N is for... (Checklist Book 14) by L DuBois (latest novels to read TXT) 📗

was probably stupid. She had just as much right to the fancy buffet food as anyone else—she paid her dues—but the idea of being the first one to eat made her vaguely uncomfortable.

“Food first, so we both have time to digest,” Daniel countered.

He picked up a plate and looked back at her. “May I make you a plate?”

She could do it herself, but that would be hard to do if she also wanted to keep his jacket around her shoulders. She liked the smell of his cologne too much to give it up.

And this was the place where no one would think less of her for allowing herself to be taken care of.

“Yes, thank you.”

Daniel smiled, then started reading off the small placards in front of each dish. She went for some roasted veggies and half a piece of pecan encrusted fish as well as a scoop of wilted spinach salad.

He put far more food on her plate than she would eat, and then carried it not to one of the tables, but to one of the sunken seating areas. He set down her plate and a napkin-wrapped roll of silverware before holding out a hand, offering it to her for support as she descended the steps.

She reluctantly took off his jacket, laying it out neatly on the padded bench, before taking her seat. Daniel came back several more times, carrying first his own plate, then wine bottles and glasses.

“Red, white, or bubbles?”

What she really wanted was a mimosa. She had the palate of a child when it came to booze, preferring sweet and bubbly. Not that she would ever admit to that here, or really anywhere but the privacy of her own home where she would occasionally make herself a pitcher of mimosas with low calorie orange juice and a ten dollar bottle of brut from the grocery store.

Then she’d drink a cheap, low-calorie mimosa while sitting in her multi-million dollar condo, on a couch that cost as much as normal people’s first cars.

She leaned forward—as much as the corset would allow—to look at the labels of the bottles. She knew good wine, and when in public was just enough of a wine snob to fit in with her co-workers. “I do love an off-dry Riesling.”

Daniel opened the wine and poured them each a glass.

She was glad he didn’t make a production of it, and when he passed her a glass she raised it out of habit. He picked up his own, touching it to hers with a small clink.

They each took a sip, and the wine was buttery and sweet. It warmed her, but not the same way his gaze did. She felt his attention sliding down her exposed skin, lingering on her plumped breasts above the top of the corset.

“Can I help you with that?” Daniel set down his glass and gestured to her midsection.

Autumn worried the inside of her cheek with her teeth for a moment.

“If you’d prefer we talk before I touch you in any way, or if you’d like me to find someone else…” He let the words trail off.

“I’m not nervous,” Autumn insisted. Then she shook her head. “That was a very stupid thing to say. Of course I’m nervous.”

Daniel nodded, his expression serious. “And I respect that.”

“But I would like the corset loosened before I try to eat anything.” She pushed to her feet, and scooted around the low table until she was beside Daniel.

He remained seated, a move she thought was deliberately meant to make her feel more comfortable.

She turned her back to him, pulling her hair forward over her shoulder, though it wasn’t long enough to really be in the way.

“The ties are in the middle, tucked in under the edge.” She twisted to look back at him, but it strained her neck so she stopped.

“A properly laced corset,” he murmured. She felt a small tug as he dug the tails of the laces out. The material of the corset was too thick for her to feel his touch, and she resented the garment because of it.

There was an audible creaking sound as he undid the knots of the upper lace, which started at the top of the corset and ended half way down, right at her natural waist.

She took a deep breath, deliberately expanding her chest as the corset loosened. She expected him to add even more slack to the lacing, but instead she felt a tug as he tied the cording once more.

“That’s it?” She twisted to look back at him again. All she could see was the top of his head.

The corset creaked as he untied the lower lace. This one he loosened much more than he had the upper half, hooking his finger under each x and tugging to add slack.

When he finished tying this one off he patted her hip. Her skirt meant there was no skin to skin contact, but the touch was far more intimate than when he’d been manipulating the corset. It was also a very Dom-y gesture.

Autumn took a deep breath, fighting through the hot flash of arousal that made her want to do something stupid. Something like turn around and straddle him, and grind her wet pussy against his cock as she kissed him, which would no doubt earn her a nice spanking.

Instead she walked back to her side of the table and sat. Her skirt rode up, and she was more than a little worried she would leave a wet spot on the leather seat when she stood again.

“Is that enough to allow you to eat?” Daniel asked.

Autumn picked up her plate and balanced it on her knees. “If I said it wasn’t, would you loosen it more?”

“The lower half, certainly.”

Daniel waited until she unrolled her silverware to pick up his own plate and balance it on his knee.

“But not the top?” She cut off a small bit of fish and put it in her mouth.

He finished chewing before responding. “No, I wouldn’t. I will admit I selfishly want