that same headspace, where his fleeting touches set off little pulses beneath her skin.

He held her wrists and placed several thick loops in the center of the rope that kept her wrists from touching.

Amery knew when Ronin finished. He stepped back to scrutinize his creation, much like an artist. Then he’d make minute adjustments to the ropes. Sometimes he’d circle her, looking from all angles. But this time he stayed behind her.

And his voice was so perfectly modulated it never abruptly brought her out of that trancelike state when he spoke. “Amery.”

She didn’t have to answer him; he just needed to know he had her attention. She barely moved her head in acknowledgment.

“You are stunning bound in red. I’m grateful you’ll get a chance to see the pure beauty that shines through you.” Then Ronin’s hands were on her once again, circling her hips as he snugged his body in behind hers.

“Stay in this heightened state and tell me what I need to do to capture the picture.”

Amery fought against the pull that would yank her out of blissful nothingness. “The remote button is attached to the camera. Press it when you have the shot you want.”

There was movement behind her and Amery managed to stay still.

He adjusted her arms higher. “Hold like that.”

The shutter made a whirring click. Then another. And another. So many she lost count.

Ronin didn’t suggest she change poses. She understood his gaze wasn’t behind the lens, but entirely on her.

“Will you let me try something?” he asked. “I won’t move you, I promise.”

“Yes.”

“Stay still no matter what I do to you.”

That meant he planned to touch her.

Stretching out the anticipation was Ronin’s specialty. He’d never kept her hanging on the jagged edge for long. Yet knowing he could keep her there indefinitely, that she had no control in how or when he chose to send her soaring into pleasure, added another layer to their play.

His gi pants teased her bare toes when he dropped to his knees in front of her. He kissed the skin below her belly button.

The same time Amery released a little gasp of surprise, the shutter whirred behind her.

Ronin’s breath drifted over the damp spot he’d just kissed and she bit her lower lip as the camera clicked. His warm mouth slid a fraction lower.

Click.

Another inch put his mouth right on the lace band of her panties.

Click.

But the sneaky man didn’t kiss her there; he dipped his tongue beneath the lace.

She jerked and her head moved out of position.

“Don’t move.” Those rough fingertips were on her hips and he tugged her panties down—not off—but far enough to prevent her from widening her stance.

Click.

Amery felt the hot wash of his breath over the rise of her bare mound. No. He wouldn’t.

And then he did.

Ronin burrowed his tongue into the top of her slit and licked down, then back up. Zeroing that flicking tongue directly on her clit.

Somehow she held the position as he used that wicked tongue to drive her out of her mind.

She thought she heard the camera clicking, but she wasn’t sure she wasn’t hearing the muscle in her jaw popping from clenching her teeth.

No teasing. No slow buildup. Ronin just tongued her insistently until that breathless moment right before the orgasm slammed into her. Amery couldn’t help dropping her head back in ecstasy and sucking in a few gasping breaths as she gave herself over to the pleasure.

Once the fog lifted, she let her face dip down, almost in supplication.

Several more shots clicked.

“Amery.”

Her heart rate picked up.

“Look up for a second.”

As always when he bound her, she followed his instructions.

“Good. Now turn your head and glance over your shoulder.”

Her hair hung her face and she tossed her head to clear her line of sight.

Click.

The flash startled her, but she stared right into the camera lens.

Click.

“Beautiful, baby. Now relax.”

She allowed herself a small smile but didn’t otherwise move.

Click.

Then Ronin’s hands were on her face and his mouth captured hers in a combustible kiss. Although her heart still thumped like mad, she existed in that post-orgasmic haze.

“Need to have you like this,” he murmured against her lips. “Step out of your jeans.”

As soon as she kicked them free, he herded her backward to her office.

Ronin turned her around and bent her over her desk. She hissed in a breath when her nipples and belly connected with the cold surface.

The head of Ronin’s cock nudged her hot, wet center. He jerked on the rope dangling between her wrists. “Arms up and keep them up. I want to see your ass shake as I’m fucking you.”

Amery pressed her cheek into the cool wood and lifted her arms. The silken cord dropped between her butt cheeks.

Ronin said, “Jesus. I can feel the rope teasing my dick.”

