Page 50
He gave her a disbelieving look, then leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin.
“I've controlled myself for more than thirty years. Now that you're finally my wife, you expect me to keep controlling myself?” He leaned closer until his lips hovered just above hers, his voice dropping to a low whisper. “What do you think am I? A monk?”
She met his challenging stare, feeling a mix of intimidation and thrill as he continued, “Do you want me to help you wear that dress, or will you put it on and show me?”
Her brow furrowed as she took a deep breath, processing his words. “I will wear it and show you,” she finally replied, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.
His expression shifted from soft to smoldering, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He pulled away, lifting his body off hers, and she exhaled a sigh of relief, her body trembling slightly from the intensity of the moment.
“Come downstairs; I’ll be waiting for you,” he commanded, tossing his watch onto the side table. “You have fifteen minutes. If you’re not down by then, I’m coming up.” His gaze held a warning that sent a shiver down her spine.
With that, he turned and strode down the stairs, leaving the room empty and still. She took a shaky breath and glanced at the dress on the bed. Her heart raced, thudding so hard it felt like it might burst. Biting her lip, she grabbed the dress and slipped into the bathroom.
After a quick shower, she dressed, the silk gliding over her skin like water. The black fabric hugged her curves, the plunging neckline revealing a tantalizing hint of cleavage, while the thin straps barely clung to her shoulders. The back of the dress was daringly open, crisscrossing to expose her skin just above her hips, while the sheer netting along her stomach and lace sides teased her modesty. She felt both exposed and ashamed as she tensed, steeling herself before stepping out of the room.
Descending the stairs, the house was quiet, dimly lit shadows dancing around her.
“Silas?” she called softly, her voice echoing in the stillness. After a moment, she heard footsteps approaching.
Turning, she saw him walking toward her, shirtless, his damp hair glistening. He wore trousers that hung low, accentuating his chiseled abs.
“Did you shower in the guest room?” she asked, glancing toward the nearby door.
He didn’t answer, his gaze sweeping over her with an intensity that ignited heat beneath her skin. Suddenly self-conscious, she instinctively placed her hands over her neckline, attempting to shield herself, but the dress offered little coverage.
He halted in front of her, their eyes locking, his burning gaze piercing through her defenses. One hand slid to her waist, pulling her close until their bodies collided. With a swift motion, he lifted her off the ground, carrying her to the grand piano that stood in the center of the living room. He set her down on its cool surface, the chill of the wood sending a jolt through her.
The contrast of the cold piano against her warm skin made her shiver, but his heat enveloped her as he pressed against her. Her hands instinctively wrapped around his shoulders, drawing him closer. He positioned himself between her legs, standing tall as he gazed into her eyes, their bodies entwining in a silent conversation.
In the next heartbeat, his hands found the back of her head, cradling it gently as he leaned down to capture her lips in a kiss. Their mouths moved together, hot and urgent, a dance of desire that quickly enveloped them. Breath mingled, their lips colliding with a raw intensity that left her momentarily dazed, lost in the fervor of his touch.
He pressed his mouth against hers, kissing her deeply, his tongue exploring as if trying to memorize every contour. His hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, while his other arm wrapped around her waist, fingers tracing the soft skin just beneath her shirt, igniting a hunger within him that was both unfamiliar and exhilarating.
For the first time, he felt pure, unrestrained lust for Alison, a need so primal it consumed him entirely. The kiss turned wild and desperate, sending shivers through his body.
Just as she began to lose herself in the moment, he pulled back slightly, and she felt something cool slip over her eyes, plunging her into darkness. Panic fluttered in her chest as her vision vanished, replaced by an all-encompassing blackness. She stood there, breathless, her heart racing as silence enveloped them.
Then, without warning, he lifted her from the piano, cradling her effortlessly. For a fleeting moment, she felt weightless, surrendering to him completely. He set her down gently, then seized her wrists, lifting them above her head. A soft fabric encircled her wrists, binding them securely.
Unease rippled through her as her breaths quickened, but before she could voice her concern, he was upon her again. His hand slid possessively around her waist as he pressed his lips to hers, the urgency in his kisses intensifying her unease.
His scent surrounded her, intoxicating and overwhelming, as he trailed kisses down her neck and across her collarbone, moving lower until his hands gripped her ankles, spreading her legs apart.
“Silas,” she whispered, instinctively jerking her leg in protest, but he remained undeterred, tying her ankles wide apart.
Alison’s breath caught in her throat, the chill in the air doing nothing to warm her skin as his fingers glided up from her ankles, traveling slowly along her calves and thighs, teasing the hem of her dress as he pushed it higher.
His body pressed against hers, and he leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear as he murmured, “I haven’t seen anything as beautiful as you, Alison.”
His teeth grazed her earlobe, causing her to stiffen and shiver at the sensation. He caressed her cheek tenderly before pulling back slightly, his fingers dancing across her hips, his thumb brushing over her lips.
“Open your mouth,” he instructed softly.
Nervously, she licked her lips, hesitating for just a moment before complying. Something slid into her mouth—a small ball—and he tightened the grip behind her head, ensuring she couldn’t escape.
His fingers glided over her skin, tracing a path down her neck as his mouth found its way to her throat, biting and licking with an insatiable hunger. Allison gasped for breath, but he was relentless—his rough kisses traveling from her throat to the delicate curve of her neck and between her breasts.
His hands roamed, one teasingly brushing over her breast while the other gripped her hips firmly. He licked her lips, coaxing her into a soft moan, then slid his hands down to her thighs, tugging at her panties before tossing them aside carelessly.
