I suppress a shiver and turn my arms and examine the pale corset-style fastening of ribbon.
‘Exquisite.’ Kai clasps my forearm in one hand, his fingers stroking the ribbon, a ghost of a smile touching his lips in the soft light.
And he looks pretty exquisite himself, not that I can find the words to tell him so as he begins tightening the ribbons, each tug somehow wired to between my legs. Dark, slim fitting pants coat his thighs deliciously, and he’s even wearing a tie; skinny and fastened rakishly loose around his dark collar. I can’t wait to loosen it some more.
‘You look...’ I search my vacuous mind for the appropriate compliment.What are the words? Studly? Hot? Take me, take me now?‘Awesome,’ I finish.Great. I sound like a complete deadhead.Where does my vocabulary disappear to when he’s around? I could probably manage to adddudefor good measure, but I’m sure that’s not going to cut it tonight.
Ignoring my lack of eloquence, Kai takes my hand in his, pirouetting me across the floor. My dress billows out around my thighs, his eyes and mouth laughing along with me. The fact that I’m almost dancing is testament to how eager I am to have his hands on me. I feel all kinds of giddy as I come to a stop, his hands clasping my waist as I exhale a whispery breath.
‘But there’s something missing,’ he whispers solemnly. I glance down at my clothing, not sure what he means as he moves behind me. ‘Close your eyes.’
Anticipation swirls through me, the weight of his cologne amplifying my eagerness. As I close my eye, images of silks and blindfolds swirl behind my lids, causing me to shiver. I almost don’t notice as something weighty falls between my breasts.
‘Lay a woman captive in wreaths of gold.’ His voice is low, his mouth a whisper from my ear. ‘Drape her in stones.’ His fingers trails the valley between my breasts and, on instinct, I hold my breath. ‘For this woman has known possession... Open your eyes,habibti.’
‘Oh, Kai, it’s beautiful,’ I whisper, the chain held out between my fingers.
‘It’s notquitestones.’ His arms tighten around my waist, his voice brimming with mischief.
‘Diamonds are stones,’ I answer, quietly. I frown, holding the pendant out to better see. Hanging from a silver coloured chain is a delicate trio of glittering diamonds, each interspersed with a silver-grey pearl of an equal size. ‘‘Did youjust give... me a... pearl necklace?’
I try to deepen my frown unsuccessfully, realising where his amusements stems—the conversation we’d had in his car outside the school, the day he’d invited me to the gallery. I’d asked him what a thirteenth-century evening with me would be worth, relating it to the story ofLayla and Kais. Somehow I’d ended up offering him...this... the thing lying between my breasts. Only the stickier version.
Because I’m classy like that.
‘One on account,’ he adds, releasing me. ‘And you look beautiful, Kate.’
I can’t look at him, the sincerity in his tone twisting his words in my chest. Instead, I straighten my belt, while staring at my new shoes. ‘I look like a Grecian slave girl. One of her master’s favourites.’
I sense him still for a moment before a small, appreciative laugh bubbles from his chest.
‘What?’ I ask, looking up.
With a small, rueful laugh, his eyes travel from my shoes to my face in obvious appreciation. ‘How is it you always know what to say to make me instantly hard?’
I shrug one, fake-unaffected shoulder. ‘Secret talent. Can’t tell.’
Yet inside, I feel like I’ve been lit from within.
