Erin stood with her hands on her hips. “There’s no way in hell I’m letting you tie me up.”
Warren set the camera down and picked up the rope. “I swear I’m not going to tie it tight.”
“I don’t care, Warren. Don’t you even care that I have a fear of being tied up?” She screamed at him, her eyes wide.
“Merinthophobia, yes. For God sakes, it’s just for a few moments, just so I can get the shot from the angles I need. Then I’ll put the breakaway ropes on for the rest of the scene.” He took a few steps toward her, unraveling the rope in his hands.
“Why don’t you just use those in the first place?” Erin crossed her arms and backed away from him.
“Because it won’t look realistic if I do all the shots with the breakaway.” Warren pouted. “Please, pretty please, with sugar on top.”
“What do I get out of this?” Erin pushed her red hair away from her face in agitation.
“My respect?”
She scoffed. “You’ll never get that.”
Warren frowned and dropped his hands to his sides. “Ouch. I may need a week to recover from that blow.”
“We may have been friends for the last ten years, but that doesn’t mean I trust you.” She pointed at the coil in his hands. “Especially with that.”
“What will it take for you to let me do this?”
“Two million dollars and a week on the beach with Tom Hiddleston.” Erin grinned at him.
“I’m serious. I’ll grant you anything within my power—” he gave her a pointed look “—if you let me do this. Five minutes, cross my heart.”
“Anything?” Erin arched her brow.
“I swear.” Warren marked an x over his heart with his finger.
“Fine.” She crossed over to the tree and gestured toward the rope. “Go ahead.”
“Really?” He hurried over and began binding her wrists, then wrapped the rope around the tree. His hands brushed the bare skin of her arms as he tied her. When he finished, he glanced up. “Are you okay?”
Erin’s eyes were squeezed closed, her breathing rapid, and her lips pressed together. She nodded and took a deep breath. Warren turned to reach for his camera when her voice stopped him.
“Kiss me, Warren.”
He turned and faced her. Their eyes locked. He approached her, slow and hesitant. “What did you say?”
“My request in exchange for you binding me.” Her voice wavered for a moment. “I want you to kiss me.” She licked her lips. “Kiss me as though it’s your only salvation, claim me.”
Warren ran his fingers across her bare shoulder and trailed them up her neck. Grasping the back of her head, he leaned close and whispered against her lips. “I knew you were lying.”

Well, well, well…that surprised even me. 🙂 What do you think happened here?

❤