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  “Amanda, we need to talk.”

  Her forehead hit the door with a thump.

  “Why don’t you have a seat?”

  She tilted her head to the side to see he hadn’t moved. To the world, he still looked like he was sleeping.

  “Why don’t I go inside and you can sit out here and say whatever you got to say to the lawn? I’m sure it’s more interested in hearing it than I am.”

  His chin lifted, his head tilted and she could barely make out the glint of his crystalline gaze. “Sit.”

  “I’m not a dog, you know. I don’t obey just because you command.”

  His lip curled to the right. “Are you sure about that, honey?”

  Amanda narrowed her gaze on his smug look, not the least bit amused. “You got a lot of nerve showing up here.”

  “True, but you don’t really want to send me away.”

  “I’ll tell you where I want to send you,” Amanda muttered.

  She didn’t have the energy for this, or the defenses. Will had worn her out, leaving her feeling strangely empty. The temptation to distract herself from it was too great for Amanda to be safe with Cody sitting on her porch.

  “Are you sure? Sure there is nothing you want to keep me around for?”

  Amanda’s eyes narrowed at his taunting reminder. The bastard knew. He hadn’t come here to apologize for his dastardly behavior. He’d come to gloat.

  “Not anymore.” Amanda pasted a crocodile smile on her face and lied right through her grinding teeth. “Believe it or not, there are men in this town who don’t object to taking care of a woman’s itch.”

  “No doubt, darling, but sometimes there is only one cure for what ails us. Sit.”

  There came his commanding tone and damned if her legs didn’t obey. The cocky son of a bitch might have control over her body, but not her mouth. “I swear to the good Lord, one day I’m going to give you yours, Cody Reese.”

  “You’re not big enough to deliver on that threat, honey.”

  Her butt hit the seat with enough force to set the swing into motion. The hope that it would jar him enough to make his legs fall off the railing was in vain. Dumb to hope anyway. The man rode enough bulls in his time to first place finishes. He certainly had the muscles to hold the swing still without so much as flexing.

  Amanda’s annoyance turned to anxiety as the silence stretched beyond simple minutes. The sun dipped lower in the sky and shone its bright rays beneath the edge of the porch roof. The air warmed. The rich scent of leather and man thickened around Amanda, twining around her body and reawakening it to the pleasures she knew in his arms just a short day ago.

  She’d gone on one date with Cody Reese, and he already had her body trained and her mind tied into knots of confusing impulses. It wasn’t just his scent. It was the warmth of his body, the intangible quality of command emanating over the foot separating them that drew her in despite her better intentions.

  “You know, Amanda, I like you.”

  “Yeah? Well, I don’t like you.”

  “I don’t know why I like you. You’re difficult, snide, rude, use words no decent woman should, but you have the softest thighs I’ve ever buried my hand between, the sweetest tasting pussy and the way you respond to my commands—”

  Amanda couldn’t take listening to what she ached for so badly. It was just a new level of torment, and she wouldn’t endure it. “If it’s just sex, then why are we sitting on this damn swing arguing when we could be taking care of business in the bedroom?”

  “You are as single-minded as a sixteen-year-old boy, you know that?”

  Amanda snorted at the censure in his voice. “You date a lot of sixteen-year-old boys?”

  “Watch it now, honey.”

  Annoying Cody was therapeutic in some twisted way. Maybe if she pissed him off good enough, he’d make her take her clothes back off. “Maybe you’re the one who should watch it, or don’t you remember my best friend, Tony, the sheriff?”

  “What?” Instead of anger, Cody smiled. “Can’t handle me on your own, darlin’?”

  “I’m getting the phone.” Amanda shot up to her feet only to crash down on her ass when Cody yanked back.

  “Look, we both want something from each other. I’m sure we can negotiate a truce.”

  “Oh,” Amanda widened her eyes. “Now you want to negotiate?”

