“He never dated or married?”

“He dated different women all the time, but he would never marry again. His views were pretty much the same as mine.”

“Or perhaps you got your views from him?” I asked.

“I’ve seen enough in my life to form my own views.”

“Don’t you think life is about more than just money and success?”

“Yes. It’s about money, success, and sex with beautiful women.” He winked.

I felt a sickness in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t know if I wanted to hear any more.

“You are truly beautiful, Gabrielle.” He placed his hand on my face and looked deep into my eyes.

There was still a sadness in them that I couldn’t explain. This was all about sex and nothing else. I had to keep reminding myself of that. Don’t get too involved, Gabby. If I did, I’d end up being torn apart worse than ever before.

He took his finger and slid it down my arm, stopping at the scar that he already knew about. Lightly rubbing it, he picked up my arm and pressed his lips against it. The Simon ache was back and begging to be fulfilled.

“Was that enough information for you?” he asked seductively.

“Yes,” I replied as he had me hypnotized.

“Good. Then it’s time to show you my bedroom.”

“I would like that.”

We both stood up and he bent down and picked me up. As I placed my arms around his neck, I smiled. “I can walk, you know.”

“I’m fully aware of that, but I’d like to carry you.”

He stepped inside the room and put me down. After closing the door and locking it, Simon turned to me, and his eyes looked me up and down as his tongue glided along his lips.

“I need to talk to you first about a couple of things.”

He had me nervous. “What?”

He placed his hand on my cheek. God, I just about died every time he did that. “Are you opposed to trying different things?”

“What kind of things?” I gulped.

“Sexual things?”

“If you’re talking about anal, I’ll stop you right there!” I put my hand up.

“No, not yet anyway.” He snickered. He walked over to the armoire that was sitting in the corner and opened the double doors. After pulling out a pair of handcuffs and a blindfold, he held them up to me.

“Oh,” I replied as I stared at them and instantly felt like I was going to throw up.

He walked over to me and set the handcuffs in my hands. “Feel the material. They’re soft and I promise they won’t hurt you. Okay?”

I nodded. He placed the cuffs on my wrists and tightened them. “How do they feel? Are they too tight?”

“No.” I swallowed hard. My heart was racing a mile a minute and my skin became very heated.