Rush

that
     they were on the road to working things out, he still felt awkward around them. Plus,
     he didn’t want to spend the time away fromMia. And he didn’t want to leave her alone if Jace didn’t plan to be in town for the
     holiday.
    When they walked out of the restaurant, darkness had settled over the city, and the
     wet sidewalks glistened in the streetlights and the glow from the traffic lights.
     Mia turned up her face and laughed in delight as a snowflake swirled down and hit
     her on the nose.
    She posed an enchanting figure in her knit cap and long coat. She spun around, hands
     held out as a few other flakes danced downward in a drunken spiral.
    He was utterly captivated by her.
    Before he lost the moment, he picked up his phone and snapped a picture of her, wanting
     to add it to the other photo of her that he frequently looked at. She never noticed,
     so absorbed was she in catching the scattered flakes.
    “It’s freezing out here!” Mia exclaimed.
    She ran over and burrowed into Gabe’s overcoat, her arms wrapping around his waist
     as she shivered from head to toe. He caught her against him, smiling at her exuberance.
    “Let’s get you warm then,” he said, guiding her toward the waiting car.
    They climbed into the backseat where the seat warmers had already heated the leather.
     Mia sank into the seat, sighing in utter delight.
    “I do love modern conveniences,” she said.
    He chuckled. “I’m more than happy to keep you warm.”
    “Mmmm. When we get back to the apartment I’ll be more than happy to let you.”
    He ran his hand up her leg and then back again to the curve of her knee. “I have plans
     for you when we get back, most assuredly.”
    She lifted an eyebrow in interest, her eyes glowing with instant fire. “Oh?”
    He smiled. “You’ll find out when we get there.”
    She turned her lip down into a pout and narrowed her eyes at him. He just grinned.
    Oh yes, he had plans. He was a little nervous given what he had planned, but it was
     important to him to replace her last memory of bondage with something sensual. Hot.
     Passionate. Something welcome instead of something distasteful.
    He knew with enough time that he could absolutely make the experience incredible for
     her, but he wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to. He would watch her
     closely, and if she was afraid or uneasy, he’d stop immediately. He’d already screwed
     up badly with her. He had no desire to ever give her reason to doubt him again.
    When they arrived at his apartment, he helped her from the car and held her hand as
     they rode the elevator up. Once inside, he took her coat, scarf and cap, and she rubbed
     her hands up and down her arms as she turned to walk into the living room.
    He’d left the fireplace burning while they were gone so the living room would be plenty
     warm when they returned.
    After removing his own coat, he followed Mia into the living room to see her standing
     in front of the fire.
    “Stand there and undress,” he said, his voice husky with need.
    She lifted her gaze and he watched for any sign of reluctance. But all he saw was
     trust shining back at him.
    “I have a few things to get from the bedroom. Stay by the fire and keep warm. I’ll
     be right back.”
    He strode into the bedroom and retrieved the rope, the anal plug and the vibrator
     from his closet. When he returned, she was silhouetted by the flames, her skin glowing
     from the fire.
    She was so damn beautiful that she took his breath away.
    When her gaze lighted on the items in his hand, her eyes widened and she looked up
     at him, clear question in her eyes.
    Never before would he have stopped to explain himself withany other woman. They were expected to obey without question. They agreed to anything
     and everything he could ever wish to do when they signed the contract.
    But Mia was different. He wanted her to understand. Wanted her to know what he was
     thinking. The very last thing he wanted was to frighten her or to make her walk away.
    “I want to show you how very pleasurable this can be,” he said in a low voice. “I
     did it for all the wrong reasons in Paris. It wasn’t about you then, no matter what
     I said. It was about me and my reasons—my
stupid
reasons. Give me this chance, Mia. I want to show you how beautiful a woman in bondage
     can be. And how pleasurable I can make the experience for you. Trust me to make it
     perfect for you.”
    Her eyes softened. “I do trust