Chapter 10 #2
“But I don’t take them out. Never,” he answered calmly with a mischievous smile.
He was keeping himself under control, but his every word cut sharper than a knife.
I stared at him, determined not to bend to his will.
If I was being honest, though, I didn’t actually want to provoke him.
I didn’t want a war between us. I just wanted to…
to kiss him and touch him. To mess up his hair and get him out of his clothes.
I wanted him to tell me something true about himself. I wanted him to open up and trust me.
I wanted everything from Neil Miller.
But I interrupted this train of thought by boldly, unthinkingly asking him, “Are you maybe jealous?”
He sucked in a breath, clearly not expecting that question. Logan’s mouth fell open, and he came up to stand next to Neil, but neither he nor Alyssa interfered in what had become a no-holds-barred beatdown.
Neil let out a guttural sound that was extremely seductive and something like a laugh.
His chest and my entire body vibrated with the dark notes of his baritone.
He dropped his arms to his sides and inched closer to me, obliterating the space between us.
His musky scent seemed to sink into my skin, and I knew that it would linger there for hours, mingling with my own smell.
He smoothed a lock of hair behind my ear, and I shivered.
It was a move that might have looked sweet on the surface but was really anything but.
“Get ready, Babygirl. Put on your best dress and your sexiest underwear. We’re going to go out together, and I’ll find you tonight’s fuck myself,” he whispered, highly amused as he showed me just how little I mattered to him.
“Are you down for that? Or are you going to start whining when it comes time to satisfy the lucky guy’s demands? ” he added sneeringly.
“Neil! What the—” Logan attempted to intervene, trying to make his brother see reason.
“Can it, Logan,” Neil scolded him sternly before turning back to give my body a quick once-over. He was rubbing it in my face how wrong I had been to test him.
“We’ll take my car. I’ll meet you at the car in half an hour.” He pulled out his pack of Winstons and walked out the French doors to the garden.
I was stunned by what had just happened. I blew out a shaky breath and stared out the large glass window where his imposing frame had just disappeared.
“He won’t do it,” Logan said softly, breaking the silence.
“What?” I turned to look at him, and he moved toward me.
“He didn’t really mean it. You provoked him, and he reacted. That was what you wanted, right?” He smiled at me, and I refused to meet his eyes. I bit my lip, considering. Neil had clearly been upset at the idea that I would actually go out with the intent of…
“He insulted her.” Alyssa folded her arms over her chest and looked at her boyfriend, annoyed.
“You do realize that, right? Your brother is a total asshole. I’ve seen for myself how he’s constantly coming out of the pool house with Jennifer.
So why can’t Selene be free to have fun however she likes or with whoever she likes? ” she continued, coming to my defense.
“Because…” Logan tried to explain but just ended up sighing impatiently and giving up. “Eh, I don’t know! Neil is twisted; he’s just…Neil. That’s just the way he is,” he muttered in exasperation.
“No, your brother is a sexist jerk. He’s arrogant, domineering, and gross. He—” Alyssa retorted, really laying into him, and although there was a part of me that agreed with her, the other part—the irrational part—resented her for running him down.
“Let’s just go get ready.” I cut her off, walking toward the marble staircase without another word.
I didn’t understand myself. I should have been mad at him, but, instead, I was frightened of him and drawn to him at the same time.
And although I fought those unhealthy emotions with all my might, I couldn’t win.
He was becoming an addiction, something that had already thrown me into an abyss of chaos. Neil’s eyes were my obsession, and I smelled his scent whenever I breathed in.
You want to play with me? Then I’m going to play too.
Moments later, Alyssa and I were posted up in my bedroom, focused on making ourselves presentable. Forty minutes later, and I was still huffing as I tossed aside yet another dress.
“Try this one.” Alyssa showed off another option.
She’d already chosen the perfect dress for her: a lacy blue sheath that fit her like a dream, highlighting her sinuous shape without being too short. The back, however, made up for it. It plunged almost to the base of her spine, which made her look irresistibly seductive.
“Pink?” My face twisted into a skeptical expression.
Pink looked fine on me, but it also made me look angelic, and I was feeling anything but.
I rejected her suggestion and plopped down on the bed, surrendering myself to the idea that I simply didn’t have anything adequate to wear.
