Read Talon (Ashes & Embers Book 4) for Free Online Page B

he is standing next to me, I realize with my heels off, he's quite a bit taller than me. "I don't mind at all," he replies, still grinning. "Turn around."
    I turn my back to him and take a deep breath. He's so close to me, his bare chest almost touching my back. Almost. I can feel the damp heat coming off his body, enveloping me in his warmth. His hands gently touch my shoulders as he bends down, his lips barely brushing against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
    "Should I undo each button or just tear it off you." His voice is teasing but laced with raw sexiness.
    He wants to play, and I think he enjoys the chase, but I'm not ready to be caught.
    "I'd rather not destroy the dress… It's so pretty," I reply innocently. I have plans for the dress and its lace, buttons, and silk, my mind already outlining how I can repurpose it into at least ten different outfits and accessories.
    "Good choice," he agrees. "There's a lot to unbutton… It's like unwrapping a present."
    "I don't think I'm much of a gift."
    His fingers work the buttons and eyelets, brushing against my flesh with each one that comes apart. "I'll be the judge of that when this dress is off you and I get you into that bed."
    "Oh…" My voice catches in my throat as my heart skips, and wet heat radiates unexpectedly between my thighs. "I-I don't know if I'm ready for that yet."
    "You just married me, toots. That's about as ready as we can get." Another button pops.
    "I know… I just… This is a lot scarier than I thought it was going to be. I wasn't planning on you undressing me. Or going to bed together. So soon."
    His hands slide a little lower down my spine. "Yeah. But here we are, alone in a hotel on our wedding night, and you've got a gown on with a thousand fucking tiny pearl buttons and I'm taking it off you. So yeah, it's a little bit of a turn-on, and I thought that was the next step."
    I nod slowly. He's got me there. Unless I call the concierge for a maid to help me, my only option is to either cut this beautiful dress off, or let him take it off me. My husband. My body shudders involuntarily.
    "Am I that bad?" he asks.
    "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