Page 16 of Salacious Desires

“Yes,” she says, her eyes lighting up again. “I love it. It’s fun. Everyone has been so kind to me.”

My shoulders relax, and I lean back in my chair, keeping hold of her hand. She looks at where we’re connected, but she doesn’t try to pull away this time.

“It looks like you found some suitable dresses.”

They’re more than suitable. She’s perfectly fuckable in them.

Her cheeks turn pink, and she bats her dark eyelashes slightly. Even though she doesn’t wear any makeup, she’s gorgeous. I wonder, though, if she doesn’t wear it because she was never allowed to.

“Thank you. I’ve never worn any other color besides black. Eventually, I’ll get the guts to wear a hot-pink dress or try makeup or even put highlights in my hair. One day…”

Clenching my jaw, I barely keep from letting out a low growl.

She scrunches her face. “I’m sorry. I keep saying stuff I shouldn’t. I need to remember to shut up. Sorry.”

Nope. That’s not going to work.

I scoot my chair closer to her and reach out to cup her chin, forcing her to look at me. I’m being forward, probably more than I should be, but with Lily, I can’t stop myself. At least I reminded her of the club safeword. She can stop this at any time.

“Don’t apologize. I want you to talk to me. I want to know all of this. Never apologize for telling me things. If I want you to be silent, I’ll tell you that’s what I want. Okay?”

She searches my face for a few seconds before she lets out a soft breath. “Yes, Sir.”

The noise around us fades away, and as I hold her chin between my fingers, it’s like we’re the only two people in the room. We keep our eyes locked on each other.

I want to kiss her, but I can’t. I need to talk to my brother about this thing I’m feeling for her. When we opened Edge, we made the rule that we would never get involved with an employee because we never want someone who works for us to feel taken advantage of.

“Drink some water,” I say, breaking the moment. “How are your feet? Are they swollen? Let me see them.”

Lily chokes on her sip of water, coughing several times. “I’m not letting you see my feet.”

“Why not? I’ll rub them for you. You’ve been running around in those heels all night.”

Shaking her head, she fights a grin, and a dimple appears next to her mouth. It’s adorable. She’s adorable.

“Has anyone ever taken care of you, Lily?”

She takes a deep breath and stares at me, her lips slightly parted. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Using my thumb, I stroke the back of her hand. “I mean, have you ever had a man take care of you? Make sure you’re eating, resting, and taking care of yourself?”

“No.”

My gaze roams over her delicate face. “That’s about to change, sweetheart.”

Her eyes go wide, but before she can ask what I mean, the waiter brings our food and sets the plates in the center of the table.

Lily examines each dish, licking her lips as she does. My cock twitches. One day, I hope she looks that hungry for my dick.

The mixed aromas of ginger, soy sauce, and beef make my mouth water. We have one of the best chefs in the city, and every time he has this dish on the menu, I love him a little more.

“Open.” I load my fork with noodles and meat and touch it to my lips to make sure it’s not too hot before I hold it up to her mouth.

She obeys, and sweat gathers at the back of my neck from the effort it takes not to groan. After I slip the bite between her lips, her eyes close and she hums with approval.

“This is so good. What is this again?”

“It’s a beef and broccoli udon stir-fry.”

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