“Close your eyes.”
She felt the cool caress of silk brush her eyelids, then the material wrap around her head, a tight knot forming against her head, the tails falling against her back. His hands paused a moment on her shoulders, fingers squeezing for reassurance.
“Hands up.”
Fingertips brushed her sides, as he lifted her shirt up over her head, pulling it up over her arms. She heard it fall to the floor beside them.
“Down.”
She let her arms fall as his hands slid around her waist, his chest pressing against her back, as he pulled open her jeans. His thumbs hooked into the sides as he slide them down. His lips trailing down her spine.
“Step.”
She stepped out of her pants, and as he stood, his hands trailed up her legs, bringing goosebumps to her skin.
“Beautiful.”
She blushed and dropped her head, even though he was behind her and couldn’t see her face.
“Don’t. Don’t hide from me. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
She forced her head back up, uncrossed arms she hadn’t realized she were crossed.
His hands were on her shoulders again. Warm, comforting. He rubbed the knots there, his lips resting on the back of her head, just above the knot.
“Relax. Let go.”
His arms wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her back against his chest. Just holding her for a moment.Waiting for the tension to slip away. She breathed in his scent, absorbed his warmth, settled into his arms.
“Thank you.”
He held her a moment longer. Then stepped just barely away. Fingertips brushing her skin on the way to her back. Deftly unsnapping her bra, and gently sliding it away. It fell to the floor in front of them with a whisper. He kissed her shoulders where the straps hand left their mark. Soft, warm lips on heated skin. His hands slid down her sides, catching the last scrap of clothing dividing them. Sliding it down, he lifted each foot in turn to free her.
When he came back up, his arms lifted her with him, one under her knees, the other around her back. He carried her to the bed just a few steps away, and laid her down on the soft duvet.
“Absolutely beautiful.”
He caught her chin in his hand before she could turn away. Kissed her tenderly, and then settled in beside her. Light fingertips, running from chin to wrist and back up again. Tracing her collarbone, and running down her sternum to her belly. She giggled at the feathery touch and he kissed her again.
“And tonight, all mine.”
(Part 2)
