His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls79fumbled, but at last it was undone. Swallowing, she lookeddown. There were a lot more buttons. A small sound fromthe bed caught her attention. Fleetingly she looked up andher fingers froze on the second button. He had stripped offhis waistcoat and was engaged in hauling his shirt off overhis head.Verity’s mouth dried at the sight of his heavily muscledbody. Firelight slid and gleamed on the hard curves. She hadnever realised that a man’s body was so different, so verybeautiful. Fascinated, she stared at the broad shoulders, thepowerful chest with its dusting of curling hair. That was startlingenough, but what really surprised her was the suddenurge she felt to touch him and discover all the textures ofthat magnificent body.A soft chuckle shocked her eyes back to his face as sherealised she had been mesmerised. Her mouth dried out evenfurther as she met his hot gaze.‘Don’t forget your own buttons, my sweet.’ His voice wasfull of heated intent. ‘I had no intention of distracting you.’She couldn’t do it. Not with his eyes on hers like that.Temptation and warning in one fierce blaze, they threatenedto consume her. She shut her own eyes and forced her fingersto obey her. A second button, then another, and another. Buttonafter button, until the dress hung loosely about her. Shestood, uncertain what to do next, agonisingly conscious ofthe unseen presence on the bed, aware of his gaze still burninginto her.‘Push it off your shoulders, let it fall to your waist.’She wouldn’t be naked. Quite. She still had her chemise.And a petticoat. Shivering, she obeyed, feeling her nipplestighten in the sudden chill. The dress fell about her hips,caught by their gentle swell.‘You won’t be cold for long,’ came a murmur. ‘I’ll warmyou.’ It sounded like a promise. A moment’s taut silence.Then, ‘Now push it off your hips. To the floor.’The heat in his voice sent tremors rippling through her.