  “Well,” Cody stretched his arm along the back of the bench and slid even closer. “We could waste the night swapping insults until I get bored and leave. Then you can go inside, play with yourself some more and just wake up even grumpier tomorrow morning.”

  He had her there. Amanda didn’t have any leverage. She wanted him enough to do just about anything. Cody, on the other hand, didn’t appear to want her enough to stop playing his stupid games. “Why are you doing this?”

  There came that million-watt smile with the double dimples. “Because I’m kind of having fun.”

  “Shows what a sick bastard you are,” she muttered.

  “Are you going to deny you’re having just a tiny bit of fun?”

  She probably should, it might actually get rid of him. As much as she enjoyed telling him to get lost, if he left, she couldn’t say it anymore. Not about to give him a yes, Amanda went with a silent pout as her answer.

  “Well,” Cody relaxed slightly. “Perhaps you are ready to negotiate?”

  “We’re back to that?” Amanda looked over at him, amazed at just how stubborn Cody could be.

  “You want sex, right?”

  “After the headache of putting up with you, I expect more than sex,” Amanda muttered to herself. Hearing her words, she liked the sound of them. They emboldened her to lift her chin and speak a little clear. “I’m talking at least four orgasms.”

  Pure confidence shined in his eyes as he assured her, “Not a problem.”

  Hold it together, girl. “In a row.”

  “I’ll give you six.”

  Six…oh, yeah that’s one hell of an apology, but… “Talk is cheap.”

  “If you don’t watch your sassy mouth, you won’t get anything.”

  “Fine,” Amanda growled. “Six consecutive orgasms. What do you want?”

  Cody grinned, daring to stretch his arm around her shoulders. “To get to know you.”

  Like she’d buy that shit. “God, what a—”

  “Defenses down, Amanda,” Cody cut across her words. “I want to know the real you.”

  “Sounds an awful lot like dating.”

  “Call it friends with benefits. Isn’t that the modern term?”

  Amanda didn’t know and didn’t really care. Convinced Cody would play her if she didn’t guard against him, she focused on the terms of their agreement. There would be no loopholes this time.

  “What if one of us meets somebody else?”

  Cody’s grin flattened, right along with his tone. “When you’re with me, you’re with only me.”

  Not about to be intimidated, Amanda didn’t let the subject go. “And when I’m not?”

  “You’re not.”

  “Same holds for you.” She said it, but she didn’t mean it. Cody’s response just didn’t give her any other choice.

  Amanda could take some comfort in the grin tugging on his lips. “I’m not what you call a multi-tasker, darlin’. I have a feeling you’re going to take all my energy.”

  She smiled, secretly warmed by his assurance. “Well, then we have—”

  “There is one more thing.” Cody slid in close, using the arm around her back to keep her from escaping. “I’ll give you a fucking like you’ve never had, Amanda, but under my terms. I’m in charge of the sex. I command and you obey, got it?”

  She got it all right, and it irritated Amanda’s pride even as it excited her body. Stupid hormones. They might flood her system with arousal, but her brain remembered the danger of agreeing to his terms.

  “You wouldn’t leave me wanting again?”

  “No.” Cody’s smile didn’t comfort h
er.

  “Fine,” Amanda bit out, not at all certain of her decision. “You can play at being master, but the game ends when I say no. Got it?”

  “It’s called a safe word, and no isn’t a good one. How about—?”

  “Cock sucker?”

  “Red light?”

  “Fine, red light. We have an agreement.”

  This time Amanda didn’t rush, and remembered to stick her hand out. He shook it with a smirk. Let the bastard smirk. Six orgasms from now she was going to tell him red light and send him packing.

  “Now can we get to the sex?”

  “Dinner first. I want to make sure you understand my wants before I give into your needs.”

  Chapter 9

  “Well, this is quite uncomfortable.”

  Cody didn’t look up from the menu to respond to Amanda’s snide comment. He already learned something about Amanda. When she felt threatened, she attacked and tried to lure him into an argument. He had to admit she was good at it, but she wouldn’t win this dinner.

