Page 74 of Ashes

“You heard me,” he simply replied.

His tone wasn’t dismissive. It was luring me into uncharted territories that I wanted to explore, so I made my way upstairs. I didn’t look back, but I could feel the weight of his stare against my skin with every click of my heels as I walked up.

Once up the stairs, I rounded up the landing and headed for my room. I halted in front of my bedroom door, hesitating for a second. But as his footsteps grew louder, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

A few seconds later, he came in, tugging on his tie. After untying it, he let it hang loose around his neck and stalked over to where I stood.

“You looked beautiful tonight in that dress,mon amour.” His voice had turned low and intimate, one I’d never heard before, and it captivated me. “But I bet you look exquisite out of it.” He traced a finger up my bare thigh. “Take it off,” he said, the command low but firm.

My pulse raced, the beat increasing rapidly against my veins.

Should I tell him I’ve never done this?

I was nervous, but the way he looked at me strangely made me feel more comfortable than I thought I would be having to strip in front of him.

His finger toyed with the hem of the high slit. “I want to see how much you want me.”

Confident much?

“Who said I wanted you?” I said, not able to help myself.

His gaze trailed down my body, sending a shiver running down my spine. His eyes bore into mine again. “Your body just did.”

I turned around. “I need help,” I said, peering at him over my shoulder before staring ahead.

He swept my hair to the side and trailed a finger down my spine, inhaling deeply. His fingers finally found the zipper to my dress and I looked up, watching his reflection in the window as he slowly pulled it down.

Once he reached the bottom, his gaze caught mine in our reflection. Jamal’s deft fingers slid under the material and trailed up until he reached the strap, my skin prickling under his touch.

“Jamal…”

He pushed them over and down my shoulder until my dress quietly pooled at my feet. He hissed as his eyes traveled down the length of my reflection, discovering I was only wearing a white thong and my strappy gold heels.

His hands went to my waist where he squeezed gently and pulled me into him until my back landed flush against his front.

My chest rose and fell with each heavy breath as his right hand came up and his knuckles grazed the outside ofmy breast ever so slowly. They traveled down until his hand rested on my hip.

I leaned against him when his other hand repeated the same movements.

He tilted his head down, his stubble grazing my cheek. “Absolutely beautiful.”

I gasped, my stomach tightening. A shift happened deep inside me, a warmth awakening and heating my blood. I tilted my head back against his shoulder, seeking his mouth.

“What are you doing to me,mon amour?” His breath tickled my lips. I didn’t know what it meant, but with the little French I knew, the words made me melt further into his touch.

“I could ask you the same question.”

He licked the shell of my ear and kissed down my neck, gently nipping at my shoulder. When he kissed his way back to my jaw, I lifted my hands to wrap around his neck, but he stopped me and turned me around to face him.

He dropped my hands between our bodies and placed a kiss on my lips.

His eyes brushed against my skin as they traveled down my body, taking me in. “Lie down,” he said hoarsely, lifting his head. “And keep your heels on.”

I complied and slowly lowered myself to my sheets. As my back came flush against the mattress, I propped myself on my elbows and watched Jamal lean against the frame ofthe fireplace, crossing his arms over his chest and his legs at his ankles.

The heat of his gaze sent a chill down my body and he gave me a devastating smile at my body’s response.

“I want to see your cunt,” he ordered.