Dangerously Bound Read Free

bottom.”
    “He’d always doubt it. He’d doubt himself.”
    She sighed. “Why? I don’t get it. I’m almost thirty years old. This is ridiculous.
     Are you saying you think he doesn’t want me?”
    “We all know damn well he does. Always has. Always will. That’s the problem. You’re
     the one he wants. The one he can’t allow himself to have.”
    “Jamie, please. I need you to do this for me.” She knew he was her only chance. “Mick
     will refuse to see me if I just ask him myself, won’t he?”
    “Jesus, Allie,” he groaned, pulling his hand back.
    “Don’t let me leave here today not knowing how things are going to be when I walk
     into that club and see him there. This is the only way. You have to get him to sit
     down with me and talk this out. All you have to do is set it up.”
    He blew out another long breath. “If I set it up—and I am
not
promising anything—then I sit through the detailed negotiations between you two.
     Not just the initial conversation in which I get him—
maybe
—to agree to do this. It’ll be myresponsibility as the Dominant introducing the negotiations, despite your history
     together. It’s proper protocol. No arguing about it.”
    She nodded. “Of course. I understand that.” She paused, bit her lip. “Not sure if
     Mick will understand,” she muttered.
    He scrubbed a hand over his head. “Two minutes back in town and already causing trouble.
     What am I going to do with you, girl?”
    She smiled at him. “You’re going to help me give Mick Reid what we’ve both always
     wanted. Each other.”
    *   *   *
    A LLIE PUSHED OPEN the screen door and stepped onto her porch. The old wood boards creaked under her
     bare feet—she’d have Allister look at that.
    It was an unseasonably warm and humid night for May, and she hadn’t had time yet to
     replace the old cottage’s air-conditioning. It was cooler out there, with a small
     breeze picking up the damp tendrils of hair that had escaped from her ponytail. She
     pressed her glass of iced tea against her hot neck—not the traditional New Orleans
     sweet tea—she’d broken herself of that habit in her years living in Europe.
    She moved to the edge of the screened-in porch, searching the sky for the moon. It
     was a small crescent in the inky sky, the stars glimmering from between the clouds.
     Hard to believe Mick shared this same sky with her somewhere in the city. That he
     was that close.
    It always came back to him. Especially now. Especially here, with the warm, sultry
     air soft on her skin, making her remember.
    He wasn’t the first boy she’d kissed, but kissing him had changed everything. It was
     a mad rush of heat and need. Startling at first. Then something she looked forward
     to, craved.
    They’d made out like crazy in high school. Mick would pullher aside every chance he got in the hall at school, into a dark doorway when they
     were walking down the street. His kisses were demanding, even in those days.
    A small, soft breath escaped her lips as she remembered, as she closed her eyes and
     imagined the warm press of his mouth against hers. Desire was a low, steady hum in
     her system, heat blossoming between her thighs.
    Oh, yes, Mick Reid could kiss like the devil himself.
    He was every bit as wicked. She’d known it then. Loved it. Wanted more than he’d ever
     been willing to give her. But things were different now. She was all grown up. She
     knew how to get what she wanted. And she would find a way.
    But back to the kissing . . .
    She sat down in one of the wicker chairs on the porch, set her tea on the floor next
     to her, leaned back, and closed her eyes once more.
    There had been those moments when he looked at her—watched her—and she knew he was
     about to kiss her. He’d pause, making her wait. Make her breathe in her desire, and
     his. Pure torture, but she’d loved it. Then he’d pull her in hard and crush her body
     to his, his lips to hers, and