Page 65 of Ryder

But after the incident in my childhood bedroom, there was no way in hell I could have slept in that room. Besides, Ryder never would have agreed to it. When I’d suggested sleeping in another room in the mansion, he’d shut that down, too.

I’m glad. I didn’t want to be alone anyway. He insisted the only place I was sleeping was in his arms—which is where I’ve slept every night since the day after Smith assaulted me the first time.

I turn in Ryder’s arms and wrap mine around his waist, tipping my head back. “You make me feel like a princess.”

“That’s my plan for the rest of your life.”

“Do I get to open these gifts now?”

“Nope. You only get to open them when I say so. I’ll dole them out when I feel like it over the next week.”

I gasp. “Seriously?”

He kisses me. “Yep.” Another kiss before he turns me around, brushes my hair over my shoulder, and reaches for the zipper on my dress.

I’m glad he’s not going to take his time getting me naked. I stare at the long curls hanging in front of me. My mother arranged for Renee—the best stylist we have in town—to do my hair this morning. I’ve never looked so perfectly coiffed in my life. She did my makeup, too. Every time I’ve looked in a mirror, I’ve startled myself.

I might have been wrong about Ryder not taking his time. He’s easing the zipper down at a snail’s pace, kissing every inch of my skin as he reveals it. “This dress is so sexy, baby,” he murmurs.

I shiver as his lips and tongue dance down my spine.

“The cleavage was a bit low,” he grumbles. “I kept wanting to put a shawl around you.”

I giggle.

“You’re lucky that the only people who saw you were family, or I would have.”

“It’s not that bad.” I look down at the front of the dress and grin. It is pretty low, but I got the result I wanted from it. My man couldn’t take his eyes off me.

He chuckles against my skin. “You’re never leaving the house in something this revealing again, baby. Just so you know.”

I smile. Maybe I should argue or be incensed. Sometimes, I will because it’s fun to banter with him. I love it when I goad him until his brows furrow tightly, and he glares at me.

I don’t want to needle my husband tonight, however. Besides, though I’ll never admit it out loud, I love it when he’s so bossy. He’s possessive and overbearing, and it’s hotter than hell.

I can’t resist at least one jab. I just can’t hold back. “Are you planning to pick my clothes and dress me every day?”

“Are you angling for another spanking, sassy girl?”

My breath hitches as my body responds violently to his words. How does he manage to send my libido through the roof so easily?

I’m definitely going to spar with this man every single day because I love the results.

He finally has the zipper all the way down, and he eases the lace and satin over my shoulders until it falls to pool on the floor around me. It isn’t a frilly, girly dress. It’s sleek and feminine. It hugged my body, leaving very little to the imagination.

Ryder squats behind me. “Step out, baby.”

As soon as I step over the silk and lace, Ryder picks it up and carefully drapes it over the dark-pink armchair behind him.

I hate that he’s not touching me for those seconds, but his next words make my pussy clench. It’s his tone more than the words. “Turn around, Claire.”

I slowly turn to face him, biting my bottom lip to keep from moaning. When I meet his gaze, my breath hitches. He’s so intense. It’s so fucking sexy. He holds my gaze for long moments before letting his travel down my body.

I shiver. I feel sexy and exposed and desirable.

“Jesus…” he whispers.

I’m wearing the sexiest, most revealing lingerie I’ve ever seen. I’ve certainly never owned any. Willow ordered it and had it rush-delivered to go with the dress. It’s mostly lace and so dainty it barely covers anything.

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