“I know you’re rolling your eyes at me,” he murmurs, and I hear the trace of humor in his voice.”

“Thank you, baby," he breathes, covering my upturned face in soft feather-light kisses. I open my eyes and gaze up at him, and he wraps his arms tighter around me."Your cheek is pink from the baize," he murmurs, rubbing my face tenderly. "How was that?" His eyes are wide and cautious."Teeth-clenchingly good," I mutter. "I like it rough, Christian, and I like it gentle, too. I like that it's with you."He closes his eyes and hugs me even tighter.”

“Do you know what you mean to me?" he murmurs, "If something happened to you, because of me..." His voice trails off, his brow creasing, and the pain that flashes across his face is almost palpable. He looks so vulnerable - his fear very much apparent.”

“You sound like a control freak." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele," he says without a trace of humor in his smile.”

“Hungry?" Christian murmurs so only I can hear. I know he's not referring to the food, and the muscles deep in my belly respond."Very," I whisper, boldly meeting his gaze, and Christian's lips apart as he inhales.Ha! See... two can play at this game.”

“You brought me here to admire the view?" I whisper. He nods, his expression serious."It's staggering, Christian. Thank you," I murmur, letting my eyes feast on it once more. He releases my hand."How would you like to look at it for the rest of your life?" he breathes.”

“You know, you’re topping from the bottom,” he murmurs against my lips.“What?” I don’t understand what he’s talking about.“Don’t worry. I’ll live with it,” he whispers, amused...”