“As for the second thing,” she said matter-of-factly, “I figure we have what, three, four more days to enjoy ourselves. So I’m willing to put aside the loving stuff if you tell me what you’re going to do for me”—she fluttered her lashes in flirtatious parody—“right this minute.”

He laughed, rolled up, grabbed her, and swung her back on top of his long, lean, powerful body. “I’ve got a few things in mind,” he murmured. “Interested?”

“Hell, yeah. I’m like you. I prefer fucking to talking.” She grinned. “But I just wanted to clear the air, reconcile the tumult in my brain, put that long-burning fuse out before the powder blows. And now,” she playfully purred, “are you going to entertain me?”

“We’ll do our best, baby.” He gave her a quick kiss, lifted her away, dropped her on the bed. “Be right back,” he said, feeling like he could climb ten mountains and still keep going, feeling invincible. “By the way, I’m in a possessive mood,” he added over his shoulder. “Just sayin’.”

“Sounds intriguing.”

“Glad to hear it. Because you don’t have a choice.”

When he walked back into the bedroom, Kate put up her arm and grinned. “Just stand there. I can come just looking at you.” Wearing only black jeans, Dominic was broad-shouldered, hard-muscled eye candy.

He held out his cupped hands to show her what he had and kept walking. “You’re going to come even better with these.” Reaching the bed, he sat beside her. “Here’re the accessories for the evening.” He tipped his palms and dropped several items on the bed. “You can rate them for me later.”

“Jeez, I don’t know if I should be excited or nervous.”

Ignoring her comment, he gestured at the tumbled pile on the bed. “Need a rundown?”

She took a small breath. “Just those.” She pointed at the three pieces of jewelry. The silk scarf, soft brush, rubber dildo, and lube didn’t need explanation. The two bracelets just looked like bracelets, and the pearl necklace was equally innocuous.

He picked up one of the three-quarter-inch wide gold cuff bracelets, snapped open the hinge, gave a half twist to the diamond clasp, and gently drew out a four-inch gold chain. Repeating the process with the second bracelet, he screwed the two diamond clasps together, stretched out the now eight-inch chain, folded the hinges to close the bracelets, and held up a pair of very expensive handcuffs. He smiled faintly. “Function clear?”

She ran her finger inside one bracelet. Property of Dominic Knight was engraved in a large font. She glanced up and said wryly, “Vanity or arrogance?” Return for Reward was in a smaller script but easily visible too. “And is the reward for the return of the bracelets or me?”

He shrugged. “I’m just protecting my interests,” he said ambiguously. “I told you I was possessive.”

“Jesus, do you mind? That’s a mile or so past possessive.”

“It’s never been a problem for you before.” His voice was deliberately bland.

“I’ve never seen this degree of presumption before.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And I’ll keep in mind that I get to say no.”

“If you want to.” He smiled. “Maybe you won’t.”

He said that way too confidently. “So tell me, Mr. Property of. How many of these have you bought before?”

“There’s no before, baby. Just these. That’s it You’re my holy grail.”

A faint lift of her brows. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

“You’re forgiven. But it’s the truth.” In the past, he was supplied with marketplace equipment for his sexual amusements, just like he was supplied with the women. He’d never bought anything himself before.

Briefly silenced by the frankness of his tone, she stole a look at him while strange, quixotic emotions washed over her, some beautiful, some exciting, the scent of him suddenly filling her senses. She felt her skin prickle, her palms dampen, and vaguely uncomfortable with the compromises her body was so quickly making, she gestured at the necklace. “Leaving our differences aside, what’s that for?”

Picking up the thin gold chain, he ran his fingers down a pendant comprised of five pearls separated with smaller pearls, then twisted the pendant to demonstrate its flexibility. He smiled. “These pearls are for your virgin ass.”

She shook her head furiously. “Uh-uh. Save those for someone else.”

“But I had them made for you.”

“Return them then.” She glared at him. “That’s definitely a no. You’re mistaking me for one of your paid ladies.”

“Not likely baby,” he said with a grin. “They don’t talk back.” Then he gave her a look that suggested she must have been locked away in the convent for the last twenty years without a pearl necklace because even there they knew about virgin asses. “You should try it,” he said, smooth as silk. “You might like it. Remember, I’ve heard you say no before just prior to screaming the house down with a climax.”

“Don’t look so smug.” But her heart was beginning to pound because that was a real cocky smile. “This is way different.”

He stared at her. “I could make you do it. You like it when I make you do things.”