Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
I like it, too. I like that she's confident enough to know what she wants and what she doesn't. "I am yours to command," I tell her, and offer both of my palms, face up. "Place my hands where you like."
Her expression turns thoughtful, a smile curving her mouth. She gazes down at my spread hands and takes one in her grip. With one of her fingertips, she traces a line down the center of my palm, sending twitches down my spine and making my tail thrash in response. It's like I can feel that touch right down to my groin.
With a coy smile, April lifts her finger from my skin, and it takes everything I have not to demand that she put it back. "Me touching you will be a future prize, I think."
"Something to look forward to," I rasp. Something that will haunt my dreams tonight and every night until it happens. "Where do you want me?"
She considers this and puts a hand on my shoulder. "On your knees."
Now we're getting somewhere. I drop to my knees immediately in front of her, my head only coming up to her abdomen like this. It puts her in a position of power, and I immediately understand her need for it. April wants to remain in control. She is allowing me to caress her, but in exchange, she still needs to feel as if she is the one in charge, and the easiest way to do that is to take my power from me.
In this particular case, I am more than happy to give up all control.
"One hand behind your back," she says, voice light.
I do as she bids, my other hand still in her grip.
"You can explore me as you like, but if I tell you to stop, you stop," April says. "And remember to stay on top of the clothing."
"Of course."
She releases my hand. "I'm all yours, then."
Immediately, the feel in the room changes. It's no longer sultry with anticipation. There's a tension in the air, an anxiety that wasn't there before. Is she nervous about letting me touch her? Does she think I'm going to do something she won't like?
I am not such a fool. I know the easiest way to ensure that I get to touch her again is to make sure she is pleased with me this time. I start slow. I put my hand on the outside of her thigh, resting it there for a moment atop her leather leggings. I move towards her knee, stroking lightly as I go.
"Really?" she asks in a dry voice.
I glance up. "Really what?"
"I give you carte blanche to touch me and you're going to fondle my kneecap?"
"Would you prefer I immediately shove my hand between your thighs? Where your smell is strongest? Because I know you're aroused, April. I can smell it. I've been smelling it since I entered. But I am not an idiot. One starts with deliberate precision when contemplating a worthy foe. Battle plans are formed."
"And are you making battle plans right now?" Her tone softens, and some of the tension in the air evaporates.
"More or less." I give her calf a squeeze. Firm with muscle. "Right now I'm just noticing that your bones are surprisingly fragile. I could crush you like a twig."
"Not something to say when you want to turn a woman on."
"Am I turning you on or is this an anatomy lesson?"
"Which one do you want to do?"
I shoot her a dry look. "Really?" I ask, mocking the tone she used on me.
She snorts with amusement. "Fine, I walked into that one."
"You set your guidelines, female. Now hush and let me enjoy my prize."
"Of course. Go back to fondling my knee." She obligingly shifts her weight, bending her knee slightly so it protrudes toward me.
"Thank you," I tell her in a derisive tone. I do enjoy our verbal sparring. She is clever and refuses to let me get away with anything, and I like that about her. I like that she constantly challenges me.
I continue to trace her knee through the leather, mostly because I know that this chaste touch is going to irk her more than anything. She might be in control of the battlefield, but that doesn't mean I'll cede every move to her.
With the one hand behind my back, I continue to explore her legs with small touches. I deliberately avoid going above the knee, waiting to see if she will comment again.
April does not disappoint. "It's like being frisked in an airport. You work for the TSA?"
"No. I am a gladiator."
"I was being sarcastic."
"You think?" I retort back.
"Oooh, kittycat has claws. Meow." Her tone is derisive, but it arouses me just the same.
Does she want to see claws? I extend mine, dragging them up the outside of her thigh and leaving scratches on her leather clothing. Her laughter dies in her throat and she sucks in a breath, clearly affected by my touch. "Do not fear, I will not harm your clothing. I know how hard it is to make."