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"Strip"

The order settled into the silence between us The word physically chilledits way up my spine

"Blake, I don’t understand"

He unbuttoned his shirt, unhurriedly pulling it loose from his pants "I want you to strip down Naked, here in the middle of the room"

"Whywhy are you so upset with me?"

The s griet another roo You can sleep alone and go home alone If that’s what you want, you should test ive you"

His skin reddened Had he ever been this angry withas he waited for me to react I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn’t I had no idea what I was defendingto being swept up in the tornado of this unexpected rage?

As if in answer to my unspoken question, he spoke in low and measured tones "Risa let me know about James Remember, your little rendezvous outside the office after I dropped her off? Sounds like things got pretty heated between the two of you" He cocked his head a fraction "Assuht to that story"

No No, this wasn’t happening

My eyes blurred with the sting of the tears I held back I was paralyzed Without consideration, I would have done anything to stop where this was going

He tossed his shirt aside and came toward me

"Was it as stea pretty worked up after that"

"Blake," I pleaded He isting everything Godda this todown intothan I’d ever re to demand that I do

"Is it not true? TellI said noould be futile He wasn’t interested init by the roots to pull me an inch closer I whimpered at the s htly The heat of his skin nearly burned ainst my neck I could smell him--the man I loved who maybe hated me now

"Strip" The venoerous determination that prickled under my skin "And kneel"

My eyes fell shut I exhaled sharply, already feeling stripped by his words I wanted to cry, but I reht, but the thought of hi in the midst of all this terrifiedleaving rip I nearly stumbled as herestlessly against , because I couldn’t ht now, I kicked off ers went to the knot holdingbadly now I loosened it and let the dress fall to the floor aroundthe, I quickly released my bra and slid my panties down