Page 7 of Piece By Piece

It’s embarrassing how much I crave comfort and it really is something nothing other than a sincere hug or a sweet caress can provide. I’ve been scrambling for scraps of this affection for years, giving up my body willingly to anyone with low enough standards, to put it in Sebastian’swords. It was disappointing when I first realized sex and comfort weren’t the same.

I soak up this moment and stock it somewhere inside me for as long as I dare. Then I pull away and pat his shoulder. “Goodnight, Mattheo.”

“Night, Seduttrice.Get home safely.”

Chapter 4

Aliena

Last July

“Do we have to go out tonight? Work tired me out and I’d be happy to just pass out in my uncomfortable bed,” I whine while Lily adds some last-minute touches to her makeup. She throws me an unimpressed look over her shoulder.

“People looking as good as you do right now don’t talk like that. Get up, or you’ll wrinkle the silk. We’re going tonight,” my best friend declares, leaving no room for arguments. I groan again and roll onto my back, ignoring her comment about wrinkling the dress she bought me for my birthday last year.

“Since when doyoudragmeout to a party? You never want to go out. That bloody Anders is changing you,” I pout.

“His name is Andrew. Don’t act like you don’t know. You’ve met him. And yes, he’s forcing me to come out of my shell like you have been doing for years. Don’t act like a baby just because you aren’t the only person influencing me anymore.” Before I can deny any motives, she shoots me a look in the mirror that tells me to keep my wordsto myself.

She goes on. “It will be fun, A. The host’s parties are legendary at my school and we’re VIPs since he’s one of Andrew’s best friends. Plus, you’ll love the company my boyfriend keeps.”

That last part is followed by a wink. I raise a brow. “Oh yeah? Anyone attractive you can brief me about?” I ask.

“More likeeveryoneattractive, babe. I’m sure you’ll find someone to your liking there.”

“But they’re all preppies!” I whine again. It’s hard having a rich friend at times. While she is out getting to know the future presidents and first ladies, the only company I keep is the next generation of funerals.

“I’m a preppy and you like me just fine,” she insists, fluffing her blond hair again before pouting at the mirror. I must say, I enjoy seeing her this confident. Andrew is good for her. Not that I’d ever tell her that. Or him, Christ, no. He does not need that ego boost.

She finally turns around and eyes my starfish position on her bed. “Aliena, up! Now,” she orders. With a laugh, I comply and head to the mirror too. Great, her boyfriend is supposed to pick us up any minute now and I have bedhead. I reach for the hairbrush, but Lily stops me.

“Don’t! Leave it like that, you look hot as fuck.” She appears at my reflection’s side and rests her head on my shoulder with a wistful sigh. “God, it’s unfair how fantastic you look.” She gives me a once-over, keeps her eyes on my revealed cleavage for a long second, and then smiles bashfully. “Oh, everyone will be drooling over you there.”

I laugh and brush her off though I do give my reflection a lingering look. Red silk is molded to my body like a second skin, the cleavage drops just low enough for it to be safe to dance without a bra on, and the hem reaches just the top of my thighs.

With an outfit like that, I kept my makeup simple. Highlighter, mascara, and red lips. I smile at myself and check my teeth for stains. Lilianne groans behind me.

“I will never get over your fangs. They make me want to ask for a bite and I’m straight.” She cups my face and turns it to hers to inspect my mouth more closely. I roll my eyes.

“They’re not fangs. Just very pointy canines,” I explain for the millionth time.

“Yes, yes. Semantics.”

The sound of the doorbell interrupts the moment, and my friend releases me. I snap a quick picture of myself in the mirror before trailing after her as she heads towards the door, grabbing my heels on the way. “He walked up to the door? He couldn’t have just given you a call?” I tease her even though I find it very cute.

“He was raised well,” she tells me over her shoulder, grinning. Good for him. My best friend deserves no less than a gentleman.

She opens the door and Andrew is quick to swoop her up in a kiss. I turn away, giving them a moment of privacy as they pull away and banter playfully. “You look like a dream,” Andrew whispers to his girlfriend. Then he turns to me. “Hey, Aly. You look very lovely too.” He gives me his winning smile and I thank him with a curtsy. I only met him twice before but he seems like a good guy, so we get along well enough.

“Are you two ready? Mattheo is waiting in the car,” the man tells us. Once we’ve confirmed, we’re on our way downstairs. A slight breeze brushes against me as we exit Lilianne’s dorm building, and chills prick my skin at the comfortable sensation. The days have nearly beenunbearably hot this summer but now that the sun is setting, the temperature is heavenly.

We head straight for a black Mercedes, and I smile at the sight. It’s an elegant vehicle, low and broad from the front with sexy-ass lights. As we draw closer and the driver, Mattheo, I suppose, sees us, the motor purrs to life.

I don’t have a lot of experience when it comes to getting rides in cars this fancy, and dressed up as I am, I must admit I feel like some supermodel or movie star. Especially when Andrew opens the back door for me after having done the same for Lily in the passenger seat. My will to go out tonight is certainly with me now.

“You know, I really wouldn’t have minded sitting in the back with Aly,” my friend says from the front, looking back at her boyfriend.

“I know, baby. In case my troll of a friend crashes his car, you have better survival chances in the front though.” He winks at her, and the discussion is closed there. I still catch Lily’s blushing cheeks and subtle smile before she turns back to the front.

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