She Used Me for a Dare… Now I Own Her Mother

With trembling, eager fingers, she reached behind her back, undoing the zipper of her uniform. The dark fabric slipped from her shoulders, followed by her crisp white apron, pooling onto the cool tiles.

A heartbeat later, the rest of her clothes fell away.

Completely bare, her pale skin already flushed pink from the humid warmth, she sat down on the marble ledge beside him, her hands resting nervously on her thighs.

Before she could even reach for the soap, Alex moved.

His hand shot out through the steam, his strong fingers wrapping firmly around her slender wrist.

With a single, effortless tug, he pulled her forward.

Emma let out a startled gasp as she tumbled over the rim and splashed directly into the warm water, landing flush against his bare chest.

Water sloshed over the marble edges, rippling gently around them. She clutched his broad shoulders to steady herself, her breath coming in quick, ragged bursts.

Beneath the swirling water, her bare thighs parted around his hips — and the breath completely stalled in her lungs.

She realized she was sitting directly atop his rigid, unyielding length, the scorching heat of him pressing intimately against her wet core. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs, a dizzying surge of heat racing straight to her face.

Trembling slightly, she lifted her wide, dark eyes to look up at him.

A low, lazy chuckle rumbled in Alex’s chest, the vibration humming straight through her skin. His hands rested firmly around her slender waist, anchoring her in place so she couldn’t pull back even an inch.

”You’re really cute,” he murmured softly, a trace of amused warmth coloring his low voice.

Emma opened her mouth to stammer an answer, but Alex didn’t give her the chance.

Leaning in, he captured her lips in a deep, possessive kiss. Emma melted instantly against him, a soft, helpless whimper catching in her throat as her fingers tightened in his wet hair. The kiss was slow and thorough, stealing every coherent thought from her head until her limbs felt completely weightless.

When he finally broke the kiss, leaving her lips slightly swollen and softly bruised, her dark eyes were glazed with intoxicating heat.

”Why are you always so nervous around me?” Alex asked quietly, his gaze tracing the heavy blush spreading down her throat.

His hand drifted down beneath the surface of the water, rising to cup her full, buoyant breast, his fingers molding into the soft flesh while his thumb lazily grazed her taut nipple.

A sharp, delicious shiver raced through Emma’s entire spine.

”You know I never differentiate between you and Madison,” Alex continued, his tone turning calm and reassuring. ”Never think you’re any lower than her, or that I favor her over you. And Madison doesn’t see you that way, either.”

Emma looked at him, her wide eyes brimming with quiet vulnerability.

”Do you understand why she didn’t come to draw my bath this morning, and sent you instead?” he asked gently.

Emma hesitated for a moment, then gave a small, honest shake of her head.

A faint smile touched the corner of Alex’s lips.

”Because she wanted to give you your time with me, too.”

The words struck Emma with a sudden, deep warmth, washing away the quiet insecurities she had harbored deep down.

A soft, touched expression smoothed over her features, and she gave an earnest, grateful nod.

”I’m sorry, Sir,” Emma whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she lowered her gaze. ”I won’t let foolish thoughts get in the way again.”

Alex smiled faintly, leaning back against the curved marble. He let his hands fall to his sides and half-closed his eyes with relaxed, lazy dominance.

”Now,” he ordered smoothly. ”Wash me.”

Emma took a steadying breath, the lingering doubts cleared from her mind. Moving with quiet devotion, she reached for the fragrant olive-oil soap and linen washcloth, working up a rich, velvety lather between her palms.

She started at his broad shoulders, her fingers kneading rhythmically into the corded muscle to work away the last traces of tension.

With practiced, gentle care, she smoothed the warm foam down the hard ridges of his chest, gliding along his ribs and across his flat, cut abdomen.

Slowly, her hands slipped beneath the surface of the steaming water.

Her breath hitched in her throat as her slender, soap-slicked fingers brushed against his thighs and closed firmly around his heavy length. It was burning hot, completely unyielding, and pulsing steadily in her grasp.

Emma’s lips parted slightly, her mouth hanging open in a silent, breathless daze at the sheer size and raw heat filling her palm. A sharp ache coiled low in her belly, temptation urging her to lean forward and taste him right there.

Yet she held herself back.

She knew better than to rush. There was no need to be impatient; Alex was a man who took complete control, and when the moment came, he would fulfill her thoroughly.

