Page 17 of All She Wants

“A blindfold.”

“You notice everything,” Erin said. “You watch a room before you relax in it. I thought you might enjoy trusting someone enough to close your eyes.”

“You think I could?”

“Close your eyes?”

“Trust someone enough to stop paying attention.”

“I think you want to.” Erin held her gaze. “Even when you relax, some part of you stays alert. I thought you might like knowing someone else was paying attention for once.”

Claire looked down at the blindfold. “That would require a great deal of trust.”

“Yes.”

“And the right person.”

“Especially the right person.” Erin nodded toward the silk. “You would still decide when it went on and when it came off. Trust lets you decide how much control you want to share and who you want to share it with.”

Claire ran the silk between her fingers. “Were you thinking of yourself when you chose this?”

The direct question deserved an honest answer. “Yes.”

“And if I trusted you enough to wear it?”

“I would take very good care of you.”

Claire’s eyes returned to hers. “I believe you.”

“Can I kiss you?” Erin asked.

“Yes.”

Claire set the box on the table, but she kept the blindfold in her hand. Erin stepped closer and rested one hand at her waist. Claire’s free hand settled on Erin’s shoulder as their mouths met.

The kiss began softly. Erin had intended to keep it that way. Then Claire moved closer, and the silk brushed Erin’s wrist as her arm circled Claire’s back. Claire’s lips parted beneath hers, inviting more without asking Erin to guess.

Erin accepted.

The kiss deepened. Claire’s hand settled at the nape of Erin’s neck and held her close.

Erin pulled Claire against her until their bodies met from chest to thigh. Claire opened beneath her mouth, and the quiet sound she made sent heat straight between Erin’s thighs.

Erin’s hand moved down Claire’s back and settled firmly at her hip. She wanted to slide beneath the cashmere, feel warm skin, and discover whether Claire would press closer or guide her somewhere else. But the promise she had made herself kept her hand exactly where it was.

They separated only enough to look at each other. One of Claire’s hands remained at the nape of Erin’s neck while the other held the blindfold.

“Still thinking about the blindfold?” Claire asked.

“Yes.”

“What are you thinking?”

Erin tightened her hand at Claire’s hip. “Tying it over your eyes and learning every sound you make when you can’t see what I’m about to do.”

Claire’s grip tightened around the silk. “Good. I want that on your mind when the road opens.”

The silk remained between them, its cool edge brushing Erin’s wrist. Erin drew a slow breath before easing her hand from Claire’s waist.