  “We could have just eaten at the diner.”

  “The food is much better here.”

  Cody still refused to look up. He knew what Amanda really objected to. Henry’s was an exclusive club only ranchers and politicians joined. It cost too much for almost everybody else. It was a place to be seen, which was just why Cody brought her here.

  When they walked into the brimming dining room, they immediately became the center of attention. By tomorrow morning, everybody would know Amanda was Cody’s. They probably also knew she showed up to the exclusive club wearing jeans and canvas sneakers.

  “I’m not dressed appropriately. You could have at least told me we’d be eating here.”

  Yeah, he could have, but it wouldn’t have been as much fun. “You look fine.”

  “I look like I belong at a diner.”

  Cody finally lowered his menu to watch as her gaze darted around the room like a hummingbird jacked up on caffeine. “Are you going to obsess over this through the whole dinner?”

  His question earned him a dark look. “I might.”

  “Well,” Cody settled his menu on the table. “If you’re so worried about appearance, I’d advise you to order a salad.”

  “What?” Amanda’s head snapped in his direction. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I mean your oversized appetite will draw more notice and comment than the fact that you’re wearing jeans.”

  Amanda went the kind of still most men feared. “Are you calling me fat?”

  Cody’s gaze dropped to where her breasts stretched out her cotton tee. “Actually, I’d say deliciously plump, but it would be nice to finish my dessert tonight, this not being a real date and all.”

  Instead of taking his head off his shoulders, like Cody expected, Amanda just smirked. “Then I suggest you learn to eat faster.”

  Cody clicked his mouth shut on his rebuttal as the waiter’s shadow loomed over the table’s edge. It didn’t take long for the first round of plates to be settled in front of them and the tease show to begin.

  He watched in avid fascination as her lips closed in on the tines of her fork. Forming a slight pout, they pulled back and then it came, the most erotic part. Her eyelids would dip, her cheeks relax and, for one beautiful second, a look of pleasure would pass over her face.

  Cody swallowed and forced himself to look away.

  Yeah, Amanda had sexy down. It was going to be even sexier when it was his cock she was sucking. Distracted by her provocative behavior, anxious with plans for what came after dinner, Cody couldn’t relax. With Amanda’s constant taunting, the dinner turned into the sparring match Cody had hoped to avoid.

  When the dessert plate was lowered in front of him, revelation hit. Perhaps, just perhaps, Amanda had been right. He should have just fucked her, then she wouldn’t be so twitchy and itchy with so much nervous energy. If she relaxed, Cody might be able to.

  At least a little. Cody didn’t think for a second one screwing would settle him down. Hell, with her sensual nature, Cody didn’t know if a single screwing would work on Amanda either.

  Six, though…six orgasms in a row and she just might be tamed.

  * * * *

  Oh, man. That was some seriously good food. Score one for Cody. Amanda had to give him this round. He’d outdone himself on dinner. The excellent meal made her relax, right up until the waiter had taken the final plates and poured the coffee. It was a sign, the time had come for them to move on to her end of their agreement—the sex.

  Am I really going to do this? Sleep with Cody? Let him have all control over me? Her pussy quivered to life at just the thought. Memories of what had happened in the field haunted Amanda. Cody had taken control and brought her to the horizon of the greatest orgasm she’d ever glimpsed. Then he’d held her back. If he did it a second time…

  He won’t. We did well through the dinner. He said he wanted us to be ourselves and we were.

  Yeah, and now he’ll want you to be something completely different. You think you can handle that?

  Amanda really didn’t have a choice. If she didn’t, he’d torment her. All I have to do is follow his lead. With a deep breath, she told herself she could do it as the waiter stepped up to the table. He handed Cody a billfold along with a cryptic assurance.

  “The room you requested is available.”

  With his grim-sounding pronouncement, the server bowed and took his leave. Amanda watched the stiff, older man work his way around to another table before glancing back to Cody.

  “What room? What was he talking about?”

