Page 108 of Never Tell Secrets

Alfie smiled as he approached, wrapping an arm around me he pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Morning, Lo.”

“Morning, yourself,” I breathed, my head spinning.

“Is this breaking the rules? My approaching you first, touching you first?”

“I don’t know but I don’t mind it right now.”

His handsome face broke out into a smile, his steel greys shining. “Good, so what now? It’s your move, baby.”

“Oh, uh…” I hesitated, unsure what to do next. Before I could make up my mind, my stomach grumbled. “Breakfast?”

“Come.” His hand slipped into mine as he led me downstairs where, of course, a breakfast was already neatly laid out. I was about to sit and gorge myself on all kinds of pastries when I spotted a rack of clothes hanging in one corner.

“I had those brought up in case you needed a change of clothes. No pressure.” He gave my waist a squeeze, letting me know he wouldn’t be offended if I didn’t wear any of them. I believed him, but I also knew Alfie, just as well as he knew me and for once, I was going to give back a little. He’d been pulling out all the stops for me, for us, ever since he’d come back into my life. I needed to try and do that too.

“Which one would you like me to wear?”

He paused, a wary look on his face. “They aren’t mandatory, Lola. You don’t have to?—”

“This isn’t a trick question. It’s just fun. I know you like dressing me. So, dress me.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t play with me, woman.”

“I’m not.” I would have laughed if he hadn’t looked so uncertain, like a starving man offered an apple that might be snatched away at any moment. After a beat, he turned to the rack, immediately selecting a green sun dress of light cotton. I should have known he’d already have a favourite.

I stepped forward, taking it from him. “Turn your back while I change?”

“No.” His refusal surprised both of us and he quickly corrected himself. “Compromise?”

Before I could ask what that meant, he hung the dress back up and turned me around. Alfie Tell had changed so much in the last two years, but he was still a man who would move me where he wanted me rather than move himself, forcing me to orbit him at his will.

His fingers reached for the halter fastening at the base of my neck. My breath hitched. “What are you doing?”

He stepped closer, whispering in my ear, “Trust me?”

Biting my lip, I nodded. I didn’t quite trust him, but I needed to try, I needed to try to trust myself too.

I held a breath as he undid the fastening, my hands coming up to clutch the bodice of my dress before it fell forwards, revealing me. His fingers traced a line down my spine and I shuddered.

“Beautiful,” he murmured. Almost against my will, my head tilted, giving him access to my neck. He bent, my heart stuttering in my chest as he pressed a soft kiss to my skin. I gasped as he nipped me with his teeth.

“Quiet, Lo.” His voice was harsh, a low warning. We weren’t alone in the suite and the thought that we might be caught exhilarated me in the most confusing way.

He found the zip of my dress and slowly lowered it, revealing me down to the base of my spine. His hands slipped insidemy dress, gripping my waist as he held me to him, leaving a delicate chain of kisses from ear to shoulder, his day old stubble providing just the right amount of friction.

I clutched my dress to my body, if I let it go it would fall away, leaving me in underwear, my breasts free for him to touch. I couldn’t help but imagine it, one of his hands cupping a breast, pulling on my nipple till I cried out, his other hand slipping down to my?—

He pulled away suddenly, leaving me breathless. He left a hand on my hip, steadying me as my head spun. I glanced up at him, the glint in his eye telling me the sneaky bastard had done that on purpose. He was teasing me, seducing me, but it didn’t feel wrong. On the firm foundation he’d built, his toying with me felt safe.

He handed me the green dress. I took it and he turned around, giving me some privacy. I quickly stepped out of my white dress and lifted the green one over my head. I fiddled with the zip, my hands trembling.

“Stop,” he ordered and I froze as Alfie turned to face me again. “Compromise, remember?”

“How did you know I wasn’t naked?”

“I listened to the movement of the fabric.”

I shook my head. The man was crazy.