One brow rises. “Did I stutter?”
Now he’s just being silly. “Excuse me?”
His lips compress, and coldness fills his expression. “I said, strip.”
“You mean, like, naked?” I clutch the bodice of my dress, not sure if I’m supposed to take him seriously or not.
“You’re new to this, so I’ll give you a tip: It’s best not to make me repeat myself.” His jaw sets in a firm line, his expression irritated.
The room chills as though the temperature dropped ten degrees.
I lick my lips, eyeing him, trying to figure out if this is some sort of joke. He knows I’m not a stripping kind of woman. And this conversation is giving me whiplash. Five seconds ago he was all sweet and gentle. I’m having a hard time reconciling that Mason with this hard-eyed man standing in front of me.
I ask again, “Are you serious?”
“You’re trying my patience, Anna.” It’s a stern tone, unlike any he’s used before.
“It’s just that—” The words die in my throat as he takes a menacing step toward me. My heart lurches in terror and excitement. And despite my unease, my skin heats.
What’s wrong with me?
He sighs, exasperated. “Here’s how this works. I give an order. You obey. Failure to do so will result in punishment. Between your lateness, lack of remorse, and current stalling, you’re racking up an impressive list of grievances. The smart move is not to add to the list.”
Realization doesn’t dawn on me like the breaking of a new day. No, it’s more a sledgehammer over the head.
Heisserious.
I’ve read this all wrong.
Protests rise in my throat, fast and furious, rushing to tumble out, but it’s nothing but a jumbled mass of incoherence, leaving me speechless. All I am capable of is standing here, frozen.
“Now.” The word is delivered like a bullet; he crosses his arms over his broad, bare chest. The muscles ripple and flex, reminding me just how strong he is. “Last chance.”
My belly dips. I don’t want to do this. It’s humiliating.
He’s always undressed me under soft lights, drugging me with slow, thorough kisses until I haven’t thought about being naked. I can’t undress with him just…watching me.
I meet his eyes.
Not open to discussion.
Should I sayred? On the first task? I don’t want to, but this isn’t fair. He’s lulled me into a false sense of security before cruelly ripping it away. But if I say stop, I’ll fail before I even try. Some sort of inner badass isn’t willing to give him the satisfaction.
I can do this. It’s not like he hasn’t seen everything before. It’s not even a big deal. Heart hammering in my throat, I decide the best course of action is to move quickly. All I need to do is get down to business.
I shift my attention to the floor and go to work, pretending I’m alone in my bathroom getting ready for the shower. I undo the white pearl buttons as fast as possible. When I’ve completed that task, I let the cotton dress drop to the carpet, where it pools at my feet.
“Look at me.” The statement comes from nowhere, invading my thoughts.
My head snaps up.
“Good.” Approval lightens his fierce expression, but he doesn’t look any less scary. “No out-of-body experiences.”
I falter at the hook of my bra, frowning. How had he known?
He chuckles and points to my half-naked body. “Get on with it.”
Agitation swells in my throat, and with it dies the timid shyness I struggled with. In its place is a sudden impulse to growl. Stomp my foot. Start a fight. Anything.