Page 90 of Crystal Iris
“You look beautiful,” he says.
“So do you,” I tell him as I get in. And he really does. There’s something about his edginess paired with the tailored tux, I can’t keep my eyes off him.
“Thank you for… doing this. I know it’s not your thing,” he says.
“I’m happy to help. It’s kind of my fault you’re in this situation anyway.”
I glance out the window at the beautiful night sky. Perhaps “happy” is a stretch.
“Iris, if you’re not comfortable doing this, I can turn the car around. We can find another way,” Hoyt offers.
“I know what I signed up for.” I’m to play a dark role… I tell myself it’s for the greater good.
The party is mostly outdoors. Lights illuminate the garden, and waiters move around the gorgeous pool. I hand off my coat at the entrance.
“Wow. You look… irresistible,” Hoyt says, staring at my almost-bare body.
“Shall we… play?” I ask, passing by beautiful flower arrangements.
Hoyt grabs a couple of glasses from a tray, and we begin our search for Aaron.
“It’s a little chilly for you to be wearing… that,” Hoyt says, eyeing me again.
It’s colder than I expected, and I’m sure he can see my hard nipples through the thin fabric.All part of the plan, I remind myself. And to my surprise, I’m actually... enjoying it.
I haven’t stopped to think until now that, after being with Aaron for so long and knowing how jealous he gets, I’ve always stayed in the shadows, afraid to draw attention to myself.No more.Tonight, I will steal stares, invite lust and madness. Tonight, the more jealous he becomes, the better.
We’ve done two laps around the place with no sign of him. I’m starting to doubt he’ll even show. But the Aaron I know would never skip an event like this.
A violinist plays beautifully, and I watch as she moves her arm, precise and intense.
I’m nearly finished with my second drink when I spot them. I can’t believe it—are they together? In public?
“Are you okay?” Hoyt asks.
“Yes, I… didn’t know they were… together, like this.”
“That bothers you?”
“It’s not because of him. I simply… can’t stomach her, after all she did.”
Lara is wearing a pretty pink dress, classy as usual. Aaron looks like the perfect match—a prince and his princess. A part of me wants to flee, but the new part,the vicious part, wants to put on a show. I steady my breath.
“If only you could kiss me right in front of him. We could be going home much sooner,” I tell Hoyt.
“I could… throw you in the pool,” he says with a grin.
I laugh at the idea. “Perhaps we can find our own pool… after.”
His eyes change, and my body heats up with the thought.
“Let’s get this over with,” I say, walking toward Aaron and Lara.
Aaron watches me as I move, heads turning in my direction. He stares at me with predator eyes, ready to pounce. Slowly, his gaze shifts to my right, to Hoyt. Even though we can’t touch, we make sure to look like we’re together.
Hoyt steps closer and whispers, “Let him think I have you.”
“I don’t have to pretend that.”
