Chapter 23

• “Get naked,” he commands, his voice cold and unyielding as he steps away from the door, making his way to the center of the room. My heart pounds in my chest as I slowly pull off my jeans and t-shirt, my eyes darting around the room, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
• “Move to the center,” he orders, still devoid of emotion, as he begins to undress. He slips off his suit jacket, then unbuttons his shirt, revealing the tanned skin beneath, adorned with intricate tattoos. The sight of his inked body sends a shiver down my spine. Rafael is a man carved by the gods, his physique a masterpiece of strength and power. Just looking at him makes my core tighten, and my fingers itch to trace the hard lines of his abs.
• I move slowly toward him, and in one fluid motion, he spins me around. I gasp as his rough hands pull my arms behind me, stacking them on top of each other before securing them with a leather strap. The sensation of leather against my back and around my neck, forming an attachable collar, heightens my awareness. He tightens it just enough to restrict my breathing slightly but not enough to suffocate me. I release a deep breath, my body humming in acceptance of his control. God, this feels… right.