The Emperor

He lifted an inch and said, “I've never seen another woman let herself go the way you do. It's fucking beautiful."

Her cheeks heated. She shouldn't be shy, her mind knew that, but for some inexplicable reason she couldn't talk about sex quite as casually. Maybe it was the difference between men and women. She suspected it was the difference between a man used to having a casual fling and a woman who wasn't capable of equating sex with anyone she hadn't already handed her heart to. She didn't want to think of all that now. Sh

e wanted to enjoy the moment. After all, wasn't that the purpose of being spontaneous?

Determined not to punish herself for feeling pleasure, Lori turned away, pleased when Gideon wrapped one arm around her middle and pulled her in close so they were spoon fashion.

"This isn't casual."

Her heart nearly stopped. “What did you say?"

"I know you're probably thinking this is routine for me, but it's not. You're different. Remember that."

Butterflies flitted through her stomach at his words. “Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making this night so special."

He smoothed his palm over her stomach. “Don't start thinking I'm done with you. I've got lots more planned, sweetheart."

She giggled. “I know, you told me. The shower, the table, the stool."

"Yeah, all that and more.” She felt his lips pressing into her hair. “Go to sleep, baby. I've got you."

As if he had so much command, her eyelids grew heavy. Her last thought was how good it felt to be held.

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Chapter Five

Gideon got up early, aching to get to the sketch. Lori grumbled about not being a morning person, but he won her over with a hot shower that lasted far longer than he intended. Afterwards, he helped her blow dry her hair. He loved her hair. He could spend hours playing with it.

He instructed her to wear the purple gown again. At first she refused, but he eventually talked her into it. Gideon suspected it had more to do with her enjoying the way she felt when she wore it and less about his coaxing. She turned into a confident sex goddess, and it was stunning to watch the transformation from shy wallflower to vixen.

They had a quick breakfast of bagels and juice, and now he stood in his studio savoring the sight of Lori's womanly curves. He heard her thoughts inside his head as easily as if she'd spoken them aloud.

What if he finds me lacking, and he sends me on my merry way?

He responded impulsively. “You could never be found lacking, Lori, and you're sure as hell not going anywhere.” Too late, he realized he had answered a question she hadn't asked.

Her body stiffened as she grasped the enormity of what just happened. In an instant she shut down, and he could almost feel her withdrawing from him physically as well as mentally. She was leery of him now.

He cursed himself for a fool, but before he had a chance to cover his mistake, to ease her mind, the door to his studio was slung open and shut. Then it was a man's thoughts invading his mind.

Yum-yum, Gideon old buddy. What have we here?

At once, Gideon's entire body pulsated with a kind of rage he'd never before felt. Every muscle tensed, and his nostrils flared as if sensing a rival. He looked over Lori's head and saw his visitor come into the studio. As Gideon locked eyes with the newcomer, a smile spread over the man's arrogant face. On instinct, Gideon moved from behind Lori and stepped directly in front of her, using his body as a shield.

Gideon crossed his arms over his chest. “I'm busy, go away."

"Aw, Gideon, is that any way to talk to your oldest and dearest friend?"

He was being baited, but he couldn't seem to stop himself from rising to it. The idea of another man seeing Lori clad in the tiny bit of purple silk, nearly nude, made him want to smash something. That something was walking closer to them, closer to Lori. Gideon's fury boiled over.

"If you don't leave now, you'll be my oldest and dearest dead friend, Gregory."

Gregory tsked, not at all alarmed about the frenzy he was causing. “Introduce me. I know your mother raised you with proper manners.” He angled his head to the side in an effort to see around Gideon's body.