Dark blue cloth napkins had been placed on the plates and a beautiful crystal vase held fresh cut flowers in the center.
A cozy fire burned in the fireplace. He blinked when a small creature with pointed ears suddenly appeared in front of him holding up a bowl of fresh fruit. Another one hurried over and whispered to it.
“You can leave the food for later. We would like to get cleaned up first,” Nali instructed.
“Yes, Empress,” the creature said with a quick bow.
“Elves?” he asked with a note of uncertainty.
“House elves. They are incredibly efficient,” she said with a smile.
“I can see that,” he said, watching them move about with amazing speed.
She turned and captured his hand. “I thought we should clean up before we eat,” she suggested, walking toward an open door leading into a bedroom.
The suggestive look in her eyes left no doubt as to what was on her mind. He strode forward, grasped her wrist, and twirled her around, then pulled her back against him. His lips connected with her throat when she tilted her head sideways and chuckled.
“Let me help you,” he said.
“Oh, yes,” she breathed.
The sensual slide of Asahi’s fingers along her wrist sent waves of pleasure through her. She loved the way he ran his hands across her skin. He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. Every caress, every kiss showed his love for her.
Her heart thundered in anticipation when he trailed his fingers under the collar of her blouse, and with the precision of a tailor, slowly undid each button. Her body heated at the sensuality of his movements.
The soft material of her blouse slid down her arms. Nali swallowed when he carefully folded the fabric and placed it on the dresser, then gave her a heated look that she felt deep in her very core. The sexual tension between them was intensifying. She barely kept still as he slid his hands down her bare arms to the hem of her thin undershirt.
She thought he was going to remove it. Instead, he slipped his fingers underneath, caressing her stomach. He guided her to a chair in the corner of the room, and she sat down, watching as he silently removed her boots.
Gazing at his long fingers, she followed their movements as he unhooked each bootstrap with meticulous precision. Memories of his hands as they glided over her flesh, memorizing every inch of her, sent a shiver of awareness through her.
She touched a tuft of his hair that hung down over his forehead, smiling at the contrast between his strong, chiseled face and his tousled hair. His lips curved into the mysterious smile that drove her crazy, but he didn’t look up from his task. He held her calf while he pulled off her boot and long stocking. She gritted her teeth to keep from groaning out loud when he placed both aside before doing the same to her other foot.
“You enjoy torturing me, don’t you?” she murmured.
He smiled again in response, and her inner muscles clenched as she let him do as he wished to her. Each touch was deliberate, as if he were carefully unwrapping a special gift.
She took a deep breath when he rose to his feet and held out his hands. Their eyes locked as he unfastened the button on her trousers and slowly lowered the zipper. She tilted her head back as he gently blew on her neck and collarbone, sending tingles down her spine in sensual waves.
“Asahi,” she whispered when he slowly pulled her trousers and panties off, his penetrating looks making her tremble with need. He had barely touched her and she was already incredibly sensitive, waiting for what he would do next. He stood, taking the time again to fold each item neatly, then picked up her stockings and placed the items on the dresser.
Impatient, she grasped the hem of her undershirt. When he gave her a sharp, silent look, she released it, moaning in frustration and glaring at him.
He walked back to her, leaned very close, his lips a breath away from hers, and caressed her hips with the tips of his fingers as he pulled her shirt over her head, leaving her naked. She parted her lips and swayed toward him, feeling his clothed erection against her. He took a step back, folded her undershirt, and started to turn away, but she reached out and gripped his arm, keeping him from moving.
“Leave it. The house elves will wash them,” she said in a voice laden