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  He pinched her nipples, squeezing them until she whimpered and screamed. “Now it’s my turn to fill your cunt.”

  He grunted and shoved her hard against the table as he spilled into her, ramming into her over and over again until she felt like she would break apart. “Damn, you’re hot, Ivy.” He pulled out of her and zipped up as she gasped, still lying against the table, cuffed.

  “Can you let me out?” She felt raw and bruised but sated.

  “Maybe.”

  Her heart bumped in staccato at his words. “What do you mean?” Something in his molten brown eyes made her afraid.

  I don’t even know this man, and I just let him handcuff and screw me. I’m totally helpless.

  “I’m just kidding, Ivy. I’ll go easy on you tonight, but when you call me next time, I won’t.” His words made desire shoot through her again.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “I am. I just wanted to meet you, and I have to be at work at 8:15.”

  “Really?” Disappointment infused her that he had come and was leaving so soon.

  He used me, and I wanted him to.

  “I like you, Ivy, but I want you to beg me for it. I didn’t hear enough of that tonight, but next time I’m here, I’m going to make you get down on your knees and beg for my dick.” He uncuffed her, squeezing her ass as he did so. She wanted him again but knew it was better to play it cool.

  “I might.”

  “Oh, you will. Trust me.” He leered at her in the near darkness, and she shivered. “I’ll talk to you soon, Ivy.”

  He walked out of the apartment without another word.

  Ivy collapsed on the couch, her arms and legs shaky. “What the hell is wrong with me?” She lay down, her head swimming. It took an effort to propel herself off the couch and close the door. Ivy went to her bedroom and fell on the bed, gasping. Her whole body ached, and she felt emotionally and physically wrung out but, somehow, also clean.

  I enjoyed it, at least in part. I could have done with more foreplay, more tenderness...

  But it was crazy.

  With a murderer out there who had been in this very building, to let a man like Remy Merrick put her entirely under his will was madness.

  “Never again.” Her thoughts turned to Finn Calder.

  “I’ll play it safe from now on.” Her mind grew silent as she drifted off to sleep.

  ****

  Ivy dragged the next day getting to work.

  Thank God it’s Friday. She was still shaky from the previous night and her realization of how foolish she had been.

  Guy caught her on her way out to lunch. His usual healthy glow was gone, and his face was ashen.

  “Hey, Ivy. Did you hear?”

  “What?” Her stomach twisted.

  “Let’s walk together. Where you going?”

  “Subway.” She didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

  “Me too, then.” He grew silent for a couple minutes.

  “Well?”

  “Another woman was murdered last night. Same sort of thing-- just a few blocks from you.”

  “What?” Ivy stopped, unable to open the restaurant door. All the blood rushed to her head.

  “Yeah, I know. I’m worried about you.”

  “I am, too, but I’m not stupid.” Heat rose in her face as she thought about how dumb she had been just the night before.

  “I know. Just please be careful.” He gave her the most serious look she had ever seen from him, this man who liked to wear bright colored everything and whom she had mistaken for gay when she first met him because he was larger than life.

  “I will. I swear.”

  “Good.” He smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes.

  Chapter 4

  Ivy made it home, feeling exhausted. She flipped on the TV, not wanting to but needing to know about the woman who was murdered.

  Two in three days. He must be a monster.

  Amber Kade, the latest victim, smiled out from the screen, all blonde hair and ethereal expression.

  “Oh my god.” A tear slid down Ivy’s cheek.

  “... was last seen by family two nights ago at dinner. She didn’t have a boyfriend that family or friends knew about. Police say, though, that evidence from the scene points to someone she knew. The slaying was brutal, the victim stabbed multiple times and raped and bound.”

  Bound with what?

  The thought threatened to do her in. Her hands shook, and she rocked back and forth on the couch. I don’t want to be alone now. But who to call? Guy? No, she wasn’t in the mood for him tonight. He would just want to talk about the murder, and Ivy couldn’t handle it.

