“Yes. I can.” Lily rested her hand on Yasin’s cheek. “I know that you care about me. And you did everything you could to protect me. Even when you were intensely turned on and frustrated, you held yourself back. I know you would never force yourself on me if I told you to stop.”

Pain flashed across his eyes. “I would hope that is true, but I cannot know for sure.”

“But I do. I trust you with my life.” She took his hand. “Let’s skip the restaurant. Take me to where you’re staying and show me what you want to do to me.”

“I already arranged a romantic dinner in my hotel suite, where I had hoped to sweep you off your feet and into my bed. But not to take you roughly. I wanted to prove to myself that I can keep things tender and passionate between us. And to ask for your help to keep me on track.”

“Yasin. I love you. I don’t want you to hide from who you are. When we get to the hotel, I want you to let go and follow your urges. Don’t hold back.” She squeezed his hand. “I know we can make this work. With a safe word, I can tell you if it gets too much for me. Together, we’ll find a balance.”

She could see the doubt in his glittering, dark eyes. And also the desire. He said nothing, but pressed her hand to his lips.

The driver pulled up in front of a large, elegant hotel. Anticipation rippled through her as Yasin led her across the posh lobby and into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, he stepped close, then pulled her into his arms and took her mouth, his tongue delving deep. There was a sense of urgency in his kiss. An unsettling need that ramped up her own desire.

“I want you so badly,” he murmured against her lips, “I don’t know how I’ll hold myself back.”

“Good.” She stroked his cheek, mesmerized by the sparks flaring in his eyes. “Then it will be a real test.”

He pulled her close again and she could barely breathe as he took her mouth, his hands gliding over her body, touching and squeezing her in exciting places. Her whole body quivered in anticipation.

The door whooshed open and he guided her into the suite. There was a stunning view of the city below.

“Sit. Pour yourself a glass of wine,” he said gesturing to the couch where a bottle of red wine stood on the coffee table. “I will return in a moment.” He pulled out his cell phone as he walked into another room.

She sucked in a breath, already missing his arms around her. She sat down and filled the two stemmed glasses, then sipped as she waited for him to return. As she glanced around, she noticed the candles on the table, and several vases of beautiful, long-stemmed red roses. Soft music played in the background.

Her heart swelled as she realized he’d planned the same romantic evening he had so long ago.

He really did care about her. And they had a real chance to make this work, if she could convince him he could trust himself.

A moment later, he returned. He walked to the dining table and picked up a plate, then returned to the couch and sat beside her. The heat of his body so close sent quivers through her.

“Would you like an appetizer?” he asked.

She picked up a round one with a shrimp on top and placed it in her mouth.

“That’s delicious. But I thought we were postponing dinner.”

“I’m waiting for something to be brought up. Then we will proceed.”

He lifted his glass and took a sip.

The elevator—which opened right into the suite—arrived and a uniformed man stepped from it with a box. He walked into the room Yasin had been in—she assumed the bedroom—then returned and slipped away on the elevator again.

“Don’t worry. No one will disturb us again,” Yasin said as he turned to her.

His eyes flared with heat as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Her mouth opened to his plundering tongue, which swept deep inside her.

Then he eased her back and his gaze fell to her shawl. He untied it and pulled it open so he could see her dress. His gaze raked over her body.

“You look good in that dress. But I want to see you naked.”

With a quick motion, he twisted the shawl around her arms, then tightened it to pull them behind her. He curled and twisted it a few more times, then tied it snugly, binding her arms behind her so tight, she couldn’t move them.

His gaze fell to the top of her dress. There was a fire in his eyes she’d never seen before. He ran his fingertips along the swell of her breasts, lightly at first... lulling her... then he wrenched the front of her dress down, revealing her sheer black lace bra. Her nipples pushed at the delicate fabric, nearly popping though it. He leaned down and covered one hard nub with his mouth, then sucked deep and hard, making her cry out.

His gaze darted to her face.

“Tell me your safe word,” he commanded.

“Um...” She could barely think straight. “Vase,” she said as she noticed candlelight glitter on one of the crystal vases holding the roses.

“Good.” He tugged down her bra, ripping some of the delicate lace and exposing her naked breasts. He covered them with his hands, stroking roughly.

Then he pinched one nipple, lightly at first, then he squeezed it so hard, she gasped.

“What word do you use to tell me to stop?” he demanded again.

She sucked a breath, her gaze pivoting to his. “Vase.”

“Good.” He pinched her other nipple. “And do you want me to stop yet?”

She shook her head. “No,” she breathed.

His mouth spread in a slow smile. “What if I strip you naked and tie your arms and legs wide apart so I can do anything I want to you? Touch you anywhere? Will you say your safe word then?”