The Reluctant Bride (Arranged Marriage #1)(64)

I let go of her hand and walk over to the right side of the window, pulling on the cord so the curtains slide all the way back, giving us an even better view. The Lancasters have owned a piece of this city for generations. The Constantines want their piece too.

Our merger is important. Life changing. It hasn’t hit me before, how our wedding is going to change things. Our lives, for one.

Forever.

“Charlotte.” I turn to look at her and she stands a little taller, straightening her shoulders. “Come here.”

She approaches me slowly, her heels clicking on the marble floor, her breathing still shaky as she makes her way to me. I grab her hand and lead her closer to the window, stopping right next to it. “Put your hands on the glass.”

A frown crosses her face at my command but she follows it, reaching out to rest her palms on the glass, turning to me as if she needs to be told what’s next.

“Face forward.” I watch as she does as she’s told, tugging on my lower lip with my fingers, heat rolling beneath my skin, making me want to shed my jacket.

So I do—tearing it off and dropping it onto the floor. The buttons at my wrists were undone from earlier at dinner and I roll my sleeves back up, my movements hurried.

Anxious.

Still Charlotte doesn’t move from the window, her hands braced on the glass.

I approach her slowly, an animal hunting his prey, her perfume lingering in the air, combined with her unmistakable unique scent. I stop just behind her, my hands resting on her shoulders, noting the slight tremble beneath my palms.

“You’re nervous.” My mouth is at her ear, her hair tickling my face.

She gives a jerky nod. “What are we doing, Perry?”

“What do you want me to do to you?” I bring my hands together just beneath her nape before I slide them down, spanning wide to run them over her curves, smashing all of those delicate pink petals on her dress. “Fuck, I should take this off.”

“No.” She shakes her head and I go still, fighting the disappointment that threatens to take over me.

Damn it, she wants me to stop. And I’ll stop. I don’t push women into fucking me, and I know one thing.

I’m sure as hell not going to force my wife.





Chapter Twenty-Two




Charlotte


Perry’s big, warm hands rest on my hips, his fingers gathering the fabric up subtly, cool air hitting the back of my thighs. My heart is beating so fast I can barely catch my breath and I know he’s waiting for me to explain my answer.

“You want me to stop?” he asks, his hands never moving from my hips.

I shake my head, noting the exhale of relief that escapes him. “If you take the dress off, I’ll basically be…naked.”

“Isn’t that the goal?” His voice is tinged with amusement, and I can’t help but smile.

“Not in front of the windows. Someone could see me,” I murmur.

“Ahh.” He steps closer, his hot body pressed against mine, and I can feel his erection nudge my ass. He’s so hard.

A tiny thrill moves through me at the realization. He’s hard for me.

Perry Constantine wants me.

His fingers keep working on my dress, gathering the fabric at my hips, lifting it up, up, up. Until I feel air brush my butt cheeks, which are exposed thanks to the nude thong I’m wearing. My hands are still on the glass and I drop one, wanting to reach back and touch him. Wanting to turn and face him so I can rub myself all over him.

Would he let me?

“Keep your hands on the window,” he says, his deep voice settling right between my legs, making me throb. I return my hand to where it was, bracing myself for what he might do, knowing he’ll most likely draw it out.

It’s torture, and he knows it.

I think he likes it too.

He slips his hands beneath the bunched fabric, his fingers tracing the waistband of my thong, making me jolt. I drop my head, my eyes closed, a whimper escaping me when he slips a finger beneath the thin strap at my hip, barely grazing my skin.

“Let’s take these off,” he whispers, his hands back on my hips, gently pushing. The fabric slides down, falling to my thighs until it gets stuck there. He bends forward ever so slightly, giving them a gentle shove and they fall to my knees, hesitating for only a moment until they’re at my feet, crumpled on top of my shoes.

I’m about to step out of them when his fingers press into my flesh, making me go still.

“Leave them there. Spread your legs.”

I do as he asks, stepping my feet out wider. My panties slide up with the movement, banding around my ankles, making a vulgar yet sexy display. I look like I’m trapped by my nude thong, my ass on display for my fiancé, my legs trembling with anticipation.

He hasn’t done anything to me yet and I’m so wet, the inside of my thighs is coated. I just want him to touch me.

I’m desperate for it.

Perry’s hands fall from my body when he takes a few backward steps, the skirt dropping back into place, covering me. I’m standing there with my hands on the glass and my legs still spread, my sheer panties stretched between my ankles. I can feel his gaze on me, heavy and hot, and I squirm a little, wishing he’d come closer to me.

“Jesus, look at you.” His deep, appreciative voice curls through me, making me warm. “You’re hot as fuck.”