Handcuffed in Housewares: Tulle and Tulips, Book 3 by Nikki Duncan Page A

floor where she’d first seen him, was Burton. Unlike the first time, he had clothes on. Like the first time, he seemed to be cuffed to the toilet.
    She was torn between laughter and the desire to scold him. Her question came out as a little of both. “What have you done?”
    “There’s a perfect explanation.” He grinned as he shook his hands a little, rattling the cuffs against the pipe. “I don’t suppose you grabbed a skewer?”
    “You want me to use it on you this time?” She popped a hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes. The way he was grinning, she knew he was playing some game. Since he was doing it when there were still customers around she also knew it wasn’t sex related. “What are you up to?”
    “I’m asking a beautiful woman for help.”
    “Burton.” If she was reading him wrong, if he was asking her to play some crazy, exhibitionist game, asking her to play out a fantasy… No. He’d never be so bold in an open store. He understood her better than that.
    “Come on, Leigh.” He winked. “I could use a hand down here. The key is hard to reach.”
    “You did this to yourself? What is wrong with you?” Shaking her head, she sat her things on the floor and moved forward. “What explanation could you possibly have this time?
    “I can’t believe you’re doing this.” She was getting onto a roll as she reached beneath the toilet for his hands. “You’ve cuffed yourself to the toilet in a busy store during open hours.” In a flash, she found her wrists cuffed together and he was pulling back to freedom.
    “Leigh,” Jonathan spoke from behind her. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
    “Burton.” Her heart pounded like she’d just run all out for several miles with demons chasing her. “I’m working,” she whispered. “If you’re here to get your ass kicked you won’t be disappointed.”
    “She’s fine.” Burton spoke over her head and then smiled at her. “Tell him you’re fine, Leigh.”
    Jonathan stepped away from Kelly and moved in with determination on his face. If he thought to protect her from Burton, he was sweet, but Burton would win. “It’s fine, Jonathan.”
    Grinning triumphantly, Burton moved to Leigh’s side and knelt. His smile never wavered. Kelly and Jonathan watched them with interest. Leigh’s cheeks burned with humiliation and anger.
    “I wanted to make sure you were a captive audience.”
    “I’m here with clients.”
    “I know. They’re part of why I didn’t actually cuff you to the toilet.” He took her elbow in a hand and pulled her hands out from below the toilet. “The other part is because I knew you’d hate me for it.”
    “Yeah, no way this is going to upset me.” She held her hands up with the cuffs jangling around her wrists. She glared up at him.
    “This is the unexpected man.” Kelly practically bounced in her shoes. “He wants to relive that first meeting.” The woman covered her heart with her hand and sighed dramatically. “That’s so romantic.”
    More like irritating. “Uncuff me.”
    “Not yet.” He shook his head and helped her up to sit on the commode. He knelt before her.
    “Burton? Uncuff me.”
    He shook his head. “I’ve been thinking. About you. Us. And I’ve come to a decision.”
    “Awwww.” Kelly cooed.
    “Come on, Kelly.” Jonathan pulled at his fiancée. “Let’s give them some privacy.”
    Privacy. Such a great concept, and if Jonathan managed to get Kelly away Leigh would give them a discount on her services as a thank you gift.
    “But I want to know what happens?”
    “You can call her later. Thank you for the help today, Leigh.” Jonathan pulled Kelly away before she could argue.
    Finally alone, except for the employees going through their closing duties, Leigh found herself relaxing a little.
    Burton brushed his thumb over her knuckles and held up a key. “You have the power to release yourself. You only have to ask.” He released the cuff on her right wrist and then handed her