Sallinger, Elene - Reflection (The Chrysalis Series)

‘Look, Bridget.’ He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ‘I know people assume that to be in my line of work, I must be gay, but I design lingerie because I adore women’s bodies and find them sexy as hell. Yours in particular is amazing. I designed all of these just for you and have been waiting for you to be willing to try them on. I’ve even fantasised about being the one to take them off of you.’

She tensed and started to rise, but he stopped her with his next words.

‘Don’t fear me, Bridget. I’m human and you’re a very desirable woman. I may have my fantasies about you, but I won’t act on them. Two damaged people make for disastrous relationships.’

Her eyes snapped to his and she saw a depth of pain there she could relate to. She relaxed into his lap.

‘Damaged?’ She wanted to ask for details. The pain she saw in his eyes was not the kind that came lightly, but she wasn’t up to reciprocating and she’d be opening the door if she did.

‘Yes, honey. You’re not the only one.’

She flinched, but he was right. She was being ridiculously self-centred.

‘Ask yourself this … Is he worth a little discomfort and vulnerability? You hide behind your cotton armour and deny your femininity. Is that want you want to do with him?’

With a soft kiss on her forehead, Victor put her from his lap and left her alone.

His words zinged through her brain; shining light on shadows she’d long ago stopped paying attention to. When her mind settled down, Bridget began trying on the rest of the items he’d designed for her.

She took in the stranger in the mirror, wondering if Connor truly was worth exposing herself this way. How could she be certain? Or, better yet, was her self-respect worth it?

On that thought, Bridget put her own clothes back on. Neatly hung up all the items on their respective hangers and stepped out into the showroom. Claire and Victor were huddled together on the sofa in what appeared to be a very intense discussion. They stopped their whispering at her entrance and looked at her expectantly.

Walking over to Victor, she handed the entire lot back to him.

‘I’ll take them all.’

Turning, she left the room. She never saw the grins they exchanged and they didn’t see her fear.

‘I want you, Connor.’ Warm hands stroked his chest and soft lips nipped at his ear. ‘Now, baby.’

A shiver of anticipation trilled down his spine and his cock lengthened. Bridget’s body was pressed against his back. Warm, pliant flesh moulded to his and sent his heart racing.

He’d wanted to hear those words from Bridget. To have her take the lead and drop her guard with him. To do more than allow him to make love to her, but to return the sentiment and let him know he was wanted too. He held his breath, afraid to move, afraid he’d wake up because surely he was dreaming.

He felt her shift and her hands stroked further down his body. His body flexed, rolling involuntarily as if magnetised by her touch. He lay still, letting her take the lead, enjoying her being the aggressor.

She gripped his cock, stroking firmly, as if she could draw his essence from him. She just might. The sensations were intense. His balls drew up tight against his body and he fought the urge to give in and spill himself right then.

Releasing him, she gently pushed against his shoulder until he was lying flat and then straddled him. She wasn’t naked as he’d expected. Instead, she wore the sexiest underwear he’d ever seen. Lace and mesh were used strategically to hint at all her delicious places.

Her nipples were distended and fighting their lacy bonds. Her sex was covered in lace as well and his cock twitched as he imagined peeling those scraps of material from her body and feasting on the sweetly-scented flesh underneath.

Thank God she wasn’t wearing those cotton cages she usually did. The aberration played at his mind and threatened to take him out of the moment. He fought it. If this was a dream, he’d be damned if he’d wake up now.

Slowly, she stroked along her sides and up her midriff to cup her breasts. With a single finger, she drew circles around her nipples. Her bottom lip was between her teeth and he couldn’t figure out which he wanted to suck on more.

He growled low as she pulled first one strap and then the other down her shoulders before giving a little wiggle so all of that succulent flesh spilled out.

She moved to take the bra off and he stopped her with a hard shake of his head, ‘Leave it on,’ he demanded.

He’d fantasised about her like this. Wanton and sexy. Naked to a point, so that what little was covered only made what was exposed that much sexier. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was that she’d finally trusted him this much. Finally, let herself go with him.

She squeezed her nipples and moaned, arching her body and letting her curls hang in a fiery riot down her back. He desperately needed to be inside her, but he didn’t want to interrupt. Didn’t want to disturb this moment.

For long, tortuous moments, he watched as she fondled her breasts, cupping and squeezing, tugging and pinching her nipples. His mouth watered with the need to suck on them.

‘Stop teasing me, woman,’ he growled, but he couldn’t deny he liked it.

She chuckled and said in her smoky lilt, ‘What’re you gonna do about it, sugar?’

‘Don’t tempt me.’ He could barely get the words out his dick was so hard and aching for her body.

‘Or what?’ She reached out, squeezing his nipple almost painfully before soothing it with her tongue.

She was definitely going to kill him.

‘Or I just might turn the tables on you.’ He almost hoped she made him show and prove. He wasn’t disappointed.

‘I think you need to put your money where your mouth is, darlin’.’ She smiled at him in invitation.

He wasted no time flipping her over eliciting a surprised shriek as he pinned her down. Instantly, he tensed, waiting for the reprisal as he realised his mistake, but all she did was grin and wait to see what he’d do next.

Not willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, Connor reached into his side table and grabbed the soft, cotton rope he kept there. He tied her wrists loosely to ensure he didn’t cut off her circulation before tying her wrists to the headboard. She could move, but she couldn’t touch him.

‘Is this OK? Are you in any pain?’

She shook her head, saying, ‘I’m fine, Connor. I trust you.’

Those words reverberated through him. Her trust was exactly what he’d been trying so hard to earn. Her eyes were dark with desire and he wanted her so badly, but this was what he’d been waiting for. He wanted her to see what it could be like between them.

He wanted her to see that there was nothing wrong with liking sex a bit kinky. Or bondage, or even a bit of pain to add to the pleasure. The only thing that mattered was that both people had to want it.

‘Good, you won’t regret it.’ His words were gruff, but he didn’t stop to think about the emotions that coursed through him at the gift Bridget was giving him. He just knew he didn’t want to mess this up.

Moving back, he lavished attention on her breasts, sucking, licking, biting and tugging. He ate up the sounds of her cries, her moans and whimpers.

Even as she screamed his name, he moved further down and tugged off her thong before diving between her legs. He devoured her flesh. He traced her nether lips with his tongue. She writhed beneath him, calling his name and begging him to finish her, but he wasn’t nearly done.