Page 87 of Ruthless Sin
“Good,” I say. “I’ll stop the second I feel that.”
She nods again.
I bring my left hand around to the clasp at her back.
My fingers are at the clasp and I leave them there. Her breath goes shallow. Stays shallow. I keep my hands still. The light from the desk lamp is warm across her back.
Then her breath comes out, long and slow, and her shoulders drop half an inch.
I wait another beat. Then I unhook it.
I slide the straps down her arms. Slow. I let the bra come off slow enough for her body to register it.
She lets the bra drop into her lap.
Then her hands fly up.
She crosses her arms over her chest and turns her face away. The temperature drops.
I go very still.
Her eyes are closed. Her whole body has gone rigid.
I keep my voice low. Gentle.
“Mila. Look at me.”
She doesn’t.
“Please. Look at me.”
It takes her a long time, and then her eyes open, and she turns her head and looks at me.
Her arms are still crossed over her chest.
I don’t touch her.
I look at her face.
“Ty krasivaya.”You’re beautiful.
She shakes her head. Once. Hard.
“Da. Ty krasivaya.”Yes. You’re beautiful.
Her voice comes out broken. Barely audible.
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“You don’t... you haven’t seen...”
“I’m looking at you right now.”
Her eyes close again.
I move one inch closer. Not touching. Just closer.
