"No, just…not quite what I was expecting."
"You're not what I was expecting either."
His fingers slowly work the dress farther down, past the middle of my spine, and I try to force myself to relax. The team picked him for me. They wouldn't put me with someone who would hurt me or force himself on me. They trusted him, so there's no reason I shouldn't.
He unclasps a few more buttons and the fabric at my lower back separates.
"Now, this is exactly what I like," he whispers. "A slow, tantalizing reveal…like a surprise."
Christ. I don't know if I should feel creeped out or cherished right now.
His hands are warm against my exposed skin as the final part of my satin security is undone at the base of my spine, and I panic, feeling way too exposed and vulnerable. I'm not ready to be undressed in front of him, especially knowing I'm not what he wanted.
Clutching the gown against the front of me, I step away from him and turn to meet his burning eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"I'm just not ready for this…"
His eyes flash darker as he steps closer to me and grabs the material of my gown. "I want to see you. Stop hiding."
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Do you have anything on under that gown?"
"Yes, of course." Heat rises to my cheeks.
"Then what are you hiding for? Let me see." He tries to tug the material away from me again, but I hold on to it for dear life.
Shaking my head in frustration, I try to move away from him, but instead, trip over all the endless white fabric pooled at my feet. He catches me effortlessly and holds me against his bare chest.
"Very slick," I say, trying to pull away from him, but his arm snaked around my waist doesn't let me go.
"I am. Very." His eyes roam down my body and take in what I've got on beneath the gown. "Holy shit, you're wearing a gardener belt and fuckin' thigh highs." He lets out a low whistle. "Very nice."