Page 39 of Forbidden Desire

Meeting his eyes, I smiled, not wanting to contradict him, but knowing full well I was the one who had set out on this journey. There was no such thing as divine intervention.

“Shall I continue?”

“Sit,” he instructed, his tone husky as he pointed to the wooden stage. “I shall remove your footwear.”

It wasn’t quite what I’d expected, but then, I didn’t know what I’d expected. I hadn’t necessarily wanted to drop down on the stage and go for it here and now, however tempting the idea of fucking him was, so what else could he do? I was tantalizing him, provoking him to the point of being cruel, and inevitably, there would be a consequence.

Pulling in a deep breath, I permitted his hands to guide me to the floor, then watched as he set to work on my bootlaces. It was oddly alluring to witness such an immense giant humbling himself at my feet, his focus only flitting to mine when both of my feet had been bared. Without saying a word, he tugged my clothes past my heels, leaving me in only my panties and bra.

“Thank you.” I didn’t know what else to say. There were so many reasons I didn’t want this, shouldn’t covet the desire flickering in his eyes, but I couldn’t remember a single one of them.

“Taing do.” He grinned at me. “It is how we say it.”

“Taing do.” I tried the words for size, although I didn’t know why. It wasn’t as if I cared to stay on his misogynistic little island.

“Very good, doe bheag.” He blew out a breath, offering me his palm. “Now, remove your remaining garments and kneel.”

“Kneel?”

Briefly, I wondered why I was no longer arguing about the stripping aspect of the instruction, but for some reason, being virtually naked in front of him was far from a tribulation.

“Aye.” He beckoned me forward with his index finger. “Elodie?”

The butterflies in my belly stretched their wings simultaneously as my name vibrated from his lips, and impulsively, I reached for his hand, permitting him to pull me to my feet. Climbing to his feet with me, Jeemie rose to his full height as I fiddled with the straps of my bra. As they slipped to my elbows, I didn’t feel so empowered, the intensity of his gaze making it difficult to take another breath.

“You’re sure I have to be naked?” Christ, was that pathetic squeak my voice? I scarcely recognized myself.

“Aye,” he soothed, one hand caressing the top of my shoulder. “Do not think on it. You shall be coveted, not maltreated.”

As the bra pooled at my feet, I tried not to think about how it would feel to have multiple sets of eyes on me once I was locked naked inside the cage. The earlier idea that I would be sexy and sought-after seemed ridiculous now the reality loomed.

“Jeemie.” I could barely get the word out. “I’m scared.” I took no pleasure in the confession, but if I was to garner anything from this ludicrous dynamic, I might as well be honest about my feelings.

“There is no need.” His hand brushed down my back, finding the only remaining clothing and tugging it gently. “You are exquisite.”

Pulling in a deep breath, I plucked up the courage to meet his eyes.

“Now for these.” His voice was an enticing low growl, and silently, my fingers gripped the waistband of my panties and eased them down to my ankles.

“What else did I tell you?”

My toes curled at the authority in his voice. It was so unlike me to want to obey, let alone succumb to the urge, but I slid to my knees before the urge to overthink saw me running for the door, despite my nudity.

“Math, doe bheag.” His tone was calming as his fingers played with my hair. “That is good.”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” My gaze darted to the plaid covering his groin, and I had to fight the urge to reach for it and see if he was as excited as I was.

“Hush,” he pacified. “You are doing wonderfully.”

I dropped my gaze to the floor.

“Now for the final piece of the puzzle before you go inside.”

Brows furrowing, my attention shot back to his face. The man was an absolute giant now that I was on my knees.

“I thought that was the final part?”

“No.” He ruffled my hair as if I was a small pet before stalking the short distance to the so-called aviary and collecting something from the fur at the base.

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