Page 50 of Influence

“Are you ready to go inside?” he murmured as his breath grazed my ear.

I replied with a quiet nod, letting the growing heat within me convey more than any spoken sentiment.

As the terrace fell silent except for our shared breaths, he added, “I can’t wait to see you like this.”

He took my hand in a confident grip and led me through the wide-open terrace doors into an elegant primary bedroom. As soon as we crossed the threshold, Niko closed the heavy, carved wooden doors behind us with a decisive click.

He looked into the distance, his breath catching as he spoke, “No turning back now.”

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a crackle of tension rippling through the silence around us.

Turning, Niko faced me, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that promised both passion and protection.

“Stay right there,” he commanded. “Don’t move.” The words coursed through me, intensifying the tension with every shallow breath I took, and then I heard him chuckle, adding, “You’ll thank me later.”

Circling slowly around me, his possessive, smoldering gaze made me feel cherished yet deliciously exposed, as if I were his most treasured secret.

Stopping behind me, he pressed his front to my back.

His cool, insistent fingertips trailed over my shoulders and swept languidly down my arms, igniting cascades of goosebumps along my skin.

“You are mesmerizing,” he whispered, his lips barely brushing against my neck as he moved closer. “And you belong to me,” he declared with such unguarded yearning that I couldn’t help but be mesmerized. “Do you feel it too?” he inquired as I instinctively leaned in, longing for the profound connection his words suggested.

An undeniable energy crackled in the air between us, highlighting a bond that felt both electric and ancient, as though our souls recognized each other in a fateful dance.

Once again, turning to face me, Niko’s hands moved to my waist, pulling me into the reassuring strength of his embrace. My heart raced, each pulse sending electric thrills through my body under his commanding presence.

“Now, strip,” he breathed, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of my ear with deliberate care.

“I want you to take off your clothes,” I countered.

A crease formed between his brows. “First, I see all of you. That’s how this works. Tell me, are you ready to be completely open with me?”

Meeting his unwavering gaze, I chose not to respond. Instead, I began to unbutton my blouse.

Each released button punctuated the hush of the room as the silky fabric slipped from my shoulders and pooled on the floor.

His eyes darken with a powerful blend of desire and possessiveness as he murmured, “That’s it, don’t stop now.”

Carefully, I disentangled my skirt from its snug hold and lowered it to reveal lace panties that seemed to awaken a palpable hunger in him.

“Keep going,” he urged.

My heart raced as I unhooked my bra, setting it aside among the increasing pile of discarded garments. With each piece removed, my vulnerability deepened—a raw openness merging with the excitement reflected in his unyielding gaze.

Pausing at the waistband of my panties, I felt a wave of exposure mingling with anticipation.

Niko noticed my uncertainty and moved closer, lifting my chin with a touch that made our eyes lock.

His gaze softened as he murmured, “You’re perfect, love. Every part of you.” He paused, sincerity etched on his face, and added, “If you let me, I want to admire you.”

His assurance wrapped around me like an unspoken vow. Our lips met, the kiss beginning with a slow tenderness that quickly transformed into a raging inferno.

I let my panties glide down my legs, leaving me completely exposed under his admiring gaze. He stepped back, taking in every inch of my nakedness, his eyes tracing my form with a reverent hunger.

“Stunning,” he praised with a blended admiration and raw desire. “Tell me, do you feel as alive as I do?”

My breath grew shallow as he approached again. His fingers glided softly over the delicate arc of my neck. He placed slow, gentle kisses along my collarbone, each touch igniting faint sparks beneath my skin.

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