Page 19 of Twisted Lies 3
The interior of my mouth went dry as I grabbed the bag. Reaching in, I pulled out an entirely translucent dress. I gasped. It was the dress I had drooled over when I first saw it in my favorite fashion magazine. I just couldn’t rationalize paying the exorbitant price tag. Standing up, I held the knee-length backless mesh ensemble against my body. The dress was a little bit scandalous. Just fishnet and crystals and a couple of fingers crossed. I loved everything about it.
“Is it the correct size?” Zuri leaned forward.
Peeking at the tag, my pulse raced. “Surprisingly, yes, but how did you—”
“Me? No,” she interrupted. “Core picked out the dress.”
As I traced my fingers over the dress, there was a lightness in my chest. “I’m not sure—”
Zuri sighed heavily. “Girl, please don’t say you’re refusing that dress of absolute perfection.”
“Oh, I’m accepting it.” I laughed throatily. “I’m not fucking crazy. I’ve been stalking this dress for a while. What I meant was I’m just not sure why Core sent it.” It was the truth. I had no intention of sending the dress back. I wanted it. Badly.
“There’s a note inside the bag.”
Digging inside the bag and pulling out the stark-white card, I read it aloud, “My driver will be at your house tonight at 10:30 p.m. sharp. C.M.” Snorting, I tossed the card back inside the bag. “Well, what he wants and what he’ll get are two different damn things.”
“What Core wants, Core gets. Believe me.” She smiled devilishly. “Must be that alpha-crazy thing he’s got going on.”
I drummed my foot against the floor. “And exactly where is Core taking me?”
“You’ve been cordially invited to the McKay Club’s private playground, Noire.”
Adrenaline rushed through my body. “A fancy name for the anything-goes section.”
She winked at me. “More like anything you want.”
“So I’ve heard from the gossip hags.”
“Sweetie, the gossip is nowhere near the reality of Noire. It’s total sexual chaos.” Her cell beeped. She pulled it out of her handbag, gazing at it with a frown before she tapped out a text. “I’ve got to go.” She stood up, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Wait a minute.” My voice wavered. “I didn’t say I was going.”
A knowing smile curved Zuri’s full lips. “Sin, that twinkle of excitement in your eyes says it all.” She winked at me. “See you tonight,” she finished before gliding away.
CHAPTER 6
Sinthia
I mumbled aloud, “I’m just going to play nice with Core, but absolutely no sex.”
Leaning against my vanity with my fingers trembling, I finished my makeup with a bold red lip and eyes decorated in catlike flicks. And just when I thought I’d actually convinced myself about my no-sex rule, a vision of Core’s hands snaking up my thighs and spreading them wide flashed through my mind.
“Dammit.” I slammed my palm against the cold granite.
Who am I fooling?
I was most definitely going to have sex with him tonight—but just one round of toe-curling sex, nothing more. I couldn’t allow myself to hope for more. I had been down that road before, picking up the pieces from hurt and heartache. I gritted my teeth. I had no intention of living through that car wreck ever again.
Stepping back, I smiled prettily at the mirror while clasping the silver bracelet Dad gave me for my birthday around my wrist before marching into my bedroom. I eyed the gorgeous dress lying across the bed. It was most definitely a dress picked out by a lover. The thought of Core selecting the dress with my body in mind made the liquid heat rage between my thighs.
After slipping on my flesh-toned thong, I skipped wearing a bra. It would stick out like a sore thumb in this barely there slinky, sheer number. Thank God the bodice of the dress was designed to pull up the voluptuous swell of my breasts, similar to the support of a bra. I slid the dress over my head, and it glided down my body like heavy silk. Giving myself a once-over in the mirror, I fell in love with the dress all over again. It was sexy and naughty, and it embodied the persona I needed tonight.
Seductress on the prowl.
Man-eater.
Woman ready to take Core by the balls . . . literally.
