“Pull it up slowly,” he ordered. “Reveal one beautiful inch at a time.”
Somehow he made herfeelbeautiful. As if she wasn’t a housekeeper lifting a shabby nightgown but a siren shedding silken veils for her master. She drew her hem up bit by bit, her blood thrumming as his sensual commentary continued.
“Such pretty toes,” he said. “And those calves, they gripped my hips so nicely when I rubbed my cock against your slit. Did you like that, pet?”
Her hands trembled at the memory, and she almost lost her grip on her nightgown.
“Very much,” she said truthfully.
“Keep going, love. Show me what a fortunate man I am.”
Her heart racing, she raised the material higher. When she exposed her sex, his eyelids lowered halfway, and his voice had a guttural edge.
“By Jove, you’re a tempting piece. I can see your dew on that lovely red hair of yours. It makes my mouth water. Do you know why?”
Blood rushed under her skin; she felt hot all over. “Because you want to taste me?”
“More than taste,” he chided. “Pet, I am going to eat you like you are my last meal.”
Blooming hell.When she squeezed her thighs together, she felt the slickness of her arousal.
“You like that idea, I see.” His eyes had a wolfish gleam. “We’ll get to that once I finish enjoying my show.”
The sizeable bulge in his lap confirmed his appreciation. Knowing that she’d brought about his aroused state emboldened her. She turned around, giving a saucy wiggle of her bottom. When he let out a ragged breath, she felt a heady rush of accomplishment. Unbuttoning her nightgown, she drew it over her head and let it fall on the ground. She kept her back turned to him, covering her chest with her arms, throwing him a flirty glance over her shoulder.
“My naughty girl is showing off,” he said with approval. “You know how beautiful and special you are, don’t you?”
Her throat swelled. “I feel special when I’m with you.”
“You are special always,” he corrected. “Turn around, please.”
She did, letting her arms fall to her sides. She’d never felt more exposed, yet when he raked his flame-hot gaze over her, she didn’t feel embarrassed or shy…she feltcoveted.As if she belonged to Ethan, and he to her. The intensity of the feeling blocked out everything else.
“You are a feast for the eyes,” Ethan said. “You know that, don’t you?”
I do. Because of you.
“Yes, sir,” she replied demurely. “But the only eyes I care about are yours.”
“Such pretty words.” He crooked a finger at her. “Time to see what else that talented mouth of yours can do.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Xenia walked to him like Aphrodite emerging from the sea. Her tresses played peekaboo with her mouthwatering curves, and her eyes shone with beguiling new confidence. There was also a hint of mischief in her smile…that of a minx who was discovering her own sensual power. Under normal circumstances, Ethan found Xenia irresistible. At present, his rampant erection threatened to push through the panels of his robe.
His pulse broke into a staccato when she halted in the vee of his legs and started to kneel. Christ, he liked the way her mind worked. However, he wouldn’t last if she put her mouth on his cock, and he wanted to draw out the pleasure.
“Hold that thought, pet.” He circled his fingers around her wrist, dragging her onto his lap. “I want to taste your mouth first before I enjoy it in other ways.”
Given that she was naked and straddling him, it seemed impossible that she could look innocent. Yet she turned a charming shade of pink that turnedhiminto a territorial beast. He couldn’t believe that this sweet girl had fallen into his lap—figuratively as well as literally—and he burned to claim her as his. Although she insisted their affair had no strings, she was wrong: their bond was growing stronger day by day. She’d trusted him enough to talk about her follower, and she’d come to his room, panicked by a dream of him coming to harm. He could discuss his family and his music with her—the fears and hopes that were too tender to share with anyone else.
Each kiss, each touch—hell, each argument they had—deepened their relationship. He’d never been this intimate with any woman before, and he hadn’t even made love to her fully. While he had much to learn about her past, he nonetheless knewher—the woman she was, the woman…
The woman I am falling in love with.
The knowledge soared through him like a Bach hymnal. With Constance, he’d envisioned a calm and conventional future. With Xenia, he didn’t know what the future would bring, but he didn’t care…as long as she was in it.
“Kiss me,” he ordered.
