“What are you doing?” I try to hold back my grin as he sets me down on the bed and lifts the camera in front of me. He snaps a few shots in quick succession, like a complete pro. Figures.
“I love that smile,” he says.
I feel awkward and uncomfortable in front of the camera lens, but Gabriel doesn’t miss a beat. He leans down and kisses me hard until I’m breathless and needy with desire. Then he pulls back and snaps away shamelessly.
“I love that you aren’t afraid to show me how much you want me,” he says.
I groan and cross my arms like a petulant child. “Am I that transparent?”
He snaps a couple more shots before I try to swipe for the camera.
“And I love those beautiful red lips when you pout like that.”
“What are you doing?” I ask irritably.
“I want you to see yourself the way that I do.”
I look at him like he’s speaking another language I can’t comprehend. But wasn’t that exactly what I wanted during the ride over here tonight?
“Come,” he instructs me, holding out his hand.
I reach up and take it, and he leads me over to his dressing table, complete with a large mirror in front. He turns me to face the mirror and stands behind me, snapping another photo before I frown and try to turn away. He grips my chin, gently turning me back to face the mirror.
“Look at yourself, Victoria,” he commands. “Look how beautiful you are.”
“I don’t want to,” I croak. “It feels weird.”
He pulls my hair back away from my face and holds it in his hand in a makeshift pony tail, taking a moment to kiss my neck and just hold me.
“It shouldn’t,” he says gently. “I want you to learn how to be comfortable with yourself.”
I stare at my reflection, still feeling awkward, but knowing that he’s right. It occurs to me that I’ve never really felt completely comfortable in my skin, especially around Gabriel.
My eyes trace the lines of my short, curvy figure and I try to dislodge the lump of emotion in my throat. All I can see is pale skin, dark hair, and a heap of imperfections staring back at me. Eleanore’s words haunt me. Big nose, fat thighs, ugly duckling. I want to feel pretty, but it feels like an illusion. I try to turn away again.
Gabriel’s hands press my forearms onto the dresser before me, effectively arching my back into him. He skates his fingertips down the sensitive skin of my open back before he bends down and whispers in my ear.
“I’m going to fuck you, right here, like this. And I want you to watch, Victoria. Watch the way your body responds to my touch. Watch the pleasure that I receive from you.”
I swallow and try not to look too eager, but his hooded gaze is setting off all sorts of crazy reactions in my body.
“Do not close your eyes,” he commands. “Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
“Good girl,” he purrs.
His hands leisurely stroke the silky fabric of my dress, caressing my waist, my hips, and then my butt. A shiver of delight runs through me as he places his palm on the skin of my lower back, pressing me flat against the dresser. Then he stoops down, gathering the fabric of my dress and inching it slowly up my legs and over my hips. He groans when he sees the black lacey panties I’m wearing, cupping the cheeks of my butt in his hands. He slides the scant material down my legs, lifting me to pull them off and spreading my legs at the same time.
I’m open and exposed as he sinks to his knees, pressing his face into my wet center. Without pretense, he grabs my hips and pulls me against his hot tongue. I watch myself mewling with pleasure as he licks and caresses me with perfect strokes. His head bobbing between my thighs has to be the most erotic thing I’ve ever seen, and it quickly sends me right over the edge.
I’m still gasping for air when he stands up behind me, ripping off his jacket and dress shirt. He unzips his pants and lets them fall to the ground below, revealing his muscular legs and throbbing cock. He takes the engorged flesh into his hand and strokes it twice before positioning himself behind me.
I watch his reflection as he presses against my back, his eyes hooded as he sinks inside of me. He takes his time, allowing me to expand around him as he grips my hips and kisses my neck. The minute I’m comfortable, he starts to move. I watch the transition from man to beast unfold before me, his lips parting, and his eyes flaring with molten heat. He pounds into me with unrestrained hunger, as if he can’t help himself.