Steel and Lace Read online

  My eyes turned to the reflection in the mirror. The gown hugged my curves like a glove; my waist looked impossibly small, and just the slightest hint of cleavage peeked out from the scalloped lace neckline. The gown skimmed along my hips and then slowly floated away from my knees down to the floor.

  "Here. This is perfect," Cate softly pulled a section of my hair back and pinned it with a single sparkling black clip just behind my ear. "Do you love it?" Cate looked to me for approval.

  "Yes," I whispered. There just weren't words to describe the feeling of wearing such a beautiful dress. Just then there was a soft knock at the door. I glanced at Cate. It felt like the butterflies had jumped into my throat, making it hard to breathe.

  "Hey, you're going to be great," Cate hugged me. "Now go meet your prince charming," she smacked me on the bottom as I hustled out of the room to get the door.

  "Evangeline," Carter stood at my door dressed in a black tux with a crisp white shirt and bow tie. It looked like he had tried to tame his hair but it was still wavy and sexy and just slightly too long. His steel blue eyes gleamed as they took me in from head to toe. "You look stunning."

  "Thank you," I whispered. "So do you," my eyes held his and I could feel the sparks coming to life between us.

  The corners of his mouth lifted up in a grin and he held his arm out for me. I gave one last glance back at Cate, who gave me a beaming smile, and then looped my arm in Carter's and headed off to my first ball.

  Five

  We stepped into the elevator and as the doors closed the sexual tension between us became nearly unbearable. My heart was thumping in my chest so loud I was sure Carter could hear it. I squeezed my hand on his arm reflexively and he turned to look at me. My gaze held his and I bit down hard on my bottom lip to focus on something other than the butterflies that were threatening to choke me. Fire flashed in Carter's eyes and he reached his hand up to pull my lip out of my teeth with the pad of his thumb. My tongue darted out to lick my lips and briefly caught his finger. His eyes widened and my breathing hitched as a dangerous lust clouded his steely gaze. Just then the elevator doors breezed open and Carter pulled his hand away to escort me out of the elevator. He placed his hand on the small of my back to steady me as I stepped into the limo, then followed behind me. After we'd pulled away from the curb Carter's eyes met mine.

  "You really do look good enough to eat, Evangeline. Drink?" He passed a glass of champagne to me. I took the glass with shaky fingers and sipped.

  "You don't have to be nervous. I won't leave you tonight," he looked me straight in the eye, as if that would help to calm my nerves. I just nodded.

  "Part of me wants to whisk you back to my place so no one else can see you in that dress. For my eyes only," he traced his fingers along my thigh. I blushed as his eyes watched me.

  "Are you going to speak tonight, Evangeline?"

  "Yes," I whispered. I finished my glass of champagne in one swallow and Carter raised his eyebrow before taking my glass.

  "Just in time. We're here," Carter finished his champagne and then guided me out of the car. He stepped out behind me and put his hand on my back, the tips of his fingers playing just under the hem. "I can't wait to get you out of this dress tonight," he whispered in my ear. My heart stopped and I felt my cheeks burn as we merged into the crowd ascending the steps into the ball.

  Carter was true to his word and held his arm around my waist all through drinks as he chatted with business associates and acquaintances. I felt awkward and out of place, but Carter's strong hand at my back kept me grounded and in the present, aware of the sexual energy buzzing between us. Dinner was announced and we made our way to a large room overlooking the river. We were seated in groups of eight, and Carter introduced me to everyone at the table. One woman, not much older than Carter, held my gaze and appraised me thoughtfully when he introduced me. She had shiny, long dark hair with almond-shaped eyes, and wore a sexy navy blue cocktail dress.

  "Evangeline, this is John Davis and Madeleine Snow." A small smile played on the woman's lips. I glanced at Carter to gauge his reaction to her, but he showed none. I nodded to each of them with a smile, and began fidgeting with my hands under the table. Carter noticed, and took his warm hand in mind, holding it in his lap. I sighed and willed my heart to stop thumping.

