Page 99 of A Forbidden Arrangement

“These,” he murmurs, his voice rough around the edges. “You wore them for me?”

“I…I didn’t think about it.” My pulse beats in my throat.

He hums, a low sound that vibrates through his chest. “You should start.”

Before I can answer, he grips my hips, guiding me backward until I fall onto the mattress, and catches my wrist in his hand.

“The only thing that saved them,” he says, his breath grazing my cheek, “was knowing you were coming home with me.”

He runs his thumb along my hand until he finds my ring. The metal glints in the warm light before he carefully slides it lower, caressing the small tattoo there.

“You remember what this means, right?” His eyes lift to mine, steady and sure.

Something twists low in my stomach.

I nod, barely.

For a second, the room goes still. Just our breathing.

Xander presses one last stroke over the tattoo before releasing it.

“Let me see you,” he says quietly.

I can’t remember the last time I wanted to be seen this much.

He slips the straps of my dress off my shoulders, slow and steady, like he’s unwrapping something precious and doesn’t want to rush. The fabric drags against my skin, and his eyes follow the movement, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he works it lower, inch by inch, until it pools around my waist. His focus drops to my bare breasts, and he hisses through his teeth. The sound sends a pulse straight through me.

“You’re so fucking pretty like this.” He brushes his thumb over my nipple. The touch is light, almost teasing.

My back arches, waiting for more.

“Flushed and needy,” he murmurs.

Lifting me, it only takes one last tug for my dress to slip free and fall to the floor.

My pulse trips hard.

His gaze roams over me again, slower this time, and he exhales. “Perfect.”

Wetness slicks my skin, and I can feel how turned on I am before he even touches me.

His mouth curves into a small smile. “Say my name.”

“Xander.” The sound comes out as a moan.

His mouth curves into a small, dangerous smile. “Good girl. You’ll be calling it out all night.”

He drags my panties down, kisses following them on the way.

The air leaves my lungs. There’s no pretense left. Just want.

His eyes search mine when I reach for him. The hunger’s still there, but it’s steadier now.

“Remember what I said before. We only do what you want.” He nearly brushes my core, then pauses. “You’re trusting I’ll make you feel good. Do you know what that does to me?”

He takes my hand, guiding it down to where he’s hard. His cock twitches against my palm, the heat of it seeping through the fabric still between us.

He leans close, mouth brushing my ear. “I like control. And tonight, we’re going to see how much you like giving it up.”