Page 117 of Leather & Lies

“Not tonight. Tonight you’re going to ruin him in the best way possible. You’re going to ruin him forever.”

“Love you for this,” I said.

“Love you too.”

I hung up and set my phone aside. I rose from the bed and picked up the white silk robe and put it on.

The doorbell rang.

“Showtime,” I whispered.

As I walked down the stairs, I thought about Charlie’s advice. I would be cool, confident. I wouldn’t just be Marilyn Monroe, I’d be Marilyn Monroe, Jean Harlow, and Gene Tierney all rolled into one.

Only when I opened the door and saw Bones leaning against the doorframe, I crumbled. I gripped the door, praying it held me upright.

“Duchess,” he greeted, his gaze slowly lowering. “You answered the door wearing that? I could’ve been the delivery guy.”

“I’m not expecting a package.”

“I’ve got a package.”

I blinked and then suddenly I smiled. My smile turned into a giggle, my giggle into a laugh. It escaped through my mouth even as I tried to cover my lips to stifle the sound.

Bones let out a booming laugh of his own. “Jesus, you looked like you were about to faint.”

I stepped back from the door and let him inside. I closed the door behind him and locked it, my laughter fading. “I was trying to channel my inner femme fatale. I don’t think it worked.”

“It worked. Damn, did it work,” he said gruffly. He took a step toward me. “Hey.”

I looked up at him. “Hi.”

One of his hands settled on my waist, the other slid through the strands of my hair to cradle my head.

I placed my palm on his chest and met his lips.

Every worry drifted away.

He was tender.

Gentle.

And then his tongue slid into my welcoming mouth.

I whimpered and pressed closer.

Suddenly Bones wasn’t gentle anymore. His hand skated from my waist to my lower back to pull me toward him.

He was hard everywhere.

“Bones,” I whispered.

“I’m right here, Duchess.”

“Take me upstairs.”

He swept me into his arms and did as I bid. When we got to the bedroom, he looked around, clearly noting the low light and candles.

“You planning on seducing me, or romancing me?” he asked.

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