Then Ronin was in her face, resting his right hand against her cheek. “I recognize that look. Did something happen today that’s worrying you?”
How could he read her so easily and she couldn’t read him at all?
She latched on to the first random thought that popped into her head. “It didn’t happen today. It’s something I’ve been putting off, which isn’t smart when I need the work, but the project is out of my usual realm.” She frowned. “Out of my realm photographically speaking.”
“What do you mean?”
Amery dropped into her chair and propped her bare feet up on the edge of her desk. “Several weeks ago this author contacted me, asking if I’d be interested in creating a cover for her next digital book. At first the whole thing tripped my warning bells because that was a day after the night I ran from you and your magic rope tricks.”
A smile ghosted around his mouth.
“Anyway, it struck me as coincidental that this erotic author I didn’t know wanted a specific image for her cover.”
“And what image is that?”
Her gaze hooked his. “A woman in bondage.”
His expression didn’t change.
“I thought you’d put her up to contacting me, expecting I’d ask her a lot of questions and during those conversations I’d get a handle on the mixed feelings I was having about you and your rope proclivities.”
“And?”
“And she did give me a different perspective, for which I owe her. I agreed to work on her cover. She’s not under deadline, and neither am I, so in my spare time, I’ve been thinking about how to create the image she wants—a woman in bondage that’s tasteful and sexy, yet doesn’t show any of her girl parts.” Amery twisted her ponytail around her finger. “The thing is, if I do a good job, it could open up a whole new income stream for me. I won’t get rich creating custom digital book covers, but any projects that keep me in business are worth attempting. So I can’t figure out why I’m dragging my feet.”
Ronin remained quiet. But he paced, which wasn’t like him. After a couple of minutes she got tired of watching him. She tipped her head back into the headrest and closed her eyes.
She’d just started to drift when warm lips pressed into her forehead. “Don’t crash on me now when I have a solution for you.” Then his lips brushed over hers half a dozen times before he sank into her mouth for a panty-dropping kiss. Then he pulled back abruptly.
Amery opened her eyes. “Were we done kissing? Because it sure didn’t feel like it.”
“I just wanted to make sure you were awake.”
“Now I’m wide-awake and ready to strip off my clothes so you can f**k me over my desk.” She moved everything to the side, creating a large empty spot in the center. “See?”
“Another time.”
“Fine.” She set her feet on the floor. “What is your solution?”
Ronin spun her chair around and placed his hands over her forearms on the armrests. “You need a picture of a woman in bondage. I’m a bondage master.”
“And?”
“And you should be the model.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Are you insane?”
“Hear me out. You want it tasteful and anonymous? Set up the camera with the right lighting and angle and all I have to do is press the button. You’ve got your artistic bondage cover.”
“Ronin. Didn’t we discuss that I’m all right with you binding me as long as it’s not in public?”
“Yes. But this is private. A shadowed photo of you is much different than me binding you in front of everyone at the club. And the bonus? You’ll get to see how absolutely stunning you look when I have you bound.”
She stared at him, in shock and yet . . . not. “How would you bind me?”
Pure pleasure warmed his eyes. “With your arms behind your back in a dragonfly sleeve. I’d use red rope. It’d be a gorgeous contrast against your pearly skin.”
Maybe she was sleep-deprived or just curious, but she found she wanted to see herself as Ronin saw her: her naked body as a canvas for his artistic tying skills. “Okay.”
Ronin kissed her quickly, but their teeth clacked together because he wore a big grin. “I’ll grab my bag.”
“You just happen to have a bag of red ropes with you?”
“I like to be prepared.”
In the small studio, Amery chose a different backdrop and adjusted the umbrella lights. She rarely did portraits because she didn’t feel she had the artistic eye for it. But in this case only her back would be visible in the shot.
Ronin hadn’t returned by the time she was ready to take a few test shots. After removing her shirt, she hooked up the remote button to the camera on the tripod. Using a roll of masking tape, she marked off a spot, stood on it with her bare back to the camera, and snapped a pic. Then she returned behind the camera and scrolled to the digital image. Too close. She backed up the camera, stood on the X, and clicked off another shot.
Better. But the light glared off her shoulder blade. After adjusting the backlight, she threw a diffuser—just a piece of darker opaque fabric—over the top of the light. She found her mark on the X again.
Before she clicked the remote, Ronin said, “Arch your back and turn your head to the right instead of looking forward.”
“I don’t want anyone to see my face, remember?”
“Only your profile is visible and you can darken that after you get the shot.” When he closed in behind her, his body heat warmed her and his presence soothed her. He tugged the ponytail holder free, running his fingers through the long strands. “There. Now take it.”
Amery angled her head and pushed the button.
When she whirled around, she expected to see Ronin behind the camera checking out the shot, but he remained off to the side, letting her do her job.
“You’re right,” she admitted. “That is much better.” She tested a couple more, adjusting the zoom a fraction. After repositioning the tapes, she inhaled a deep breath, waiting for Ronin’s instruction.
Then he was behind her, that deliciously deep voice in her ear. “You ready for me to start tying you, beautiful?”
“Yes.”
He placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. “Arms at your sides.”
Amery lowered her arms and closed her eyes.
She heard him behind her. The rustle of fabric as he removed his shirt and became Ronin the rope master.