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Clearly, this was the right thing to say for she looked hugely relieved. He had thought once they repaired to their suite her stammering nervousness would return, but as always, she surprised him. It seemed now they had the pregnancy issue resolved she was at her ease.

“Shall we take our evening meal up here?” he suggested casually, testing her newfound calm. “That way you need not put them back in and I can undo this damnable collar.”

“Of course, if you prefer,” she said, glancing about their elegant surroundings. “It would seem a shame not to make full use of this lovely suite.”

Clem was already tearing at his neckcloth, flinging it down in a chair with his jacket. He popped open the top two buttons and felt himself relax. To his surprise, Dora was watching his every move with interest.

“If my neck is well formed, then yours is certainly well developed,” she commented.

Clem laughed. “Are you saying I have a thick neck?” he asked.

“It is very nice and manly,” she said admiringly, making him blink. “I wish mine was more like it.”

“I don’t!” Clem answered with alacrity.

Now it was Dora’s turn to laugh. She had a nice laugh, not too loud, not too quiet. “I only mean that after observing yours, I am not so sure my male impersonation will be too accurate.” He watched her trace a finger down her throat, her eyes clearly fixed on his. God alone knew why, but it made his breath catch.

“You must have seen an Adam’s apple before,” he murmured, his voice far too husky.

“Oh yes.” She blushed. “My brother’s, though, is not as prominent as yours.”

“Want to take a closer look?” he offered, fully expecting her to bridle.

“May I?” she asked eagerly, practically bounding out of her chair.

Clem was so surprised, he stood stock still while she practically stuck her nose in the base of his throat. Her breath tickled his collar bone, and it affected him strongly.

“Can I …?”

“Yes,” he answered too quickly. Whatever it was she wanted to do, he wanted it. Still, he had to steel himself not to jump when she placed three fingers to his throat and stroked them gently down. He could not hold back the stifled sound he made or stop his eyes from drifting closed when she repeated it.

“You like to be touched?” she asked curiously.

Fuck, he was getting way too worked up over such an innocent gesture. “Doesn’t everyone?” he asked throatily. “Don’t you?”

She tipped her head as though considering this. “I don’t know,” she admitted.

Every word coming out of her mouth seemed calculated to excite him even more. “Jesus, Dora,” he groaned. “I thought I’d be seducing you, not the other way around.”

Her gaze widened at this. “Is that what it seems like?” she whispered, a wistful look entering her eye. “I wish I could, but I wouldn’t even know how.”

His cock disagreed; he made a dissenting noise in his throat. “You’re doing just fine, love.”

“Just stroking you?”

He wasn’t sure his dick didn’t leap in his pants at that. He gave a throaty rumble. “Stroking is good. Sometimes I stroke myself when there’s no one else there to do it for me.”

Her expression wavered. “By that … do you mean…?” She could not quite bring herself to say the words that hovered on her tongue.

Suddenly Clem wanted to hear them very much. “Say it, Dora,” he encouraged her.

She took a shaky breath. “Between your legs, I mean,” she whispered, her eyes darting down to that place. She had to notice the state he was in. Her eyes grew very round.

“See?” he rasped. “I told you; you were seducing me. There’s your evidence.” When she did not drag her eyes away from his bulging crotch, Clem groaned.

“Would you—” she began hesitantly. “That is could you—”

Clem gritted his teeth. “Yes, to whatever you’re asking.”