Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Her shoulders stiffened, but her steps didn’t falter. Every time I needled her, she showed a bit more of her hidden spirit. For a greedy moment, I wanted to remove the blindfold so that I could see her composed mask falling away completely.
But I was enjoying her helplessness too much to ruin the moment. Mastering the fleeting urge, I firmed my fingers around hers and led her the rest of the way down the corridor, to a room at the far end of the west wing. It’d once been a seldom-used, smaller dining room. I’d had it altered just for her, spending a small fortune to make the changes within days. I’d kept this part of the house closed to her, so she wouldn’t discover what I had planned for her until it was ready.
I led her into the room and positioned her at the center of it. When I had her exactly where I wanted her, I cupped her nape and tipped her head back to claim a kiss. I started gently, not wanting to startle her with harsh, hungry contact. I traced the seam of her lips with my tongue, and she opened for me willingly, accepting my claim. I kissed her long and deep, until her hands curved around my shoulders for support as her knees went weak.
My base urges told me to continue, to lay her out on the floor and fuck her hard. But that wasn’t what I’d planned for her. For us.
So, I forced myself to step away, circling behind her to unknot the blindfold. I let it slide from her face, and she blinked rapidly to adjust to the sudden wash of light. I knew the moment her sight returned.
The awe that softened her lovely features was breathtaking, and I imprinted the memory on my brain. Nora was all mine, and after this, she’d offer herself to me freely. If she wouldn’t believe my pledge that I wanted to make her happy, actions would prove my intentions.
“Luca…” She breathed my name, and it went straight to my head, making me feel slightly high.
She’d never said it like that before, like a prayer.
She turned her head slowly, taking in the floor to ceiling mirrors before us, bisected by a barre.
“This is for me?” she asked, peering up into my face. Her eyes were wary again, as though she didn’t dare to believe that I’d done this just for her.
I traced the soft line of her lush lips. “Yes, kitten. It’s yours.”
“Was it always here?”
“No. I had it built for you.”
Her brow furrowed, and she glanced around at the studio. “But you don’t even know anything about me.”
I captured her chin between my fingers, hungry to watch every nuance of her expressions. “You told me that you’re a dancer. I contacted your sister and asked her to send over your things.”
Her eyes sparkled, and she blinked quickly. I didn’t want her to shove the emotion away, but I didn’t press her to fully release the depth of her gratitude. If she didn’t want to cry, I wouldn’t force her.
“You talked to Giana?” She spoke as though she could hardly believe what I was saying.
How little did she think of me that she was so baffled by my actions?
I didn’t like that thought, so I petted her hair and savored the way she leaned into my tender touch.
“Yes,” I confirmed. “She packed up your gear for you. It arrived this morning.”
I turned her and directed her attention to the chair in the corner, where I’d laid out her dance outfit and pointe shoes.
I leaned down from behind her and kissed her cheek. “I want you to dance for me,” I murmured.
That chair was for me. I intended to spend many hours in here watching my beautiful wife perform solely for my pleasure.
I applied pressure at the small of her back, urging her toward the waiting clothes and shoes. “Go on. Get changed.”
She peered at me over her shoulder. “Now?”
“Yes, now.” I allowed my tone to drop to something sterner, pushing her just a little.
She was malleable after being blindfolded and pleasantly caught off guard by her surprise, so she didn’t argue with me. Satisfaction flooded my chest as I watched her practically float across the room to retrieve her outfit.
She hugged the pointe shoes to her chest and closed her eyes briefly, as though savoring the feel of them in her hands.
Then she looked back at me. “There’s nowhere to get changed.”
I gestured at the mirrors. “You’ll change right here. For me.”
I prowled toward her, and she shifted on her feet. But she didn’t shrink away. I allowed my hand to brush hers as I passed her and settled down on my chair. I leaned back into the plush leather and waved her on, silently commanding her to obey.