He did a pelvis twist and plunged inside her cunt fully. Wrapping one hand around her hip, he repositioned her to keep her hipbones from banging into the desk. Then he twisted the rope in his other hand, pulling it as he fucked her.

Each steady stroke fueled the fire between them. Ronin’s quiet intensity as he plowed into her kept her on the edge as she waited for him to detonate.

When that moment arrived, he stopped slamming into her and shuddered as his cock emptied. The combination of her restraint and his passion set her off again. Her pussy clamped around his cock as it pulsed, milking every last seed.

Then he lifted her up and cranked her head around to meet his avid mouth, kissing with such sweetness she melted.

“Stay still,” he said gruffly. As he unwound the rope from her arms, his fingers brushed over the marks. “Still red even after the red rope is gone,” he murmured. “But they’ll fade in a few hours.”

Why did she have a twinge of regret that they’d fade so soon?

He held her for a long time and she relished the skin-on-skin contact. Then he played with her hair, twirling it around his fingers. He wrapped a thick chunk around his palm and brought it to his mouth, rubbing his lips across it. Each caress on her cheek and tender kiss on her forehead brought her back to herself. She felt secure that he knew exactly what she needed without her having to ask.

“Better?”

“Much. Thank you. For . . . all of it.”

“I’m humbled by the trust you place in me.” He nuzzled her temple. “I’ll never take that for granted.”

Men, in her experience, in the afterglow of great sex, would say anything in hopes of a repeat performance. But Ronin was different since he’d backed up his words with actions on more than one occasion. She could fall for him so easily.

Don’t be a fool. You’ve already fallen for him.

“Are you ready to see yourself on film?”

“No. I’m afraid to look.”

“Why?”

“I don’t like pictures of myself.” Understatement. Amery hated pictures of herself. “I always look goofy. Like the redheaded stepchild who gets shoved into the background hoping no one notices her.”

He pinched her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Then you’ll be surprised by how breathtaking you look bound by me, won’t you?”

It’d kill her to see his disappointment when he witnessed proof of how unphotogenic she was.

“I don’t want you deleting anything until we’ve gone through them all,” he warned. “It sounds as if you can’t be objective when it comes to photos of yourself, let alone half-naked photos.” He kissed her nose. “Grab the camera and let’s take a peek.”

“What if they’re all bad? You’ve already untied me, so it isn’t like we can do a reshoot.”

“First of all, I can have you retied in five minutes. Second of all, my fear is that you burned up the camera with your smoking hotness. Especially when I went down on you. If the image could capture the sex noises you made, tied up for my pleasure and coming on my tongue, the images would easily sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Amery wiggled out of his hold. “Now you’re just being ridiculous.”

“Am I? Get dressed. I’ll be back.” He snagged his shirt off the floor and ducked out.

She put her clothes on before she unhooked the camera from the tripod.

Ronin rolled her office chair into the studio. He lowered into it and patted his lap. “That way we can both see.”

Meaning he wouldn’t let her escape and he’d know if she tried to delete something.

The camera had a decent-sized viewing screen. She selected the first shot of the session and held her breath as she enlarged it.

The binding was intricate, making her body look delicate and malleable, yet strong in her submission.

“Keep going.”

Ronin didn’t comment . . . until the pictures where the angle of her head had changed. When he’d put his mouth on her.

Holy. Shit. The arch of her back, the way her hands had tightened into fists, even the bend of her neck screamed
woman in the throes of passion.

Amery couldn’t believe that sexy woman was her.

“Told you,” he said smugly. “I’ll bet they’re all like that.”

So maybe she was a little more eager to view the remaining shots. The subtle changes toward the end when Ronin had taken advantage of her orgasm-scrambled brain suggested movement. When they reached the last three images, Ronin’s hands tightened around her biceps and his body went rigid.

“What?”

“That one.” He pointed to the picture of her glancing over her shoulder, her hair in motion, her eyes sultry, her lips parted. “Is mine.”

“What?”

“That look belongs to me because I put it there. It’s mine.”

His possessive tone wrapped around her like a silken ribbon.

“I want a copy of that one for myself. No one else will ever see it.”

She leaned back, turning her head to kiss beneath his jaw. “You promise?”

