Page 142 of By His Play

She sucks in a sharp breath of air.

“Does that turn you on? The thought of someone seeing what I get to see?”

She whimpers, her hands coming up to rest on my chest.

“Does that embarrass you?” I ask, reaching down to tilt her chin up so she has no choice but to look at me. “There is nothing wrong with wanting an audience, Luck. In fact, it’s hot. Really fucking hot.”

Her lips part at my confirmation, but no words leave her mouth.

“It won’t be happening though. Tonight, you’re all mine. The only person that gets to watch you as you fall apart is me.”

Her eyes close for a beat as she absorbs my words.

“Eyes on me,” I command, making them spring back open again. “Come on,” I say, taking a step back. “It’s time for dessert.”

Without instruction, she follows me to the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

But she doesn’t go any farther. Instead, she just stands there, unsure of herself.

I hate it. I hate that she’s second-guessing anything right now.

Her body is buzzing. She’s desperate for it. But also, she’s struggling to get out of her head.

It was predictable, and exactly why I did this tonight. I didn’t want her at Grams’ overthinking everything.

Tomorrow, we return home. And as hard as I know that’s going to be for her, she’s ready.

Tomorrow is also the day our engagement comes to an end.

My stomach twists so tightly, acid rushes up my throat at the thought.

But I remind myself that it’s just like pulling off a band-aid. Once it’s done, the pain will hit briefly, and then it’ll be all over and we can continue as if it never happened.

It’s the right thing to do. For both of us. Even if right now, it feels like the worst.

“Effie.”

Her eyes lift from the floor, instantly locking on mine.

Her lips part and her chest rises and falls steadily.

“Are you okay?” I ask, closing the space between us and cupping her jaw in my hands.

She stares up at me with her big, beautiful blue eyes. She’s wearing contacts tonight, and although I love her glasses, without them like this, it’s like she’s looking straight down into my soul. It’s as incredible as it is terrifying.

She nods. “Yeah. Can you make me come now?”

I can’t help but laugh.

“Not right now,” I confess. “But soon. I need you to do something for me first.”

She continues to hold my eyes, waiting for instructions like the good girl she is.

“I love this dress,” I tell her, letting my hands run over her curves.

The second I grip her breasts and squeeze gently, her head falls back, a moan ripping from her lips.

“But I love what’s hiding beneath it more.”

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