Page 14 of Proposition 1

9. Cadence

Istared at the tiny box resting on the table. There was no way an entire outfit could be in there, and I was scared to remove the lid and see what was inside.

Trembling, I reached out a hand. I’d come this far; how bad could it be?

The pile of white lace is more fabric than I expected to find inside, but it’s clear without touching it that it’s lingerie. I pulled out the folded bra, a matching thong and stockings resting beneath it in the box.

Swallowing hard, I tell myself it really doesn’t show anything they wouldn’t see if I was wearing a bikini, and it’s more than what I could be walking on stage in.

It doesn’t help. The implication is there, reminding me what I’m really selling. Even the perfect white of the fabric is a reminder.

I try to calm my racing heart as I peel off the yellow dress. Dropping it in a pile on the floor, I unhooked the strapless bra I had worn beneath. Cramming it into my purse with the clothing I’d worn over the dress, I slipped on the white bra.

It doesn’t surprise me that everything is a perfect fit. I don’t know if Leo has a good eye or mysteriously got the information the same way he found out where I worked, but it doesn’t matter either way.

There was another tap on the door as I finished pulling up the stockings. My time was up, and Leo was back to lead the sacrifice to slaughter.

Maybe I was feeling a bit dramatic.

I couldn’t stop my eyes from trailing down him as the door swung open. He was dressed all in white, like me, his suit perfectly cut to highlight his powerful frame. My skin heated as I saw him look me over as well.

Walking into the room, he didn’t stop until he stood so close I could smell his cologne. I stood frozen, trapped in his hungry gaze as he lifted a hand to my hair. I didn’t realize what he was doing until I felt it tumble down my back, falling to brush against the top of the thong.

Digging his fingers into the hair at my nape, he cupped my skull as he raised his other hand. Eyes never leaving mine, he ran a wipe over my lips, cleaning away the lipstick I’d applied.

His lips lifted into a smile.

“Much better.”

A rush of warmth flowed through me even though that wasn’t much praise. A grade of fifty may be much better than a twenty, but that didn’t mean it was passing.

Finally pulling my eyes from his, I stared down at the floor. I didn’t know why I reacted to him, but I always seem to feel flushed and confused in his presence. He also talked me into things I never would have considered doing.

“It’s time to go. Just remember why you’re doing this, and you’ll be fine.”

I resist the urge to glare. I don’t need the reminder, I know exactly why I’m here, and my brother’s lucky I love him so much.

I watched Leo’s back as he walked to the door. It was my last chance to bolt. The last moment to change my mind and decide my brother’s safety wasn’t worth my virginity.

Taking a deep breath, I forced my foot to move forward, followed by the other. Eyes locked on Leo’s glossy white shoes, I trailed behind him down a hallway I didn’t bother to look at.

My mind was shutting down, protecting itself from the horror I expected to come. Before I had the chance to completely retreat into my shell, we passed through a doorway into a dark room filled with whispers and giggles.

The first thing I noticed was the mirror straight ahead of me. Eyes widening, I took a step closer to it.

Leo was looming behind my left shoulder, his white suit reflecting the low light in the room. The white lace I was wearing seemed to glow as well, highlighting the contours of my body.

While I may feel like an awkward girl inside, my reflection showed an enticing young woman. The bra cupped my small breasts, lifting them and making them look round and full. The stockings enhanced the length of my slim legs while hiding the knobby knees I’d hated since I was a kid.

I felt sexy.

The thought hit me that I looked like something men would desire. Something they would want to own.

And that excited me.

My thoughts began to spiral into confusion, but Leo’s hand touching my hip jolted me back to where I was. He turned me, pulling me deeper into the room. As my eyes adjusted, I noticed there were other women lined along the wall in front of us, and they were the ones whispering.

I could hear muffled voices besides the whispers, and I realized what I thought was a wall, was a curtain. We were on the backside of the stage, separated from the audience by the black velvet the other women I could see were peeking through.

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