Finally alone Amelia curled up in the family room, her laptop on the glass coffee table. Her dad had recently left for work and her mom had taken her brother Gabe to finish his Christmas shopping. Gabe always left it to the last few days. Amelia had only arrived home that morning; her exams had run late into the month, causing her to miss the beginning of the holidays. She’d only come home a few days ahead of her relatives who would soon be arriving at their custom-built country home for an extended stay.

Each year her grandparents, her aunt and uncle, and their three kids joined them for the holidays. Amelia’s parents had established themselves years ago as the annual Christmas hosts. Their parties simply couldn’t be beat, and the fact their extensive grounds could more than house all the family members certainly helped.

Taking this opportunity to enjoy the sanctuary of her childhood home before it became filled to the rafters, Amelia leaned over her laptop and opened the DVD driver to start the CD before she could change her mind. Sinking back into the couch, she waited for the videos to begin.

Amelia bit her lip in nervous anticipation as the first images flooded the screen. On the monitor, she watched as a man clad in black leather pants and nothing else restrained a woman. Slowly he raised one arm and then the other, locking them in place above her head. With her suspended from the ceiling, the man went about binding her feet to the floor. Naked and spread eagle, the woman moaned for the Dom. He denied her, slowly raking his hand over her exposed ass.

Growing wet between her legs, Amelia realized it had been too long since she’d had a man. Her body strained for more than her simple touch, but since she and her boyfriend had split two months ago, she’d just have to make do. To heighten her pleasure, she resisted her own needs, merely watching the two on the screen.

Amelia waited before she finally allowed herself to raise her own hand against her crotch. Pressing the palm of her hand against her jeans, she watched as the woman cried out in a mix of pain and pleasure as the man spanked her over and over. Moaning aloud with the video, Amelia abandoned her restraint, rocking against her hand. Her eyes drifted shut as she tugged on the button of her jeans, eager to touch herself, and begin working toward her climax.

A cough sounded behind her. She froze.

“What a great way to start my morning.”

No longer alone, Amelia’s eyes whipped open. She’d been so caught up in the moment, she never even heard him approach. Moving quickly, she slammed the lap top closed. With the sounds of the porno cut off, Amelia whirled around. Embarrassment crashed over her in waves as she found herself standing face to face with Nick, her brother’s best friend.

She could feel his eyes on her as she gathered up her computer, hugging it to her chest. She peeked at him from behind her makeshift shield. Although she hadn’t seen much of him in recent years, he could still take her breath away. His hair was sleep tousled, and he stood in nothing but his pajama bottoms. His broad chest was as bare as his feet, his expression dark and confused.

She realized he was waiting for an explanation. Instead, she went on the defensive. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He blinked. “I’m here for the holidays, like every year.”

Amelia pressed a hand to her forehead. Of course.

“My mom didn’t tell me you were here yet,” she said lamely as though that explained her odd behaviour.

“Three days.”

At a standstill, they merely stared each other down. What he thought of her in that moment, she didn’t want to know. She could feel her cheeks heating and found herself wondering how long he had been standing there watching her.

Rounding the couch, she considered how many days she could hide in her room before her parents dragged her out. With any luck, she would manage to avoid Nick for a few days at the very least.

Aiming to shoulder her way past him so she could make a break for the stairs, Amelia put on a brave face and stalked toward him. His big body didn’t budge as she tried to manoeuvre around him.

Attempting to edge by, she mumbled, “You know, maybe we could just forget about this. You know, pretend I’m just not here yet.” She tried for a winning smile, but it faded when she saw humour light his eyes. Growing up, he and Gabe had teased her endlessly, and now she’d handed him ammunition.

“I don’t think so.” He took a step closer to her. She had to tilt her head to keep his gaze. Rascal that he was, he had the audacity to crack a smile at her discomfort. Her body was still primed for the orgasm she’d been denied. His nearness didn’t help matters. Masculinity and dominance rolled off him. People took notice when he entered a room. He wasn’t the broad and bulky type, but he was lean with a casual grace that made women think stamina.

“I can’t believe it. Never would I have thought Gabe’s little sister is such a perv.”

She narrowed her eyes, convinced he was merely trying to get a rise out of her. Well, she’d shock him right back. “It’s just a little kink.”

His smile deepened. It worried her.

“I trust you won’t tell anyone.” She tried to keep the pleading out of her tone.

“What’s it worth to you?”

This was the Nick she remembered from her childhood—rebel, tease, scoundrel. She gritted her teeth and insisted, “You won’t tell.”

“Well that depends on you, sweetheart.”

Her gaze dropped to his mouth. Amelia fought the surge of butterflies that soared at his softly spoken words. “What do you want?”