“Just your hands. And I swear I’ll release them the second you ask me to, no matter what we’re doing at that time.”

“You’re not going to hurt me, are you?” I blurted out. At his horrified expression, I rushed to continue. “It’s just that I’ve had enough pain in my life already. I’m not really turned on by the idea of it in the bedroom.”

He looked down at the floor and heaved a deep sigh before climbing on the bed to kneel by me again. “Shit, Kaylie. You never have to try anything in bed with me that you’re not comfortable with. I know there are rumors that fly around about me. I heard all about them the first time someone decided it was a smart idea to share them with my sister. But I swear to God, you never have to worry about doing anything you don’t want to do with me. Fuck, I’d be happy just to lie here with you naked,” he said as he glanced down at the front of his boxers, where his very hard cock was pushing against the fabric. “Frustrated, but happy to be here with you.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I ruined the moment, didn’t I?”

He lay down and pulled me into his arms. “No, Kaylie. If the moment’s ruined, it’s my fault. I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking. It’s our first time together. I never should have asked you about that shit tonight.”

“Why did you then?” I couldn’t help but ask, curious to know what he had been thinking.

He drew me tighter against his body and drew my leg over his thighs. I could feel his hard-on against my knee. I was now painfully aware that we were having an awkward conversation while lying here naked together. And that we were both still incredibly turned on. I sincerely hoped that the night wasn’t ruined.

“I wasn’t thinking straight. Between wanting you so badly, the whole no-panties thing, finding you completely bare, and fantasizing about having you like that pretty much constantly since we’ve met, I just went a little overboard,” he explained.

“So the whole tie me up thing—that’s what turns you on?”

He started to rub up and down my spine, a trail of goose bumps following the path of his fingers. “It’s something I’d like to try with you, yes.”

“And no pain?” I clarified.

“No, Kaylie. I have absolutely no interest in wanting to hurt you.”

“But what about—” I started.

“Hush, Kaylie. I wish you could unhear some of the things that I’m sure have been said about me in the past. Hell, I wish I could undo them if it’s gonna fuck up my chances with you now because none of it was worth losing this with you. Yes, I’d love to be able to tie you to this bed and explore every inch of your body while I have you completely under my control.”

I shivered at his explanation. “Yeah?” I asked.

“That’s what it would be about for me with you. You trusting me with your body. Knowing that all I want to do is bring you as much pleasure as I possibly can. It’s not just some game with you for kicks. I dream about you. I can picture it in my head so clearly and it’s so fucking hot.”

The way he described it sounded pretty damn interesting, but I just wasn’t ready for that yet. “Can we maybe work up to that stage and start off with something a little more vanilla tonight?”

“I didn’t fuck up too badly?” he asked as he touch became bolder, his hand drifting down to my ass to give it a squeeze.

“God, I hope not. Because I am so turned on right now I can barely stand it,” I admitted. I reached down and brushed my fingers over his hard cock. “And it sure does feel like you’re up for it too.”

“Damn straight,” he muttered before flipping me onto my back and pouncing on me. “I can’t leave you in need, now can I?”

“No, you definitely don’t want to do that.”

Straddling my thighs, Jackson leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “One thing you can bet on—I will do everything in my power to make sure you’re satisfied, Kaylie.”

And he proceeded to do just that as he kissed down my neck, nibbling at the pulse point and sucking my skin into his mouth to leave a light mark. He held himself over me with one arm on the bed while the other hand was busy cupping one of my breasts and rolling the nipple between his fingertips. He slowly trailed kisses down my chest until he reached my other breast. His tongue flicked the nipple several times before he sucked it into his mouth.

“Jackson,” I sighed as I ran my fingers through his messy blond hair, trying to pull his mouth closer to me.