Part 24 (1/2)
He shook his head.
”What? You're not going to tell me everything I put on is wonderful?”
”Why would I do that? I want you to feel confident. And it bunches around the hip. Your body is perfect. The dress isn't.”
She sighed.
”Honesty,” he reminded her. ”It's the only way to build trust. So admit it. You like the black dress.”
”It's nice. But it's not my style.”
”It could be if you're brave enough.” He enjoyed the thrust and parry with Lara. This woman wasn't just steamily s.e.xy, she was savvy. Brains and beauty were a combination he was finding delicious.
After the way she'd responded yesterday in the playroom, he'd suspected she would enjoy this afternoon's scene. Then, he'd trained her how to greet him. When he'd smacked her c.u.n.t, her reaction had astounded him. She'd come hard, fast, wet. It had cost him plenty in terms of restraint to be polite and hold a conversation in the car. His blood had blazed in his brain, demanding he take her. He'd left her on the verge of a climax at her house. But he hadn't told her that all her suffering made his d.i.c.k ache.
Then she'd presented herself in the playroom. Her innocence and nudity would undo the hardest heart.
The way she'd taken his single tail had given him immense satisfaction, a feeling of pride, even. He'd intended to go slowly, but he'd listened to her moans. He'd allowed her to drive the scene, and he'd given her what she asked for.
That she was willing to please him caused a mad demand and protective need to collide in him. He'd wanted to f.u.c.k her then, when she was striped, burning, on the edge. It'd been days since he'd jacked off, and thoughts of taking her were beginning to consume him. It would no doubt blow his mind. But a quick joining wouldn't do it for him. He wanted time to explore her and learn more about her. Which meant he had to wait. ”Quit stalling. Or I'm coming in.”
”You wouldn't.”
His hand was on the door handle when she pulled it open.
”You would have,” she amended.
He started to answer, but she interrupted, ”You do what you say you're going to do.”
”Count on it. Count on me. Now let me see you.”
”I need a bigger size.”
He moved back so that she had room. ”Step out.”
Slowly she did so.
”Hands behind your neck and turn all the way around.”
She glanced around to see if anyone was staring.
”Gaze on me.”
When she looked at him, he continued, ”No one else matters. Even if you're momentarily embarra.s.sed, you'll still be pleasing me. People aren't watching you as much as you think they are. And you'll never see them again. Worry about me.”
She put her hands behind her neck and slowly turned.
”Stop.” Because of where the floor-length mirror was positioned, he saw her reflection. She was worrying her lower lip. ”I can see a couple of marks. Before you wear it again, I'll use a cane first.”
”It's too...” Lara tugged on the neckline then the hem. ”I was going to say it's too much, but the truth is, it's too d.a.m.n little. There's not enough of it to cover anything.”
”It was made for you.”
She completed her circle and looked at him. ”Do you know how much this thing costs per square inch?”
”Spoken like a CFO. They're the only ones who would calculate a dress that way.”
”Anyone with a brain would,” she countered as she let her hands fall to her sides. ”At least cost per wear. How many times would I wear something like this?”
He shrugged. ”Dozens?”
”Real life isn't like that.” She rolled her eyes. ”No one dresses like this on a regular basis.”
”My wife d.a.m.n well will.”
The clerk came over. ”Your husband is right. It's beautiful on you.”
”He's not my-”
”Yet,” he finished. ”She'll take it and the other one.”
”I'll pay for the purple one. But since the black one is yours, you can pay for it.”
”Excellent solution.” He told the clerk to ring them up, giving Lara no further opportunity for argument. ”The only thing missing is jewelry.”
”Absolutely not,” Lara said.
”We have some nice costume pieces,” the woman supplied helpfully.
He wandered to the necklaces while Lara changed back into her own clothes and paid for the purple dress. A little while later, she joined him.
”No arguments,” he said before she could open her mouth. ”Try this.” He removed the triangle-shaped pendant and fastened the choker around her neck. It was ridiculous how much he liked the way it looked. ”It'll do until we can get you a real collar.”
Her eyes widened. ”You're scaring the c.r.a.p out of me. Your contract said that would only be for when we attended lifestyle events.”
He nodded. ”We'll talk about it. Will you wear the necklace? Not as a symbol, but because it will look nice with the dress?”
”Connor.”
”Your choice, Lara. I won't force you.”
”I'll consider it,” she hedged.
”Fair enough.” He unfastened the clasp then went to pay for his purchases.
Within five minutes, they were on the way home. The tissue-wrapped necklace was stowed inside the garment bag, but he'd left the pendant behind.
”So you bought me a dress instead of paying off the debt of a medium-sized corporation?”
”A small one,” he agreed.