  Sometimes having no family nearby sucked. Her few girlfriends were always out on Friday nights with either boyfriends or flings.

  Finn.

  The idea curled in her mind, dark and delicious as a venomous snake.

  “No.” She balled her fists into knots then sighed. What could it hurt as long as she just went by his place and said hello?

  Ivy went to the bathroom, taking deep breaths. She straightened her short, brown hair and rubbed concealer under the black under-eye smudges.

  “There.” She smiled, but it looked like a nervous tic.

  Pushing her resistance away, she walked outside and down the hall to his place. So close.

  Ivy knocked, biting her lip. He won’t be here anyway. It’s a Friday night.

  He opened the door after a few seconds, wearing a baby blue t-shirt and soft pants, different from his usual leather. The lip ring remained.

  “Hi. What a nice surprise. Come in.”

  “Are you sure? I thought you might be busy.”

  “I’m not. I was just doing some sketches for cover art.” He ushered her in. Ivy sank down on a leather couch, marveling at how mod and clean the place was.

  “I see. Are you a graphic artist?”

  “Yeah, freelance.” He sat a little distance away on the couch. His clean scent wafted over to her, and her heart skipped a beat.

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  “It is. I enjoy it. How about you? We’ve never properly talked. I’m so glad you knocked on my door, Ivy.”

  His voice washed over her, warm and soothing. Tears pricked the back of her eyelids.

  “Hey, hey. What’s wrong?” He moved closer to her and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist. She felt safe with him.

  Am I nuts?

  “Just Jane’s murder and then the other woman-- Amber something.” She sniffed, trying to hold back the tears. He’s always rescuing me.

  “Yeah, I can’t believe it either. Don’t worry, Ivy. I won’t let anything happen to you, if you’ll let me protect you.”

  She pulled away from him, afraid of the tenderness she heard in his voice. Was this the same guy who wore bad ass leather and was probably tattooed in places she hadn’t seen yet? “I appreciate the sentiment, Finn, but--”

  “No buts. If you need anything, Ivy, call me. That’s all I mean.” He rose up like a panther, grabbed a sheet of paper, and sat back down close to her.

  She watched him jot down his number.

  “Here’s my cell and my home. I’m serious. Anytime, day or night.” He touched her cheek, and she wanted to cry again.

  He’s not my type.

  She had a bad habit of running from nice guys, and it appeared that Finn was one. I haven’t seen his cuffs or whip yet. . .

  “Let me get you something to drink. Are you hungry?”

  Ivy smiled. “Just water. Thanks so much.”

  “I can tell you’re upset, and who wouldn’t be?” He moved around the apartment, getting her a glass of water and some cheese and crackers on a plate.

  “This is wonderful.” She gulped the water, feeling close to human again.

  “My pleasure. So tell me about Ivy.” His muscles flexed in the t-shirt, and she wanted to touch them.

  She went blank for a moment. What about me? My dull and dreary life will bore him to tears. />
  “Well, I sell insurance, and I knit as a hobby. That’s about it.” She gave him a wry grin, thinking it was far from the truth as Remy and what he had done the night before flashed through her mind.

  “Sounds good to me. Seeing anyone?” The question came out as casually as if he had asked about the weather.

  “Not really.” She dipped her head, heat rising in her face.

  “Good. Well, maybe we can see more of each other then.” He smiled at her, and she relaxed.

  “Maybe so.”

  “I won’t push you. After all, you did come by tonight.” He bit into a cracker, raising blonde brows.

  Ivy rolled her eyes. “I sure did. I’m sorry about this.”

  “Don’t be. Let’s watch a movie or something-- unless you have other plans?”

  “No, I don’t.” She took a deep breath.

  “I tend toward horror movies, but I think we need something light tonight. What do you say?” He stood up and got the remote.

  “Yes, something light.”

  They settled on a comedy.

