Page 35 of The Ties That Bind (Fraser Crime Syndicate 2)

“Of course.”

Elena gives me her back, her hands going to her hips. I lick my lips, my palms suddenly feeling warm. I sweep her hair over her shoulder, moving it out of the way, and she trembles. It’s not with fear, but anticipation maybe.

My own hands are steady as I reach for the first button and methodically undo each fiddly button on the bodice of her gown. Each one I release reveals a little more of her spine, and by the time I reach her lower back I’m feeling things I probably shouldn’t. My fingers scrape over her warm skin, and fuck, I want to feel more of her.

When I’m finished with the last button, she turns, holding the dress up by the front against her chest. She peers up at me, her eyes soft, her mouth slightly parted as she lets it go. It falls to her waist, revealing her bare tits. Fuck. Dusty pink nipples call to me, wanting my mouth around them. She steps the rest of the way out of her dress and stands in front of me. My mother put her in a tiny lace white thong and stockings that reach mid-thigh. It’s so at odds with the dress. She looks like a fucking angel like this. How the fuck am I supposed to resist her?

She doesn’t cover herself, but she doesn’t move either.

“What are we doing?” Her voice comes out whisper-soft.

I brush her hair back from her face, giving me a better view of her. Fuck, she is beautiful. I can’t deny that. Even with black liner smudged under her eyes.

“Whatever you want.”

“I want… I want to sleep.”

I can’t say her words don’t disappoint me, but I don’t let that slide onto my face. “Then we’ll sleep.”

“I’ll take the floor,” she says quietly.

The… floor?

“What?”

“Well, we can’t both sleep in the bed.”

I close my eyes for a moment, my good mood dissipating, and steel myself for the first argument of our married life.

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