Chapter 4 Well

"Well, I-"

"Come here," he said, his authoritative tone brooking no argument.

She stepped close again, shocking herself at her own submissiveness.

"So I just have to stand here for as long as you want to touch me?"

He gazed at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "Yes."

His fingers brushed her ribs this time, below her breast, then glided slowly downward, leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake. She tried to ignore the heady sensations fluttering through her.

"But you could go on for hours."

He grinned. "Yes."

Oh, God, if he did this for even a few more minutes, she'd be a puddle on the ground.

Tingles danced through her at his touch. Past her waist, around to her back. Blazing a trail of hot embers over the side of her butt. But he didn't cup her like she thought he would.

Like she wanted.

Just swirled over her round butt, then back to her hip. His finger slipped under the thin strip of her thong, and followed it forward. Gliding along the fabric toward her belly. Then suddenly dipped under the triangle of fabric covering her intimate flesh.

She gasped at the feel of his fingertip lightly brushing her hidden flesh.

But he didn't push down as far as her intimate folds. If he had, he would have felt the wetness there, proof of how much his touch was turning her on. And how much she wanted more from him.

She stepped back. "That's enough."

His gazed locked on hers and she fully expected him to protest. Would he command her to be still and allow him to continue? Because if he did, she knew in her heart she would comply.

But that was absurd. It's not like he had some hold over her. Like he could just command her and she would do whatever he said.

What had a hold on her was her desire to please him. To see a glint of approval in his eyes.

If he commanded her to strip totally naked right now, she'd do it in a heart beat.

And it was that realization that made her turn and head toward the door. She had to leave. Now.

"You're not going out like that." His question was more of a statement.

Goose bumps danced over her nearly naked body. No, she couldn't go out like this.

"I'd offer you the hotel robe, but I'm sure the management would frown on your marching across the lobby and out the front door in it."

* * *

Race watched as she twirled toward him, her long, dark hair swirling around her shoulders.

Yes, it was so much better down.

"May I have my dress back?"

"No."

Her eyes blazed, and her labored breathing made her round breasts rise and fall delightfully. He would love to command her to take off that bra right now and reveal her full breasts, and hard, needy nipples. But he'd agreed to no sex and, God help him, if she dropped that bra, he wasn't sure he could keep that promise.

She sucked in deep breaths, her hands clenched in fists at her side, and as much as he loved watching her breasts heave up and down, he took pity on her.

"I might be persuaded to loan it to you."

Her jaw clenched. "And what do I need to do to persuade you?"

He was tempted to come up with something fun. He'd touched her, so maybe suggesting she touch him. Anywhere she wanted. That could prove interesting, since she was so clearly turned on by what they'd done so far.

Even if she just touched the tip of his ear, or stroked over his shoulder, sparks would flare between them and...

Fuck, his swelling cock was stealing the blood-flow from his brain. He intended to stick with his promise of no sex tonight. There was no point in making it harder.

Making him harder.

"Just agree to return it," he said.

The rebellious look in her lovely, sky-blue eyes faded. "Really?"

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out one of the special poker chips. Not the black and red one she'd shown up with, but one of the all black ones with his logo in metallic gold. A token he gave to only a favored few.

He held it out to her and, hesitantly, she stepped toward him again and took it.

"Bring the dress back here tomorrow and show that to the concierge."

She gazed at it, then at him. "Thank you."

Whether or not she brought back the dress was unimportant. It had been all about the challenge.

He picked it up and handed it to her. She took it, then held it by the shoulders. The black fabric, shapeless without her beautiful body giving it form, hung from her hands. Her gaze flickered to his and she seemed to actually hope he'd turn around.

He had to stifle a laugh. After seeing her practically naked, and even feeling the softness just below her panty line, she was actually embarrassed to have him watch her put the dress on.

She compressed her lips, then lowered the dress and stepped into it.

He watched as the slinky fabric glided up her long legs, then over her hips. She slid her hand into one short sleeve and drew it over her shoulder, then the other.

"Here, I'll zip you up."

"It's okay."

He stepped behind her, ignoring her mild protest, and found the zipper tag, then glided it upward. Watching the opening of the dress close. And with it, his view of her lovely, creamy skin.

As soon as it reached the top, she stepped away.

She turned and stuck out her hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Danner."

Was she kidding?

He gazed at her hand, then enveloped it in his own.

"Your welcome, Ms. Bell."

Then she hurried to the elevator. Once inside, she turned and stared at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty as the elevator doors closed.

He chuckled. She'll be back.

* * *

Jacquie walked into the hotel lobby, the dress neatly folded in a box she carried under her arm. Taped closed, so it wouldn't accidentally come open in the hands of the hotel staff. She didn't want anyone to know she'd shed her dress for Mr. Danner last night.

Not that they would from her bringing him a dress today, but who knew? Maybe this was a regular occurrence with him.