Lust and Bound (14 page)

The teasing note in her voice eased some of the tension from his shoulders. “Really? Maybe I should send another driver or perhaps have him wear a bag on his head?”

“Then how will I know it’s him? Maybe he should give me some sort of code word?”

She was joking, but it wasn’t a bad idea. “Now that you mention it...”

Laughter came through loud and clear. “Are you always this protective?”

“Too much?”

“Just a bit. If you want me ready for Jonas with the gold tie and my favorite flower I better go.”

He chuckled. “All right. I’ll see you soon. Let me know when you’ve made it in the house, I left a package for you.”

Her heavy sigh tickled his ear and he could almost see her rolling her eyes. “Really, Zach.”

“Humor me.”

He heard a muffled car door slam reverberate through the line, then her footsteps on the sidewalk. A door creaked open.

“Darn it!”

“What’s wrong?”

She giggled. “Would you calm down? Jeez. The package you sent fell on my foot and I just spilled the contents of my purse. And my favorite tube of lip gloss rolled into the bushes.”

“I’ll buy you another lip gloss,” he said. Keys jangled. “Just get inside.” A thud resonated in his ear.

“I’m in and the door is locked.”

“Good. I’ll see you soon.”

“And you’ll explain this bit of insanity?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Hanging up now.”

He chuckled. “Okay.” At the soft click he set his phone in the cup holder.

Zach ran his hand through his hair. How the hell was he going to explain this to Trisha?

Chapter Nine

Trisha shook her head as she set her phone on the table. Two weeks and the man had to make sure she arrived in her house safely. She shuffled her bags and the box around. She headed for the stairs, thought better and returned for her phone. Just in case he decided to call and make sure she hadn’t slipped on a stray marble or something.

Once in her bedroom she flicked on the light and dropped her bags just inside the door. She crossed to the massive canopy bed centered in the room and eagerly opened the box. True to his word, Zach had sent some flirty lingerie.

Trisha stared at the red chiffon. The lingerie was beautiful, sexy as hell, but sweet daisies, it was not something she was going to wear. She fingered the soft lace edging the plunging neckline. Her cell phone jittered and danced on her nightstand. She glanced at the screen. The man just couldn’t wait.

“Do you like it?” The smooth, dulcet tones warmed her to her toes.

She sat on the bed, cradled the phone between her ear and shoulder and picked up the sheer garment. “I do. It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad. Wear it tonight.”

“I’m not wearing this.”

His sigh tickled her ear. “Why not? It’s sexy and has shoes to match.”

“Really?” She dropped the negligee and rummaged through the rest of the package, pulling out matching crotchless panties and a tube of lipstick. Indeed, there was a pair of platform stilettos. “Wow. Zach. They’re gorgeous.”

“And I want to see you wearing them.”

She kicked off her house shoes and tried on the heels. “Shoes, yes.”

He chuckled. “The whole ensemble, my dear.”

“But I...”

“Consider it an exchange of pleasure. You do something I like and I’ll do something you like.”

Her stomach clenched at the seductive note in his voice. She eyed the garment with some trepidation. There was no way she’d walk of the house wearing high heels and sexy lingerie.

“I could get arrested for this.”

“Not likely. You’re not driving and I promise it will be worth it.”

She slipped out of the heels. “I’m holding you to that.”

“I have no doubt.”

****

Trisha hurried into her bathroom, flicked on the shower and stripped off her clothes. Walking out of the house in skimpy underwear, was one more thing outside of her comfort zone, but she was very willing to try. She stepped beneath the scalding spray. With a hiss, she quickly adjusted the spray to a more tolerable temperature and allowed the water to cascade over her hair and face.

Just what would be her reward for complying with his request? Another night in handcuffs or something equally as delicious? Her nipples puckered and desire pooled between her thighs. She smoothed her hair from her face, then skimmed a hand down her body. As much as she wanted to explore her body, it would have to wait, especially if she wanted to be ready on time.

She snapped up a bottle of shampoo and squirted some into her hand before lathering the soap in her long hair. The familiar spicy scent filled the bathroom and eased some of the tension from her body. She stepped beneath the spray and rinsed the suds from her hair, watching the bubbles dribble down the drain at her black painted toenails, then repeated the shampoo.

A faint bump rose above the thunder of water and she paused in reaching for the conditioner. Her head snapped up. Waiting. Listening. A thud echoed through the house and her heart lodged in her throat.

In her haste to get into the house had she locked the front door? The noise of the shower faded as she strained to catch any new sounds. Was that a floorboard creaking?

Gulping a breath she yanked the shower curtain aside and poked out her head.

Her gaze narrowed on the doorknob. Still locked.

But had she locked the front door? She searched her memory, scrutinizing her movements as she’d entered the house. Her arms were full of packages. He’d been paranoid. She’d dropped her purse. The door shut. Did she twist the deadbolt? She’d told Zach she’d locked the door, but had she indeed locked the door?

Fingers trembling, she wrung the water from her hair, grabbed a nearby towel and stepped from the tub. She tucked the ends beneath her arm, unlocked and opened the door. Heart pounding, she walked to the top of the stairs.

Listening. Waiting.

Faint laughter and a car door slam drifted to her ears. Cautiously she followed the sound. A sigh brushed her lips. She’d left the window open on the landing. She tugged down a couple of the blind vanes and peered into the driveway and adjoining yard below. Her neighbor had obviously made it home. Still Trisha crept down the stairs.

