Enemy Mine

Chapter 52

Amelia and Griffin greeted me with smiles when I arrived to give Mr. Pearlman his five a.m. meds. They were hard at work in the kitchen preparing two pans of lasagna while Mr. Pearlman sat in his recliner with a full breakfast in front of him.

"It smells delicious in here," I said as I hovered over the pot of homemade spaghetti sauce. "Is this going to be the famous Valentino lasagna?"

"Yep," Griffin said as she stirred the noodles. "We always cook a big batch. Enough to freeze for leftovers."

"And why you're cooking lasagna at five in the morning is beyond me," Mr. Pearlman said from his chair.

"You won't complain when you taste it," I said. "Vincent made me the special Valentino lasagna while we were at his cabin."

I opted to leave out Vincent's nude cooking escapades, which I believed enhanced the flavor. A text beckoned me, and I evicted my phone from my pocket to read it. Maybe it was Adamo telling me to shred the certified letter and enjoy my life with Vincent. Damn. It was Deidra.

Learn any rope tricks?

I ignored the text and went about my business, just like Ruben suggested. I refused to play Deidra's petty games. Nurse Kathy arrived at six and everyone scattered, but Deidra's stupid text continued to plague me, and when I found Vincent on the couch, reclined and comfortably dressed, an idea popped into my head.

"Do you have a meeting today?" I asked as I sat at his feet.

"Not until two. What's up?"

"We haven't trained in a couple of days."

His expression turned suspicious, probably because he knew I hated that damn rec room, but he also looked intrigued. "You're right. We've been spending too much time in hospitals. What did you have in mind? Flight or strictly battle?"

"Actually, I was thinking of something that didn't require the change. Something involving that hook and pulley system hanging from the ceiling."

"Reese..." My name rolled off his tongue like thunder, and he pinned me with a look just shy of seductive. "We need to work up to that."

"I thought that's what we did in the elevator the other day."

"So, you liked it? Or were you just trying to please me? I need an honest answer."

"I loved it. I love making you come."

I tugged at my lip, watching Vincent's mercurial eyes catch the light as he stared at my mouth. The tang of pheromones hit my nostrils, and a moment later, he stood from the couch, holding his hand out.

"Come with me."

~ ~ ~

"It's softer than I imagined," I said as Vincent brushed a length of rope across my palm.

The hook and pully system had already been lowered into position, and Vincent had me inspecting the rope he retrieved from the equipment room.

"It's made of jute, a traditional material used for Kinbaku," he explained. "Each piece is cut to the same length. I like mine at eight meters."

"How many pieces are you using on me?"

"For now, just one. Starting slow, remember? Hold out your wrists and put your elbows together."

I did as he instructed, and he began tying. "This is a variant of a bowline. It should give you a sense of security without pain." He spoke gently as he manipulated the rope, making each pass look elegant and practiced. When his work was done, he leaned down to kiss my lips, using the rope to pull me against his body.