“Why?”
“No reason.” His lips tightened in disapproval. Hailey hesitated, then seemed to remember the terms of her bargain. Her words were reluctant. “My parent’s believed sex was wrong. I grew up on the notion that the act was something behind closed doors, something to be ashamed of.”
“Go on,” he urged, taking the time to light a cigarette. Sometimes, he loved to indulge in the vice he’d quit years ago, and this weekend was all about chasing pleasure. He was patient as she gathered her thoughts.
“I heard stories from others, stories of wild encounters that left women helpless for more. I was scared. I never wanted to lose any control over my life, afraid I’d become a man’s play toy and then be left behind. I decided it would be easier to ignore sex and go after the things that were safe.”
He took a deep pull on the cigarette and blew out the smoke in a lazy circle. “Do you ever pleasure yourself?”
A blush stained her cheeks when she thought of the torturous nights and her dreams. “No.”
“But you’ll leave these reservations behind for our bargain?”
She nodded. “If you command me to.”
He gave a slow smile. Pink flushed her cheeks, and he realized there was a lot he hadn’t known about Hailey. Particularly that she may have some submissive tendencies that could be teased out. He intended to take his time offering up various sexual scenarios so he knew what turned her on. He’d played with taking a dominant role in the bedroom before, but always craved more. Maybe this was as much his opportunity as hers. “Good. I admire control in a woman. The proper control can extend sexual pleasure for hours on end. Take your dress off.”
Her fingers fumbled slightly on the back zipper. The tab slid down and the hiss cut through the silence. The material pooled at her feet. She wore a black garter belt and sheer black stockings with heels. A black lacy bra molded her breasts. Her breathing became heavier, but she managed to stand quietly before him. The smoke drifted through the room and mixed with the scent of her arousal. God, he couldn’t wait to taste her. “Let’s go over the rules.”
She blinked but remained still.
“Keep your gaze on me at all times. Listen to what I ask. If anything I do is too much, or you want me to stop, say red.”
“Why not no?”
“Because you may say no out loud but still crave me to continue. To push your barriers. It may excite you to know I’m not listening when you say no. That way, I know red means we stop immediately. Or you can ask me to slow down. Do you feel comfortable with that?”
She nodded.
“Good. When you hear the bell signaling the end of the party, you’ll put your clothes back on and leave without another word. I’ll meet you back here tomorrow night. Agreed?”
“Yes.” She barely whispered the word.
“Take off your bra. I want to look at you.” She unclasped the garment and dropped it on the floor. Her white breasts were heavy and ripe, tipped with pale pink nipples. Minutes ticked by as he drank his fill. A delicate flush washed over her body, almost as if she felt his hot gaze on her like a touch. “You were made to have a man touch you. Take your hands and caress yourself. That’s right, feel the pointed tips of your nipples. Now imagine my own hands on you, my tongue licking at them, biting them. I would spend a long time just working your breasts, Hailey, refusing to touch any other part of your body. Now slide your underwear down and leave your garter and stockings on.”
He watched her chest rise and fall in tortured breathing. Caribbean blue eyes blazed at him, a mixture of shame, anger, and wanting, but she never took her gaze from his. The panties
slid down her legs. Fiery red curls beckoned him from across the room, and his cock throbbed to thrust inside her tight, wet heat. He stroked himself lazily as he watched her, enjoying the anticipation of what was to come like fine wine.
“You’re so fucking perfect. I want to show what you’ve been missing by not exploring your own body.” He loved the struggle on her face—the obvious need for more and reluctance to be exposed. “Slide your hand down your belly. That’s right. Place your palm between your legs. Do you feel the heat?”
Her eyes half closed, obviously fighting herself. “Yes.”
“Are you wet?”
She shuddered but remained in control, not moving. “Yes.”
“Good. Let’s test this will power, shall we?” He studied the graceful curve of her neck, the slight color on her cheeks. Her lower lip trembled, as if hating to give up her control but determined to stick to the bargain.
Theo softened his tone. He knew she was afraid and wanted to calm her. “You remind me of one of the paintings on the wall, with your red hair and lush body. I need to see more of you,
baby. You belong to me for the next three nights, and I intend on enjoying every inch of you. Part your legs.”
She stiffened. He waited. Then she widened her stance.
Theodore sucked in his breath at the sight of her delicate pink lips, slick with moisture. He ground out his cigarette and forced himself to stay where he was until he gained control. God, how he wanted to stick his tongue up her wetness and taste her. Spread her legs wider and thrust into her clingy heat until her screams echoed in his ears. He laughed low with pleasure. And he would. But not tonight. Tonight was about foreplay, and he intended to enjoy the torture. He'd waited over a year for her; one more night would only heighten the climax.
Slowly, he closed the distance between them. Like a predator in flight, he circled around and allowed the folds of his cape brush against her naked buttocks. Hailey shuddered, desperate to keep her hunger in check.
