CHAPTER 171

He said, “That’s a fine choice, me hearty lass,” and started toward her.

“I’m going. But I don’t mind telling you I’m a little nervous.”

“You should be, darlin’, ’cause I am a force to be reckoned with when it comes to ropes.” To prove it, he snapped one rope low to the floor, and a crack reverberated through the air, loud as a gunshot.

Skylar took off like a bullet.

Kade waited a full five minutes before he followed her, as he let the scenarios run in his head.

Nothing painful. Nothing degrading. Nothing but her at his mercy.

A dark thrill zipped through him, potent as whiskey.

The bedroom door was ajar. Lamplight spilled across the carpet into the hallway. No candles. He’d been half-afraid candles would cast the room with a dungeon-like vibe and he didn’t want her to be scared. Kade wanted Skylar turned on beyond compare.

She sat in the middle of the bed, knees drawn up to her chest, eyeing the ropes attached to the wooden posts, not with curiosity, or fear, but with resignation.

Be