Page 20 of His to Possess
I slipped into the dress, the fabric sliding over my skin like water. It fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right places. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized this meant Rex must have somehow obtained my exact measurements. How did he get them? And, more importantly, how long had he been planning this?
My fingers traced the delicate silver necklace as I fastened it around my neck. It was beautiful, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was also a collar, marking me as Rex's latest acquisition. I surrendered to it willingly, though, all in hopes of getting something in return.
My reflection caught my eye again, and I saw a flicker of determination behind the glamorous facade. I might be wearing Rex's clothes, living in his world, but I wouldn't let him own my spirit. I was here to play his game, yes, but on my terms.
I stepped out of the guest room. Rex was waiting for me already. His eyes traveled slowly over my body, taking in every detail of the dress he had chosen. I felt exposed and vulnerable, yet a strange thrill coursed through me at his obvious appreciation. I was used to occasional attention frommen, of course, but there was something different about the way he studied me—as if he wanted to devour me whole.
"You appear exquisite," he murmured, his voice low and rich.
Before I could respond, he stepped closer, invading my personal space. His hand reached out, and for a moment, I thought he was going to touch my face. Instead, his fingers threaded through my hair, rearranging it with surprising gentleness.
"There," he said, satisfaction evident in his tone. "Perfect."
I swallowed hard, acutely aware of how close he was. The scent of his cologne filled my senses. This wasn't how a professional interaction should feel. The lines were blurring faster than I had anticipated, and I struggled to regain my footing. Worst of all, I already found my willpower beginning to crumble away slowly.
"Thank you for the dress," I managed to say, proud that my voice didn't waver. "It's beautiful."
Rex's lips curled into a smile that was equal parts charming and predatory. "It suits you. I have excellent taste, wouldn't you agree?"
The double meaning in his words wasn't lost on me. I knew he wasn't just talking about the dress. I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. This was a delicate dance, and I couldn't afford to miss a step. I needed to show just enough compliance to keep him satisfied while maintaining my own boundaries.
"The dress is lovely," I said carefully. "But I hope we can focus on the art collection. That is why I'm here, after all."
For a moment, I saw a flash of something in his eyes—frustration, perhaps, or amusement at my attempt to steer us back to professional territory. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by his usual mask of control.
"Of course," he said smoothly. "I wouldn't dream of keeping you from your work. Shall we begin with the watercolor? But before…" Rex's eyes locked onto mine, and a shiver ran down myspine. His voice, low and commanding, cut through the tension. "I'm going to kiss you now, Laurel."
My breath caught in my throat. I blinked once, completely caught in shock. He'd said it so casually, almost as if he was commenting on the weather, rather than letting me know he'd claim my lips. It wasn't a question, either, or a request, it was a statement of fact. I opened my mouth to protest and remind him why I was there, but before I could form the words, his lips were on mine.
The kiss was precise, calculated. His lips moved against mine with practiced skill, and I hated how my body responded. I tried to stay cold, distant, but he was relentless. His hand cupped the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair, and I felt myself melting into him despite my best efforts.
He kissed me as if he wanted to suck the air out of my lungs and leave me aching, so much so that I'd choose him over oxygen. He was possessive and dominant and leading in all the right ways, momentarily blurring my mind to the point where it would've been easy to forget just how dangerous he was.
My thoughts raced, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The contract I had signed, the career I was trying to salvage, the risks I was taking—they all faded into the background as he deepened the kiss. His tongue traced my lower lip, seeking entrance, and I granted it almost involuntarily.
Overwhelmed, I tried to pull back, but his hand tightened on me, his grip just shy of painful. His tongue explored my mouth, tasting, claiming, and a moan escaped my throat before I could stop it. His lips moved to my jaw, trailing kisses along my sensitive skin, and I felt myself succumbing to the raw desire he stirred within me.
How long had it been since I last felt a man's touch, especially one like this? It had been ages since I'd been with anyone, buteven then, none of them had affected me like this. This was, whether I wanted to admit it or not, otherworldly.
Rex's other hand slid down my back, pulling me firmly against him. I could feel the hardness of his erection through our clothes, and a wave of heat rushed through me. My fingers curled into his shirt, my knuckles brushing against his chest as I clung to him. I could feel his heart pounding, a rhythmic thud that matched the pulse throbbing between my legs. I was aware of how wrong this was, how quickly it was spiraling out of control, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
Rex nipped at my earlobe, sending a shiver down my spine. His breath was hot against my skin as he whispered, "You like this, don't you?"
I didn't respond, unable to form words. It was too much, too fast, and my head was spinning. But my body betrayed me, my hips pressing against his, seeking more of that delicious friction. I felt a thrill of triumph as I sensed him heating up, his carefully constructed mask slipping just a fraction.
His hand slid down to cup my ass, pulling me even closer. I could feel the outline of his cock against my belly, and my core clenched in response. Rex's lips moved back to mine, his kiss demanding, hungry. He angled his head, his tongue delving deeper, and I tasted the tang of his mouth. I felt him everywhere, his scent surrounding me, his body dominating mine, and I was helpless to do anything but surrender.
But just as the kiss reached its peak, Rex straightened, breaking away from me as if nothing had happened. The sudden loss of his touch left me reeling, and I staggered slightly, my hand flying to my lips. They felt swollen, bruised, from the intensity of our encounter.
"Well," Rex said, his voice husky, his eyes filled with amusement. "That was even better than I had anticipated. Butsorry, where are my manners?" he said, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Let's continue with the tour, shall we?"
For a moment, I could only stare at him, struggling to process what had just happened. I drew in a small breath, trying to gather my composure. I'd most certainly need it after this. I'd never deemed myself a weak-willed person, but all it took to prove me otherwise was one kiss.
The encounter, so intense and overwhelming, was like a storm that had blown through, leaving me breathless and shaken. But Rex had already turned away, heading down the hall with long, purposeful strides. I lingered in my spot for a moment longer, just staring at him. How was it possible to be so attracted to a man so dangerous?
Chapter 9
Laurel
