The Devil's Playthings Read Online Free Page B

shoes she already hated. He laughed, and without even a thought kneeled in front of her and expertly removed them. When he looked up at her, from that position, goose bumps covered her entire body.
     
    She remembered just then she had not put on any of the lacy underwear in her drawers, and she was sure her nipples must be poking through the thin silk of her dress. His fingers lingered on the soles of her feet, and she actually shivered.
     
    Then he stood, and held out his hand to her again. “I’ve never danced before,” she warned him.
     
    “Just do what you did throughout dinner,” he countered. “Do what I do.”
     
    She blushed again because he had been able to read her mind and comprehend that she was mimicking his actions. W hen she stood he placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her body into his. Another sound of pleasure escaped her , and she blushed even brighter . “I’m sorry,” she had to say.
     
    “No, I like those noises,” he said smoothly, and began to sway with her to the slow jazz rhythm. He took one of her hands and placed it on his shoulder, then the other and held it gently in his. She smiled shyly, and stared at eye level, which happened to be his chest.
     
    After several moments, he parted from her to remove his jacket and lay it neatly on the arm of his chair. Then he took her in his arms again, and she felt another rush of blood, but this one flooded her ears and nearly drowned out the music.
     
    She could smell his scent, a dark woodsy, musky smell that pulled her closer. Her nose nearly touched the soft cloth of his shirt. His hand s trailed up her back, up to find her bare neck. Then they were in her hair, gently feeling the soft curls.
     
    She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know what he wanted. She wasn’t even sure of what she wanted. But she knew whatever he did she couldn’t say no. He leaned forward to gently rub his cheek against the top of her head.
     
    “Would you like another glass of wine,” he purred. Or was it a growl? She couldn’t tell.
     
    “I’m not sure,” she answered honestly.
     
    “Would you like anything else?” His voice alone sent shivers down her spine. But at that moment he pulled her closer to his body. He stopped pretending to dance with her, and just held her. His lips brushed against her hair, then down her cheek. He bent over to rub his soft skin against her s .
     
    “Ahhh…” she sighed. And then his lips found that most sensitive spot on her neck between her shoulder and her ear. He breathed in as he kissed her gently, then breathed out into her ear.
     
    This time it was more than a shiver. Her whole body quivered, down her back to her knees. And then he pulled the top half of his body away from her, so he could look down at her. His dark black eyes glittered through slanted eyelids . And he searched her eyes, without asking aloud.
     
    “I don’t know,” she answered him anyway. Every physical response to him was so strong, but there was one thought in her mind that she couldn’t shake. She was afraid of him. He was polite, restrained, and very civil. He appeared the perfect gentleman. She didn’t know why she hesitated. She wasn’t a virgin, she wasn’t delicate.
     
    He only nodded his answer, and continued their dance. She wouldn’t say the spell was broken, because she felt the physical pull just as strong. But not looking into his eyes, she could at least breathe.
     
    They danced for nearly an hour. He continued to hold her, but not as close. And his hands moved from her hair to her waist.
     
    “Would you like to go back to your bedroo m?” He asked her gently. Your bedroom, he said. It gave her a sense of secu rity, and she smiled weakly . She nodded slightly.
     
    He released her gently, and bent to pick up her shoes. Then he handed them to her, and took her other hand to escort her to her room. She climbed the stairs barefoot, with his hand on her elbow.
     
    H e left her at her door, with