“What is it?” he asked hoarsely.
“I want to let go. Lose control.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t want to think or worry. I just want to feel. Be swept away.”
“I have an idea,” he said quietly as a sense of urgency pulsed inside him. He could give her that. He could make her fantasy come true right now. “But I don’t know if we’re ready for it.”
She licked her lips. “Tell me.”
Travis leaned closer to Christine. This could change everything between them. She’d probably say no and he’d never be invited back into her bed. Yet he was compelled to suggest it. Travis knew this might be what she was looking for—and he wanted to be the one to do it for her.
“Let me blindfold you.”
* * *
CHRISTINE HESITATED. SHE’D never been blindfolded. Had never been able to relinquish control. The idea of making herself vulnerable excited and scared her.
“Why?” she asked. She trusted Travis. Had shared her bed, her body, but this was different. She wished she wasn’t hesitating. Travis was strong but tender. He would take care of her and her needs. Only he would be able to watch her and she wouldn’t get to see the lust in his eyes or watch him become overwhelmed with pleasure.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want to do,” he promised softly as he grabbed the pillow he slept on and removed the pillowcase. “But you’ll experience total freedom.”
She wanted to know what that felt like. But to receive freedom, she had to give Travis freedom over her. Was she ready for that?
Yes. Christine wanted to explore this with Travis. She couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else. “Okay,” she finally agreed.
Excitement shone in Travis’s eyes as he folded the white pillowcase. Christine’s heart beat against her chest as he covered her eyes with the cotton. The sudden darkness surprised her. She automatically put a hand on the blindfold and stopped. She didn’t need to test it. She could pull it off at any time.
Christine cautiously reached out to touch Travis. Her fingertips clawed at the air. Where was he? She knew he was still on the bed; the mattress hadn’t dipped. Christine tilted her head and listened. She heard his uneven breath.
“Travis?” she whispered.
Christine jumped when she felt his mouth brush against the curve of her throat. The sensation was gentle and yet she felt exposed.
Maybe she wasn’t ready for this. She liked to know what was going to happen. She needed to predict, to plan. It was what she did best.
Travis pressed on her shoulders and lowered her onto the bed. Christine tried to slow her pounding heart. She lay before Travis naked but she didn’t feel the need to flaunt her body or pose seductively. She was tempted to drag the bedsheet to her chin, but what she really wanted was to see the desire in his eyes. Watch him moan in appreciation.
He held her face with his large hands before slipping his tongue past her parted lips. She felt the stubble on his chin rasp her skin. His fingers shook as he contained the wild energy that whipped through him.
Christine skimmed her hands through his hair. It was softer than she remembered. She touched his face, memorizing the lines, as Travis explored her. He was both demanding and lovingly tender. His kisses would shift from playful to daring. She could no longer assume what he would do next.
She gave up trying and the freedom she felt was shocking. All she had to do was feel. Enjoy. Travis showed her how much he desired her, how much she aroused him. Christine wanted to savor the pleasure that rushed through her veins. The excitement swelled inside her.
“Travis,” she whispered as she squeezed her eyes shut. She arched back as he covered her nipple with his lips and drew her into his mouth. She moaned as the fierce tug went straight to her core.
Travis cupped her sex and she bucked against his hand. She stretched against the bed as the lust scorched her from head to toe. Christine murmured with approval, rocking her hips as he teased her.
Suddenly, he withdrew. Christine frowned and bit her lip. She felt alone. Cold. She swayed her hips but he wasn’t there. She didn’t feel him or hear him. The mattress moved as he left.
But he wouldn’t leave her. Christine’s stomach twisted. Travis wouldn’t play games. He wouldn’t abuse her trust. She didn’t know why she believed that. He made no promises but it didn’t need to be said. She knew.
Her curiosity was too much. She squeezed the bedsheet when she really wanted to push the blindfold from her eyes. “Travis?”
“I’m here,” he said, his voice thick and husky. The relief seeped through her when she heard the rip of foil and realized he had paused only to put on protection.