  Conversation at the table was lively throughout dinner and I smiled and nodded when appropriate. Carter hardly spoke to me, but he kept a firm grip on my hand. When I tried to pull away, he only held it tighter. By the time dessert had arrived I was bored and ready for the night to end. Clearly I had only been invited to be arm candy, Carter had hardly addressed me all tonight.

  "Problem, Evangeline?" Carter leaned over and whispered in my ear. My eyes darted to his with a look of irritation.

  "I think it's time for me to go," I tried to pull my hand from Carter's.

  "That's a shame, Evangeline," his eyes sparked dangerously as he slid my hand up his thigh and made contact with his very obvious arousal. "I’ve been quite excited to be by your side all night," his gaze bore into mine. My breathing hitched and tingles immediately surged through my body. I bit my lip and pulled my hand back into my lap. He placed his hand on my upper thigh and gently rubbed back and forth, creeping a little higher with each pass. Carter returned to the conversation at the table as if he weren't driving me wild beneath the tablecloth. I tried to adjust my lower body to deter Carter from continuing, but it seemed to only excite him as his fingertips ghosted higher up my thigh. He continued to rub back and forth where the top of my thigh met my torso. I couldn’t take another minute of his torture.

  "Excuse me," I stood and smiled at the table. Carter stood and grasped my hand. "I’m going to the restroom," I whispered to him. A dangerous look flashed in his eyes when I dropped his hand and stepped away. I made my way out of the dining room and headed for the double doors. I sucked a deep breath of fresh night air into my lungs and slumped against the brick wall. I had half a mind to call Cate and have her come and get me.

  "Having fun with Carter?" Madeleine Snow approached me with a cold smile on her face. "You know he's not someone that you build your dreams on.”

  "Thanks for the warning," my eyes gazed out into the cold Boston night.

  "Carter breaks hearts. Once you fuck him he'll drop you." I without a doubt should have called Cate to come get me. I wasn't interested in being Carter's arm candy, or allowing some vicious woman who thought she had a claim on him to sharpen her claws on me.

  "Trust me, Evangeline. Once he's gotten what he wants he moves on to the next," with that she turned on her heel and headed back in the doors. I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone to text Cate.

  "What's with the disappearing act?" Carter walked out of the doors of the building with a confident gate.

  "I needed air," I averted my eyes from his gaze.

  "Let's go," he put his arm around my hip and the air crackled with energy between us. "I made an appearance. And I can’t stop thinking about getting you out of that dress," he pressed his body to mine to show me just how aroused he was. My breathing hitched and my hand came up to the back of his neck. I inhaled his fresh, cool water scent and I think my body swayed with arousal. I was hopelessly drawn to him like a moth to a flame, it didn't matter what Madeleine said. I had a feeling I would get burned by Carter Morgan, but I didn't care.

  He pressed his lips to mine and ran his tongue along my bottom lip. I opened my mouth and our tongues tangled together. How he could be so controlling and then so romantic from one minute to the next, I couldn't figure out. He slowly pulled away and rested his forehead on mine, his breathing was ragged and his eyes were hooded.

  "What are you doing to me, Evangeline?" He whispered softly and then traced my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. "Car, now," he pulled me away from the wall and walked me with quick steps to where the limo was waiting.

  "Home," Carter instructed his driver as we ducked into the limo. I scooted to the far side of the seat and Ca
rter slid along next to me, slipping his hand behind my neck and turning my head to face him.

  "You are so beautiful," he gave me sweet kisses along the line of my neck and then skimmed my earlobe with his teeth. He worked his way along my jaw to my lips, driving me wild with lust. I arched my back into him and deepened the kiss. He growled deep in his throat and skimmed his hand up my torso to trace his fingertips along the edge of the dress, just above my breasts. He kneaded my sensitive flesh with a firm grip and my nipples hardened at his touch. My breathing became ragged and I pulled away, desperate to fill my lungs with air. He placed his other hand behind my back and reclined me against the seat allowing him better access to my body.

  "I want to rip this dress off of your body and make love to you right here," Carter tugged the neckline down, revealing more of my flesh, and flicked his tongue along the edge of the lace trim. My skin tingled with desire and my nerve endings heated instantly. My whole body buzzed with lust for him and I lifted my hips to seek friction against him. He used both hands to press my breasts up so the flesh overflowed from the top of the dress and then he used his teeth to softly bite and lick. He was driving me insane with need and I craved skin to skin contact with him.

