Page 100 of The Prize

He went down until he was kneeling before me and tilted his head with intrigue as his green eyes sparkled with mischief. “There’s another asset I’m interested in. I may need your assistance on this precious find.” His hands slid up beneath my hem and trailed their way toward my panties.

Only I wasn’t wearing any.

“Let me know when you see something you like.” My voice provoked the danger.

“Would you be interested in joining forces with me to explore this untamed piece I have my sights on?” Wilder shot me a look of approval that I was pantiless and buried his face between my thighs and his tongue swept along my clit.

My body shivered with arousal. “I’d certainly love to hear more about your expectations.”

He separated my folds with gentle fingers and kissed tenderly. “It’s a piece often worshiped from afar.”

I suppressed a giggle. “How about close up?”

“Ah, when explored close up—” his tongue lavished me with luxurious flicking “—it’s even more beautiful. It’s ethereal. One might even go so far as to say that when tasted it elicits a euphoria that is unrivaled.”

“Could it be Venus?” I played with his locks and then gripped a scruff of hair.

“She’s worshiped no less devoutly.” He was sucking now, sending me closer to the edge. “But no, she is more, so much more...” His mouth found me again and he lavished strokes furiously.

“Worth keeping, then? Should you be so lucky to possess her?”

His mouth took me savagely, his tongue tearing into me with a controlled violence that forced my orgasm to endlessly unfold, my shaky thighs weakening and my internal muscles yearning for him to fill me. Squeezing my eyes shut, I savored my pleasure and claimed this erotic scene as my own as I tightened my grip on Wilder’s scalp. Slipping out of time, my climax stole me away and wooed me into her blissful void, and I pressed my fingers to my lips to prevent a revealing moan.

He continued his gentle kisses, and then pulled my gown down to cover me, resting his forehead against my abdomen as though needing this moment as much as I did to recover, needing this closeness. Time dissolved as we selfishly stole these moments.

Tobias rose to his feet, tipped my chin and mouthed,I am in love with you, Ms. Leighton.

Dragging my teeth over my bottom lip, I basked in his beauty, this affection and his words that meant so much.

“When you need me again, Mr. Wilder, I’ll be here for you.”

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a room key and handed it to me with a smile.For later, he mouthed.Penthouse.

I took it from him, hoping I’d be able to evade Abby. I tucked it into my purse.

“Let’s celebrate our wonderful union—” he arched a brow “—art collector and authenticator working in symbiotic perfection.”

I went to return to the ballroom.

Tobias grabbed my wrist.Go back to your room.

“I have to say goodbye to Abby.” I eased my arm away. “I have to let her know I’m leaving.”Is he here?

Not yet.He flashed a reassuring smile and pulled me toward the dance floor, and when I tried to pry my hand out of his Tobias gripped tighter. I glanced around for Abby.

Tobias rested his left hand on my lower spine and yanked me toward him with his right hand holding a firm grip of my hand. It was as though he didn’t want to let me go.

Don’t dip me, I warned—

He dipped me and my back arched dangerously close to the ground and my hair spilled behind me.

“Wilder!” I burst out.

“Tell me.”

“Tell you what?” Yet even off balance with him I felt safe.

“You know.”