Page 94 of Over the Line
But turning up the music even louder didn’t help her banish thoughts of him.
As the vehicle’s tires devoured the miles between them, memories of their time together stroked through her mind like strobe lights.
She loved the new adventures he dreamed up, sex in the outdoors, a bare-bottomed spanking while they hiked, being secured to his fence, framing her in a window as he flogged her, taking her again and again to the edges of subspace.
Other times were companionable as they stargazed or took a horse out for a ride under the full moon.
In the mornings, she’d watch the sun crest the horizon, or drink a cup of coffee on the patio while Michael worked in his office.
Sitting outside next to a campfire was becoming a regular occurrence, as was chatting with Jeb and learning more about ranch life.
Every moment together was better than the last…
And Michael was beginning to matter to her.
No. Absolutely not.
Disoriented, terrified, she gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Sydney couldn’t allow herself to fall for him.
In order to preserve her independence, she had to focus strictly on sex and BDSM.
And yet his tempting invitations made that more and more difficult.
Even though she’d promised herself that she would limit her visits, the moment he’d invited her to join him on her way home, she’d accepted.
Her more rational mind urged her to cancel, go home, shower, relax, then get ready for her next job.
But there was no way that would happen.
Like a snowflake melting in the sun, she was powerless to resist him.
About an hour later, she left I-70 and headed west.
The rest of the drive seemed to take forever.
When she reached the ranch gate, Jeb was there, waiting, ensuring she didn’t run into trouble.
Each time she visited, she felt more and more at home. While it was comforting on some level, it was terrifying on others, mostly because it meant she was visiting too often. Even while she’d been gone, Michael’s land had beckoned, and an unwelcome part of her craved the peace and solitude he’d created and wanted to share with her.
And that was the crux of her sudden angst.
Her parents had taught her to embrace life, to seize as many opportunities as possible. In her relationship with Lewis, she’d shoved her inclinations aside.
It had taken her more time than she would have liked to run away.
And when she’d dumped the pieces of her collar, she’d promised herself she’d live her life on her terms, hitting the road when she chose, spending time with the people she wanted to see, working only for clients she enjoyed.
Her solo trip had been to the Bahamas where she’d sipped rum and enjoyed the sun as she’d healed from her bruises—emotional ones as well as physical ones.
As she drove onto Michael’s property, Jeb tipped his hat, and she waved.
Beneath the now-familiar tree, she parked, then opened the back door to get out her bag that she now kept filled with sexy clothes in addition to utilitarian garments.
Since her arms were full, she bumped her butt against the door to close it.
She was walking toward the house when she was yanked to a shocking and sudden stop, then dragged backward.