“PLEASE, STOP,” Aisha whines from the sofa. “You’ve been practicing those songs for days. You know them, sis. Go get ready. Take a bath or something. Relax a bit.”
“I’m not tense,” I lie, turning in my seat. The truth is, I’m a ball of nerves, going back and forth over the idea that popped in my head this morning. “Do you think you could help me get ready for the Ball?”
Aisha cocks an eyebrow, straightening in her seat. “What, like… do your hair?”
“Um, yes. And makeup. And maybe I could borrow one of your dresses?”
“Makeup? You’ve not had makeup on since that one time in high school. Why do you want makeup? You know my dresses are way sexier than you’re used to.”
I nod, picking my nails. “I know. I’m thinking of mixing it up a bit. I want to be sexy tonight.”
Her lips spread into a knowing smile. “Aww, you’re trying to impress a guy! Who is it?!” She jumps to her feet, clapping once. “Nico. Am I right, or am I right?! I’ve got the perfect dress!” She grabs my hand and drags me into her room, pushing me down at her dressing table. “I’ve seen the women he goes for. I’ll make you look ten times better, promise.”
I glance at her in the mirror while she pulls makeup supplies from a vanity box. “Do you think it’s a good idea? I think he likes me, but—”
“But you dress like a schoolgirl. Men aren’t into that. Especially men like Nico. I mean, you’re pretty, so sure, he likes you, but he doesn’t want you.” She turns the chair, so I face her, then grabs a bottle of foundation. “He’ll kneel on hot coals to fuck you once I’m done.”
It won’t hurt to try. I want him to see a woman when he looks at me, not a dainty little girl.
An hour later, my lips are blood-red, the color making them even bigger than normal, and winged eyeliner completes the smokey-eye Aisha swears by. Blush, highlighter, concealer, bronzer, mascara. I’ve got cheekbones. My face isn’t so round anymore. It’s amazing what contouring can do.
My hair is arrow straight in a sleek ponytail, and I wear a dress to match my lips: floor-length, fitted so tight I’m afraid to breathe. Backless with a deep neckline and a slit running from my hip.
It starts so high I can’t wear underwear.
I look older, sophisticated… sexy, but my heart rams against my ribs, my idea idiotic now that I look in the mirror and see an impostor. This isn’t me.
I might look beautiful, but I feel awful.
If this is what Nico expects, to keep his attention I’d have to spend every day pretending I’m someone else.
I want him, but flushing who I am down the drain is too high a price. I want him to like me for who I am, not who I can morph into with a splash of makeup and a revealing dress.
I sit on the bed, gathering my things into a clutch bag when the doorbell rings.
Cody’s early.
It’s only five o’clock. There’s still time to wash my face and pick a different dress. Pink with frills or a chiffon skirt.
You won’t know if this is what he wants if you get changed.
True. At least if I go to the Ball dressed like this, I’ll see Nico’s reaction. I’ll judge if he pays me more attention while I’m done up to perfection.
If he does, I’ll wave a white flag.
I slip my feet into black heels, standing up. There’s a knock on the door, but it opens before I say come in. Instead of the Hayes I expected, a different one takes the width—and height—of the doorway.
Nico halts mid-step, looking me over slowly, taking in the provocative dress—my thigh peeking through the slit. His eyes eventually come back to meet mine. He does a double take, two lines marking his forehead.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, clutching my bag with both hands. “Where’s Cody?”
“What the fuck are you wearing?” he shoots back, striding across to where I stand. His chest rises and falls faster as he turns my head, inspecting Aisha’s artwork. “I’ve never seen you wearing makeup.”
“I never did… do you like it?”
“You did this for me?”
I stare at his chest, pinching the sequins on my bag between my fingers. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“Do you want me to be nice or honest?”
“Honest, please.”
He tilts my head back, dark eyes boring into mine. “I know you’re blushing right now, but I can’t see it under all that concealer, Mia. I fucking hate it.” He brushes his thumb along my lower lip. “How am I supposed to kiss you with all that lipstick?”
I hold my breath, my tummy knotting itself tightly. “I’m sure you’ve kissed women wearing lipstick before.”
“A simple peck won’t up my score.” He smirks, grazing his thumb along my jawline. “You’re blushing again, aren’t you? I want to see, Mia. Is this how you think I want you to look?” He gestures up and down my body.
“You didn’t want me in pink dresses.”
His features pinch, and he hauls me into his arms, marching me into the bathroom. He stands me under the shower, turning the hot water on. “Wash your face.”
I’m soaking wet, makeup, hair, and dress ruined. I shouldn’t feel relieved, right? I should be upset. Aisha spent an hour drawing lines on my face, straightening my hair, and helping zip me into this tight dress.
I should be upset… but I’m far from it.
Nico leaves, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. Ten minutes later, wrapped in a towel, I tiptoe back into my bedroom, where he sits on the bed, one of my dresses beside him. It’s dirty pink, the tulle skirt embossed with silver crystals.
My heart flutters like the wings of a caged bird when he gets up. Anticipation courses through my veins and my lips start tingling, but Nico doesn’t kiss me.
