Page 11 of Ella's Masquerade
“Yes, rumor has it you had some fun with her in the pool,” Carmen added, also invading my personal space to grasp my arm.
Very forward.
Confident.
And clearly in the mood for control.
But these two had no idea whom they were propositioning.
I grabbed Ryan’s hip and yanked her closer, loving the way she gasped at my abruptness.Try to manipulate me,I thought.I dare you.
“My interest is my business,” I told her instead, catching her gaze and holding it. “But you’ve piqued mine, sweetheart. Shall I have some fun with you instead?”
Because lighting you on fire would be incredibly entertaining,I added, amused with the image that stirred in my head.
Her palm flattened against my chest, her body pressing into mine in a practiced way that bespoke of sexual experience.
Yet it did nothing for me. If anything, it took physical effort not to outwardly cringe.
“Mmm, I think I would enjoy that,” she murmured, her lips falling to my ear. “However, I’ll need proof that you’re up to the task.”
Carmen leaned into my opposite side, her fingers running through my hair. “Oh, I think he is, Ry,” she said conversationally. “In fact, I think this could be a lot of fun.”
“Are you suggesting a test, sis?” Ryan cooed.
“I am.” She batted her eyes at me, moving even closer. “A challenging one.”
Ah, this was too easy. Only here a day and they were falling into my trap without any pushing on my part. Brilliant. “I’m listening,” I murmured, tightening my grip on Ryan’s hip. She was clearly the ringleader, so I focused on her. “What did you have in mind, sweets?”
“Poor Ella hasn’t had a date to a dance in so long. I think you should ask her.” She walked her red claws up and down my shirt, making me want to burn the offending digits with a sweep of power.
Fortunately, her words were music to my ears.
“You want me to take another woman—thisElla—to a dance?” I reiterated.
She nodded. “But not just that. I want you to humiliate her.”
I frowned. “Why?”
Her shoulder lifted. “Because she’s a conceited little tramp who thinks she’s better than the rest of us.”
“And no one has gotten her to a dance since freshman year,” Carmen added.
“Still not seeing a benefit to this,” I drawled, leaning in to draw my nose across Ryan’s cheek. “You seem more my speed. How about I take you instead?”
Her laugh was one of those fake tinkling noises that made most men cringe. So over the top, just like the rest of her.
“Well, if you do your job right, you’ll get both of us as a prize,” Ryan taunted, glancing conspiratorially at her sister before narrowing her dull gaze at me. “But only if you make her cry, new guy. Like, embarrass her well and truly. We’re talking full breakdown.”
My eyebrows lifted. “And I get the two of you as a reward after?” Did men actually fall for this bullshit?
Oh, right. I’d met two idiots who did earlier.
Apparently, the whole twin-sister fetish in this realm really fucked with human morals.
Ryan nodded. “You get us both for as long as you want.”
“However you want,” Carmen said, taking on her role of seductive sidekick and pressing her ample breasts into my arm.
