I wake up from a lusciously deep sleep but the room is dark. I move to stretch and find that the leather cuff on my right arm is tethered to the post of the bed. I can still feel the pin prick from the syringe. My body is still warm with an aroused flush. I'm hyper aware of my naked skin beneath the flimsy lingerie and the soft down quilt someone, Blake it seems, has thrown over me. The rest of my limbs are free, and as I stretch out my leg, I come in contact with something solid. Someone is sitting on the edge of the bed. I should be startled, but the drug mutes my reaction.

The mattress beneath me shifts as the broad shouldered figure leans over to the nightstand. A warm glow fills the room. Kane's striking features come into focus. He's still dressed but his white shirt hangs open. I catch a glimpse of a muscular chest and rippled abdomen. It's not surprising. The man seems to strive for perfection, and his physique matches that quest.

My eyes linger on the round smooth pectoral muscle as he reaches for something else in the nightstand. I'm surprised to find myself imagining my tongue trailing across his chest. The thought makes my pussy pulse with an urge to be satisfied.

The black scrolling lines of ink on his forearm draw my gaze away from his bare chest. "Reality is merely an illusion," I read in a near whisper. It is all the voice I can muster in my over relaxed state.

"Einstein," he says. I'd nearly forgotten how intriguing and smooth his voice is.

I'm too focused on every physical detail of the man to pay attention to what he's doing. The nectar, as Blake calls it, makes it hard to focus on more than one thing. And that one thing becomes a momentary obsession. The strange striations on his right arm, the deep scars that look planned and purposeful, stay in perfect formation as his forearm muscles move. I fixate on the lines, eight of them, each the same length, as he continues with his task.

"I once knew a girl who cut herself on purpose. Turns out her stepfather was abusing her." My voice sounds unfamiliar, softer and less strident than usual.

Kane doesn't answer but turns to me. His eyes remind me of the dark blue crystal ornaments my mom used to hang on the Christmas tree. His mouth is full and set firmly. I imagine, briefly, what it might be like to kiss him.

His eyes lock with mine. It seems he's gauging my reaction as his fingers take hold of the quilt. It glides down to my feet. I'm covered only by the see-through lingerie and the teensy pair of panties. But instead of curling up to hide my body, I arch my back to lift my breasts. My thighs fall open, exposing my pussy to the cool air of the room.

"Are you going to undress?" I hear the question coming from my own lips but have no idea where it came from. It's as if the nectar has let loose a hidden personality, a side of me where inhibitions are a nuisance and only get in the way.

"Tonight is exploration night," he says.

A sigh ushers from my lips. "Exploration sounds fun."

"Glad you are game. This always goes better with an open mind. How does the nectar make you feel?"

The question and the answer in my head send more heat through my core. I arch my back again to show him. Every one of my responses is unexpected. I can't stop myself.

Kane's long fingers brush apart the panels of the sheer fabric. My exposed breasts pucker in response and ache to be teased and pinched. His hand lifts over me. In the golden glow, I see a silver clip, a shiny clamp. A chain hangs from the clip and attaches to a matching clip.

One arm is still tethered to the bed, holding me captive to his whims. Kane watches me, waiting for my reaction as he squeezes open the clip and lowers it to my erect nipple. I suck in a breath and am internally debating what my reaction should be. I'm tense with fear at the pain it will bring and yet strangely excited for the same reason. The metal of the clip is cold. I flinch before holding perfectly still in anticipation. I curl my fists at the intense pinch as the clip tightens around my nipple. It's the ultimate tease, the perfectly exquisite feeling that sits right at the line between erotic pleasure and pain.

I cry out faintly as Kane tugs on the chain, increasing the sweet torture a little more. It seems his magic nectar has electrified every nerve ending in my body. Every touch spreads instantly through me and swirls directly to the new center of my universe, my pussy.

