Lalisa,Mine.

Chapter Fifteen

      "This view is stunning." Lisa turned on the spot in the center of the enormous penthouse suite. The glass walls gave a 360-degree view of the city beneath them. The twinkling city lights looked like a reflection of the night sky above. Lisa examined the room. There were bottles of champagne in ice on the dining table. Soft fluffy robes hung from hooks on the wall. The huge bed was on a raised platform and looked soft enough to drown in.

      "It's breathtaking, isn't it?" Jennie asked. "I remember how much you enjoyed watching the sunset on that rooftop, so I thought you might like the view here. I called in another favor to get this room. It was worth it, just to see your smile."

      Did Jennie really rent a penthouse suite because she thought I'd like the view? Lisa suddenly found herself overwhelmed.

      "What's the matter?" Jennie sat Lisa down on the couch.

      All of Lisa's emotions poured out at once. "All this. The loans, the dinner, the hotel. It's too much..."

      "No, it's not." Jennie took Lisa's hand. "Why is it so hard for you to accept things from others? Or to let them in? Do you think you don't deserve love and happiness?"

      "No. I..." Lisa trailed off.

      "Lalisa. Look at me." Jennie looked deep into Lisa's eyes. "You deserve the world. And you don't have to go through life alone."

      Lisa searched the depths of her heart. Jennie was right. Sometimes Lisa did feel like she didn't deserve to be happy. It was a side effect of a childhood spent alone and unloved. But she knew it was irrational. Maybe just for one night, she could let go of all her doubts and insecurities and enjoy the moment. "You're right. I'm being silly." Lisa smiled. "Thank you, Jennie. This was the perfect night."

      Jennie kissed her. Lisa lay her head on Jennie's shoulder and they sat in silence, sinking into each other.

      After a while, Lisa peered up at Jennie from under her eyelashes. "Didn't you say you have one more present for me?"

      "Are you sure you're up for it?"

      Lisa planted a firey kiss on a very surprised Jennie. "Yes. Definitely."

      "You're insatiable." Jennie pushed Lisa down onto the couch and pressed her lips against Lisa's.

      A low rumble rose from Lisa's chest. Jennie's lips tasted faintly of wine.

      She pulled Lisa up off the couch and guided her to an open space in front of a large mirror on the wall. Jennie grabbed the hem of Lisa's blouse and drew it up over her head, then tugged Lisa's skirt down to the ground. Jennie ran her fingers over the cups of Lisa's lacy, purple bra. "These were my first gift to you." A light smile crossed Jennie's lips. "I love seeing you in things that are mine."

      That was the reaction Lisa had been hoping for when she had chosen to wear that set of lingerie. Jennie didn't need to tell her what to wear, or what to do anymore. Lisa could anticipate Jennie's every impulse without her speaking a word. But she still delighted in following Jennie's orders. And she loved the satisfaction that her obedience gave the other woman.

      "As lovely as you look in this, it's in my way," Jennie said. She stripped Lisa's bra from her body. "Stay right there."

      Lisa watched in the mirror as Jennie strode over to the table and opened up a large leather bag that was sitting on top of it. She pulled out several coils of thick, red rope. All up, it was enough to truss up Lisa's body from head to toe several times over.

      Jennie returned to her side. "Close your eyes for me. Keep them shut until I tell you to open them. And put your hands behind your back."

      Lisa obeyed. Jennie folded Lisa's arms against her back, one forearm on top of the other. She wound the rope around the length of Lisa's arms in a series of loops and knots. Lisa wriggled her arms. She couldn't move them at all. Lisa was no stranger to restraints by now, but this was a far higher level of immobilization. Her pulse quickened.