Water plopped on the wood floor, each drop loud in the silence. She clutched at her towel as she entered the hall. A squeal left her lips as her foot grazed the cold plastic tube of her lipstick. It must have fallen from her purse as she went upstairs earlier. Her shoulders sagged as she leaned against the doorframe. Why was she so jumpy? She stalked across the cool marble tile and jiggled the doorknob.

Locked.

Well, that was a relief. She stooped, picked up a couple of stray coins and set them on the table. Chuckling, she padded back to the bathroom. When the phone rang, she veered into her bedroom.

“‘lo?”

“Are you all right?”

“Shauna?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s up?”

“I got a really weird call and wanted to check on you.”

“Nope. I’m fine.”

“I’m on my way over. Don’t leave until I get there.”

“Can it wait? I’m getting ready for my date tonight and I’ve got to finish washing my hair.”

“I’ll make it quick.”

“Fine. See you soon.” Trish hung up the phone. What was that all about? She perched on a corner of the bed, and dropped her head in her hands. Cold, wet hair slid across her shoulders and dripped onto the wood floor at her feet. Well, if she didn’t get a move on, she’d be late for Shauna and Zach.

Trisha stood. She glanced at the clock. She’d have just enough time to towel dry her hair. Running water broke her reverie and she stared at the wisps of steam curling out onto the hall floor. No sense in wasting anymore water. She entered the bathroom, crossed to the tub and flicked off the shower.

Silence and the occasional
plip
of water echoed off the tiles. She snagged a towel from the rack. The lights flickered. What the...? She glanced up, heart stuck in her throat. A muffled shriek died on her lips as the bathroom went dark.

Now what was she supposed to do? She draped the towel over her shoulders and turned, letting the heavy veil drip down her back. Now she had to go in the basement and check the fuses. Could this get any worse? She opened the door and gasped. Dark menacing eyes stared at her, while thick lips slashed into a sneer. She stumbled backwards, slamming the door. He grabbed the wood and shoved it open.

She screamed. Eyes darted around the bathroom. He blocked the hallway entrance. The bedroom was her only option. She flung a bottle at him. He dodged the missile and a quick backhand slammed across her cheek.  Pain exploded in her skull, and she fell against the still warm tile, ripping the curtain from the rod. The nylon and plastic covered her body.

She grappled beneath the curtain. He lifted her from the floor as if she weighed nothing. When she struggled against his grip, her towel loosened and he dropped her to the floor. She saw stars. What did he want? Why was he here? She scrambled to her feet only to be jerked back by her hair. She lost her balance and fell against him. Gordy snaked an arm around her throat, threatening her air supply while he jabbed something metallic and cold into her rib cage. She stilled.

“You always did like things a little rough, bunny.”

“And you always take without asking.”

His low chuckle only tightened the knot of apprehension in her stomach. A shudder of revulsion went through her body as his tongue scraped across her cheek.

“You smell pretty.” He breathed in her ear.

“Go to hell.”

He tightened his arm around her throat. Darkness encroached on the edges of her vision. Panic set in. If she lost consciousness now, there was no telling what he’d do to her. She clawed at his arm.

“I can’t...”

“Then be nice. Understand?”

Slowly she nodded and willed her body to relax. As she did, she shivered. She’d lost her towel in the struggle and judging by the bulge lodged against her lower back, Gordy was a little too happy to see her.

He propelled her toward her bedroom and she dug in her heels. The last place she wanted to be was near a bed in her current state.

“Just tell me what you want.”

“You, bunny. It’s always been you.”

She snorted. “Right. That’s why you cheated on me, because of your insatiable desire for me?” She struggled against him. “Yeah, I can see that.”

He spun her around and shoved her against the wall. The back of her skull struck the hard plaster and she saw stars. Gordy’s heavy forearm went across her windpipe and prolonged her disorientation. He held her wrists in one hand between their bodies and leaned close.

“I could’ve watched you fondle yourself.” He leaned closer. “All you had to do was ask.”

Blood roared in her ears as she realized what he’d said. A shiver raced through her. How did he know? She lifted her chin in defiance. “You had your chance and blew it!”

He moved his arm from her throat to trail a finger along the swell of her bare breast. She turned her head to the side as once again she was reminded of how vulnerable she truly was. She raised her knee.

“I see you don’t want to play nice anymore.”

“I want you out of my house.”

A cold smile tipped his lips. She shrank from that smile.

“We’ll do it your way.” He tightened his grip on her wrists and threaded his other hand through her hair and yanked painfully on the damp tendrils.

“No.” She squirmed against his hold, twisting her arms. “Stop it, Gordy.”

He lifted her as if she weighed nothing. He carried her kicking and screaming to the bed and dropped her unceremoniously on the mattress. She tried to scramble out of the way, but he grabbed her ankle and jerked her back, knocking the garment box on the floor.

She kicked at his hand to no avail. He was just too strong and he overpowered her quickly. He used his body to hold her in place. Trisha whimpered as his weight pushed the oxygen from her lungs.

He jerked her arms above her head and looped a pair of plastic restraints over her wrists. She winced when they bit into her skin.

Relief and much needed oxygen washed through her when he moved off her body. Only his lascivious gaze remained. Trisha drew her knees to her chest, trying to shield her body.

“And to think if you’d been nice, I’d have let you put on some clothes.” He stooped to retrieve the negligee from the floor. “On second thought, maybe you should wear this.”

Fear skittered down her spine as he neared.

“Or is this for someone else?”

“Get out!”

He tossed the garment aside and offered her a lecherous smile. “You never wore lingerie like this for me.”

She rested her head against her knees and flinched when the silk fluttered over her skin.

“That’s okay, stay quiet. We have business to discuss.”