Free Beyond the Edge by Susan Kearney Page B

vulnerable—or this ready to follow his command to the letter. He no longer bothered to hold her gaze. Oh no. He was watching her raise the hem. Watching her put herself on display.
    Her stomach tightened. She couldn’t believe she was having so much fun. Couldn’t believe how pleasing him aroused her.
    His voice turned husky, demanding. “Higher.”
    Hands trembling with eagerness, she lifted thegown above her thighs. The lace hem teased her newly shaved mons, then skimmed over the slender triangle of hair that he’d allowed her to keep.
    The material cleared her pubic area and fluttered across her hips leaving her feeling totally decadent and seductive. His eyes took her in and heat burst in her belly. She sucked in a breath to steady her jumpy nerves.
    “Turn around. Slowly.”
    Oh…my. She should have expected the request. Should have realized the material wasn’t just above her mons but above her bottom, too. She began to turn but not before she spied the arrogant satisfaction in his eyes. But she couldn’t wait to turn around so he couldn’t see her face. She was wild with the need to hide her longing and relished a moment to regroup.
    Except when she turned, she hadn’t counted on the mirror. All along he’d had a front and back view—but she hadn’t realized that until she’d turned. And if the sight of her body displayed and posed for him made her want to squirm, the excitement on her face almost set off panic.
    Just one look at her face told him how much she was enjoying complying to his commands. She should be running away. But she wouldn’t, not when she had the opportunity to explore a side of herself that she hadn’t known existed until tonight.
    How far would he push her? She didn’t know. How far would she go? She had no idea. And not knowing thrilled her, tested her, challenged her inways that made her feel fully alive. If anyone had told her that obeying Kane’s commands could arouse her, she would have laughed in their face. But she wasn’t laughing now.
    She was holding her breath. Waiting for him to tell her what he wanted next. Or maybe he wouldn’t say anything at all. Just leave her in limbo, upping her anticipation another few degrees.
    “Drop the gown to the floor.”
    She released the hem, sorry when she was again covered except for one bare breast. In the mirror, he must have seen the disappointment on her face. But he ignored her again, shoved to his feet and strode to her work desk and computer. He booted the system and she watched his face in the mirror, wanting to see his expression when he failed to crack her password.
    But the keys clicked nonstop, his fingers a blur of motion. A secret agent typing over two hundred words a minute?
    “Would you like to help with my search?”
    There were other things she’d rather do. However, she could use the time to collect herself. “Sure.”
    “All right. Lose the gown and come here.” He patted the arm of his chair, indicating where he wanted her to sit and simply assuming she would get naked for him. She’d been so ready to take it off a few minutes ago. But he’d given her time to cool down, no doubt just to heat her up again.
    Annoyed with her own hesitation, her pulse racing, she shrugged out of the remaining spaghettistrap, shimmied once to free the material from her hips and stepped out of the gown. With his back to her, he didn’t even watch her disrobe or approach. And yet, heart dancing up her throat, she obeyed to the letter, stepping toward his chair.
    Gingerly, she sat on the arm of the chair, taking care not to brush against him. The cool leather against her bare bottom combined with her agitation caused the chair to teeter. He missed a few keystrokes and stopped typing.
    “Perhaps you’d be more comfortable on my lap.” He worded his statement as a suggestion but gave her no choice. His large hands closed around her waist and he lifted her off the chair’s arm and set her down.
    The warmth of his hands on