“Get dressed,” he says, on his way out.
I do as I’m told, confused but curious. I slip into the dress he chose and find a box with silver heels under the bed before I dry my hair, braiding a crown. Once ready, I find Nico leaning against the opposite wall in the hallway.
“How’s that?” I ask.
He closes the distance between us in one stride, grips me by the waist, and hauls me into his arms, pushing me back into the room.
The door slams shut.
And everything falls into place when his lips catch mine for a short peck like the one I gave him yesterday. “Show me I’m the one you want,” he says, pinning me to the wall.
I brace against his shoulders, my mind in tumult. I don’t understand his attitude, but I take what I crave now that he’s close. I kiss his upper lip, then lower, and slide my tongue between, kissing him gently, savoring the feelings he evokes.
I brush my fingers along his jawline and turn his head to the side, nuzzling my nose in his cheek as I deepen the kiss at an unrushed pace.
“Jesus… how can you taste so sweet?” he whispers a second before he reclaims control, dominating the moment.
I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that this is happening. That his tongue sweeps the silk of my mouth, his lips hot and demanding, his massive body pressing into me, triggering a wave of desire.
It’s intense, greedy, and everything I ever hoped for.
The second I shudder, Nico deepens the kiss, and a burst of endorphins rushes through my bloodstream. The thunder of my pulse mixes with the sound of our hastened breaths and our lips working in sync. A soft moan escapes me when he bites my lower lip, pulling gently.
“What’s my score today?” He lifts one hand, tracing my swollen bottom lip. “Still eight?”
“And a half. I guess you’re not mad about yesterday?”
He sits on the bed, maneuvering my legs until I’m comfortably straddling him. “I wasn’t mad you kissed me. I was mad I couldn’t have you. And it had nothing to do with your pink dresses. I thought you were Cody’s.”
“You thought I was dating Cody? Why? I mean, I—”
“It’s a long story. Let’s just say my brothers are very protective of you.” His hands move on my thighs. “Now that I know you’re not his…” He grips my neck, pulling me in for another kiss, “…eight and a half won’t cut it. I want to be a ten. Any pointers?”
I ghost my index finger along his lips, and he opens, catching it between his teeth. “I intend to give you plenty more lessons now that you made the short list of men qualifying for a second date.” White-hot lust ignites my senses, and I circle my hips on reflex, grinding into him.
“How many dates before you’re mine?” he grinds through clenched teeth, holding me still.
“Yours?”
“Mine,” he confirms, caressing my thigh, his fingers traveling north to cup my butt.
Oh… his. Right, of course. My cheeks heat, but I push the embarrassment aside. “Whenever you want.” I’ve been waking up soaking wet, dreaming about him for weeks. I want all he can give me, and I’ll give him anything he’ll ask for. “Just a heads up, I might not be much fun the first time. I’ve never had sex, so you’ll have to show me—” I bite my tongue when his lips pinch into a thin line, barely holding off a smile.
“You’re fucking adorable, you know that? I don’t mean sex. I mean mine. My girl. How many dates?”
My girl. God, I’m so giddy I might burst.
“You think you can tell me something about you I don’t already know? I don’t need dates, Nico. We’re past dates by now, don’t you think?”
“Good girl. Say it, Mia. Tell me you’re mine.”
I dip my head, stealing a quick kiss, but Nico doesn’t let me pull away. He sinks deeper and tastes me all over again, his tongue skimming mine, our bodies flush together.
“You really like being kissed, don’t you?”
“I might be a little insufferable until I get my fix.”
“Good. You need to teach me how to be a ten.” He moves his lips to my neck, nipping my ear. “Use your words, Mia. Tell me you’re mine.”
I arch back a little, my hands shaking with uncontainable glee. “I’m yours, and you’re mine, but I’m still Cody’s date tonight. I can’t ditch him.”
“That won’t work. You’re coming with me. Cody already found someone else.”
“Really? Who? And what about your date? She bought a dress and probably went to the hairdressers, and—”
“And I booked her a Spa weekend with her girl. Believe me, she’s not losing out.” He hands me a small box from the inside pocket of his jacket. “Happy Birthday. I couldn’t get it any sooner.”
I eye a square, light-green box with a white satin ribbon. “Um, it’s nice of you to—”
“Open it.”
Biting my cheek, I pinch the ribbon, pulling until it sighs to the floor, then open the lid. A gold chain and a two-inch long, gold peacock feather encrusted with diamonds, tiny emeralds, and a large sapphire sits inside.
“You left the real one in the cab, but it was crumpled and broken. I thought you could use a sturdier replacement.”
“It’s beautiful… thank you, but it won’t serve the same purpose. I’m done trying to get into Aisha’s good graces.”
“It will serve the same purpose, only with a different person.” He clasps the necklace around my neck. “The first wish is yours.”
“You think you can handle my wish? You have no idea what you’re getting into.”
“Whatever it is, I’ll do it. Do we have a deal?”
“Yes.”
“Good girl. Don’t make me wait long.”