  Ivy moved over when Finn sat back down, closer to her than he had been.

  The movie made her laugh at first, but her exhaustion and anxiety got the best of her, and she drifted off.

  “Ivy?”

  She awoke to Finn’s gentle touch, his fingers in her hair.

  “Hmm? Sorry, I fell asleep.” She sat up, trying to orient herself.

  “I know. No problem. I think you needed the rest.”

  “I have to go.” She stood up, wanting to leave more than anything. He was too nice, too tender.

  “Get some rest. I’ll call you if you jot your number down.” He grinned at her as he handed her paper and a pen.

  She scrawled down her cell phone number. “Thanks again for everything.”

  “Thank you. I enjoyed getting to know you a little better.” He pulled her into a warm hug, and she relaxed against him for a moment, his soft shirt against her cheek. How safe he feels. . .

  He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. His lips on hers electrified her, and the kiss began soft and sweet. It turned into something harsh and demanding as his tongue twisted over hers.

  Ivy moved away, gasping for breath and not wanting to. “Goodnight.”

  He put his fingers to her lips, and she kissed them. The desire to stay with him washed over her, but she pushed it away. You were just handcuffed to the table last night with another man.

  “‘Night, Ivy.”

  She left, feeling lighter in her spirit with regard to the murders but worse when it came to Finn. He’s so nice and normal and hot. Why can’t I just give him a chance? She sighed, the same old resistance rising in her. Because I need what I need, and I don’t know why.

  Tears rose in her eyes again, but she fought them. “Enough.”

  Ivy went straight to bed, glad Saturday loomed.

  ****

  “Hey Ivy.”

  Ivy wiped sleep from her eyes. “What time is it? Who is this?” She adjusted the phone.

  “You know who it is.”

  Remy’s face and long, dark hair flashed before her mind’s eye. “Oh, Remy.” His voice aroused her, and she wanted him again.

  “You busy tonight? I’d like to come over.”

  “No, no.”

  “No, you’re not busy?” He laughed, his tone cocksure.

  “I am busy.” She put steel into her voice, belying strength she didn’t possess.

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “I am. Don’t come back here. It’s over.”

  “What if I do come by? I think you’re playing games, Ivy. I think you want me to handcuff you to the bed this time or maybe somewhere else even more creative.” He purred into her ear, and she suppressed a moan.

  “I’m not.” The phone slipped through her sweaty fingers, and she barely caught it before it hit the floor.

  “We’ll see.”

  Ivy heard the click. “Hello?”

  Her heart raced. Would he come over, just show up? She tried to calm down. It won’t be right now. It would be tonight.

  Chapter 5

  She got a shower, her mind going over and over the conversation. She wanted to see him, that was the sick thing about it.

  “But I won’t.”

  By the time she was done showering, Ivy had a plan. She dried her hair, seeing the fear in her eyes reflected in the mirror.

  “Guy’s always after me to spend time with him. Today and tonight are his big chance.” Some of her fear evaporated.

  I might even sleep over on the couch. He will understand and probably even want me to.

  Finn’s face swam before her as she put on clothes and makeup. Ivy wanted to go to him, but she knew it wasn’t a good idea.

  It will never work. I need more bad boy and less sensitive guy. She sighed, sticking her tongue out at her reflection.

  She hurried to get ready, wanting to leave the apartment as soon as possible. Remy’s voice echoed in her ear.

  Was he threatening me?

  She wasn’t sure, but leaving for a while seemed like a good idea.

  Ivy grabbed her cell phone on the way out, scrolling down to call Guy.

  “Hello?”

  “Still sleeping?”

  “No, no. Well, sort of.” He yawned.

  Ivy smiled as she got into her car. Just hearing his voice soothed her. He could be annoying sometimes, but he was still her good friend, the one who was easy to turn down for anything more.

  “Good. Can I come over? Wanna hang out today and tonight?” She tried to keep her voice light. A twinge shot through her at the feeling she might be using him.

