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Shit. He was contradictory.
“You said you would give me whatever I desire, but you don’t.” I raised my chin, my eyes flaring with defiance. “You act indignant on my behalf because of the way Collin treated me, yet here you are treating me like I’m a commodity. You don’t know how to take care of anyone, certainly not me.”
Martin stiffened as if I’d slapped him, and a dark light flooded his eyes. For a moment, I feared he might hit me. Then he blinked, and all that darkness receded. “You’re a worthy opponent. You please me, even when you anger me.”
I exhaled my relief.
“I’ll be better for you than that inept boy or your young friend. I’ll shower you with luxury beyond your imagining. I will reveal my intentions as I see fit. Knowing that you have a sharp mind, I’ll be careful. But you need to be careful as well. Careful that you don’t push me too far.”
I nodded.
“So, strip for me, my darling.” He moved behind his desk and sat. “No touching tonight as per your request. And after, you may go off to your bed in the storage room.”
“Okay,” I said, then swallowed to moisten my dry throat.
“Proceed.” He cocked a brow.
I stood. My legs trembled and the rest of me shook. It wasn’t that I thought he would hurt me. Not really. Not unless I pushed him too far. But I was nervous, just me in a pretty dress. I certainly wasn’t an accomplished stripper.
“In this century, if you please.” He leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on his desk, crossing his legs at the ankles. “Now that I know you’re not coming home with me, I have to make other arrangements for my evening.”
I didn’t ask what those plans were. He probably had lots of women who owed him favors.
My fingers trembling, I fumbled with the tie over my shoulder.
“Look at me while you undo that bow,” he said, his voice rough like sandpaper.
When I heard it, my heart raced.
“It’s difficult.” I lifted my gaze. His eyes were hot, the fire within them mesmerizing. “The tie, I mean.”
Why am I so breathless?
“You’ll manage. You’re resilient, my rose.”
“Yes.”
The tie came undone. His gaze a silent command, I released the satin ribbon. The bodice slid to my waist. With no bra beneath, the cool room air rushed over my breasts.
Martin’s feet hit the floor. He leaned forward.
“The rest.” His hands curled into fists where they rested on the surface of his desk. “Now,” he demanded.
Unable to look at him, I turned away. I was shivery all over, and not all was from the cold.
I reached back, found the slider on the zipper, and lowered it. Without that impediment at my waist, the dress slid over my ass, the many overlapping layers of the tulip skirt looking like the petals of a dove-gray rose on his floor.
Martin sucked in his breath through his teeth behind me, and I turned to glance at him over my shoulder. “You have a perfect ass. But turn around. I want to see all of you.”
When I turned, he swept his gaze over me. My nipples tightened to points beneath his regard. My legs no longer shook, but between them I was hot. Embarrassed that his response to me turned me on, I tried to cover myself. Wearing my lacy thong, I wasn’t completely nude. My pussy was covered, so I crossed my arms over my heavy breasts and hard nipples.
“Don’t be shy,” he said in a low and encouraging tone. “Not when you look like that.”
My eyes met his, and my cheeks burned.
“You are glorious.”
“Thank you.” The praise was unexpected. Having had so little approval in my life, I craved it. I desired it, even from him.
