Lannahi returned to him, trying not to let her movements betray her excitement, but the way he looked at her made her legs grow weak and she seemed unconvincing even to herself.
When she stood between his knees again, Ashared put his hands on her hips. “Do you want me to take care of a particular part of your body or will you allow me to choose?” he asked, moving one hand slowly downward and the other upward.
Lannahi licked her lips. “I trust your judgment.”
Ashared smiled and slid his hand down her back, stopping to caress her bottom. He kneaded her, forcing Lannahi to prop herself up against his shoulders. Suddenly, she was filled with doubt. Her legs already felt like cotton wool. Perhaps it would be better to move on to the bedroom…
Ashared moved his hands over her body. When he squeezed her breast lightly, she violently drew in a breath, barely restraining herself from moaning.
Without interrupting the bold caress, he asked in a low voice, “How many more rounds do you think this game will last, Lannahi?”
She swallowed. “A few,” she said not quite convinced herself.
His lust mixed with amusement. He began to unfasten her corset. “Admirable will.”
She moved her hand over his shoulder and neck and his movements faltered. “Admirable composure.”
Ashared smiled slightly. His fingers picked up the pace. Finally, he drew back the corset and sated himself with the sight of her naked breasts.
Lannahi bit her lip as his warm hands enfolded her breasts. She knew what to expect but sighed aloud anyway when his thumbs flicked across her nipples.
Ashared continued to fondle her for a while, dividing his attention between both her breasts, squeezing them and massaging and rubbing her nipples. After a few minutes, Lannahi trembled, pressing herself closer and closer to him.
“Ashared,” she said with a pleading note in her voice, not quite sure if meant to ask him to stop or to continue.
The man folded his arms around her, encouraging her to come closer.
“Don’t forget my generosity,” he said with a roguish smile and leaned forward to take her nipple into his mouth.
She moaned, then slipped her fingers into his hair and began caressing his scalp, approving of his choice and regretting it a few minutes later.
“Ashared,” she repeated his name pleadingly, her legs weakening at an alarming rate.
The man leaned back. “Yes?” he asked politely though a bit hoarsely.
Lannahi licked her lips. “I…” she started and broke when his hand moved down her back, landing on her rear.
“Yes?”
“We…”
He squeezed her buttock. “Yes?”
His smug expression sobered her. “We should end this round.”
Ashared snorted with laughter. “Whose patience are you testing, Lannahi? Mine or yours?”
She leaned in until their lips were almost touching. “Yours, of course.”
Ashared swallowed but did not move.
Lannahi straightened with a smile. “Is it your turn to shuffle?” she asked casually.
The man moved his gaze over her unfastened corset and bare breasts crowned by nipples reddened by his touch. When he looked into her eyes again, there was no trace of amusement on his face. “Yes, Lannahi,” he said, letting her go. “It is.”
Her heart leaped, but she managed to keep a smile on her face. She returned to her seat. She pulled up her corset, hiding her breasts, but saw no point in refastening the ties. She would be naked soon anyway. Ashared’s gaze promised her that.
The man shuffled and dealt the cards. He tried to win. He lost because Lannahi had better cards.