  “Do I? Sure. Come now, come whenever. I’ll whip up a nice breakfast, and we can stay in or go out, whatever you’d like.”

  “I will. See you in a few.”

  She clicked end, feeling relief as she got into her car.

  The phone rang again. Her heart sped up.

  Could it be?

  It wasn’t. She didn’t recognize the number.

  “Hello?”

  “Ivy, hey.”

  Finn. Warmth rushed through her as she sat in the car, her hand on the keys.

  “Hey, Finn.” Her tongue refused to cooperate.

  “Are you feeling better this morning?”

  “I am. Thanks for last night. I’m actually heading out to spend the day with a friend.”

  “Oh? Good. Glad to hear it.”

  Ivy grinned, thinking she heard a tinge of jealousy in his voice.

  “Have anything fun planned?”

  “Not really. I’m hoping we can get together soon for something a little more formal.” He chuckled.

  “You mean where I don’t show up at your door, nearly hysterical?” Ivy started the car.

  “Something like that.”

  “How about next weekend?” She gulped, not sure why she was going along with it. He’s not my type, but he’s so nice...

  “It’s a date. You call me or I’ll call you later this week.”

  “Will do. Enjoy your day.”

  “I plan to, and Ivy...” his voice trailed off.

  “Yes?” She licked her lips.

  “Take care. You know how to reach me if you need anything.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  “Bye.”

  “Goodbye, Finn.” She clicked end and pulled away from the curb, her head spinning.

  Damn it. Why can’t I fall for him instead of guys like Remy?

  Ivy knew if Remy called or if he had come by tonight and she had been home, she would have submitted to his every whim-- and liked it.

  “Oh, well. Finn’ll figure out about me soon enough.” She laughed, but it was joyless. The only nice guy she had ever dated ran from her when he found out she liked bondage.

  That had helped her make the decision never to date guys who weren’t dominant from the get go.

  She ran a few errands, and it was near lunch time when she pulled up to Guy’s
posh little house in a trendy section of the city. Family money could buy things she only dreamed about.

  When she walked in, Guy hugged her. “Ives. So good to see you here. It’s been too long.” He gave her a broad smile, and she marveled at his polo and spotless khakis so early on a Saturday.

  “It has.” She flopped down on his couch.

  “So, how are things?” He put a tray of biscuits and bacon in front of her.

  “As good as can be expected.”

  “I know. Scary times, huh?” He wore a somber look, but he popped up out of his seat and paced the room.

  “For sure.” You don’t know the half of it.

  “Let’s go shopping!”

  Ivy laughed, but his idea took her mind off her troubles. “Let’s.”

  They took a whirlwind afternoon and early evening of all the nicest shops in the city. Guy even bought her a lime green scarf. On the way back to his place, they stopped for Chinese take out.

  “I needed this. Thank you. You’re such a good friend to me.”

  “I aim to please.” He smiled at her as they unloaded the bags of food and goodies from shopping.

  “I know, and I appreciate it.”

  “No need to.” He waved her comments away as they sat down at the table and dug into their food.

  Ivy yawned in contentment. “Can I ask you a favor, Guy?”

  “Name it.” He gave her a frank stare, and she wondered what he expected her to ask.

  “Can I stay here tonight... sleep on the couch I mean.”

  “Yes, but not on the couch. I have a guest bedroom with designer sheets on the bed. You must try them out.” He wiggled his eyebrows and stabbed a piece of chicken.

  “I will. Thanks. I just... I don’t want to be alone in the apartment tonight.” Ivy looked down at her food, feeling foolish for voicing her fears.

  “No problem. I don’t want you to be if you’re scared. Now, how about a movie?”

  Ivy thought of Finn when he said it, of how kind he had been to her the night before. “Sounds great.”

  They settled for an action flick, and Ivy yawned through most of it even as Guy cheered for Russell Crowe to kill off the other characters.