  Cody just smiled, a not-reassuring twist of his lips. “Some things are better shown than explained. Shall we?”

  Amanda didn’t really think they should, but Cody left her no option as he pushed back his seat. He came around to help her, at least he gave the appearance. Really, Cody’s fingers clamped over her arm, leaving her no room to object. Despite her pledge to be a good, obedient girl, Amanda had difficulty not resisting.

  She wanted to know where he was leading her, though Amanda suspected she already knew. It didn’t surprise her when Cody turned toward the elegant curved staircase and away from the front door. On trembling legs, Amanda mounted the steps by Cody’s side.

  “I don’t like surprises.” She couldn’t resist. All the energy inside her had to come out some way.

  “Too bad.”

  “For you,” Amanda muttered.

  “Don’t get snotty on me now, Amanda.” Cody guided her down an oversized hall.

  “Or what?”

  Cody paused to address her question directly. “Or I might be tempted to take you home and let you waste another night playing with yourself.”

  Amanda licked her lips before sucking on the lower one. She wanted this, had bargained away her soul for it on her front porch. Now she just had to do it and let go. There was nothing for her to worry about because not a single decision would be hers. Nothing was her responsibility, so nothing could be her fault. In a way it sounded very liberating.

  No, it doesn’t. It sounds terrifying. As he brought her to a stop in front of an elegantly-carved door, Amanda promised herself whatever awaited her inside, she wouldn’t screw this up.

  Once I’ve gotten what I want from Cody, I’ll send him packing. For now…I’ll obey. Under normal circumstances the promise would have hurt, but standing here and now next to Cody, Amanda found it soothed the fear and uncertainty clamoring to take control of her. She did want this. Just this one time, then she’d be cured and capable of kicking Cody out of her life.

  The door clicked open and Amanda forgot all about rattling her silent saber. The room drew her into its luxurious depths. It went beyond elegant, beyond indulgent. She’d never seen a room like this before.

  The bed could have held an entire orgy and still kept everybody comfortable. Satin sheen and silk softness covered the room, inviting her to touch. Her hands itched to run over the fabric covering the bed, the walls, the
pillows. Dozens of big, overstuffed pillows were strewn about. They filled the bed and littered the floor.

  It invites you right in, doesn’t it?

  More like lures, Amanda corrected herself as her eyes focused on the glint of metal. Hidden within the sweetness, buried into the softness lurked the hard reality of what this room was used for. Once noticed, her eyes jumped from rings to hooks. Everywhere she looked she saw the tools used to bind a person into submission.

  Her body followed her eyes as she swung around to find Cody leaning against the door. He’d shut it when she was distracted. His face was dark, tense, and intent.

  She watched silently, stunned, as Cody withdrew a key from the billfold the waiter gave him. It fit the black box under the doorknob. It sucked in the little white card, and it dawned on her he hadn’t used the key to get into the room. Cody used it to lock her in.

  There would be no escaping until he finished. Amanda swallowed. In the end, she might kick Cody to the curb, but not before he had his say and his way with her. As of right now, she was at his total mercy. That realization hit her hard.

  It drove her nerves into a riot. The chaos merged and clashed with the onslaught of hormones flooding her senses. The warring factions left her immobile. Dumbly, she watched Cody shove off the door.

  Like prey trapped by a predator, she didn’t even breathe as he sauntered past. With barely a brush, he clipped her. The small contact burned his warmth and strength into her arm. The sensation tingled up her shoulder to spider web across her breast, making the tips harden almost painfully. It streaked into the rolling wave of heat coming from her pussy. Fed from the sight and scent of the prowling, primitive male, her pussy clenched, driven by its own most basic of carnal urges.

  Still her anxiety held her motionless. Even as her eyes widened over the sight of what lay in the wardrobe Cody opened, Amanda didn’t move. The signals to flee couldn’t breach the band of molten lust spreading across her pelvis. The need distorted every sensation she received into one of pleasure. It fed on her nerves, turning anxiety into anticipation as Cody returned to her.