Page 39 of French Martini

I somehow know that.

“Have you ever been worshipped?”

“What?”

“Hmm. I’m guessing not. Maybe you’ve never met someone who isn’t afraid of your exterior. I bet a lot of men are even intimidated by you. It can be hard to match up to someone who’s so together, smart, and self-reliant, but I’m not trying to match up to you. That’s not my job. My goal is to give you a place where you can let all of that go for a little while. You don’t have to be tough in front of me. You don’t have to have it all together. You can be you.”

“I’m not sure I know how to get there anymore.”

“You’ll figure it out. All you need is time and a safe place and I’ve got both of those.”

I hold his gaze, searching his eyes for the permission I need to open up this side of myself again. If I let him take the lead, I have to trust him to know how far to take us, but there’s nothing I see telling me not to let him.

“I want…” I have to pause to swallow down the emotion. Oakley rubs my arm, nothing but acceptance and desire dancing in his eyes. “I want to learn to let go again. Completely. I haven’t in a long time. I didn’t believe I was safe enough, but I do now, and if I’m wrong, I’ll ruin your life.”

Oakley smiles and nods. “I’d expect that.” He slides his hands to my waist, lifts me like I weigh nothing, and lays me down in the middle of his bed. “Now lay back, kitten. Your body is my altar, and I’m about to do some serious praying.”

TWELVE

OAKLEY

A plan formsin my head as I slowly remove Lowen’s socks, then his pants, then straddle his hips to peel him out of his sweater. He’s quiet, but his eyes are loud as they follow all my movements, pleading with me to give him what I promised.

If I stop and think about all the men who handed him the bricks to build the wall around his heart, I’ll lose my boner, so I shove those thoughts away and focus on his pleasure. He’s splayed out onmybed and suddenly I wish I had better bedding. This shit isn’t worthy of his beauty.

I drag my hand from his neck to his chest, swirling a fingertip around his areola and nipple. My cock swells when he drags in a ragged breath and squirms. I’ve never considered myself a Dom, but if Lowen needs me to take charge, I’ll do my absolute best.

Scooting down, I rub my hands over his thighs, avoiding the lure of his silky black panties. I can see through them, and my mouth waters at the sight of his slender cock and smooth balls peeking through the lace.

“You look so pretty, kitten.”

His expression softens slightly but he doesn’t say anything.

“I’ve been thinking all day about what I’d do if you let me touch you again.”

“What did you come up with?”

“Oh, it’s a surprise.”

He huffs like he’s frustrated, but there’s a hint of a smile on his lips. “Patience isn’t one of my virtues, you know?”

“Hmm, well you should try.” I lift his leg and brush my lips across his thigh before dragging kisses along his calf to his ankle.

As his body heats, his scent wafts around us—floral, but in an earthy, sexy way, with a hint of sweetness. I want to know what he uses so I can make sure he has a lifetime supply of it.

“You smell good,” I murmur into his skin. “I want to eat you.”

“So eat me.”

Chuckling, I nod. “I think I will.” As I study his face, I devise a plan to unravel him and see how far I can take us. “But not until I’m ready.”

He raises a perfectly arched eyebrow, opening his mouth as if he plans to object, but he doesn’t say anything.

“How important are these panties to you?”

He shivers beneath me, swallowing hard. “Not very.”

“That’s good. They might not make it through the night.”

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