Page 86 of Darn Knit All

This was definitely a win-win situation.

I gave myself permission to trail my gaze down the length of her as she lay in bed, a teasing smile on her swollen lips.

My jaw clenched at the sight of her curves, her skin, her dark nipples, the little thatch of black hair between her thighs.

I wanted to fuck her on every surface of the hotel room. I wanted to tease her slowly, making love to her until we were both mindless and desperate. I wanted to savor the build, revel in the anticipation until both of us burned with need.

I’d become so used to jumping into things without thought that to pause seemed almost counterintuitive. But then I’d never been playing to win Mai’s heart.

“Shower,” I said definitively. “I want you on my lap while I make you come once again.”

She swallowed. “Will we…?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. But we will. I want to savor the buildup a little longer.”

“Oh, you’re dangerous.” She waggled her finger at me. “I should be calling your exes to get the lowdown on you.”

I grimaced, following her into the bathroom. “Please don’t. I might be friends with a few, but they’re bound to tell you all the dumb shit I’ve done over the years.”

“I already know half of it.” She pulled the bench seat down and moved out of my way as I transitioned into the shower.

“And I’m glad you only know half.”

She chuckled as I turned on the overhead shower. Stepping into the water, Mai climbed up on the bench seat, straddling my thighs.

“Ready?” she asked as water dripped down her gorgeous body.

I slid a hand between us, finding her wet heat.

“For you? Always.”

We made it to the studio with two minutes to spare. Sound technicians frantically miked us up as makeup artists and hair stylists fought to make us TV worthy.

We took our places with the other contestants, and I could feel the nervous energy. It appeared everyone was keenly aware of how much was riding on today.

I caught Mai glancing at my leg and sighed.

“I told you, it’s fine.”

She bit her lip, flushing. “I know. You know your body best. I’m sorry.”

I leaned in, brushing my lips against her ear. “You’re forgiven if you do that thing with your tongue again tonight.”

I chuckled as her face flushed.

“Contestants,” Michelle called from her place on the stage. “You have just eight hours left to complete your look fit for a royal. Go forth and create!”

“I’ll do the gloves,” I said, already planning the structure.

“You’re not just applying straight to skin?” Mai asked, checking the fabric pieces she’d pinned to our mannequin the day before.

“No, I had an idea while you were washing my co—er,” I coughed, remembering the microphone tapped to my chest. “While you were washing mysock.”

I could see her shoulders shaking as she bent to pin the skirt on the mannequin.

“What was your idea?”

“I want to create a melted wax glove.” I held my hand out, cupping my palm. “If I use a thin band of wire and canvas that slips around the model’s hand, the wax should melt onto it.”

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