Living in Sin (Living In…) by Jackie Ashenden Page A

energy in the air. In her. She’d never felt that way dancing before. Always her head had been far too much about getting the perfect line, the perfect form, the perfect timing. Making sure her body was doing everything it was supposed to do.
    But not tonight.
    Oh, she’d felt fucking nervous as hell when she’d taken her coat off and the music had started. And she’d stood there naked in front of him. But then she’d seen the look on his face, the shock. And afterwards… No mistaking the hunger. The desire.
    In that moment she’d forgotten about the perfect form, the perfect line. She’d even forgotten about timing. She watched him watch her, letting the music take her where it would, letting her body move as it wanted to. And the freer she’d become, the more intense the look on his face had gotten, the hard ridge in his jeans unmistakable.
    He’d followed every move she made as if he’d never seen anything like her before.
    And he wouldn’t have, would he? She’d bet her life on the fact that no one had ever danced ballet, naked, in front of him before.
    Now it was his turn to stand in front of her. And although he was clothed, there was a nakedness in his expression. In the fierce light in his eyes and the way his hands curled into fists at his sides. In the intensity that vibrated off him.
    He was motionless but she could feel the energy… God, it was coming from him.
    Her breath caught, excitement shivering through her. Well, she’d wanted that jaded, cynical look off his face and it was gone. Completely. And it made her feel so powerful. Like she could do anything.
    “You did good,” Kahu said, his voice even rougher and more frayed-sounding than normal. “And now you can spread your legs for me, ballerina.”
    A hot spike of arousal surged through her, along with a healthy dose of shock.
    Why are you shocked? Didn’t you want him to do something? Wasn’t that the whole point of the naked dancing?
    Sure, but imagination was one thing. Reality was different.
    Reality was, in actual fact, way hotter.
    Lily didn’t move, wanting to push him, though she didn’t quite understand why. “Oh really. And why should I do that?”
    “Because I asked you to. Because it’s what I want.” His tone was mild, at odds with the ferocity on his face. “Do as you’re told.”
    Oh, that shouldn’t be quite as sexy as it was. It really shouldn’t. But he was standing there with all that energy pouring off him, an intense, sexual energy that held her absolutely riveted. That made her want to do exactly what he’d said.
    So she did. Lifting one foot then the other over the arms of the chair, so she was splayed out for him. An incredibly vulnerable, exposing position.
    Her heart was racing and she felt so hot, her skin on fire. Like she’d never be cold again. And she ached and ached and ached.
    Kahu’s attention shifted down between her legs and she almost gasped, her fingers digging into the fabric of the chair. He hadn’t even touched her and already she was trembling.
    The fire was behind him, the expression on his face shadowed. But the glitter in his eyes was unmistakable. He was angry. No, he was furious.
    Except when he spoke it was in that same, mild tone. “Like you said last week, there aren’t any rules about touching yourself. So go on. Do it. Show me how you make yourself come like you told me you could, Lily darling.”
    She took a ragged breath. “Why are you so angry? What did I do?”
    “I don’t like being manipulated.”
    “I didn’t—”
    “Put your hand between your legs, ballerina, and stop arguing with me. If you’re going to make me burn then you’d better be prepared for some payback.”
    Make me burn…
    The air rushed out of her. Okay, so she could kind of see why he’d felt manipulated. She’d come in here all naked and stuff, prepared to knock his socks off, but not for him, only for herself. Because she was competitive and she had her pride. Because failure wasn’t