The corset parted easily under Dean's touch, revealing more pale, perfect skin, and Lara sighed with obvious satisfaction upon being freed from its confines. Her hands slid long Dean's arms and down his sides along sensitive nerves, each touch like the kiss of velvet over steel as she edged his shirt up inch by inch. At the same time, her old friend teased his mind with thoughts of lust and hunger, of pleasure and phantom heat, interested to see how much he could take.

And all the while, his mind bent before her like a willow. She didn't push hard enough to break, not when she still needed that fascinating little mind whole, but every whisper forged a link in an invisible chain of empty desire and twisted promise.