Marcus's lips curled into a satisfied smile at Samantha's response. His amber eyes gleamed with approval as he gestured for her to assume a waiting pose. Samantha obeyed, her body quivering with a heady mixture of excitement and nervousness.
With a deliberate slowness that sent shivers down Samantha's spine, he circled around her, his predatory grace reminiscent of a lethal panther stalking its prey in the moonlit jungle.
Samantha held the pose, acutely aware of Marcus's piercing gaze on her. The seconds stretched into minutes as anticipation coiled tightly within her, each passing moment heightening her senses to a fever pitch.
Finally, Marcus moved in front of her, his presence overwhelming yet strangely comforting. He raised a hand to cup her chin, his touch both tender and possessive.
He approached with a length of silk rope, his eyes dark with intent.
"Your reward is the delicate art of restraint," he whispered.