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A smile teases the corner of his lips. He backs me toward the stairs leading upstairs to the bedroom. I curl my hand around the ledge as he towers over me. “You don’t have to buy them gifts, Twinkle. They’d be happy you came.”

“They were kind enough to invite me,” I reply. “I can’t go empty-handed, King. It’s rude.” Wrapping my arms around his big shoulders, I ask, “So will you help me get them something they’ll love?”

“If you agree, it’ll be our date.”

A demand, not a question. His hand travels to twist into my curls, making my eyes go hooded as I accept. “Okay.”

“We need to leave soon before the market closes,” he casually informs me, purposely ignoring that he’s holding my hair like a leash.

I jolt out of my lust-drunk mind.

Peering down, I stare at my clothes, messy and covered in flour from baking all morning in the kitchen. I look like I badly need a second shower, meaning I need to hurry. I didn’t tell Kingston, but I’m planning on buying a gift for him as well. I’ll need to distract him while I do to keep it a surprise.

“I’m going to have a quick shower and change first,” I tell him in a low voice, afraid it’ll betray my hormones going haywire.

His lips purse as he studies my body, looking so stern and bossy. His gaze is so laser sharp, he could slice my clothes off into a puddle if it were possible.

I have to balance myself by gripping the handrail when he lets go. I’ve barely taken a backward step on the stairs when his brazen command stops me.

“Strip for me.”

“Here?” I squeak, my body coming alive.

“Don’t make me give you another punishment so soon.”

My ass paddled.

Lips kiss-swollen.

And pussy still aching from an earth-shattering orgasm.

Yet I’m still burning up at his cruel yet seductive threat.

“Show me every inch of you that I’m going to mark as mine.” He puts more force into his order while taking a small step back, so he has an unobstructed view of my impending striptease.

Considering I let him go down on me earlier, I shouldn’t be balking at stripping myself naked for him for the first time at a staircase of all places, where there is no fear of anyone walking in on us.

On the other hand, the intensity is multiple degrees hotter because there is no need to rush.

Kingston can take all the time he desires since we’re all alone.

And didn’t I promise him my full submission for the next seven days? I’m his to mold and do whatever he pleases.

Holding his gaze, which heats when I touch the hem of my sweater, I invitingly lift it over my tightening stomach. His sharp intake of air is unmistakable in the silence as my bare skin is revealed. A dark hickey sits proudly below my belly button, where he bit me in the throes of passion.

I keep going until the material is bunched underneath my full breasts, which swell under his praising eyes. Tugging the sweater off, they bounce, eliciting a deep and husky sound from him.

Once it’s off, I drop it to the floor.

Arching my back, I reach for the bra hook and toy with it.

“It’s unwise to make me wait when I’m constantly on a knife’s edge around you, darling.” His voice is impossibly deep and dangerous. “Lose the attitude and finish undressing. I don’t want a striptease; I want you naked.”

“You’re so mean,” I pout.

He’s on me in a flash, unhooking my bra like a pro and snatching it away. Twisting both my nipples between his forefingers and thumbs, he flicks his chin to my jeans. He’s completely unaffected by my pained whimper. “Take them off.”

My hard nubs are kept prisoner while I unbutton my denims and hastily push them over my hips. When I need to bend to get them fully off, I plead with him. “Please.”