Chapter 274

She might be afraid of his intentions, but he aroused her. Trees would bet money on that.

Before he talked himself out of it, he lowered his head and slanted his lips over hers in a soft, lingering press, sinking into the moment. God, he’d been wanting to kiss Laila since he’d set eyes on her again.

After a stiff moment, Laila rose on her tiptoes with a little whimper and clutched his shoulders. Her eyes fluttered shut. Then she kissed him in return.

Clearly, she wasn’t immune to him. He could work with that. And with any luck, they would come out on the other end of this punishment with a new understanding, maybe even a new closeness.

Before he lost himself in her sweetness, he straightened and took her hand. “Follow me.”

She didn’t look convinced that whatever he had in mind was a good idea, but she offered no resistance.

Until he laid her on a padded table with a dangling cuff at each corner.

Her eyes went saucer wide. “What are you doing