Kane strokes his fingertips over the skin of my stomach with one hand as he attaches the second clip to the nipple that has been waiting patiently for the same attention. He gives the chain a little tug. I arch my back to move with it, afraid to let the pain increase. All the while, enjoying the sensations each tug produces.

Kane's shirt has fallen open more exposing the deep hollow at the base of his throat, his muscular chest and the line of dark hair that leads down below his pants.

His hands smooth along the curves of my breasts while the clips bite at my nipples. "Well, Sweet Sin, how does that feel?"

The nickname he's derived from my cinnamon coloring makes me feel desirable and wanton. Even though it would have raised Detective Tennyson's hackles, I don't hate it.

"I don't understand." My voice has a slightly grainy quality. "Why am I enjoying it so much?"

His slight smile borders on proud. "The nectar unleashes your inner desires and allows you to enjoy things your inhibitions would have told you to hate."

"It scares me as much as it thrills me." All my deepest thoughts seem to be rolling off my lips.

He tugs the chain a little harder, causing more exquisite pain. But the true ache is between my legs. I instinctively spread my legs, encouraging attention below.

Kane takes the invite and lets his hand drift to the triangle of fabric. It's a small insignificant barrier between his touch and my pussy, but I silently curse it for being there. My legs spread farther, causing a low, deep groan to roll up from Kane's chest. He seems surprised by his reaction. For the first time, I see him lightly flustered.

He gets up quickly from the bed. I have to keep myself from begging him to return. How fucking insane is that, I think with mild terror. I want this stranger, the man who could very likely have killed three people, to come back to the bed, climb between my legs and fuck me until the bed cracks against the thick plaster walls.

I turn to watch him. He moves with incredible grace across the floor and picks up a softly upholstered wedge from the recess in the wall. He carries it to the bed and places it in the middle of the mattress. His jaw seems tense as if he's angry about something. His blue eyes remind me of ice.

"Have I done something wrong?" There's a slight waver in my voice.

Some of the chill in his expression melts. "Sweet Sin, I can only fault you for being too damn enticing." He walks around to the bed and unhooks my cuff from the post. I rub my tingling hand before placing it in the hand Kane is offering me.

His palm is cool and smooth. His grasp is more than firm as he takes hold of my hand and leads me on my knees to the tall side of the wedge. He reaches under my arm and tugs the nipple chain forward. I gasp at the sharp sensations and follow his hand. My upper body is resting along the downside of the wedge, effectively pushing my ass high in the air. I'm vaguely aware that my wrists are being fastened to the front of the wedge, securing me in an ultra vulnerable position. The nipple clips press into the tender flesh as my breasts push against the wedge. A blindfold is tied around my eyes, blinding me from his movements. Everything about it should frighten me. Instead, my body pulses with anticipation of what will come next.

The music turns on. Led Zeppelin is strumming through my brain taking me on an almost hallucinogenic trip that is so erotically charged I nearly come without being touched at all. A shuddering gasp leaves my lips as I feel the bed move under his weight. The fabric of his pants rubs my naked thigh. I quickly suppress the disappointment at discovering he is still clothed.

His hand runs sensually along my bare back, stopping at the tiny strap holding together the panties. One tug and they fall away. The only way I can sense his position is by the movement on the mattress. He's behind me now. Even through the drumbeat of the Zeppelin song, I can hear his shallow, fast breaths. Suddenly, without me realizing he's doing it, a rod has been placed between my feet keeping them far apart. Cool air laps at the hot moisture pooling between my legs. My clit is raw with wanting to be stroked, to feel the teasing pleasure that my nipples are experiencing. My head swims from the position I'm in and from being taken to the pinnacle of arousal. I bite my lip to keep from pleading for him to satisfy me. Something tells me he'd take too much pleasure from my pleas and delay it just to prolong my agony.

Longing to be satisfied, I squirm to feel the upholstered wedge against my pussy. His hand comes down on my ass with a sharp slap to stop me. "Patience, Sweet Sin. Remember, this is exploration night."

