“I didn’t lie,” I reply, lifting my chin. “I just didn’t tell you I brought a gun into the house. That’s not the same thing.”
He lets out a deep, controlled breath, like he’s trying to rein in his temper. His fingers flex against my side.
“What am I going to do with you?” he murmurs, almost to himself.
I feel a rush of heat at the way he’s looking at me. My voice comes out softer than I intended. “Well… you could help me out of this dress. I’ve been in it all day and it’s heavy. I’d very much like to be out of it.”
His eyes darken instantly. “Say no more.”
He turns me gently so my back is to him. I feel his fingers at the top of the gown, slowly working on the long row of tiny buttons.
There are twenty-one of them. I counted earlier when the dressmaker was fitting me. He takes his time, unfastening each one with deliberate care.
With every button that comes undone, cool air kisses my skin. And with every inch of exposed back, Maxim leans down and presses his lips to me.
Soft kisses at first, then gentle nibbles, then light bites that make me shiver. His mouth trails lower with each button, warm and teasing, sending sparks of pleasure down my spine.
By the time he reaches the last button, I’m breathing faster, my body humming with anticipation.
The heavy gown slides down my body and pools at my feet, leaving me in nothing but a delicate lace bra and panties. I step out of the dress and turn to face him. His gaze rakes over me, dark and hungry.
Before I can say anything, he cups the back of my neck and pulls me into a deep, ravenous kiss. His mouth claims mine with raw need, tongue stroking deep, tasting me like he’s been starving for this all day.
I melt against him, pressing my body to his chest, my arms wrapping around his neck as I kiss him back just as fiercely.
He groans into my mouth, one hand sliding down to grip my ass, pulling me even closer. I can feel how hard he is against my stomach, and it sends a fresh wave of heat through me.
We’re both breathing hard when he finally pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against mine, eyes locked on mine with an intensity that makes my knees weak.
“Fuck, Calina,” he rasps. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
I don’t answer with words. I just pull him back down for another kiss, losing myself in the heat of his mouth and the strength of his arms around me.
Soon, the strong need to see all of him wins out. I pull back, breathing hard, my fingers already working on the buttons of his shirt.
He helps me, shrugging the fabric off his broad shoulders and tossing it aside. My hands roam over his chest, tracing the hard lines of muscle and the dark ink of his tattoos. He’s beautiful. Powerful. Intimidating.
He doesn’t give me long to admire him. With a low growl, he lifts me effortlessly and drops me onto the bed. I bounce with a surprised shriek that turns into laughter.
He climbs over me, eyes dark with hunger, never breaking eye contact as he hooks his fingers into the delicate garter around my thigh. He was supposed to have removed it at the reception, but we never got around to that.
He lowers his head and uses his teeth to slowly drag it down my leg, his lips and teeth grazing the sensitive skin of my inner thigh. I shiver, a soft moan escaping me as goosebumps rise everywhere he touches.
He hooks his fingers into my panties next, sliding them down my legs and tossing them aside. Then he reaches behind me, unclasps my bra, and pulls it off, leaving me completely naked under his gaze.
His eyes darken as they roam over my body, taking in every curve like he’s memorizing me.
“Fuck, you’re perfect,” he murmurs, voice rough.
He climbs fully onto the bed, moving up my body until his cock is above mine. He is hard and brushing against my lips.
I’ve never done this before, but the sight of him like this, so aroused, so close, makes me want to try. I lick my lips instinctively.
“Open your mouth for me, baby,” he says, voice low and commanding.
I obey, parting my lips. He guides the head of his cock into my mouth, slow and careful. At first it feels strange, thick, hot, heavy on my tongue.
And then I start to swirl my tongue around him, tasting the salty bead of precum.