Steadying her racing heart, she kept her touch smooth and reverent. She stroked him with firm, deliberate motions beneath the clear water, cleaning him from base to tip, her thumb lightly grazing the sensitive ridge until a low, satisfied rumble vibrated in his chest.

Only when she was certain every inch of him was attended to did she gently pull her hands away.

Gathering the silver pitcher, Emma scooped up warm, clear water and poured it over his shoulders and chest, rinsing away the foam in smooth, cascading sheets.

”All done, Sir,” she whispered softly.

Alex opened his eyes, feeling entirely refreshed. He rose from the water, droplets cascading down his sculpted frame as he stepped up onto the bath mat.

Emma moved immediately, wrapping a large, plush dark towel around his shoulders and another around his waist, carefully patting the moisture from his skin.

Once he was dry, she stepped into the adjoining dressing room and returned with his freshly pressed wardrobe.

With quiet, practiced poise, Emma dressed him piece by piece. She slipped his arms into a tailored, charcoal-black dress shirt, her fingers brushing against his chest as she fastened every button down the front. Next came the fitted trousers, buckling the leather belt cleanly at his waist, before she draped a sharp, dark vest over his broad shoulders.

She smoothed down his collar, brushed away an invisible speck of dust from his lapel, and stepped back to inspect her work.

Dressed in clean, understated luxury, Alex looked every bit the sovereign... sharp, imposing, and completely in command.

Emma looked up at him, a warm, fulfilled glow settling over her flushed cheeks. ”You look perfect, Sir.”

A faint, amused smirk played on Alex’s lips as his eyes swept over her. Emma was still standing before him completely bare, her damp skin flushed pink from the bath and steam clinging softly to her collarbones.

”Unless you plan on joining us at the table like that,” Alex said, his tone dry with quiet amusement, ”you might want to put something on.”

Emma looked down at herself. The realization hit her all at once, and a fresh wave of crimson rushed straight to her cheeks and ears. In her rush to dry him, dress him, and make sure every button on his vest was immaculate, she had completely forgotten about her own state.

”Ah—!”

A flustered squeak slipped past her lips. She hurried over to the vanity rack, quickly pulling on a fresh set of clothes with frantic, trembling hands while Alex watched her with an entertained smile.

Once she had smoothed down her skirt and tied the sash, her heart still fluttering, she turned back to face him, ducking her head slightly.

”What is Madison doing?” Alex asked, checking the silver cufflinks at his wrists.

Emma caught her breath, her expression softening into a shy, sweet smile. ”She was preparing breakfast, Sir. It’s already set and ready for you.”

”Good,” Alex said, his hand casually brushing the nape of her neck as he stepped past her. ”Let’s go.”

***

By the time Alex and Emma made their way downstairs, the rich aroma of toasted bread, sizzling bacon, and freshly brewed coffee was already drifting through the hallway.

Inside the dining room, Madison was setting the polished mahogany table, arranging porcelain plates and silver cutlery with practiced grace.

Hearing their footsteps, she looked up. A warm, radiant smile bloomed across her face the moment she saw Alex.

”Good morning, Sir,” Madison greeted, her voice bright and melodic.

Her eyes drifted over him, lingering on his crisp, well-put-together appearance before a playful, teasing spark lit up her gaze.

”Good morning, Sir,” Madison greeted, her voice bright and melodic.

Her eyes drifted over him, lingering on his crisp, well-put-together appearance before a playful, teasing spark lit up her gaze.

”You were really something else last night, Sir,” she said, her tone dripping with mischievous amusement. ”I only hope Madame Victoria is doing fine this morning...”

Alex chuckled, an amused smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he reached the head of the table.

”She was the one who asked for it,” he replied smoothly, pulling out his chair and sitting down with relaxed authority. ”I only gave her what she wanted.”

?”I don’t think she has any complaints,” Madison replied with a soft laugh, pouring a glass of freshly chilled citrus juice and setting it neatly beside his plate.

?As Alex reached for the glass, Madison turned her attention to Emma, who had quietly stepped up beside the table to assist.

Her sharp eyes immediately caught Emma’s radiant, dewy complexion, the faint lingering dampness at her hairline, and her softly bruised lips.

A fond, conspiratorial smile curved Madison’s lips. Leaning close to Emma’s ear under the pretense of handing her a serving dish, she whispered in a low, teasing murmur:

”Did you only wash him, or did you take a taste for yourself too?”

The words hit Emma like a shockwave. A fresh explosion of bright crimson flooded Emma’s face, rushing all the way from her collarbones up to the tips of her ears.