Page 39 of Dare to Love Again

“Having you faint would put a damper on our evening, don’t you think?”

She nodded.

“Breathing is essential, then, lass.”

His voice, the accent, the way he kept constantly touching her, like now as his thumbs slowly swept over her hipbones, and the fact she was naked while he remained fully clothed, made her feel vulnerable, aroused, and submissive all at once.

Again, she nodded, afraid if she spoke, she’d make all sorts of rude demands, like take me...use me...fuck me.

“Look at me, Esme.”

Her gaze rose to meet green eyes framed with silky black lashes set in a beautiful masculine face. Straight nose, high cheekbones, full sensual, kissable lips. As he regarded her, his lips twitched slightly.

“I’m at an advantage. I knew who I was meeting tonight. You’ve barely looked at me since I came in. I trust, since you haven’t run screaming from the room, you don’t find me completely hideous.”

She suppressed an eye roll, although it wasn’t easy. “Hardly, sir. You must know how handsome you are.”

“I’m relieved you think so, but maybe you could prove it by looking me in the eye rather than down at your hands, over my shoulder, or at my chin?”

“I’ll try, sir.”

“That’s a good lass.”

With her eyes on his, she saw when they dipped to her breasts then moved lower, and she watched as he took the backs of his fingers and lightly ruffled the triangle of red-gold curls at the top of her thighs which she kept neatly trimmed.

“I like this bit of fluff. Spread for me.”

She hesitated ever so slightly, drawing his gaze, and earning her a warning arch of one dark brow.

“Disobedience will get you a rosy-red ass, my girl.”

Instantly, she parted her legs. “I’m sorry—sir.”

Her voice broke, the result of his fingers sliding between her thighs and over the smooth lips of her pussy. She had shaved close that morning, taking meticulous care to prepare for tonight.

“Soft in front, like silk in between, very nice. Bend to me.”

“Um...” If she did so, her breasts would dangle in his face.

“Now,” he drawled, his low intonation making it sound like a growl.

She complied immediately after that, and as predicted, her breasts hung before him like ripe fruit. As a penalty for her hesitancy, his lips surrounded one nipple, and he sucked it into his mouth. She felt the edge of his teeth and let out a quavering cry, part groan, part ragged breath, and toward the end, a high-pitched whimper. Her arousal wet her thighs as she arched her back, offering him more. Not that he needed an invitation. By her consent, she was his for the evening.

He released the taut peak with an audible pop. Not leaving her wanting for long, his open mouth traversed the valley between her breasts and latched onto the other tip with equal ferocity.

Before she knew it, her fingers entangled in his thick, wavy hair. Esme’s eyes flew open when he encircled her wrists and pulled her hands free. She stared into his amused gaze; shocked she’d had the daring to touch him without permission, especially their first time together.

“I expected you’d be out of practice, not that you’d have forgotten your manners entirely.”

“Oh, sir...please, forgive...my, uh, forwardness.”

He framed her face with his hands. “I tease, Esme. I’m not as strict a master as that. If you’re not allowed to touch, speak, or if I want your eyes lowered, I’ll tell you. Or I’ll bind, gag, and blindfold you to ensure that you don’t.”

A gasp escaped as the fire of her arousal flared hotter.

Keiran smiled and brushed a tender kiss on her lips. “While we’re getting to know one another, I like your spontaneous reactions. I want to see the desire in your eyes, hear the sounds from your lovely mouth, and to feel your hands on me. And Esme, I’d never punish before explaining my rules. Is that clear?”

She nodded, forcing out a ragged, “Yes, sir,” when both his brows rose once again.

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