Iris met his gaze, and her breathing shallowed.
“Yes,” she whispered.
CHAPTER 19
“Stay right where you are,” Blaise ordered her again, and Iris wanted very much to obey.
Her heart hammered wildly as Blaise pulled out the sketch pad and charcoal, got up, and stepped away from her. His tall frame moved with purposeful strides towards the study door. He turned the key in the lock with a soft, decisive click, sealing them inside. The sound sent a shiver racing down her spine. When he returned, his dark eyes burned with intent.
“Remove your clothes,” he commanded. “All of them.”
Iris swallowed hard, and her mouth suddenly felt dry. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the fastenings of her gown and slowly untied ribbons and loosened laces until the fabrics slipped from her shoulders and hips and pooled at her feet.
“Take your time, Little Blossom.” Iris heard the soft tenderness beneath his husky tone, and that almost undid her.
She looked into his darkened eyes, and she let out a shuddering breath. She knew her every movement was being studied by him.
With shaky fingers, Iris undid her undergarments. She lifted her chemise over her head and dropped it on the ground. Blaise’s breath hitched as his gaze followed the contours of her body. Iris wanted to stop out of shame and embarrassment, but her desire to please him was greater.
She sauntered closer to the chair, leaving behind her clothes and dignity. Her eyes never left his as she raised her foot and placed it on the arm while she bent forward slowly. She enjoyed watching every second of the scarred duke’s reaction. Her delicate fingers wrapped around her stocking, and she rolled it down her long leg slowly. Blaise growled, and Iris gasped at the animalistic sound.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me, Iris?”
“No…show me,” she replied daringly and saw the glint in his eyes.
“Not today.”
Iris felt the disappointment surge over her.
“I did not tell you to stop.” Blaise leaned forward on the other side of the desk. Iris hated the division between them and wanted to be near him.
She lowered her naked foot to the ground and raised her other, repeating the action even more slowly, until finally she stood completely naked before him in the soft firelight.
“My God, Iris, you are stunning.” His eyes darkened as he drank in the sight of her.
But shame flooded her instantly.
“I... I am not beautiful.” The words left her lips before she could stop them.
Iris felt exposed and vulnerable. Every curve and imperfection was proudly on display. She looked down at the soft roundness of her stomach, the full swell of her hips, and the tuft of honey-colored hair between her thighs, and her hands instinctively went up. One arm crossed over her breasts, and the other shielded the apex of her thighs.
Blaise dropped the sketch pad and pencil on a nearby chair and approached her slowly, like a predator stalking prey.
“Look at me, Iris.”
She looked at him and felt her skin burn under his gaze.
“You do not have to cover yourself with me,” he said huskily and grabbed her wrists. “Ever.”
Iris felt a wave of fire wash over her.
Instead of forcing her hands away, Blaise gently took her wrists and guided her palms over her own body; her skin was soft and warm under her touch. Blaise could hardly control his own breathing when they reached the tuft of hair between her legs. He leaned closer to her.
“Touch yourself for me again, Little Blossom. Like you did before. Let me watch you please yourself,” he whispered in her ear.
Iris’s breath hitched. “Blaise… I want your?—”
“Do it,” he said softly. “Show me how you ache for me.”
