I dropped my hands slowly, my fingers trembling as they fell to my sides. I felt completely exposed, standing there in nothing but the lace I had chosen so carefully. His eyes were like fire, burning paths across my skin as he looked at every inch of me.

“That’s it,” he murmured, his gaze never leaving mine. “No more hiding.”

He didn’t move from the sofa at first. He just sat there, dominating the space, making me feel small and insignificant all at once. The silence in the hotel room was so thick I could hear the blood rushing in my ears.

“Come here,” he commanded, patting the space on...