Page 24 of His Dark Cravings

But before I can answer, someone else chimes in.

"So, little doll, why are you here?"

One of the guests, a tall, angular woman with a smirk, raises an eyebrow. Her tone is light, too light, with an undercurrent of malice.

My pulse picks up as I meet her gaze. The room seems to narrow, conversations tapering off. Xavier's hand tightens on his napkin, but I press on.

"I'm here because I want to be," I say firmly, my voice steady.

The woman raises an eyebrow, lips curling into a smirk. "You don't seem so sure." Her eyes drift over me, then to Xavier, before circling back.

I sit taller, squaring my shoulders. "I said I want to be here. That's all that matters." My voice rises enough to carry.

The woman's smirk falters for a moment. "Bold little thing, aren't you?" she says. Her voice drips with amusement. "Not many would speak so freely here."

I hold her gaze, determined not to back down. "I know how to express myself clearly."

The table falls silent, and I feel a hand brush against mine under the table. Xavier doesn't look at me, but his touch is firm, a warm pressure that steadies my nerves.

"So, Xavier," one of the other guests says. "How did you find her?"

"She came to me," Xavier replies. "She wanted in."

Laughter circles the table, and one of the men leans back in his chair, arms crossed. "Bold indeed. You're as intriguing as the others," he comments, his eyes lingering on me.

A woman opposite me raises her glass, her eyes never leaving mine. "To boldness, then."

The others echo her toast, and glasses rise. I lift mine, my hand steady as I sip the wine. It's rich, the flavor sharp against my tongue.

But the first woman who spoke isn't convinced.

"Wanting to be here. Are you sure that's enough to fully embrace what we're about?" She tilts her head. "Perhaps a private demonstration could change your mind, make you need to be here."

"I don't share my dolls," Xavier’s voice cuts in sharply. His tone sends a ripple through the table, and several guests shift in their seats uncomfortably.

The woman opens her mouth to retort when Xavier angles toward me, his hand squeezing mine under the table once more. There's approval in his eyes, reassurance in his touch.

The room begins to stir again, the tension slowly diffusing as the other guests renew their conversations, their laughter a little more forced.

The woman smirks lazily, clearly enjoying the discomfort she caused. But before she can push further, Lila turns her attention on her, a slow smile spreading across her face.

"Speaking of boldness," Lila begins, her voice filled with a playful venom, "it's curious how some people don't know when they're out of their depth." Her emerald eyes lock onto the woman's, sending a silent challenge. "Perhaps some need a reminder that their place at this table isn't guaranteed."

The room shifts, conversations slowing again. The woman's pale skin flushes, her cheeks blooming pink, and she fidgets with her glass.

Winter leans forward, her voice cutting like a blade. "It's always best to approach new faces with grace rather than malice."

Winter doesn't look away from the woman, ensuring her message is received. The impact is immediate. The woman lowers her eyes, her smirk faltering.

Lila tilts her head, her curls shifting with the movement. "After all, you never know who might end up teaching you a lesson."

I feel a surge of gratitude. They draw the attention away from me, sending a clear message to the room. Their quick defense lifts a weight from me, and I straighten, feeling a new sense of belonging. The dinner continues, the underlying tension slowly untangling as the conversation flows once more.

The rest of the dinner goes surprisingly well. I find myself actually enjoying the conversations, laughing at jokes, even offering my own opinions. I completely forget about the scandalous outfit clinging to my skin, the sheer panels revealing far more than I’d ever dared show before. It's like a switch flipped—I'm not the nervous charity worker anymore. I'm… confident.

The guests depart one by one, their goodbyes polite, their departures leaving a lightness in the room. The heavy feeling that hung in the air before dissipates, leaving behind a comfortable silence. I feel a strange sense of accomplishment. I did it. I navigated the bizarre, intimidating world of Xavier's dinner party and not only survived but thrived.

Xavier pats my back as he passes. It's a simple gesture, but it carries weight. A silent approval, maybe. Lila winks, Sable offers a curt nod—even Sable seems impressed. Winter smiles, a rare, almost genuine smile that crinkles the corners of her eyes. They all seem genuinely pleased.

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