  I pushed him back and off of me and he gave me a confused look. I smiled at him so he knew I had no intention of pushing him away tonight. This may turn out to be a one-night stand with Carter Morgan but I was all in. I couldn't turn away from him now, and I didn't want to. I pushed his back against the seat and hovered over him, kissing his lips, along his jaw, skimming his earlobe and then down his neck. His smell was intoxicating and his skin tasted slightly salty and masculine. My fingers reached his bow tie and pulled the knot apart. I undid the button of his collar and swirled my tongue in the hollow of his neck. He sucked in a deep breath when I worked my fingers down the lapels of his jacket to land on the button of his pants. He groaned when I undid the zipper. I was surprised to find that he wasn't wearing underwear.

  "Evangeline…" he whispered my name. I looked up into his eyes through my eyelashes and then traced my tongue up his hardened length. His whole body shuddered in pleasure. I traced the head of him with my tongue, before taking him into my mouth. His hips bucked in response and his hand twisted into my hair.

  "Your mouth feels so fucking good," he groaned with his eyes closed and his head resting on the back of the seat. I ran my fist along his length as I bobbed up and down, taking him fully into my mouth every few passes. Both of his hands tangled in my hair and tightened as his hips began to meet my mouth in rhythm; I could tell he was close. I took him to the back of my throat and tightened my lips as I pulled up and then I felt spurts of his salty flavor in my mouth. I continued a few more passes along his length softly as he rode out his orgasm and then popped off his length with a grin. Carter pulled me up his body and kissed me with fervor. He pressed his lips so hard to mine I thought they would bruise.

  "You blow my mind, Evangeline," he pulled away and gave me a crooked smile, his eyes hooded with a look of equal parts lust and something else. The limo pulled to a stop and Carter zipped and buttoned his pants just as the door was opening. His driver stood waiting for us to exit the car.

  "Will you come in?" Carter's hand touched my cheek with a smile. I nodded. He grabbed my hand and we stepped out onto the curb at a townhouse on Beacon Street.

  "Thanks, Parker," he nodded at his driver. He walked me up steep steps with his hand tight around mine. A light glowed through two limestone pillars illuminating the doorway. We stopped and he punched in a code before opening the door for us. We walked into a spacious entryway with dark marble floors and creamy white walls with elegant crown molding.

  Carter turned and pushed me up against the door that had just closed behind us and slid his hand up the length of my thigh. His other hand snaked around my waist as he leaned in and kissed me delicately on the lips. My hands tangled in his hair and pulled. A rumble escaped his chest and his hand slid down to my bottom and squeezed tightly.

  "I love you in this dress, Evangeline, but it's much too restrictive for what I want to do to you," his eyes sparked with lust. He ran one hand slowly up my back, following the curve of my spine, and found the zipper at the top of the dress. He slid the zipper down slowly as my heart began to pound and I arched my back into him. He unzipped the dress and it loosened on my body without falling. One finger played with the lace above my breasts, before slowly tugging the fabric down to reveal my chest to him. My nipples hardened as the fabric grazed my over-sensitive skin. His eyes looked at me through dark lashes before he dove in, finding my nipple with his teeth and tugging firmly, before sucking it into his mouth. My body shuddered in pleasure and my hands held his head to my chest, urging him on. He planted one hand firmly on the door behind me and pinned me to it with the length of his body. I was panting with need, my body awash with sensitivity. My hands went to the lapels of his open jack and pushed it off of him, and then began working on the buttons of his dress shirt. I yanked the shirt out of his pants and threw it off of his shoulders. I undid the top bottom of his pants before his hands grabbed my wrists tightly, forcing me to stop. My eyes scanned his slim body, from the undone button at the top of his dark dress pants, to the distinct V shape of his pelvic muscle, up to the hard planes of his chest. My fingertips ached to run along his body. I moved my hands to touch him but he held my wrists tighter and shook his head.