His large hands spread my ass wide. I suck in a sharp gasp as he pushes in a warm lubricated butt plug. I'm no prude by any stretch, but it's the first time I've experienced it. I clench against it at first and it slips out. Another sharp slap makes me cry out. Not with pain but with the need to be spanked again. He pushes the plug in firmly. I push my ass higher wanting more.

"Please." I hear the word and can hardly believe it's my own voice.

Somewhere behind me, I hear the pulsating sound of a vibrator. Tears pool in my eyes at the thought of being taken to orgasm. I'm so far along, it will only take a mere touch. The soft malleable tip of the sex toy presses against my clit, cradling it with a vibrating arm as the long, thick stem of it slides into my pussy. The ecstasy is instant and intense. I scream out in pleasure. I clutch the corners of the wedge for something to hold onto as the waves roll through my body.

The orgasm has barely slowed when Kane pushes the toy in again. As if he has an internal map of my body he presses it firmly over my g-spot. The explosion starts again. I'm so breathless my screams have turned to whimpers. My pussy convulses around the toy as my ass grabs hold of the plug. After the third orgasm, I'm crying and exhausted and want nothing more than to curl up in a strong pair of arms. Maddox's arms. The thought penetrates the fog in my head, clear as day.

Kane mercifully removes the vibrator. It takes minutes for my pulse and breathing to slow and my body to stop trembling.

I collapse over the wedge and half expect him to just leave me there, a crumpled, shivering shell of a woman. He releases my wrists and takes away the rod so my feet are free. The blindfold comes off next. It's done with a gentleness that is in full contrast to moments ago when he threw my body into a long marathon of mindblowing orgasms.

The music quiets to something more mellow. I feel myself growing heavy with a deeply satisfied exhaustion.

Absently, I reach back to pull the plug from my ass, but his firm grasps circles my arm, stopping my progress.

"Leave it," he commands with no explanation.

I try and lift my weak body from the wedge. I'm pleased when he lifts me and rolls me into his arms. My limbs and neck are limp like a rag doll's as I curl against him. My shoulder brushes against the smooth skin on his chest. It occurs to me it's the first time I've actually touched him.

Kane carries me to the vanity and takes a seat, cradling me in his arms and settling my naked ass on his lap. The plug moves in a little deeper and starts some of the erotic urges again, though I doubt I have the energy for more.

I'm instantly aware of the huge erection straining against the fabric of his pants. It makes me rethink my previous conclusion. He's a stranger and I'm there to ruin him. I'm there to bring his sordid operation down and nail him for murder, yet I'm so comforted by his arms, I'm close to weeping. The drug in my veins has made me so obedient, I feel he could ask me anything and I'd comply.

I rest my head against his hard shoulder, no longer able to hold it upright without great effort. I stare down as his large hands remove the clips from my nipples. I let go of a breath I don't realize I've been holding as the metal clasps release my tender flesh. There are an array of lotions and cosmetics on the vanity, put there for my use. Kane opens the lid on a jar of cream and dips his finger into it. He brings the cool, soothing dollop to my nipple. I moan in relief as he spreads the cream gently around it.

"Do you enjoy that, Sweet Sin? I formulated it myself."

"Hmm, it's like heaven in a jar. Do the spare set of fingers come with it? I think most of the enjoyment comes from the application."

His laugh is so quiet, I only feel it when his body vibrates beneath me. "I notice you have the number ten tattooed on your bottom. Is it significant?"

"Just a dare from a friend." My mind wafts back to that night. Maddox and I and some others were out celebrating a big drug bust. We got so drunk, somehow the discussion morphed to a game of truth or dare. Maddox asked me who I thought about more than anyone in the world. It was such a strange, unexpected question. Since there was no way to answer him, I took the dare. Get a tattoo. He said since my nickname was Ten and my ass was a ten, I should have the number tattooed on my ass. He didn't think I would do it, but he nearly fell over when I rolled the top of my jeans down to show him.

