Absolute Trust - Jeana E. Mann Page 0,8

band and a surround of tiny sapphires.

He removes the ring from its resting place. I hold out my hand, but he stops a few inches short of my reach. Challenge illuminates his chiseled features. “Before I give this to you, you’re gonna need to take something off. You know. Balance.”

My heart skips a beat. Nothing turns me on like expensive jewelry—nothing but Cash. The combination of both is more than I can withstand. The prudent choice would be to leave, but the shimmer of ice around my neck and the heat in his gaze unleash a primal need. After his return of the money, I’m feeling more drawn to him than ever. The unexpected glimpse into his softer side works as an aphrodisiac. We lock gazes. I begin to step out of my high heels. He shakes his head. “Not those. Those can stay.” The tip of his tongue sweeps over his lower lip. “How about your panties?”

“Okay.” The snug polyester dress fits like a second skin. To prevent unattractive lines, I wore a tiny thong. Under his watchful stare, I reach beneath the hem of the dress, tug the silk side straps down my hips, and let them fall to the floor.

“Pick them up.” His throat clenches as he swallows. “Give them to me.” I bend over, gather the thong, and scrunch it in my hand. He extends a palm. My skin brushes his as I relinquish the underwear. At the electric buzz of his touch, my hissing breath shatters the silence. Without breaking our locked gazes, he stuffs the panties into his pants pocket and extends the ring on his pinky. “Your ring, madam.”

I slide the platinum band onto my left ring finger. The metal is cool and smooth to the touch. My attention bounces between the ring and the man in front of me. Both are rare. Both are beautiful. Both turn me on.

He bends slightly and slides his palms along the outsides of my thighs, dragging my dress up to my hips, baring my sex. I let him because I like this game. I like the desire in his eyes, and the power that desire gives me.

“What next?” The roughness in his voice lifts goosebumps on my forearms.

“The tennis bracelet?” I point to the first piece that I caught my eye when we walked into the room. He moves away long enough to secure the item before putting it on me. The diamonds catch the light. The pad of his thumb glides over the inside of my wrist. He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses it. I shiver.

“Take it off, princess.” He releases my hand and steps back to watch. I pull the dress over my head and drape it over the counter. His dark eyes skim my shoulders, the necklace above my breasts, the curves of my hips, my pussy. One corner of his mouth curls upward. “You should always be like this. Naked and dripping in ice.” He skims hot, tickling fingertips over my collarbone. “When you’re mine, I’ll make sure of it.”

When you’re mine. The confidence in his statement implies it’s going to happen. Standing in the middle of his store, naked and covered in priceless jewels, the idea seems more probable than before. I can picture us together—fucking, fighting, and forever testing each other’s boundaries. Under the mesmerizing spell of the jewelry and his presence, I throw away caution. I place both hands on his shoulders then run them down his chest. He sucks in a breath.

I yank on the edges of his shirt, ripping open the front. “You know what I think? I think you’re wearing way too many clothes.” The buttons scatter across the floor. It’s the first time I’ve seen him surprised. Using the flat of my palms, I shove him toward the Victorian chaise. He sits with a shocked exhale. I reach for his belt, unfasten the buckle, and open his fly.

“If I’d known this would be your reaction, I would’ve brought you here a lot sooner,” he says with a smirk.

“Hush.” I press a kiss to his mouth before returning to my task.

He lifts his hips to help me remove his trousers and boxer briefs, but I keep his belt at my side. The thick length of his cock springs forward between us. I wrap my fingers around his shaft and tug. He grunts, a declaration of his pleasure. The velvet upholstery tickles my shins as I straddle his lap.

“And what do you think you’re