I’m not sure if she had to sew her outfit tonight or what’s taking her so long because dinner’s started before she appears in the hall, Edward at her side. A strange sensation grips my heart seeing them together, arm in arm and heads bowed in whispered conversation. I want them to be friends, but I’d rather not share her. Not today. Not knowing how far my father is willing to go to keep us apart. Not knowing that I need to let her go.
As they get closer, I grow more impatient. “You’re late.”
“Alexander.” Edward shoots Clara a look and drops her hand as though he senses he’s on my territory. “I was just escorting your lovely girlfriend to dinner.”
Clara’s eyes dart to the floor, her embarrassment a strange contrast to the scrap of clothing she’s wearing. I give Edward a meaningful stare that says, are you responsible for this? He shrugs, a bemused smile playing on his lips.
“I can handle that.” I offer Clara my arm but find myself wondering if she’d prefer to be escorted by my brother. The two seem to be getting along, and she needs all the friends she can get. Clara must sense my hesitance because she rolls her eyes. Edward continues on, leaving me for a moment to address her appearance. I run my eyes down her, appreciating how the fabric under the black lace of her dress nearly matches her own skin. She might be completely covered, but she’s giving me ideas. “In this light, you look naked.”
Her giggle suggests she knows how provocative the dress is, but does she know how hard it’s going to be to sit at the table with her while sporting a rock-hard erection?
“We’re late for dinner, X,” she simpers.
I open the door just enough to let light into the dark corridor and get a better look at her. It’s worse in the light. It’s also better.
“What are you wearing?”
Her hand grabs my chin, and I realize her shoes have brought her to nearly my height. I glance down and see how long her legs look streaming from a pair of heels that basically beg me to turn her around and fuck her on the spot.
We’re never going to make it to dinner.
“I wore something sexy for you.”
For them or for me? There’s something different about Clara tonight, and I can’t quite put a finger on it. She’s acting boldly, and I worry any brash confidence she exhibits will only draw more bullying her way. She doesn’t need to try so hard to impress anyone, least of all me. “You always look sexy to me.”
She responds by kissing me so deeply that I forget my worries for a moment. I slide a hand down her hip and around to cup her ass. There’s no resistance from her clothing. It’s practically hanging out, ready to be spanked. “Christ, this is short. Suddenly, I’m not hungry.”
But it’s clear she’s got other plans. “I’m ravenous.”
Despite her proclamation, she totters as she pulls away, and I catch her. I can’t help pressing closer to her, so she can feel my cock straining against my trousers. Maybe I can convince her to skip dinner if she knows what’s on the table.
“Oh X,” she murmurs, “Don’t you know that good things come to those who wait?”
“Screw waiting.” Before I can just lift the skimpy excuse for a skirt up and pin her against the wall, she frees herself from my embrace and moves quickly to the dining-room door.
“Delayed gratification, X.”
“Clara,” I call after her. I’m going to need a moment to adjust myself before I dare head inside, and she shouldn’t enter alone. But she ignores me, continuing on, her ass swinging dangerously as she makes her way to her seat at the table.
I can see everything through the crack in the door that she’s left ajar. Dinner’s already begun, and everyone stops to stare at her as she passes. She might be a guest. She might be an American. She might be the ruin of this family if my father is asked, but at this moment, she’s a queen.
It’s so obvious that she rises above all of them.
A server moves toward her, and instinct takes over. No man, no matter how innocent his intentions, is getting near her when she’s dressed like that. I burst through the doors, tossing a nod at my father, and make my way to her. Clara’s own instincts must also be kicking in because she doesn’t move.