She turned her back to him and leaned forward, preparing to lift her skirts. She was surprised to find him bending over her and reaching down, touching the hem of her gown.
“Put your hands on the table,” he commanded. She did.
A moment later, the skin of her legs, covered only by the thin, translucent material of her stockings, was enfolded in cool air.
“Lean further,” he asked.
When she obeyed, Ashared lifted the folds of her dress and arranged them high on her hips, then took a few steps back to admire the result.
“Were you wearing these all day, or did you put them on for me?” he asked. She could feel his eyes moving over the three thin straps, two of which ran down her buttocks, connecting to the thigh-length black stockings, and one ran across the valley between them.
Aware of the wetness between her legs, she replied with a question, “Why ask if you already know the answer?”
“I enjoy the sound of your voice.”
She smiled but didn’t reply, and silence filled the room.
Lannahi felt exposed and vulnerable, but when she imagined his gaze roaming over her body, her skin tingled as if he was touching her. Her breathing became more ragged with each passing minute. When she sensed him approaching, she vaguely trembled, and when he began palming one cheek with his large, warm hand, she needed an embarrassingly long moment to remember her plan.
“No touching, wolf,” she said without much conviction.
Ashared squeezed her buttock lightly and slowly moved his hand closer to her center. “Are you sure?” he murmured, stroking the edge of the strap.
Lannahi swallowed but repeated, “No touching.”
“Shame.” He squeezed her buttock lightly again but eventually let the folds of her dress fall back down.
She sensed him moving away. She straightened up and turned to him.
“If you refuse to perform the action again, I will demand that you undress,” he informed her with a nonchalant smile. “Take this into account when planning the next round.”
Lannahi replied with a similar expression. “I appreciate the advice.”
The next game proceeded suspiciously slowly, but this time Lannahi couldn’t accuse Ashared of intentionally procrastinating.
He was distracted.
Because of her.
When she caught his gaze for the sixth time in a row trailing over her breasts instead of focusing on the cards, on impulse, she began to play with the strings of her corset. Halfway through the game, Ashared realized what she was doing and forced his eyes back down on the cards again. For a while, Lannahi gave him a rest, dulling his vigilance. Then she pulled at the string. The bow untied, and each deeper breath she took made the corset loosen. Ashared lost.
“Having an issue concentrating?” she asked sweetly, reaching for the dice.
He gave her an amused look. “You have my full attention, Lannahi.”
She smiled and threw the dice.
Three.
You caress me with your hands.
Her pulse quickened.
“Do you have any objections regarding the prize?” Ashared asked when she looked at him wordlessly.
“No.” She feigned hesitation. “And you?”
He chuckled. “Come and I’ll show you how much I won’t protest.”
