Chapter Three

Rome took in the slight widening of those gorgeous violet eyes and held back a chuckle. The Queen of Cards was off balance, probably for the first time in her life, and he loved every moment of it. He didn't know what was going to happen in the next few hours, but his brother had earned not just his forgiveness, but a drop-to-his-knees ass kissing. The woman in front of him called to every sense of challenge in his arsenal, and he was about to use his best weapons. She was everything he ever wanted in a woman: headstrong, confident, dominant. With a soul that cried out for a man to tame her so she could receive the ultimate in pleasure.

And he was just the man to give it to her.

Rome raised an eyebrow in question. He made sure his voice slapped her like a whip to attention. “Make me ask again and you won't like the consequences.”

Heat burned her cheeks but her nipples hardened to pebbles and poked against her shirt. “Screw you.”

He shook his head in mock disappointment. “I guess we'll have to do this the hard way.” With deft motions, he unhooked his belt, pulled it through the loops, and grabbed her hands behind her back. Her gasp of outrage heated his blood as he tightened the leather so her hands were snugly cuffed behind her back. She immediately began to thrash and fight back, but he was quicker, and slammed her body against the wall, trapping her with his muscled build. He kicked her feet out and pressed his knee to the inside of one thigh so she remained open to him. With his free hands, he grabbed her jaw and forced her head still.

He watched her carefully for any sign of fear or panic, but her pupils dilated, and her pulse beat rapidly at the base of her neck. Lust gleamed from violet eyes, until she forced the emotion back by sheer strength of will. His cock grew long and hard in response to her obvious arousal. The lady didn't want to admit it, but she liked to play games in both the casino and the bedroom. Fortunately for him, it seemed no man before him ever had the guts to take the upper hand.

“Give me a word you’ll remember.”

Slight surprise flickered over her features. “Poker.”

“Good. If I do something that scares you, or freaks you out, you yell poker. Then I stop. This whole night stops. Get it?”

“I’m not scared of anything.”

Fierce satisfaction beat through his blood. “Then you won’t want to say poker unless it’s very, very necessary.”

“How about fuck you?”

“Oh, you will. Soon I’ll have you on your knees begging me to fuck you. Anything else to say before we begin again?”

“You son of a bitch—”

He stamped his mouth over hers. With one quick thrust, he parted those plump lips and pushed in. Hot, wet satin and the sweet taste of woman met him, mingled with the unique taste of coffee, mint, and spice. She met him full force, her tongue forcing him back in a battle he intended to win. He sucked at her lower lip, bit her, and then ravished her fully until he wrung a moan from that delicious mouth. Rome eased back, as his hands worked the buttons of her blouse. He slipped the material over her shoulders and down her arms so it hung loose around her tied wrists. One snap and the fragile lace bra fell to the ground. His thumbs moved over sensitive nipples flushed a ruby red, a perfect handful as he squeezed and massaged the tender flesh until she slumped against the wall.

“I'm going to make you come so many times you're going to beg me to stop,” he whispered against her lips. He nibbled down her jaw and bit down on her ear, then blew gently. She jumped, and Rome felt the heat of her response burn between her legs. “But you have to be a good girl for me, Sloane. Can you do that?”

He watched her struggle to gain the upper hand with her mind. She pushed against him in one last desperate move to win.

The instinct to conquer and possess speared him. With a low murmur, he pushed down her black pants and dipped his head to take one hard nipple in his mouth. He laved her with his tongue and sucked while his other hand slid down the opening of her panties. Hooked under the lace fabric. And dived into home.

She cried out and arched upward. Dripping wet heat met his hand, but he made sure to give her only a taste. He traced her swollen folds while he worked at her nipple, until his name chanted in his ear to his satisfaction. Slowly, he lifted his head and removed his hand.

God, she was fucking gorgeous. Those multi-colored eyes fogged with need and a naked desire she no longer wanted to hide. Her scent rose to his nostrils and caused an animal response he'd never experienced, like a horse wanting to mount and possess in a fury of lust. But he already knew he wanted more from her and needed to pace himself.

“Are you ready to give me what I want?”

Her voice came out ragged. “Yes.”

“Good. I still don't trust you so I'm leaving the belt on. I'm going to remove the rest of your clothes, and then I want you to lay on the bed with your head by the board.”

Her legs shook but she obeyed this time with no delay, positioning herself on the king size bed as he requested. Rome took in every inch of her nakedness with appreciation. Long legged and slim, she was as graceful naked as she was clothed. Her nipples jutted out from perfectly formed plump breasts. Smooth golden brown skin gleamed like cocoa butter. Dark pubic curls covered her inner lips, but he spotted a flush of moisture and the nub of her clit, already heavily aroused.

Rome walked into the bathroom to snag the plush robes hanging from the hook. He grabbed two belts, and then returned to the bed. With quick motions, he unhooked the leather belt and freed her hands. Before she could say anything, he pulled her arms over her head and looped the cloth sash around her wrists to tie her neatly to the bed.

“What are you doing?”

The sharp edge of demand was back, and admiration cut through him. She'd never bore a man—always challenging him on every decision, and he loved it. “Taking away your choices.”

Her brows furrowed in a frown as she tested the hold. “No. I want to touch you also. Untie me.”

Rome flashed a grin at her haughty tone while she laid spread eagled on the bed. “I won the hand so we play my way. Lay back and enjoy the ride.”

She kicked out one foot and struggled against her bonds. “I'm not one of your groupies. I have my own demands to make and never take a free ride.”

Bingo. Sloane Keller was obviously used to calling the shots and making sure she “won” in bed, she forgot what it was like to be on the receiving end. His cock throbbed painfully against the fabric of his pants. He bet she'd fight him the whole way until he gave her the first orgasm. Rome made a quick decision. He needed her pliant so he had the time to take her in his own way.

He stripped quickly. Her eyes hungrily roved over him, but he didn't give her much time to look. He knelt on the bed and put a hand on each of her legs, gently pushing them apart until she was completely open and vulnerable.

Her breath came in huge gulps as she fought her body. “What are you doing? Didn't you hear what I said?”

“Oh, baby, I'm not giving you a free ride. But if we're going to go any further, I need you to listen better. So, I'm going to let you come and then we can start fresh.”

“You bastard! Don't you dare, I refuse to come on command for you.”

His eyes darkened with purpose as he lowered himself between her legs. “Let's see who wins this round.”

“Roman, I—oh!”

He parted her lips and touched his tongue to her throbbing folds. Immediately a rush of liquid warmth met him at her entrance, as he gently laved her, teasing with quick licks of his tongue that never gave her the pressure she craved. She bucked underneath him, frantic to fight him and to reach orgasm. She tasted like heaven, musky and fragrant. He worked one finger in her opening and slid in and out, giving her a tiny taste of what his cock would do later on. Her cries became frenzied as she moved close to the edge, and with one swift movement, he pressed his tongue hard against her clit while he plunged three fingers in her channel in savage demand.

She screamed and convulsed around him. He cursed viciously under his breath at her open, naked response and kissed her, stroking her legs as she rode out her orgasm. Her body fell limp on the mattress, her vivid burgundy hair fanning the clean white pillows in stark contrast.

He moved up and cuddled her, massaging her arms so her muscles didn't get sore in the position. Rome didn't want to untie her yet though. Sloane was a powerful woman, and she hadn't surrendered completely to him yet.

But she would.