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Only a few minutes had passed when she heard Derek exit his bedrooures, it only took hiet ready when it took her a full hour After taking one final, soothing breath, Ginger stepped into her black pumps, picked up her clutch purse, and left the bedroom

Derek stood at the refrigerator gulping down a bottle of water, the white dress shirt stretched across his broad shoulders At the click of her shoes against the hardwood floor, he turned to look at her

And stopped cold

Ginger panicked, unable to judge from his expression whether he approved of her attire or not He looked utterly perfect in his tuxedo Sophisticated Soarment like a second skin, every move his jaw and the lack of sleep evident on his face saved hi, but she couldn’t help a shiver of apprehension upon seeing him dressed this way He looked ready to co her arms

Da to let him kno he affected her

Placing a hand on her hip, Ginger tossed her hair over her shoulder and stood her ground, letting hireen eyes tracked upward frohs, over her hips to her brsts

He crooked a finger at her “Come here” His voice sounded raw and uneven

Refusing to be inti roo in the kitchen She could swear his eyes darkened as she got closer

“You’re late”

“And you’re fking gorgeous”

Her breath caught in her throat Tearing her eyes away froaze, she set her shawl and clutch down on the counter “Thank you, Lieutenant You look nice, too Doesn’t excuse the fact that you’re late”

“I’m sorry You should never have to wait for anyone” Derek caainst the counter His breath feathered over her bare shoulder, ainst her neck “What color are your panties?”

“Excuse me?” Her voice sounded thin to her own ears

“You heard me”

She sed the knot in her throat “Why?”

“Baby, if I’ that dress, I’ to be the only one who knows the color of your panties”

A rush of liquid heat s His voice alone could do that to her The deep, thick quality of it stroked over her body the way she no his hands would Part of Ginger wanted to continue chastising hi the air around them The rest of her yearned for whatever he had planned for her

He stood so incredibly close without touching her Even so, she felt like his hands wereall over her body His proximity cole Her breathing accelerated with every second that passed and he still didn’t touch her

“Not going to answer? Okay” Finally, his skin er’s breath shuddered out They stood flush, his front to her back, his breath war the skin of her neck “Place your hands flat on the counter”

What? Why won’t he just kiss me? Confused by his request, she re her chest to rise and fall rapidly Her brsts swelled against the top of her dress with each panting breath, begging for Derek’s hands to touch them

“Do as you’re told”