Kane spreads more cream on my skin.

I close my eyes for a second to enjoy the feel of it. "All your formulas, they're for women it seems."

"Good observation."

"Do you use these things to earn women's affection and love?" I have no idea why I ask it, but suddenly it seems important to understand Kane Freestone. He seems more complex than anyone I've ever met.

"No, there's nothing to love here." His deep voice rumbles through his chest as I press my face against him. "I do it because I enjoy giving women pleasure."

I lift my heavy head. His face is so close I can feel his breath on my chin, smell the fragrance of his soap, see the pure and utter loneliness in his eyes. "How can that be? What if you fall in love with someone? Wouldn't you move hell and earth to get them to love you?" My own latent feelings are coming to the surface. I tamp them down quickly to avoid letting too much slip.

"I do not love and there is nothing loveable about me. It works out well for everyone. Did you enjoy the exploration session?" he asks. Although I'm sure there is little doubt left about my answer.

I think about the question. I enjoyed it far more than I would have ever expected. It's as if some latent sexual desires were exposed. Still, there are other fantasies left untouched I realize as my mind drifts back to Maddox. I don't know if it's the drugs or being away from him for so long or just the fissure he left in my heart, but he is constantly in my thoughts.

"It was very nice," I say. I can feel his body tense some at my weak praise. I continue unabated. "But it wasn't the pure, raw sex, the feeling of two bodies pressed hard against each other, the vigorous, primal movement where two people are so turned on they are frantically holding, thrusting, kissing and slamming against each other. Where the friction between their bodies is even hotter than the actual penetration. It wasn't that. It was just really satisfying. But for you?" I ask. "I guess it was just another day at the office for you? Do you treat all your new women to this exploration?"

Kane doesn't answer at first, and it seems he doesn't plan to. Beneath my bottom, I can still feel his hard cock pushing against me. "Not everyone," is his full answer.

He reaches over to the jar of cream and spreads a luxurious trail of it down my stomach. I mewl lightly at the feel of his cream slick fingers on my skin. It relaxes me while at the same time causing my pussy to awaken. It's still tender and aching as he moves his fingers toward it. My thighs relax and fall apart, giving him full access. Almost involuntarily, I turn my face toward him and lick my lips in anticipation of a kiss. He doesn't meet my invitation. He seems, in fact, determined not to kiss me. I ignore the disappointment and instead focus on why I want the kiss in the first place. Is it the drug? Or is it just the shallow side of me, the new sexually awakened side that can dismiss his obvious faults and crave his kiss for the sole reason that he is an exceptionally beautiful man.

The awkward kiss moment passes. Kane drags the cooling lotion along the newly bare skin of my pussy. His large fingers slip between the folds and over my clit.

I grab the edge of his shirt, clutching it tightly as he penetrates me with first one, then two fingers. I'm stunned to find that even after multiple orgasms, my body is wound tight with erotic energy and ready for explosive release again. Kane is a master. He puts just enough pressure on my clit as his fingers fuck me. I close my thighs around his arm. My ass holds tightly to the plug, pulling it in with each contraction of my muscles and reaching some unknown g-spot I never realized I had.

An involuntary moan rolls off my lips. The sound of it seems to produce the most reaction I've seen yet from the cool, calm man holding me. His cock thumps against the side of my hip and a low growl ushers from his throat.

"Yes," I say on a whisper as I grind with new urgency against the pressure of his hand. "Yes, please. Fuck, yes." My body splinters apart. My pussy explodes into a million hot splashes of pleasure. The pulsating waves slow but I'm still clutching his shirt, worried that if I let go I'll slip to the floor like a limp, lifeless doll. I finally relax some and collapse against him. His body tenses beneath me again. I can hear his heart slamming against his chest.

"And no, Sweet Sin," he says quietly. "This is absolutely not another day at the office for me."

Moments later, after his hard to untangle response, I doze off sitting securely in his lap.