“Yes, baby, I promise.”

“I
cannot believe you talked me into an IKEA trip on a Saturday,” Ronin complained.

Amery returned the green glass vase to the shelf. “I bet you’ve never been in this store, regardless of which day of the week it is.”

“My place is furnished. Why would I need to add more to it?”

“You can go into a store and just look at things without buying them.”

With a perfectly straight face he said, “If I need an item, I go into the store and buy it. Why would I waste time going into a store if I didn’t need to buy anything?”

“For sheer shopping pleasure? The joy of being a consumer?” she offered.

Ronin continued to give her a blank stare.

No wonder his apartment was so minimalist.

“Do you even know what you’re shopping for?”

“Yes.” She smiled and said, “Doodads.”

That earned her a sigh. But he did follow her to the next room display. Everything looked so hip and put-together. Amery had the pang of self-awareness that any funky cool vibe in her loft was strictly by accident.

Ronin asked, “Do you like this?”

“Yes. I wish I could create a room this chic and modern. My decorating style is castoffs, garage sales, and the occasional piece headed for the Dumpster. I can spend hours looking in here and leave without purchasing a single thing.”

“Hours?” he repeated.

She couldn’t help laughing. “I won’t torture you today. Spending hours in IKEA is something you work up to.”

“For the first time ever I hope to have zero stamina.”

“Come along. Let Master Hardwick teach you all the tricks about being a ninja shopper.”

They stopped at the next display and were discussing form and color when a female voice said, “Sensei Black?”

Immediately his posture changed and that blank mask slid onto his face before he turned toward the woman.

“I thought it was you, but I never thought I’d see Sensei out shopping.”

Amery scrutinized the Asian woman who spoke in heavily accented English. She in turn scrutinized Amery.

And Ronin didn’t seem inclined to introduce them.

Then she refocused on Ronin. “Is this your new girl?”

Ronin switched to Japanese. His tone seemed sharp, but the language inflections were so different that Amery couldn’t be sure.

The woman snapped back in Japanese, her eyes flinty, her gestures choppy.

Definitely an angry reaction. Which got her no reaction from Ronin besides a shrug.

She attempted to get in Ronin’s face.

All he had to do was hold up his hand; she stopped in her tracks. But her mouth kept running as she rattled off something that sounded like a verbal smack-down.

His response was clipped.

Which didn’t deter her. Her voice took on a low, almost seductive bent. When she didn’t get the response from Ronin she expected, she switched to a one-sided diatribe and the words came much faster. When she finally quit speaking, she gave Amery a once-over and sniffed.

Ronin had struck the defensive stance Amery recognized from class. He leaned closer to the woman and spoke so quietly Amery could hardly hear him. But she did make out one word loud and clear: Naomi.

Holy shit. She knew Naomi was Japanese and this woman’s pouting tone suggested she and Ronin had shared an intimate relationship at one time.

The woman walked away without looking back.

Ronin stared after her, his face still blank. But when the interloper disappeared into the crowd and Ronin’s eyes met Amery’s, she saw the anger burning there before he banked it. “If you’re done browsing I’d like to go now.”

“Ah, sure.”

Amery swore IKEA changed the exit point every time she was in the store, so it took ten minutes to escape.

They were zipping downtown when she couldn’t stand the silence a moment longer. “So, that woman you had words with . . . was that Naomi?”

“No.”

That was all she got for an answer? Bull. “Then who was she?”

“Naomi’s friend Kiki.”

Silence.

“What did Kiki say?”

“She blathered on with a Naomi update, which I warned her I didn’t want.”

“What was the update?”

Ronin said nothing. He just cut in and out of traffic as if they’d jumped onto the autobahn.

“Ronin?”

“That Naomi was coming to Denver.”

“When? Does she want to see you?”

“Doesn’t matter. I won’t see her.”

Her mouth opened. Closed. When she opened it again to ask him a question, Ronin shook his head. “End of discussion.”

That was a little high-handed. And another example of him holding back on her and just expecting her to accept it.

Why are you surprised?

“Where to now?” Ronin asked.

“Home.”

“I thought you had more errands.”

“Nothing that won’t keep.”

Ronin frowned. “You sure?”

