Page 47 of Under His Protection

Ismiled at his choice. The long black gown didn’t hide much of my boobs, but it wasn’t overly provocative like the skimpier dress I’d worn to Escott’s. At this gala, we’d be surrounded by more people. I would trust Dante’s judgment. I'd trusted him to lead me to pleasure, and he’d exceeded my expectations there.

As he slipped out of me now, I watched a bit of blood smear against my inner thigh.

Most women likely lost their virginity under more modest terms. With the lights off. On a bed. Under the covers.

Not me.

I gave Dante my V card on his lap. With bright lights to better illuminate a garment choice in this fitting room.

“The black one?” I asked, biting back a wide smile. If he could say anything after fucking me senseless, that was the last thing I expected to hear—his pick of what gown to wear tomorrow night.

Right now, I didn’t want to wear anything but this loopy, sated smile and the remnants of our cum drying on my skin.

I almost couldn’t believe we’d done it. After the last three weeks of resisting each other—in the name of keeping it fake—we both caved.

“Yes.” He kissed my shoulder and prompted me to get off his lap.

I did, wincing slightly at the burn of strained muscles. Muscles I hadn’t even known I possessed.

“I like that one the best.” He stood behind me. With his pants down at his ankles, he grabbed my arms and waited for me to steady myself. “It’s the one I looked forward to taking off you the most.”

I turned, smirking at him. “You were grading the gowns based on the ease of taking them off after I wore them?”

“Not the ease.” He reached for a box of tissues on a small table and handed them to me to help me clean up. “But how much they prompted me to want to get them off.” As he wiped himself off then pulled his clothes back on, he shot me a smug look. “Now that I’ve finally seen all of you, I much prefer you naked.” He wrapped his arm around me and lowered his hand to help me clean up. His fingers lay over mine near my entrance, and even that turned me on even though I was still coming down from the high of that orgasm.

“I can’t walk around naked,” I teased back.

“Of course not.” He kissed me slow and sweet, almost tenderly. “Because I don’t intend to let anyone else see you like this.”

I sighed, overwhelmed by his affectionate words. They were possessive and controlling, but I liked it. He was my hero, and I doubted anything could change that.

Except maybe the fact that we’re supposed to be faking it all.

“I’ll handle the details with the attendant.” He looked me over, smiling like he was proud of his conquest with me. On his way toward the door, he picked up the black gown. “You take your time and come out front.”

I nodded, glad he was giving me a little space to adjust. I wanted him close. As soon as he left the room, I missed him, but I had to get my head back on straight. I needed the freedom to breathe and think.

After I tugged my clothes back on, I winced at the press of my shorts. I stuffed my damp thong in my pocket. They were slick with my juices from how aroused he'd made me. The stitches of my denim shorts rubbed against my sensitive flesh. While it wasn’t painful, it was different.

Before I left the fitting room, I felt a buzz in my pocket. I paused in my step, pulling my phone out to see that Tessa was calling.

I bet Dante wouldn’t be upset if I stalled for a moment or two.

“Hello?”

“Hey. You’re a hard lady to reach.”

I smiled and smoothed my hair away from my face. “How so?”

“I called you. Like, ten times in as many minutes!”

Yikes. “Sorry. I was, um. Busy.”

“Yeah? What could’ve been so important that you didn’t answer the phone?”

She wasn’t whining. Tessa was too chill to actually be this demanding of me. But the rule of thumb between us was that if we called consecutively more than three times, it was urgent.

“Well…” I dragged my toes over the plush carpet.

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