A shy smile curved her lips. She stood and turned her back to him, her voice lowering into something soft.
"Then… do it for me," she said. "Undo the world from my shoulders. Take your time."
Azrael's heart skipped at the sound of her words. He stepped closer. Carefully, he lifted her hair and drew it forward over her shoulders, exposing the smooth line of her neck and back.
His fingers followed slowly, tracing the length of her spine as if memorising the softness of her skin.
Athena's breath caught at the feather-light touch, a quiet shiver running through her as the room seemed to narrow to just the two of them.
Slowly Azrael loosened the zip of her dress, revealing her soft black net bra beneath.
He bent slowly and planted a soft kiss on her back, and Athena leaned into his touch.
His hand slid up to her shoulders and pulled down the dress until it fell to the floor, leaving Athena in just her net panties and bra.
