“Yes, sir.”
The first time we were at my house, it was all about getting to know each other so that we could pretend to have been living together in case anyone asked a pointed question. This time my only mission was to get to know Claudia in a more intimate way.
As soon as we were inside, I helped her slip off her shoes, then scooped her up in my arms. “My beautiful princess wife, where would you like to go?”
“Well, I don’t know. What are my options?” she asked coyly.
“If you’re hungry, we can go to the kitchen and I’ll fix you something. If you want to chill out and watch a movie, I’ll get you comfy on the couch and just make you some tea.”
“So far. so good. Is there an option three?”
The second her gaze locked onto mine, I knew where we were headed. “Or I could take you to the bedroom, get you out of this dress, beautiful as it is, and kiss every single inch of my ravishing wife.”
Her tongue darted out across her lips nervously, then she nodded. “Bedroom.”
I’ve never held such precious cargo as I walked slowly upstairs.
Claudia had been absolutely bewitching all evening. Now it was time for me to show her how much I truly cared about her when we were alone, not when she was on display as my fake wife.
Although the more time I spent with her, the more I was convinced that we truly belonged together. It was only a matter of time before I made her my wife for real.
Chapter 9
_____
Claudia
I’d never known a man to be so attentive. Even when Vaughan had been wheeling and dealing with those important people, he was always keeping an eye on me at the same time.
It made me feel safe in a way I’d never experienced. And now, the way he held me as he carried me upstairs made me feel treasured.
The way Vaughan had stared at me all night made me shiver. I didn’t think I was that pretty at all, but he genuinely thought I was beautiful. His oddly intense gaze made my body tingle and tense. My nipples were aching from having been stiff all night in the unfamiliar strapless bra.
Feeling Vaughan’s hands on the back of my thighs as he carried me wasn’t enough. I wanted to feel them everywhere.
The bedroom was ultra modern, in gray and silver, with the exception of a pair of hand carved wooden nightstands on either side of the massive bed. He set me on my feet, and I stared up into those gorgeous green eyes.
As he dipped his head to kiss me, I placed a hand in the center of his chest. “Lipstick. Hold on.”
Darting to the washroom, I was still carrying my little purse that had a few special wipes the makeup artist had given me. I quickly cleaned my lips and removed the false lashes before returning to Vaughan.
He had taken off his shoes, socks, and jacket, but still looked stunning. Something about that crisp, formal jacket stretching across his shoulders had been triggering my lust all night long.
“Mmm, that’s better,” he said, pulling me against him to absolutely ravage my mouth. It was as if he had been starving for me. Perhaps that was a good trick to remember – by denying him real kisses for most of the night, now he seemed nearly out of control.
Then he turned me away from him, his fingers hovering at the three tiny crystal hooks that held the back of my dress together.
“May I?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
The back of my neck prickled in anticipation as he unfastened the dress and my bra, sliding everything to the floor in one fluid motion. His hands settled on my hips as he kissed along the back of my shoulder. He slipped out the clip so that my hair tumbled down. I hoped it had landed in a sexy mess.
Even the simplest of touches zinged straight through me, increasing my desire until I felt like I might shatter if he were to stop.
I’d never had such a clear, concrete realization before. I wanted him. Completely.
Turning in his arms, I reached up to grab him by the hair, pulling his lips down to mine to kiss him hungrily.