So while she snuck into the structure via the back alley, probably cocky enough to ride the elevator, Ronin hauled ass, sprinting for the stairs. He stopped on the fourth level to catch his breath.
He welcomed the chill in the night air as he listened for her. Was that the ping of the elevator? He peered around the edge of the stairwell and watched as the doors opened.
No one exited.
Son of a bitch. She’d pulled the same fake elevator car ride trick that he had.
Or maybe she’s in the corner of the elevator car where you can’t see her.
Either way, when the elevator moved to the lower floor, so did Ronin.
Hurling himself down two sets of metal stairs, three stair treads at a time, tested the stability of his knee. It also played hell on his stealthy ninja attempt because Amery could hear him coming.
He reached the third level of the garage the same time the elevator doors opened and Amery stepped out. She made the mistake of stopping and looking around.
That’s when she saw Ronin.
That’s when she started to run.
Oh, I really gotcha now, baby.
Even though half a garage length separated them, Ronin kicked his stride into sprint stage and grabbed her from behind about ten feet from her car.
He had to give her credit; she didn’t scream, but she did try to employ some of the self-defense tactics he’d taught her.
Tried and failed—but tried nonetheless.
He pushed her against the closest vehicle, keeping her wrists together as he freed the short length of rope and quickly tied her hands. Then he put his mouth to her ear. “Don’t scream.”
“What are you going to do to me?”
“Punish you.”
“But I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“Then why did you run?”
“Because I was scared.”
Ronin spun her back around and wrapped his hand around the front of her throat. “You claim that you didn’t do anything wrong, but I got you dead to rights. You confessed to breaking my rules at the dojo. Blatant violations result in punishment as your Sensei sees fit. Do you understand?”
That hot little pink tongue of hers darted out and licked her lips—a sure sign of her arousal. His c**k was already hard—hell, he’d been semihard since she’d sauntered into his office and challenged him.
“I said, Do you understand?” he repeated.
“Uh, yeah.”
Ronin got nose to nose with her. “The correct answer is yes, sir; yes, Sensei; or yes, Master Black. Uh, yeah is not one of them.”
“Yes, Master Black. I understand.” She pulled back from him and tossed her head. “Now, can we get on with it?”
“Such a sassy mouth.” Ronin crowded her until she didn’t have anyplace to go and her back bowed over the car’s trunk. He traced the seam of her mouth with his tongue and then brushed whisper-soft kisses across her pouty lips. “I’m torn between gagging you and keeping your jaw hinged open so I can use your mouth however I want.”
Amery’s eyes widened. “What do you plan on doing to me?”
“Punishing you. But, baby, I will make sure the punishment fits the crime.” He kissed her with brutal possession.
She pressed her chest to his, trying to get closer, and ravaged his mouth with equal ferocity.
Ronin slid his palm to the nape of her neck and pulled her upright as he continued to kiss her. Then he ripped his mouth free. “I’m taking you back to the dojo. I’m not sure if this garage has working surveillance cameras, so I can’t do the full restraint here. Don’t try to escape.”
“And what if I do?”
“Escape?”
She nodded.
Ronin laughed. “Won’t happen. But if you even try? Punishment is double. And for you that means double the amount of rope and twice the time I’d keep you bound. Let’s go.” He kept his hand wrapped around her binding as he steered her toward the elevator.
As soon as they were in the elevator, Amery said, “Is that a length of rope in your pocket, or are you just happy to capture me?”
Although inside he was laughing at the boldness that reminded him of the first night they’d met, he didn’t crack a smile. “Gag it is.”
Amery cranked her head around to glare at him.
“Keep it up and you’ll just add to your punishment.”
She immediately faced forward with a huff.
Once they were almost out of the parking garage, she said, “May I ask you a question, sir?”
“Yes. Doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”
“How did you find me so fast?”
“Secret ninja stealth tricks.” He helped her over the concrete embankment and stopped. “Did you really think you had a chance of getting away from me?”
“Yes.”
Ronin kissed the back of her head. “I love that you’re an optimist.” He directed her to the back door.
She didn’t speak until they were in his private elevator. “Why aren’t you meting out my punishment in the dojo, since that’s where my alleged infractions occurred?”
“Because there are cameras everywhere, and I didn’t think you’d want anyone seeing you bound, punished, and f**ked.”
“That’s how you knew where I’d gone! You just watched the camera feed. That’s cheating.”
“No, a modern-day samurai uses every technological edge to gain the advantage. Besides, even without the visual assistance, I’d guessed correctly in which way you’d attempt to escape.”