Page 59 of Watching Her

For a second, my pulse fluttered with a sudden rush of vulnerability. But as I looked at him, the warmth and absolute adoration in his eyes, the nervous flutter melted into a quiet, electric confidence. Stripping away my clothes felt less like exposure and more like shedding a barrier between us. Something I’d never done with anyone. Why him?

A slow smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Taking a step forward, the shift in the atmosphere was palpable. He wasn’t paying any attention while gathering two glasses and selecting a bottle, but as with everything else, he didn’t need to.

He simply commanded the room as if it were someone in his employ.

I moved forward and further into the suite. Just before he poured the glasses full, he nodded toward the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, which provided an incredible view of both the city and the riverfront.

“Do so in front of the glass. But first…” He lifted something from the far end of the bar and it took me a few seconds to realize what he was holding.

A mask.

“We finish what we started the other night.” The deep allure of his voice was even more intoxicating, leaving me tingling all over.

I moved closer, although I had to admit I enjoyed the way his jaw was clenched from anticipation. As if I held all the power. Perhaps in a way I did, considering he’d chosen to allow me choices. Not something I’d ever imagined a powerful man allowing to occur.

As soon as I accepted the offering, he reached for another. He’d planned the meeting. There was no way for him to deny it. Did the knowledge make the evening and the possibilities that much more delicious? Without a doubt.

I ran my fingers over the intricate feathers. It was a blank slate, a beautiful promise. As I lifted it to my eyes, a rush of intoxicating power washed over me. The power to watch him searching for the woman beneath a delicate covering that shadowed what was underneath.

I sensed his heated gaze remained, his eyes following me as I headed toward the windows and under a warm glow of light. When I turned, I was rewarded with seeing the shimmering penetration of his gaze.

With being on the top floor, and no buildings across the street, there was little chance someone else would notice my eventual state of disrobe. That didn’t mean the thought didn’t boost the excitement.

I did as he asked without question and without hesitation, moving to a perfect place to give myself space.

He lowered onto one of the chairs positioned only a few feet away, yet far enough he couldn’t simply reach out and touch me.

The realization of having someone’s undivided, captivated attention was an immediate high and for a few seconds, I had the same issue of wanting nothing more than to spend time watching him.

It was annoying how perfectly proportioned his face was. He had the kind of sharp, angular jawline that looked like it had been chiseled by someone who’d taken their time. I tried to focus on what he’d commanded I do, but my eyes kept tracking the straight line of his nose and the dark, thick sweep of his eyelashes. He was entirely too attractive for my peace of mind.

He placed one glass on the table, nodding as if offering a reward after I’d been a very good girl.

There was a slight smirk on his face just before I began. I was struck by how freeing the moment was once again.

While there was no music, unless you considered the rapid hammering of my heart and the way it echoed in my ears, there didn’t need to be.

Suddenly, the space between us felt thick, almost heavy, as if the air itself was begging to be compressed. My skin pricked with a sudden, sharp heat right where his hand had rested only moments before. I found myself watching his knuckles, tracing the sharp line of his wrist, violently wishing he would close the distance between us.

Only when I’d accomplished the required task. The mask he wore was similar if not identical to the one he’d worn weeks before, which added questions in my mind. Had he planned on our interaction since learning of the wedding? No, that didn’t make any sense.

Being Drake’s friend, he would likely have no idea I was a bridesmaid. There were so many questions rushing through my mind, which boosted the rush of adrenaline.

And I so I began a little dance, a striptease. Little did he know I wasn’t a virgin when it came to doing so.

For whatever reason, I could easily fall back into one of many routines, the mask allowing me to be that girl again, if only for a little while.

A onetime dance only.

The moment wasn’t just freeing, but a small event allowing me to momentarily embrace the woman I’d once been, even though I’d been little more than a girl. Yet this time, I felt in complete control. With every twist of my body, every turn and gyration of my hips, I knew I had Christian’s rapt attention.

At first, he was completely at ease, lifting his glass and holding the dense crystal a couple of inches in front of his face. Forever watching me as I’d experienced at the church.

As well as in the ballroom of the conference.

And a few times during the last ten days since my return. Was it possible he lived in town, had discovered where I lived and had been stalking me?

If so, why wasn’t I afraid or at least apprehensive?