“Baby, this is a huge leap forward for us—you. There is no hurry and I don’t want you beating yourself up over this. I’m happy and you’re happy. Nothing else matters. In time you’ll trust me enough to let me make love to you. You’ll trust yourself. Until then, you’ll tie me to the bed each time until you feel confident enough to take the ultimate plunge.”Her lips turned down into a grimace. “I wish I were as confident as you.”“I have enough confidence for both of us,” he said gently. “We will get there, Sophia. Rome wasn’t built in a day. This will and should take time. It’s not something we can take too lightly. You have to absolutely feel safe with me, because if we jump the gun, we can do far more damage by trying to rush things. I’m perfectly content to leave things as they are until you’re ready to take that final step. You don’t have to apologize nor do you have to justify your fears. Not to me. Never to me. I love you and love is about doing whatever it takes to safeguard the

He rubbed his groin against her belly so she’d feel just how hard he was. She slid her hands between them, cupping his c**k through the denim of his jeans, and caressed him gently.His moan was guttural, the sound of a male in desperate need. Tonight, come hell or high water, she was going to mount a charge. If she had her way, neither of them would be aching much longer.*********Sophia and James were seated at a table by the window at Cattleman’s and Sophia was munching on an appetizer of nachos when an extremely handsome man walked up to their table.Beside him was a gorgeous woman with brilliant blue eyes and midnight black hair. It was a striking contrast. The couple looked like a million dollars together and it was obvious the man had money.It wasn’t that he looked ostentatious, or he was one of those guys who openly flaunted his wealth. He just had a quiet authority about him and his clothing was designer, very expensive and looked very good on him. Then there was the rock th

He turned his face in to her hand, kissing her palm. “Ah, Sophia, I trust you absolutely. I trust you more than anyone else. I just don’t want to hurt you or bring back painful memories for you.”“You won’t,” she said solemnly. “Not tonight. Tonight I’m here to listen. To be strong for you like you’ve been strong for me.”God, but he loved this woman. The idea of not being with her ripped a hole in his heart. He never wanted to contemplate a life without her. Not now that he had her. She belonged to him, and he’d never willingly let her go.She touched his face again, lightly stroking the curve of his jaw.“I love you. Remember that. Nothing you say will ever change that.”He closed his eyes, wondering how he’d gotten so damn lucky. Who would have ever thought he’d meet his soul mate in a woman with whom sexual dominance wasn’t possible. But then she’d likely never pondered or entertained even for a moment becoming involved with a dominant man, so perhaps they were even.“I hope to he

Sophia felt on top of the world Monday morning when she rode to work with James. Optimism, an alien concept to her until now, simmered in her mind.So she hadn’t been able to make love to him without him being tied to the bed. Yet. But they had made love! That was a huge step for her.She was . . . happy. When was the last time she could say that and really mean it? Her old version of happiness was merely a shell, a code word for simply existing. It wasn’t until she got involved with James that she realized just how much of her life was passing her by while she kept her head firmly in the sand.The weekend had been utter bliss. They hadn’t made love again since Friday night, and both seemed reluctant to push too hard and too fast, but the intimacy had grown around them to such an extent that she knew it wouldn’t be long before they took the plunge again.And maybe this time she’d pluck up the courage not to tie him up for the act.She’d been worried about him after he’d confided about

She really had to put a lid on her overactive imagination. Karla needed support. Not validation for her suspicions.With a grimace, Ken rose, glancing down the table at Derrick.“Can you run Karla home afterward?” he asked. “I don’t know how long this will take.”Sorrow swamped Karla’s eyes. How could Ken not see how much he was hurting her? Could he really be that oblivious? Everyone else saw it. Even James studied him with a frown, his gaze swinging back and forth between him and Karla. There was concern in James’s eyes for her and irritation for Ken.“Of course,” Derrick said, though he was frowning too. “Don’t worry. Sandra and I will see her home.”“Thanks, man,” Ken said. Then he leaned down and brushed his lips over Karla’s forehead. And lightly caressed one cheek with his hand. “Don’t wait up for me, darlin’.”Then he strode away leaving Karla staring down at her plate.The silence after his departure was pronounced and awkward. When Karla did look up, there was humiliation in