Page 29 of These White Lies

“How was I supposed to somehow be soft and ready for whatever he wanted in the bedroom after I’d been taking care of everything, including him, all day? Spoiler alert: My earlier comment about ‘it not taking long.’ Let’s just say foreplay is a far distant memory… but part of me was happy it didn’t take up too much of my time. Another thing to check off my to-do list.”

Horrified by the flood of words, I move to pull away from him. Why did I say all that? Trust me to ruin a sexy moment.

Strong palms catch my hips, stopping my retreat, and pivot me until I’m trapped between the desk and his body.

“When was the last time you had an orgasm?” He holds up a finger. “Mechanically assisted by a nonhuman doesn’t count.”

I know my cheeks are blazing, but it’s not the only part of me that’s on fire.

“Don’t be embarrassed. Youshouldbe particular about who you let touch this luscious body.” The low rumble makes me shiver.

Somehow, I find myself perched on the edge of the desk, and he’s standing between my knees, the loose skirt of my black cocktail dress pushed to mid-thigh. The fingertips of his free hand graze down the side of my calf, and I jerk at the light pressure. His fingertips are rough as they glide against my skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“Your skin is so smooth.” He stares at his hands as they explore farther.

Is this really happening?

The contact is so delicate it almost tickles, but it’s sending waves of pleasure up my body. His fingers stroke a little harder, and I squirm on the desk.

“C’mon,” he teases, his fingers delicately probing behind my knee before sliding back to my calf and squeezing. “I won’t tell.”

“Too long to remember?” I try to make it sound like a joke, but it doesn’t sound funny. It sounds like a plea.

“Would you like me to help you remember?” There’s a darkness threaded through the syllables that makes it sound somewhere between a threat and a promise.

He squeezes my calf muscle hard immediately releasing, and I suck in an unexpected breath as the action sends a shock between my legs.

Fuck.What was that?

He makes a low approving noise in his throat. “You like that, don’t you?”

I don’t bother answering. What’s the point?

“Yes or no.” His jaw ticks, and I get the sense that he’s holding his breath.

I nod slowly, not dropping his gaze.

“Words. I need you to say it out loud.”

“Yes, help me remember what it feels like to?—”

He cuts off my words when he seals his mouth to mine and kisses me hard. My back arches, my body seeking his.

His lips graze my jaw, the black stitches on his mask scratching my skin. But it’s not enough to distract me from the lightning shooting down my spine when his palm glides up the inside of my thigh, as his lips continue to devour me. It’s the only word to describe how his lips slanting over my mouth make me feel. He pulls my bottom lip into his mouth, and I feel his tongue trace the line before the scrape of his teeth bites down gently.

I’m on fire, and can’t catch my breath. I shove my hands into his hair as if I have to make sure he doesn’t stop even though it’s obvious he has no intention of slowing down.

The ribbon tied over the short hair at the sides of his head slips a little, and I’m tempted to pull it off. I’m out of control. Part of me wonders if I see his face, will it bring me back to reality?

I tip my hips toward him and whimper. He rewards the movement by tracing his thumb firmly over my clit through my panties, pressing with just the right amount of pressure.

“So fucking eager.” He chuckles darkly against my lips when I buck against his hand.

The hand at my hip lifts to hold my head still as his lips completely burn away any hesitation that might still remain. My breasts feel heavy, and my body is screaming for more. He steps back to drag my panties down my legs, and I lift my legs to help him.

His eyes darken as he takes me in. His gaze feels almost as if he’s touching my bare and exposed skin, and I twitch restlessly. It feels decadent to be splayed out in front of him while he is fully clothed.

The air between us tightens, pulling taut with something that feels on the brink of explosive.