“Positive.” Amery didn’t fill the void with chatter. In fact, she didn’t look at him at all.

He pulled into the alley. “I’ll find a parking place and be right up.”

“Actually, I’m tired and I know you’re exhausted after your mysterious all-nighter, so let’s call it a day.”

“It’s only two o’clock in the afternoon.”

“Just means you can nap longer.”

“I don’t nap,” he said curtly.

Maybe you need one
. “Whatever. Later.” She started to open the door, but Ronin stopped her.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Think about it, Sensei.”

“Jesus. Don’t act like this.”

“Like what? Pissed off you pull that
end of discussion
bullshit and expect me to accept it?”

“I tried to head off a pointless argument, which obviously was a waste of breath because you want to fight with me today.”

“Wrong. I wanted to talk. You refused.”

“That’s it?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

“No. Why didn’t you introduce me to Kiki?”
Are you ashamed of me?

“She’s a snake and you’re better off if she doesn’t know who you are.”

“Or maybe you don’t want her blabbing about me because you still have feelings for Naomi and that’s why you won’t talk about her.”

“That’s laughable. You should know—”

“I don’t know anything about Naomi or your relationship with her besides the bare bones. Anytime I ask questions, you shut me down. I’m tired of you making me feel like a jealous hag about it, especially when it’s clearly not my issue, just because I had the audacity to ask a question about her.” Amery inhaled a calming breath. “So I finally get it, okay?”

“Get what?”

“You’ve proven to me time and time again that you want to keep this casual. We’re hookup buddies. Hot sex with a few bondage games thrown in. That’s it.”

Ronin pinned her with his hard stare.

Amery wouldn’t back down. “So, call me if you literally want to tie one on. But not tonight. I’ve got plans.”

“With who?”

“Chaz and his friends.”

“Why didn’t I know about this?”

“Because you didn’t ask.” Amery opened the door and slid out. “And that right there is the difference between us, Ronin. I ask you a question and you don’t answer. But you can’t even be bothered to ask me any questions in the first place.”

•   •   •

SOMEHOW
Amery got everyone’s attention over the deafening noise in the restaurant. “Tonight we’re celebrating a milestone in our beloved friend Chaz’s career; his glorious artistic work will be showcased in the launch of a groundbreaking new series in the U.S, graphic novels featuring homoerotic story lines.”

Clapping and wolf whistles followed.

“So let’s toast.” She lifted her martini glass. “Chaz, may the contracts keep rolling in, brother. We’re all proud of you and no one deserves this success more than you.”

Hugs, congrats, and a few tears were shared among the dozen friends gathered at the table. Then the wait staff cleared the plates and passed out glasses of champagne at Chaz’s request.

Champagne reminded Amery of the night at the sports gala with Ronin.

Everything reminded her of Ronin.

But nothing about that realization made her happy.

“Why the sad face, doll?” Vincent asked when he reached across her for the coffee creamer.

“I’m not sad. Why? Do I look it?”

“A little.” He squeezed her forearm. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. Just thinking about the last time I had champagne. I made a few questionable choices.”

“Is this a juicy story?”

Amery laughed. “Not really.”

“Pity. I had perverted hopes you’d dish out a sexy story about you and the scrumptious Ronin Black.” He leaned closer. “Is it true what I’ve heard about him?”

“Depends on what you’ve heard.”

“That he’s into . . . all sorts of . . . things.”

She sipped her champagne and studied Vincent, Chaz’s tailor and longtime friend. “Can you be more specific?”

Vincent fussed with the sleeve of his shirt. “Just that Mr. Black doesn’t list all his services on his dojo’s Web site. But if you know who to ask, what to ask, and have the means, he’s available for hire.”

“For what? As a clown at kids’ birthday parties?”

“Hilarious. No, silly. For personal protection. Yes, he offers training, but for the right price he’ll also sign on as a bodyguard.”

She relaxed, relieved Ronin’s real proclivities weren’t the subject of rumors. “Now, where did you pick up that information, Vincent?”

He waved his hand. “I’m tailor to Denver’s elite. It’s amazing what one overhears when customers consider you part of the furniture. I’d forgotten a conversation I’d overheard until Chaz mentioned his concern about your involvement with Mr. Black.”

