Page 37 of Gilded Dreams

But right this very second, it’s like watching damn paint dry.

But that’s okay. I can play dirty too. I throw the shower door open and get to work drying off. A few minutes later, with dry hair and a clean nightie that barely covers my ass I form a plan. My bruises have faded to ugly yellow marks and my face is pretty much healed all except for a small patch beneath my eye. Not my sexiest moment, but it’s not my face I want them looking at anyway.

Perched at the top landing, I take a moment and map out my plan of attack. Brogan and Atlas are in the kitchen leaving Ryder all by himself in the living room.Bad move, boys.The open floorplan of the downstairs is a marvel to look at. They have no idea I’m stalking their asses. Six years ago, I ran off wounded and hurt. I didn’t fight for what I wanted. I’m a jaded woman now with a lot more grit in her spine. And I know how to work up an evil plan like nobody’s business.

Smelling irresistible and just about sweet enough to eat—thank you Brogan for the toiletry run—I pinch my nipples and get themteasing the delicate silk of my gown. Something sexy I found in Justice’s closet.

Second move complete. First being the shower.

“Enjoy your shower, butterfly?”

“Mm-hmm.” I nod, not giving my handsome chefs a second look. That gets me some whispers and I fight back a smug smile when I turn away from them and forge a beeline toward the living room. With the ample open design Atlas and Brogan both get to watch my next moves while they cook. Poor men. They’ll have to pick—continuing to ignore me or join in on the fun I have planned.

Atlas eyes me from the kitchen where he’s cutting vegetables up for another stew of some sort, phone pressed between his shoulder and ear. Brogan is manning the stove, the pot of simmering broth smelling divine.

But I’m hungry for something else right now.

Hooded eyes track my movements, and I can feel heated gazes pin me between the shoulder blades. Then slide down to caress over my ass barely hidden beneath a small amount of silk.

Eat your heart out, my SEALs.

“Watching anything good?” I slide down next to Ryder and make sure he feels the tip of my eager nipples brush across his massive bicep. He’s reclined in the middle of the couch, feet up on a tufted footstool wearing nothing but a pair of low-slung gray sweatpants. How? Tell me how am I expected to resist that?

“Not really, baby.” His gaze moves from the TV to flick over my smooth legs and climbs from there until a slow grin overtakes his lips.

Digging into my ample reserve of grit, I toss my newfound treasure on the couch cushion and bury my fingers into the ends of my gown. I move away and settle nearby and tug up the material little by little until I am completely bare. Lavender material puddles at my feet, and I’m left wearing nothing but my necklace and a shawl of determination.

Piercing gray eyes meet mine. There’s a mixture of hunger and resistance marring his handsome features.

Poor man. With a pinched look like he’s really gonna hate what I’m about to do.

“Maybe I can put on a show for you then?”

I take the brand-new vibrator I discovered upstairs complete with packaging and recline against a mass of throw pillows. I swear, it is like the Universe lined this moment up perfectly.

One by one, I place my feet flat against the couch and then I butterfly my legs. With me spread wide, those unwavering eyes finally dip to my center, and I see when the hunger outweighs all else.

I hear a battery of curses come from the kitchen.

“Kandy. What the fuck are you doing?”

Trailing fingers over my breasts and down my midriff sets off a gritty glitter of excitement in those eyes and I know Ryder is mine. Third phase is complete. Just a little more…

I pull on an encouraging smile and tip over the edge of my folds to dip a finger through my warm honey.

“Hi,” I moan with a sultry lilt.

“Since you guys seem to have turned celibate in the last few days, I’m taking matters into my own hands. Literally.”

I palm the vibrator and flick the little button on. A humming sound fills the dead silence everyone has fallen into.

“That so?” Ryder growls hungrily, peering up at my body with a devilish grin.

“It is.”

I slowly bring the vibrator to my mouth and lick the bulbous tip, before slipping it over one nipple, the other, and finally settling over the hard bead tucked between my pussy lips.

My mouth hinges open and I’m gasping at the sensations plaguing my overly sensitive bud. I’ve been left longing since our delicious night together. My body can’t take more than a couple of seconds at a time.

---