Splendor(99)

She opened her mouth to protest but he shushed her with a finger pressed to her lips. “Let’s not have this debate again, hmm? I’m absurdly proud to have you with me, Tessa, and I can’t wait until we’re able to be seen together everywhere. Now, best move this sexy little tush along and torture me some more with the sight of you in these lace bits.”

She squealed as he gave her a swat and hurried to change into the next outfit.

After almost an hour, it seemed she’d made barely a dent in the dozens of items hanging on the racks, not to mention trying on the coordinating shoes, scarves, belts and jackets. Marlene popped in every so often to check on the progress, offer up an opinion, fetch a different size if needed. As the second hour drew to a close, Tessa was relieved to see that only one more dress remained.

“Last one,” she sighed, zipping up the navy cap-sleeved Michael Kors sheath. “I need a cup of tea after this. Maybe one of those strawberry scones left from breakfast, too.”

“Ah, but you forgot about these. You still have to try this little pile on,” he reminded her, holding up an exquisite pink lace bra.

There were at least a dozen or more bras, chemises, and other articles of couture lingerie resting on the padded bench to his right.

“Oh.” She had in fact forgotten about the intimate apparel he’d also selected and forced herself to stifle a yawn. “Can’t I just – um, you know, look these over and kind of guess what will fit right?”

Ian shook his head, handing her the frothy pink lace bra. “After all, this is the part of the fashion show I’ve been looking forward to the most.”

Tessa took the bra from him a bit hesitantly, not missing the heated expression in his gaze. But she only nodded, unhooked the blush colored bra she’d worn here and replaced it with the new pink one.

She couldn’t suppress the gasp that rose up from her throat as he pulled her between his spread legs again, then ran a finger over the tops of the lacy cups before slipping under one of the satiny straps.

“Beautiful,” he rasped. “We’ll definitely take this one.”

She was extremely aware of his rapt attention as she continued to try on the remaining items, her nipples seeming to harden a bit more each time she changed into the next piece. She was grateful that she’d kept her own panties on, for she would have soaked through any new ones she tried on – and wouldn’t that have been humiliating when it came time to check out.

She was down to the third to the last item – a sheer, lacy black chemise with attached garters that ended at the top of her thighs. It was Jenna Leigh and came with a matching black thong that she chose to leave on the hanger. But Ian had other ideas and held the insubstantial piece of silk and lace out to her insistently, his hazel eyes blazing.

“We want to be sure and get the full effect, love. Let’s see how it looks with this.” His voice was raw and barely audible.

She took the tiny garment from him uncertainly. “Um, but there’s a problem, you see. I’m, uh, well – sort of - ”

“Wet?” At her nod, he smiled in the most carnal manner she’d ever seen. “Ah, well, that could get a bit embarrassing, I suppose. I’ll tell you what – since this flimsy little bit of nothing isn’t really going to cover anything up anyway, just take off your panties. I’ll be able to visualize the whole picture quite nicely.”

It was beyond ridiculous for her to start feeling shy at this point – given that he’d been avidly watching her in various stages of undress for more than two hours – but Tessa felt her whole body heat up as she slowly peeled her very damp panties off. Ian made a twirling motion with his index finger, and she turned around slowly in a full circle.

When she faced him again, her pulse was racing madly, her breasts swollen and tight, and little rivulets of moisture were beginning to trickle down her inner thighs. “Do you, ah, like it?” she asked, pulling the very short hem of the chemise an inch or so lower.

Ian’s gaze shifted reluctantly from her near-naked body to the crotch of his trousers, where an extremely impressive erection was tenting the fabric. “Does that answer your question?” he rasped. “I – ah, think perhaps the fashion show should wrap up now, love.”

But Tessa’s eyes were fixated on the sight of his massive erection, unable to tear her gaze away. She licked her lips as she sank to her knees in front of him, his widespread legs on either side of her frame.

“You poor thing,” she murmured in a decidedly seductive voice that sounded foreign to her. “Ooh, we really must do something to take care of you. After all, it’s not like you can just walk out of here in this condition.”