Why had Chaz talked to Vincent about Ronin?

“I can see Chaz didn’t share the information I shared with him with you.”

“Probably because it wouldn’t surprise me that Ronin hired out his services. He’s an advocate for self-protection and he’s highly trained in all areas. If I needed a man to guard my back, he’d be first on the list.”

“But doesn’t that scare you?” Vincent pressed. “That he might hurt you without meaning to?”

“Ronin would never hurt me. The man has unparalleled control in any and all situations.” Amery remembered Ronin’s icy coolness the night they were attacked—both during and after. Then her mind went back to how much he knew about stripping down and discarding a gun.

“Interesting.” Vincent stirred his piña colada. “Well, I’m glad to hear you trust him, because frankly, I never expected you to be attracted to that sort of man.”

“What sort? Hot? Older? Exotic?”

“A thug. A highly trained thug, but a thug nonetheless.”

Amery’s jaw dropped. “Wow, for a gay man who deals with preconceived ideas, you’re pretty goddamn judgmental.”

“And what would sweet, naive Amery call a man who teaches violent tactics and sometimes uses them himself for profit? Isn’t that the very definition of a thug?”

She hated his pseudo-reasonable I’m-talking-to-a-child-tone. She drained her drink and stood. “Excuse me. I need to use the facilities.”
And get the hell away from you.

In the bathroom, she replayed the conversation with Vincent. The problem with her friends and the groups they hung around with? They intellectualized everything. They wouldn’t look beyond Ronin’s brawn to see his brain. If he capitalized on his skill and expanded his income base, it didn’t make him a thug for hire; it made him smart.

Despite her frustration with him, she missed him.

Back at the table she took a seat at the end opposite Vincent.

Chaz made a beeline for her and sat on the arm of the chair. “Amery, the girl who always brings her A game, what’s up?”

“Not much. Just enjoying your par-tay.”

“You could’ve brought Master Black, you know.”

“Might be awkward for him, with your prissy friends judging him.”

Chaz crouched beside her. “Ignore Vincent. He’s a flaming asshole.”

“I just don’t understand why you talked to him about your concerns regarding me getting involved with Ronin.”

“Well, sugar cube, Vincent is my friend. I talked to him around the time Emmylou had me freaked out. That’s all.”

“You sure?” When Chaz hesitated, she knew that wasn’t all. “Tell me.”

“I just hate the secretiveness that’s grown between us since you started seeing him. Don’t jump on me, because I’m not blaming him, okay?”

Chaz did have a point. She didn’t talk about her relationship with Ronin. “Okay.”

“Seriously, where is he tonight?”

I don’t know
. “Contrary to what you and Emmylou believe, Ronin and I do lead separate lives.”

“I’m glad because that means you’re here with me. I’m selfish enough to want you all to myself to help me celebrate tonight.” He took her hand. “So we okay?”

Amery smiled, suspecting it looked as bogus as it felt. “Of course. We going dancing?”

“You know it.” He stood and hip-checked her. “But no bitching because it’s a gay club,” he warned.

•   •   •

RONIN
texted her at two a.m.
I’m at the back door.

She debated ignoring it. She started a snarky response about him forgetting his key and deleted it. She typed
K
and rolled out of bed to let him in.

The metal door screeched loudly. After he stepped inside, she said, “Why did I bother to give you a key?”

Ronin responded by wrapping his hand around the back of her neck and pulling her mouth to his. Kissing her softly, but thoroughly. He broke the kiss to press his mouth up her jawline. “Goddamn, I missed you so much tonight. I was an ass earlier today.”

It wasn’t exactly an apology, but at least he acknowledged his bad behavior toward her. She tilted his head back and stared into his handsome face. Such tired eyes. “Ronin, you’re exhausted.”

“Pretty much.”

“You never did tell me what you did last night that kept you from sleep all night.”

“A favor for a friend. Now we’re square.”

Amery frowned at the shadow beneath his jaw. “Is that a bruise?”

“Probably. Some favors are unappreciated.”

Vincent’s nasty comment from earlier echoed in her head.
“He’s a thug. A highly trained thug, but a thug nonetheless.”