Page 74

I spot the damn cellphone still clutched in her hand, the death grip on it like she’s welded to it.

“Put the goddamn phone down, Keely,” I growl.

Her head snaps downward. “What? Oh…”

I stalk to her and hold out my hand. She regards me warily for a few seconds before she gives me the phone. My fingers curl over it, and a burning desire to know every last one of her secrets explodes through me. I could know them if I choose to, and for a heartbeat I weigh the risk/reward ratio.

Her tongue darts out and licks her lower lip and the rewards swing back in favor of carnal pleasure.

“I saidstrip. You make me ask you a third time, and this takes a turn you won’t be ready for.”

Her fingers flex, and she’s torn between smart-mouthing me and doing as I ask. Her need wins, and one hand goes to the side zipper.

I hold my breath as she pulls it down. She’s braless, and I can’t make up my mind if that pleases me or pisses me off.

“You always go without a bra, kitten?” The urge to touch a finger to that hard, furling peak smashes through me, but I stay my ground.

“When I feel like it, yes.”

“From now on, I tell you when to wear a bra and when to go without. Got it?”

Her mouth gapes, but knowledge flares in her eyes as she stares at me. Slowly, she nods. “Okay.”

I shake my head. “Okaydoesn’t do it for me. Try again.”

Her lashes quiver as she fights against narrowing them. “Yes, Mas— Mason.” She chokes on the word she almost said.

I eat the smile threatening to explode and cup my cock, whichwillexplode if I don’t fuck this woman in the next three minutes.

Her gaze drops to where I’m stroking myself, and she quickly shimmies out of her dress and kicks it away. I pause to stare at her lush curves, caught between visions of demon-burying bliss and soul-shredding guilt. The opposing emotions threaten to tear me apart.

I fist my free hand and ground myself with deep breaths.

“Are… are you okay?” she asks hesitantly.

I want to laugh. I want to howl. I want to destroy myself. I want to destroy her. “No, I’m not.” I release the first few buttons of my shirt and tug it over my head. “Slide your middle finger between your pussy lips, kitten. Show me how wet you are.”

Heat flares over her cheeks. “I don’t need to. I’m wet.”

I pause. “Is that ano?”

Her face burns brighter, and in that moment, I want to adore her and punish her at the same time. The dichotomous feelings deepen when her thighs squirm against each other. “I promise I’m really wet, Mason. Do I have to touch myself?”

Mild shock unravels through me. “You don’t like touching yourself?”

She mangles her lips and her lashes sweep down. “Not really. But I like it when you touch me.” She lets loose a sultry smile and sways toward me.

“Are you trying to distract me, kitten? And did I say you could move?”

She freezes. “I…” A sigh passes over her lips. “I don’t know how to play this game, Mason.”

“Your first mistake is thinking this is a game. Do I look like I’m playing?”

Wide green eyes stare back at me. She catches a glimpse of the dark, turbulent arousal spiking through every emotion burning beneath my skin. Slowly, she shakes her head. “No.”

“No, what?” I test her softly.

“No… sir.” She pauses and swallows.