Page 73 of Damaged

The tag saysAlexander McQueen.

“James,” I say breathlessly as I take the dress out. It’s split leg and gorgeous green, like his eyes. Like his tie.

Like I’m his.

“You shouldn’t have.”

“It does come with a condition.”

“And what’s that?”

“Put it on.”

“Oh, I’m wearing this tonight.”

James’s brow tightens. His eyes flash with daring. “I mean put it onnow.” It’s like little lightning strikes under my skin. My heart beats so hard, it’s keeping the air out of my lungs.

I meet his eye. The sound is sucked from the room. It’s so quiet I can hear his watch tick. Is this really happening right now?

It has that strange, hazy unreality of a dream come true. The last week, I’ve hardly gone a minute without James barging into my mind. I thought it was over in Africa. I really thought that was the only chance I’d get, yet here he is.

I don’t respond to his challenge with words. I lift my arms and grab the back of my T-shirt near the neck.

I pull it off, ball it up, and toss it on the couch next to him. The apartment doesn’t feel so warm anymore. My nipples are sensitive and point towards James. He glances over my bare chest. His eyes draw my breath shorter.

“Your pants, too. Take them off,” he says in a low tone.

I stare into his eyes as I hook my thumbs in my sweats and pull down. I let them pool at my feet, and I stand there for a moment, completely naked.

I want him to walk over to me. Fuck dinner. Or maybe we just change it up so that’s the new order this evening.

But he stays leaning against the wall. His eyes appraise me hungrily. They settle between my legs, which is growing warm and wet from his gaze alone. He pushes off the wall to come to me, and as he does, my heart jumps too. I stay standing as he comes close and inspects my body.

He touches my hip and my breast. Warm, strong hands.

He pushes my chin up with a finger and runs a hand along my neck, down my chest and belly, stopping at my dripping entrance. Then he forces two fingers inside, and I let out a rattling gasp.

He takes his fingers out, sticks them in my mouth, and I close my eyes and suck. He takes his fingers out and takes a step back. “Now. On.” He points at the dress. I almost want to make a pouty face, but I am excited to see the dress.

He backs up while I put on the dress without underwear. I turn, and he helps me zip up. There’s no mirror in the living room, but I can feel that the fit is perfect, and I can tell from the look in James’s eye that it’s exactly whathehad in mind.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous, snowflake.”

“Thank you.”

“One problem I’m considering… You’re going to need some mobility tonight.”

“What?”

“Do you have a skirt and tights?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. The dress waits.”

“Are you just trying to see me naked again?”

“I don’t need to try,” he says and helps me out of the dress.

---