When he put it that way, she felt exciting, beautiful, and intelligent. Strange how something as simple as a few words could have so much of an impact on her heart. But it was more than words; his gaze was painfully sincere.

“Very well,” she heard herself whisper. “You have five minutes.”

His eyes flared. “You will not regret it.”

“What—” She had to lick her lips to continue. “What do we do now?”

“We are going to build your trust.”

“How?”

“Very, very slowly.” He held out his arm, the scarf fluttering at the movement. “Lean forward and place your feet flat on the floor.”

She did as he asked, though it brought her knees against his chest.

“Afraid?” His voice was dark, deep, seductive.

Kat sent him a glance, one she hoped was quelling and disdainful. “Should I be?”

“With me? Never.”

One word. But spoken with such meaning that it gave her pause.

He took the scarf and ripped it down the middle, into two long pieces.

“Wh—” She blinked in astonishment as he took one of the pieces of the scarf, placed the end in the palm of her hand, and then began wrapping it about her wrist. While she watched, amazed, he took the other end of the scarf and wrapped it around the arm of the chair until her wrist was bound to the chair. “Devon, I cannot—”

He placed the loose end of the scarf in her hand. “All you have to do is let go and unwind it and you will be free. You are in control, Kat. Not me.”

He was right. As long as she held the end of the scarf in her hand, she had the ability to release herself. She watched bemused as he did the same to her other wrist.

Kat couldn’t quite believe what was happening to her. She was dressed in the decadent silk night rail in her own bedchamber, bound to a chair in front of a handsome man.

“Now,” Devon said, standing. “Here is where we begin. Do you mind if I take off my coat?”

It was very warm in the room, she thought. Actually, it was a lot warm, though little of that had to do with the fire. “Of course you may take off your coat.”

He did so, revealing a narrow waistcoat of deep blue. He tossed the jacket over the back of the chair he’d abandoned earlier. “Now. May I remove my waistcoat and shirt?”

Dear God, he was undressing right in front of her. A delicate shiver traced down her back, shimmering across her skin and making her breasts swell in response. Somehow, she found herself answering in a hushed, husky voice, “Yes.”