Muse in Lingerie (Lingerie 1)

So I kept holding her that way, kept adoring her that way. “You were amazing.”

“Thank you…your pep talk helped me out.”

My hand brushed through her hair, and I pulled the strands away from her face gently. “You’re a queen. You just needed to be reminded by your king.” My fingers touched her cheek, feeling the softness. She was soft like a rose petal, but not fragile like a flower. I grazed my fingers down her neck, feeling her gentle heartbeat. “And as your king, it’s my job to remind you just how flawless you are—like the diamonds you’re wearing now.”

She tilted her head up to look at me, her red lipstick contrasting against her fair face. Her eyes lit up on their own, reflecting the light in the room. Her eyes sparkled just like the diamonds that adorned her body.

My mouth ached to explore hers. I wondered how her kiss would feel, how her breath would flow all the way down into my lungs. I wanted to feel her plump lips quiver against me as I thrust into her. I wanted her body to sink deep into the mattress as I overpowered her with my size. I wanted that tongue against mine. I wanted her moans to erupt directly into my throat.

But I reminded myself that was something I never did.

I never kissed anyone.

I slid one hand across her lower back and dug the other into her hair. I pulled her tighter against me, sensing the chemistry pop in the air between us. My mouth wasn’t on hers, but I felt the same adrenaline I experienced from a lover’s kiss. It seemed like I was fucking her now, fully clothed.

She must have felt the same way because her pulse quickened more with every passing second. “All the attention…I wasn’t expecting it.”

“I’m not surprised.” The only model who had been bombarded like this was Lacey, but no one seemed to care about her anymore. Now they were obsessed with this woman, the woman who had become my muse.

“Can I take a break for thirty minutes? Just sit here in silence for a little bit?”

I wanted to take her to my bedroom and give her all the silence she wanted—while being naked and sweaty. My thoughts kept turning to erotic scenes where I was buried deep inside her. I never mixed business with pleasure because it complicated the situation. But now business and pleasure were one and the same.

Because no one turned me on the way she did.

“Yes. I’ll have someone bring you some water and something to eat.”

“Thank you. I’m starving.”

I cupped her face and stared at her mouth, seeing the small teeth behind those plump lips. I wanted to smear her lipstick across her mouth with my passionate kiss. My restraint wasn’t as strong as I wanted it to be. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

But I kissed her on the forehead instead.

Then I finally walked out, not turning back to look at her again. I was afraid if I looked at her for a second longer, I might fuck her right on that desk—a place I’d never taken a woman before.

* * *

Carter waited for me to finish speaking with Demetri Opal before he moved in with a glass of scotch in his hand. “You killed it tonight.”

Beside him was Vanessa, dressed in a black ball gown that matched her dark hair. Her moss-colored eyes complemented her olive skin. A diamond necklace hung around her neck, and she carried herself with class. She stared at me with a mixture of anger and pride. “I’m still pissed at you…but I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” She leaned into me and kissed me on the cheek. “Congratulations.”

Vanessa had looked up to me since we were young. Her approval meant a lot to me—even though I never told her. My sister possessed the same natural beauty as my mother, but she possessed my father’s hardness at the same time. She wasn’t like the average woman. She was so much stronger than most women I met. That made me admire her, which made me even more protective. The only man I would ever approve of for her would have to be a king or president, something worthy of her.

Now would be the right time to apologize to her, but I couldn’t do it.

I would never apologize for protecting her.

“I’m glad you’re here.” My eyes noticed One in the background, being adored by a group of men that insisted on taking pictures with her. Every time a man placed his arm around her waist or flattered her figure, it set my teeth on edge. Now that group was gawking all over her.

Carter followed my gaze. “Your girl is making headlines. People are obsessing over her.”

That should have made me feel proud, but it didn’t. The woman I valued as my complete inspiration was being enjoyed by everyone who had eyes. Men were snapping pictures of her to enjoy later, and they were fantasizing about the woman who fueled all my fantasies.