I’d have to settle for a sweater and a pair of jeans.
This was exactly why I hated parties. You always needed to dress to impress, show off, and go over the top…
“Hmm…” Alyssa strode on her stilettos to the walk-in closet that Matt had set up for me, though Mia had mostly likely done the actual clothing selection. I’d never worn most of the clothes. Honestly, I’d never even imagined I would need them.
“What about this one?” She came back to me with a little black dress on a hanger.
It was…stunning.
I got off the bed and ran my fingers over it, admiring the soft fabric.
It consisted of a bodice with a sweetheart neckline, two thin straps, and an embroidered band just below the bust, which was covered in small, bright stones.
The skirt draped softly over the hips, and there was a little bow on the back.
“I like it,” I said, not looking at her.
“Try it on,” she prompted me before turning to look for a matching pair of shoes.
I took off my clothes quickly and slipped the dress on over my head. I didn’t know what brand it was, but I was pretty sure I’d never worn anything so expensive and eye-catching in my life. If I somehow ruined it, I knew I’d never be able to pay Matt back.
I paused in front of the mirror to consider my reflection, tilting my head to one side. The skirt was short, and the neckline was low, dipping down to the base of my sternum. My firm breasts were clearly visible, my push-up bra only making them more eye-catching.
“Oh my God, Alyssa! No way. I need something less…” I didn’t get to finish that sentence because she approached me then with a wicked smile and a pair of sky-high heels in her hands. I felt naked, uncomfortable, and…
“Try these on with it.” She arranged them beside my bare feet, and I shook my head.
No, I could never go out dressed like this.
“Get a move on, Selene.” She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for me to do as she’d ordered. Delicately, I climbed into the pair of stilts she’d given me, trying not to lose my balance.
“Oh my God! You’re a bombshell!” Alyssa positioned herself behind me, and I looked myself up and down in the mirror.
I was a few inches taller than her now. My extra-long hair fell over my shoulders in soft waves while my wayward bangs covered my scar.
My makeup brightened me up without being too heavy.
I’d put some basic pink lipstick on my lips and used mascara to darken my thick lashes, making my eyes look bluer and more compelling.
“You look elegant-sexy, not vulgar-sexy,” Alyssa reassured me when she noticed my obvious discomfort. I wasn’t used to dressing up; I still preferred jeans and T-shirts.
“Maybe I should…” I wanted to peel it all off and get into bed. I’d changed my mind once again. I didn’t feel like attracting inappropriate stares or cheeky comments from some passing idiot. I knew there were men who went to these parties to “hunt,” and dressed like this, I would look like prey.
“Selene, we’ll be with you. You won’t be alone. Besides, you know that dickhead deserves to eat his heart out over your incredible legs. Now, get that round ass in gear so we can leave!” She gave me a gentle, encouraging nudge, and I smiled shakily at her.
I grabbed my clutch and followed Alyssa out of my room. I needed my black winter coat, but I’d left it on the coatrack in the living room, so I was going to have to walk down the stairs under Logan’s and Neil’s watchful eyes, and there was nothing I could do to hide from them.
I sighed and gripped the railing on my right, my fingers tight around it. Alyssa walked in front of me, bold and self-assured. She carried herself beautifully in her high heels, unlike me, who only seemed to get more awkward and clumsy.
As I watched the movement of her hips, I wondered how any woman could truly like heels. They were unbearable; I could already feel my big toe throbbing in pain.
“Finally!” Logan groused, turning in his girlfriend’s direction. He stared at her with deep admiration, and as soon as Alyssa reached him, he kissed her and told her how beautiful she was.
“Hope I don’t have to fight off some assholes tonight,” Logan said, frowning slightly at Alyssa’s tight-fitting dress. Then he pressed another kiss to her temple, handed her coat to her, and turned his eyes on me.
“So, Selene, are you read—” He stopped.
I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but Logan seemed to be momentarily dazzled. His eyes drifted down my body, and I realized he approved of the bombshell dress his girlfriend had picked for me.
“You… I mean… You look great.” He rubbed the back of his neck, maybe embarrassed or maybe just confused. Then he heaved a sigh and politely handed me my coat, just as he had done for Alyssa.