Episode 236
WICKED GAME
Heather
One of these billionaires has what I need.
And it’s not his heart.
I’ll wear the dress. Play the game.
Laugh when I want to scream.
I can survive paradise.
Just as I enter the mansion, June grabs me.
“Heather! There you are. I need you.”
“Not in the mood,” I say. She may be great at licking pussy, but she’s hiding something too. If I’m the kettle, she’s the pot.
“Then get in the mood.” She bounces her eyebrows. “I’ve got a great idea!”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is it illegal?”
“Only if we get caught.” She grins. “It’s for Ariel’s bachelorette party.”
Now I’m listening.
“We do a full moon ceremony,” she continues. “Think sexy witchy shit. Lace and candles. But here’s the twist… We invite the guys too.”
I shake my head. Is she kidding? “What the hell kind of bachelorette party is that?”
June waves me off. “Not the traditional kind. But come on, nothing about this is traditional. Ariel and Alex have barely known each other a week. I want masked dancing. Drums. Maybe some fire-spinners. We turn this island into a midsummer night’s dream and let whatever happens…happen.”
Yeah. Like we’re going to get fire-spinners in time for a party that’s supposed to begin in about an hour. “Ariel’s sweet as sugar,” I say. “You think she wants an orgy in her honor?”
“No,” June says. “But she does want to feel beautiful. Magical. And honestly? We all need an excuse to let loose. This event hasn’t exactly gone as planned.”
She’s not wrong. I cross my arms. “What do you need from me?”
“Hair. Makeup. You’re the beauty sorceress, babe. Make us all believe we’re goddesses.”
She hardly needs me. Evangeline has hair and makeup personnel on staff here.
But…
Damn June to hell.
Because the idea’s brilliant, and I’m in.
Because I’m good at transformation.
Because I need a distraction.
And maybe—just maybe—if I throw myself into building a fantasy, I won’t be so tempted by the one man who made me want to believe it could be real…until he said another woman’s name.
Ideas flow through my mind. “Lashes and glitter and highlighter that’ll catch firelight. Think seductive druids.”
“Yes!” June practically squeals. “Seductive music, moonlight, skyclad—”
“Sky what?”
“Skyclad. It means naked.”
I nod. “O…kay.”
“And we just let things evolve.”
Full moon ceremony my ass. She wants a full-blown orgy. “You want me to paint the women into naked sirens so you can get your freak on.”
“Tell me it wouldn’t be hot.”
It would. Too hot. Dangerous. This whole island is a boiling pot of sex and secrets, and she wants to turn the heat up?
“We keep the ceremony elegant,” I say. “Candles. Maybe some chanting. But give them permission to go wild after.”
“Masks,” she says. “We need masks.”
“Where the hell will we get them?”
“You think I didn’t come prepared?” She smirks. “I have a treasure trove of masks in my suite.”
Because of course she does.
“A mask can do a lot for a person’s courage,” she continues.
“Fine,” I say. “But what about her bestie? Jazz? Isn’t she already planning something?”
“Evangeline is doing it all,” June replies. “And she’ll be happy to have our input.”
“All right,” I relent. “If Evangeline is in, then Ariel gets a fantasy night.”
As for me? Maybe I’ll get something too.
Hope. Escape. Release.
Or ruin. Depends on the choices I make.
June grabs my wrist. “We should talk to Evangeline now. I know she’ll love this.”
“Go for it,” I say. “Evangeline is your project. I’ll go see what I have to wear.”
June laughs. “Wear? Who cares? We’re all going to end up skyclad.” She ambles off, presumably to talk to Evangeline.
I head toward the stairs.
Damn.
Again, I’m amazed at how brilliant the idea is. And it’s perfect for this type of event. Ariel and Alex probably won’t be having sex under the stars, but…
Maybe I will.
Not with Sebastian, though. He’s on my list, even though I can’t get him out of my head.
How will I avoid him? Because with masks and moonlight and magic in the air, I know myself. I’m going to want a little.
And if he touches me—just once, just right—I’ll forget every reason I had to stay away.
Then again…
He doesn’t have to love me to give me what I need.
And I’m not just talking about his gorgeous cock.
I reach my suite and look through my hair and makeup stuff. I have some temporary hair color that will be perfect. Pink, blue, green, and gold. A little silver too. Ariel should wear silver, as the moon goddess. This is her celebration. I’ll use a little silver on my blue tips too.
I continue to take inventory when a knock sounds on my door.
Damn. June again. This is her baby. I’m just along for the ride.
I open the door, and—
Sebastian.
Looking like the rocker god he is.
He doesn’t say a word. Just steps inside like he belongs anywhere he walks, his gaze landing on me like I’m the only thing worth seeing.
“I heard you’re throwing a naked party,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “You must have run into June.”
He nods. “Will you be wearing a mask?”
I meet his gaze. “Do you want me to?”
The air charges.
He doesn’t want you. He wants Emily.
Still…lust is thick between us.
He takes a step closer, close enough that I can smell his natural fragrance that smells like sin. My pulse kicks.
I hate myself for it.
I’m practically unraveling from a single look.
“I won’t recognize you if you’re wearing a mask,” he murmurs, voice low. Teasing.
“Maybe that’s the point.”
He studies me, eyes dark. “You think if you hide your face, I’ll forget how you sound? How you taste?”
My breath catches. Damn him.
I step back before I do something stupid…like reach for him.
“Listen,” he says, “I don’t have any designs on Emily. I’m into you, Heather. Only you.”
His gaze lingers on me for a moment. He doesn’t push. Doesn’t wait for me to answer. Just turns slowly, deliberately, and walks out.
And I’m left, my heart racing and my flesh tingling, staring at the door.