This piqued her curiosity. From his overcoat pocket, he pulled out a square, white box with a matching satin ribbon and gave it to her. She tugged on the end of the bow and it unraveled. L.L. removed the lid, having not a clue as to what might be concealed inside. Honestly, what could trump the diamond bracelet?
She peeled back shimmery tissue paper and eyed the tiny triangle of delicate white lace that also glittered. Lifting the scant material from the box, she let out a shocked laugh as she asked, “You bought me a pearl thong?”
“Well, I did owe you a new pair of panties after taking them Tuesday night at the club.”
A memory that had not faded from her mind—nor would it ever, because it’d been damn hot.
“I think you’ve exceeded the replacement value,” she told him.
“I doubt it. They were Dolce & Gabbana, after all.”
“Horrendously expensive, but always too exquisite to pass up. As is this thong.” The strand of pearls ran from the inverted point of the triangle in front to a tinier one in the back. The sides were lace. A beautiful, elegant creation.
“I decided I’d be the one to pick out a toy for you.”
The man didn’t miss a beat.
“It’s perfect,” she assured him, “Very lovely.”
“I want you to wear it tonight.”
Her smile returned. “Of course. With or without my high heels…and nothing else?”
“I meant now.”
“Now?” Her voice hitched an octave. “As in…to the dinner?”
“Yes. I want you distracted by how the pearls feel, not worrying over whatever B.S. my mother might spew. And I want you desperate for me by the end of the evening.”
“We don’t need the pearls for that. Trust me.” She was already excited at the prospect of spending the night with him. Finally seeing him stripped bare, all those hard muscles flexed. Her fingers itched to touch him. Everywhere.
Tague said, “I want to know that you’re aroused by every step you take, every move you make. Because of something I gave you.”
He knelt before her. Carefully pushed her skirt upward until the slit was nearly at her navel. Then his fingers hooked in the strands of the thong she currently wore and he slid the panties down her legs.
L.L.’s breath caught. He was serious about this!
He helped her out of the lingerie. Held his hand out for the pearl thong.
Her clit tingled, and she wasn’t even wearing his gift yet.
She lowered her hand so that he could take the lingerie from the box. She raised a foot and he slipped on one side. Then the other. He slid the pretty pearls into place, the smooth beads nestling in her cleft from front to back.
A rasp of air fell from her lips.
Tague eased her dress down and stood. One corner of his mouth lifted in a sinful grin. He told her, “I’ll be thinking about this all night, too. Wondering how wet you are. How much you need me.”
Her eyelids fluttered closed for a few moments as she inhaled deeply. Slowly released the long breath. Then she gazed up at him and said, “This might be a little more than I can handle.”
His warm lips grazed along her collarbone. Up her neck. He whispered in her ear, “Turns me on even more that you’re willing to experiment.”
He stepped back. While L.L. blazed from the inside out.
Tague collected the full-length, silver fox fur coat draped over the sofa.
“This goes perfectly with the gown,” he said.
“Meg lent it to me.”