Chapter 7

He put a finger to her lips, risking her teeth biting its tip. "I don't need guards." His voice was soft and quiet, his head shaking from side to side to emphasize his point. "Because you're not going to escape."

His eyes were so piercing that she almost believed him. It was as if his eyes numbed her body, allowing her no escape. His finger moved, brushing across her lips on its way to her cheek. His eyes followed the finger and her eyes were on his gaze. His finger stroked down the side of her face to her throat. Instinctively, she tilted her head back.

She may not want him to make love to her, but in a way she did. She wanted a man to make love to her, to hold her and touch her. The thought sent a shiver through her and she found she was excited at the thought of this compelling man making love to her. Under his touch she fought for control, trying her best not to let him see how much she wanted him to continue - even when she protested against it.

His mouth met her throat and she closed her eyes, drawing an unsteady breath. "Just pretend I'm the man you love." He murmured against her skin.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open as her senses returned. What was she doing? This man was going to [censored] her for crying out loud! And the worst part was that she would have probably enjoyed it.

"I love no man." She said through her teeth as her anger washed over her again, making her eyes hard.

Pulling back, he looked at her. Her stare was cold, her eyes dark but he could see the pleasure around the edges of those eyes. She was afraid and he could see that, but of what he was not sure.

"Are you afraid of me?" He asked, his hand skimming across her breast. He saw the release of pleasure in her eyes.

Breathing unsteadily she replied: "Only of this uncontrollable power you seem to have over me." Only after the words out did she realize she had spoken them aloud. Recovering quickly she added, "I can't exactly stop you, can I? Not if I want my wrists still intact."

"Would you like me to loosen your restraints?"

"What I would like is a life without having to be a toy for numerous males."

"Well, I can't help that. Jimmy would not be pleased if I let you go. If you do escape, I have to pay out a lot of money to him." Her expression hardened at the mention of her boss.

"What do I care? Why don't you just get this over with? In a couple of hours

Jimmy will ship me off to some other rich bastard who gets his kicks out of

[censored] young women who are slaves. I'd rather be a hooker than a slave

- at least I'd get some money and a choice of guys."

"We'll talk later. I've paid to keep you for the whole night." At the nervous twinkle in her eye, he said, "Don't worry. I would never, ever hurt you." Their faces became inches apart. Quietly he asked again, "Would you like me to loosen your restraints?"

They looked deeply into each other's eyes for a few moments. She saw the emotion in his eyes - the desire, the need. She also saw the sincerity. She could tell that he hadn't lied to her at all tonight. Say yes her mind willed. Say no her heart cried. Although she didn't care to admit it, this man intrigued her, and she wanted to find out more about him.

Swallowing hard she asked, "What will you do if I say yes?"

"Why don't you say yes and find out?"

"Must you always answer a question with a question?"

"Must you?"

The look in his eye changed - he was up for a good chase. He wanted her to say yes to release her so he could run after her when she decided to escape. Without asking again, he stood up and reached across to gently pull the knots loose that bound her to the pole. Stepping back, he looked down at her.

Keeping her gaze fixed on him, she lowered her arms to her sides and stood up. Rubbing her wrists she said: "Thank you."

"Aren't you going to run?" he asked. "I was up for a good chase."

"And where exactly would I run to? I'm naked and in a strange circus camp which I would most likely get lost in - I still have some dignity you know."

"So, what are you going to do then?"

"Don't you have something specific in mind?

His eyes wandered across her body; her legs seeming ever so long now she was standing. His eyes turned dark, filling with desire. He wanted her and he was going to do everything within his power to get what he wanted.

"Would you [censored] me?" she asked, not seeming to care of the answer.

He walked closer to her, standing directly in front of her. Tangling his hands in her hair he said in a hoarse whisper: "It may start that way, but eventually you'd want me - you'd be asking me to take you." He looked deeply into her eyes. "You'd be begging me, pleading with me to end the torment."

Then, he leaned towards her and brushed his lips over hers. She moaned as his lips caressed, his hand moving through her hair and to her nape and pulling her closer. His tongue moved, probing, exploring, and tasting. Her hands went to him, tangled in his hair, and pressed his mouth down onto hers.

She was beginning to quiver, her knees feeling weak. The heat emanating from his body was clouding her senses, as was his taste, his scent. As if reading her thoughts he pulled her body against his.