Page 24 of Elevating Eve

“Good girl. Now don’t move.” Letting her application drop to thefloor, he pulled her T-shirt up, lifting it free of her arms before dropping it next to the packet of paper. Approval filled his eyes as he ran a single finger down the satin strap of her bra, then across the top edge of the crimson lace. “So sexy,” he murmured, brushing the pad of his thumb over her nipple until it hardened. “Not at all what I expected to find.”

In truth, her usual undergarments were a hell of a lot more practical. No point in getting all dressed up just to get sweaty and filthy at work. But ever since she mailed in her application, she’d chosen one of her sexier lingerie sets each morning. She even tried her hardest not to be so hands on with the build, just in case.

She was grateful for that foresight now that she stood half-naked before him.

“I wore it for you,” she said, drawing in a sharp breath when he rolled her nipple between two fingers. “I’m glad you like it.”

Humming appreciatively, he slid his hand down her bare belly, making her shiver as goosebumps erupted across her skin. He didn’t stop when he reached the waistband of her jeans, moving lower, dropping to his knees in a single, lithe movement. His hands went to her left work boot, tugging at the laces.

“Oh shit, please don’t,” she said, blushing furiously, wishing she had the nerve to back away.

His hands halted, and he looked up at her with a small frown. “What’s wrong?”

“Can I take my shoes and socks off myself, please?” A moment later, she added, “Sir?”

Frown deepening slightly, he asked, “Why?”

“These boots are almost a year old,” she said, hoping he’d get the hint.

No dice. His brows pulled together in confusion.

“I work in them at least five days a week. Getting all dirty and sweaty and stuff.” If she blushed any hotter, she’d be able to fry an egg on her forehead.

At least he didn’t need her to explain any further. “Do you really think I’d care about that?” he said, censure in his voice.

In fact, she couldn’t think of anything that would ruin the scenefaster than him getting a whiff of that. But she couldn’t bring herself to admit it out loud. “It’s not exactly sexy,” she said instead.

“You’re wrong.” He looked up so she could see the truth in his eyes. “Do you have any idea how sexy you are when you’re out there working?”

Eve snorted. She couldn’t help herself. “Oh, I’m sure.”

He snaked a hand around her hip, giving her ass a single firm smack. Even through her Levis, it hurt. “Watch the tone,” he admonished, before he got back to work on her shoelace.

Removing the boot with as much care as the prince gave to Cinderella’s glass slipper, he peeled her sock off and tossed it aside. Mere moments later, he did the same on the other foot.

“Now,” he said, hands running up the outsides of her legs. They drifted inward at her waist, moving to the button of her jeans. “To respond to your sarcastic comment.” He slipped the button through the hole, then lowered the zipper so slowly that she almost grabbed his hand and forced him to go faster. “You’re extremely smart and skilled. Everyone around you looks to you as the top expert in virtually every situation. You practically fucking glow with confidence when you’re working. Why wouldn’t I find that sexy?”

Eve’s heart melted more with each word. Could he possibly mean it? Frank had certainly used her skills and expertise to his advantage, but he never once acted turned on by it. Quite the opposite, in fact. After a long day at work, he’d complain the whole way home about how dirty and smelly she was, insisting that she get right in the shower the moment they arrived.

When Jonathan’s fingers dipped below her waistband, pushing her jeans over her hips and down her legs, her ex flew from her thoughts. His short fingernails scraped ever so lightly against her skin as he lowered the denim, making her shiver with delight.

Any second now, she’d finally be fucking Jonathan Hale. After so many months of wanting him, if he dragged this out much longer, she’d explode.

Jonathan helped her step out of her jeans, shoving them aside with the rest of her clothes. Then he leaned back on his heels, looking her up and down.

She preened a little bit, her back arching, breasts jutting out. She couldn’t help it. This was her favorite bra and panty set, all skimpy satin strings and lace in the sexiest red imaginable. It made her feel a little bit wicked—a feeling she didn’t often get to enjoy.

“You look good enough to eat,” he said, lust making his voice raspier than normal. Leaning forward, he grabbed her hips with both hands, his fingertips digging painfully into the flesh of her ass. Before she knew what he was doing, he’d pressed his face against the front of her panties, breathing deeply.

“Oh my God,” she gasped out, her legs shaky. Without thinking, she buried her hands in his perfect hair, holding onto him for dear life as his tongue darted out, pushing her panties against her clit. Her breaths came faster and faster as he continued teasing the tiny bundle of nerves, the rough scrape of lace feeling like fucking heaven.

Just when she thought for sure she’d come, he pulled away, looking up at her with smug satisfaction in his eyes. “Are you ready for your punishment?”

She squeaked in surprise, her hands dropping to her sides. “You’re punishing me?” It came out rushed and breathless. Every muscle in her body screamed for the release he denied her, while her mind raced with new fears. Was he angry at her? Would this hurt?

Not the good hurt, like what she saw out by the pool. TheFrankkind of hurt.

Standing, Jonathan cupped her face between his hands, waiting until she met his gaze to speak. “Remember that you have your safeword. Nothing is going to happen without your consent.” He brushed his thumbs along her cheekbones, the touch featherlight. “And a punishment from me isn’t what you’re thinking right now. I want to make you feel good, Eve. Better than you’ve ever felt in your life.”

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