Brent kept his gaze on her face as he worked himself against her. “I’ll let you ride it, duchess. And I’m going to keep your tongue busy in my mouth the whole time.” With one hand, he stripped his shirt off over his head, revealing his massive chest and rock-hard muscles. “That ought to keep the sarcasm at bay for a couple hours.”

Hayden shoved against him, but he didn’t budge. “What’s going to keep your ego at bay?” she asked through clenched teeth. “One more crack like that and you can go home to your bachelor pad and self-satisfy until the sun comes—”

He claimed her mouth once again on a growl. A single forearm curled under her bottom and lifted with so little effort, her thoughts went fuzzy, blurring her indignation into nothingness. His mouth moved, rough and demanding over hers, forcing her lips wide to receive rhythmic thrusts from his tongue. Hayden could only twine her arms around his neck and hold on as white-hot need poured through her in waves. She made a sound of protest in his mouth when she couldn’t get her lower body close enough. A throb drummed between her thighs and she ached to feel pressure there. When she communicated her desire for friction with a twist of her hips, he tried to wedge his hips between her thighs, but the tight material of her skirt wouldn’t allow it.

“Take it off, Hayden, or I rip it off.”

Brent’s rasped command at her neck brought her back down to earth. Just a little. If she took off her skirt, he would take her against the door. Wham-bam, Grand Theft Auto, ma’am. He’d whistle his way out the door, knowing exactly who had handled whom. Next time she saw him, he’d give her one of his signature winks and tell her to call him next time she needed a ride. She couldn’t let that happen. She’d instigated this for a reason. To show him how little he actually knew about her. To put a dent in his overblown ego. She needed to get the upper hand back. Now.

Hayden broke their kiss, let the corners of her lips edge into a sensual smile. “I think it’s about time we broke out those handcuffs.”

Brent’s hands moved down her back to mold her bottom with rough palms. “Patience, duchess. I haven’t gotten my fill of touching you yet.” He boosted her higher against the door. “Before I let you restrain me, I’m going to make damn sure you’re too revved up to stop.”

His mouth seized hers once more. This time, she could feel more urgency behind the kiss, reflected in the rigid lines of his body. It only drove her need higher. Clinging to his shoulders, she let his frenzied mouth slant over hers several times. She broke away with a moan, her resolve slipping drastically under the onslaught of sensations. If she could just get the handcuffs on him, she could stop him from overwhelming her.

“You’re right,” she whispered. “We should have some fun first.” She dropped to her knees. Let her hands wander up those muscular thighs.

Above her, Brent’s breathing deepened, kicked up into a faster pace. “Only for a little while. Then I find out what’s beneath that skirt.”

With a dutiful nod, she unbuttoned his fly. Even nuzzled her cheek against his rigid erection and smiled when he sucked in a quick breath. He laced his fingers through her hair and tilted his hips toward her mouth. “Uh-uh,” she admonished. “No touching.”

“Sure, baby.” He put his hands behind his back and closed his eyes. “If that’s the way you like it.”

As soon as his hands crossed behind him, she carefully slipped the handcuffs from her purse and slapped them onto his wrists. Hearing his low curse, she gained her feet, taking a moment to savor the sight of him, all that commanding power harnessed. By her. “Looks like somebody just got handled.”

“Take them off,” he ground out. “I’m not done with you yet.”

Hayden pretended to consider the idea. “Hmm. No.”

Brent cursed under his breath. “So what’s your evil plan? Take blackmail photos to amuse your simpering friends at your next themed tea party?”

“Tea parties are very last season. Try to keep up.” She sauntered forward, walking him backward with gentle nudges of her hand until he fell back onto the cushioned bench placed along the far wall of the foyer. He gave her a look of warning, one she’d never seen on his face before. It gave her momentary pause, but did nothing to sway her intentions. Using his broad shoulders for balance, she straddled him on the bench, remaining standing on her knees and putting her br**sts at eye level.

Hayden could see his anger battling with arousal. But he kept his pissed-off gaze resolutely on her face. Until she started unbuttoning her blouse. Picking up where she’d left off at the bar, she popped each button out slowly, methodically, until she had his rapt attention. His throat worked as he swallowed heavily, tongue licking out to wet his lips with each inch of skin she revealed. Power surged through Hayden. She had two hundred and fifty pounds of rugged male between her legs. And she had complete control. She drew her unbuttoned blouse over her shoulders and let it fall to the floor, leaving her in a crimson lace bra.

“I’ve got news for you,” he rasped, eyes blazing. “Seeing your br**sts is not the worst form of punishment.”

“It will be,” she said huskily, undoing the front hook of her bra. “Because seeing them is all you get. And, Brent?” She kissed him fast and hard. “I’ve got a fabulous pair. So that’s really going to suck for you.”

Hayden parted the crimson material and revealed her br**sts. Brent made a strangled noise and lurched forward on the bench, as though he couldn’t restrain himself. She dodged his mouth at the last second, staving him off with two hands on his shoulders. Still, he didn’t look away from her naked chest, mouth working as if he could already taste her. His unchecked reaction made hunger spread through her system like fire. Gone was the cocky son of a bitch she’d come to know. He looked like a starving man eyeing his last meal.

“Scoot forward,” he asked in a gravelly voice. “Just a little. I promise I’ll suck them so good for you. So good.”

His words enticed her like mad. It would be so easy to pretend the conflict between them didn’t exist and they were simply two people who desperately needed pleasure. She needed his mouth on her, she realized. Tempting him beyond control would be more difficult than she thought. In the process, she herself was being tempted. Don’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how thoroughly he’s affecting you.

Hayden took a deep breath and shook her head. “Sorry, big boy. Not going to happen.” She gave in to the impulse to tease his neck with a kiss, but he turned his head at the last second and caught her mouth. This kiss felt different. Persuasive, entreating. As if he’d finally started taking this encounter seriously. It made her desperate to squeeze her legs together, but they were spread wide on either side of his hips. When she heard herself moan low in her throat, she broke away.

Between them, her ni**les pouted, begging for Brent’s attention. Before she could stop him, he leaned forward and sucked one into his mouth, rolling it on his tongue and groaning. Then he pulled back just a little and blew on it gently. Hayden’s eyelids drooped, her lips parted. She felt each sensual movement of his tongue in every secret place on her body. His gaze met hers, looking for any sign of protest. He seemed to know how close she was to caving because when he spoke, his dark sincerity was tangible. “Listen, you got one over on me. Well played, baby. But we’re entering new territory now. Are you sure you want to tease my c**k like this?” He sat forward, letting his chest graze the tips of her br**sts. His teeth tugged on her earlobe, making her shiver. “Because I won’t be in these handcuffs forever. When I get out of them, I’m going to remember everything you do to me tonight.”