  "No, Evangeline," he pulled my wrists above my head and locked them together with one hand. He attacked my neck with nibbles and licks, making his way to my lips and pressing deeply. Carter Morgan kissed me the most passionately I had ever been kissed in my life. This one man seemed to embody passion, from head to toe. He snaked his free hand to the top of my dress and pulled it down my body slowly. The fabric running over my oversensitive skin drove me to distraction and I arched my hips, seeking friction against him.

  "Not yet, Evangeline. I want to see you," his eyes burned into mine. He pulled the dress down over my hips until it finally dropped and pooled at my feet. I stood before him in my black lace boy shorts and a pair of black Louboutins with my hands pinned over my head by Carter Morgan. I’d never felt more exposed or turned on. My body writhed as a smile played across his lips. He fingered the lace waistband of my panties, threatening to pull them off of me.

  "Lace again, Evangeline?" Carter licked his lips, reminding me of our sexy escapade outside the club the night before.

  My heart thrummed in my chest, and his palm traveled around my hips to land on my bottom. His hand ran down my thigh of the same leg and hitched it up around his hip. He kissed me deeply, ending with a bite on my bottom lip before he released my wrists and placed his hand on my other thigh, bouncing me up onto his hips. He held me against the wall, and I ground my core into him as a means to relieve the tension throughout my body. My most sensitive places ached to be filled by him and if the tension wasn't relieved soon I thought I would combust.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and inhaled the scent of his skin beneath his ear. I tugged on his hair hard to let him know that I was ready for him. He must have gotten the message because he held my bottom in both of his hands, backed me off of the wall, and walked with quick steps to the sweeping staircase.

  Six

  Carter held me wrapped around his body as he took the stairs two at a time. He opened a door and we entered the master suite that encompassed the entire top floor of the townhouse. The room was lit with a wash of moonlight from the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the public garden and the city beyond. I was sure the view would normally take my breath away if I wasn't wrapped around the hard body of Carter Morgan at the moment.

  "I'll fuck you against those windows Evangeline, but not tonight," he laid me back on the crisp white linens of his king bed and stood back to look at me. The dress pants hung low on his hips with the top button undone; he looked dangerously sexy bathed in the moonlight and all I could think about was his body pressed against mine.

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sp; "Good enough to eat, Evangeline," his eyes grazed up and down my body.

  "I could say the same about you," my eyes met his. He gave me a lopsided grin as he picked up my foot and traced along it with his nose. He took one shoe off and dropped it to the floor. He set my foot back down onto the bed softly, and then removed my other shoe before crawling up the bed and over my body. His fingers caught the waistband of my panties.

  "I hope you aren't fond of these," Carter ripped the delicate lace off of my body and shoved them into the pocket of his pants. My heart skipped a few beats as he ran his nose up the side of my thigh, locking my legs into place with his strong hands. I writhed under his grip in anticipation of what he might do.

  "You smell intoxicating," he ghosted over my center before sliding his tongue between my thighs. I cried out in pleasure at finally feeling his touch where my body wanted it most.

  "Always so ready," Carter pulled away for a moment before running his tongue back up to the sensitive bundle of nerves. I cried out again and arched into him. My hands tangled in his hair and and tugged on the silky strands. He alternated sucking and nibbling before slowly pushing one finger inside me. Desire flooded through me as Carter continued to lick and bite before sliding another finger into me and pumping his hand. My body was beginning to tense and I was ready to explode underneath him, but I wanted to feel him inside me. I tried to pull him up to me, to signal him that I was ready for him.

  "Not yet, Evangeline. I want you to come first," Carter pumped deeper and sucked harder and I fell over the cliff as pleasure washed through my body. My fingers tightened my grip in his hair as my body tensed and then relaxed under him. My heart was pounding in my ears and my breathing came out in ragged pants.

  "You taste as sweet as I thought you would," Carter crawled up my body and then kissed me on the lips, forcing his tongue into my mouth to taste myself on him. The action was a surprising turn on, and it made my head dizzy with lust to taste myself and him mingled together. I held his head tightly to mine and kissed him with passion. Carter pulled away from me and I groaned.