“Wow, you look amazing,” we both say at the same time, and she smiles wide, before taking it off and putting the rest of her clothes back on.
“What, you’re not going to try anything else?” I ask.
“Girl, when you know, you know. This is the dress for me, but I’ll stay to help you find yours.”
I pick up another one, but it’s hard to tell what it’s like when I hold it up. All I know is, it’s black, has flashes of red, and made entirely from lace.
I put it on, and Shay does the back of it up for me. I look in the mirror and I want to say no, but their smiles are so big, I don’t know how to.
“Luna, it’s perfect. What’s wrong?” D asks, as she comes over, and puts her arm around me.
“Don’t you think it’s too… revealing?” I ask, as I spin around to look at the back.
“It’s no worse than wearing a bathing suit, and it covers all the important bits. But if you don’t like it, I’m sure we can find you something else.”
I want to jump at the chance to refuse this dress, but then I think about how Tucker will react when he sees me in this, and I shake my head.
“No, I’ll take it,” I say softly, and I just stare at my reflection, wondering who the girl staring back at me truly is.
She’s wearing a black lace flower dress, which has one sleeve to the wrist, and the other is bare aside from a layer of lace lying across her shoulder. The dress falls and gathers on the floor, like it’s very own puddle. It’s all black, except from red roses at the front of the skirt and covering the bottom. It is completely see-through, and I mean, completely. But the flowers around the chest and panty area are darker and hide the essentials.
Fourteen comes strolling in, and her eyes bug out when she sees me.
“Well, clearly you won’t be wearing that. I mean come on, slut alert.” She cackles like a witch before disappearing behind one of the changing screens.
That settles it, I’m definitely taking this dress. Forget what the others think, I’m not wearing it for them.
33
Built For Sin
I’ve been ready for hours, D and I were supposed to get ready together, but she had to cancel at the last minute. I can’t be upset about it, and I’m not. As long as she’s okay, I’m happy. I just don’t know what to do with myself, Tucker isn’t even due for another hour.
My door opens, and I sigh in relief. I’m not going to complain that he’s early, I throw on my dressing gown, so he doesn’t miss the big reveal. I leave my bedroom door with a smile on my face. I come up short when I see Tom, instead of Tucker.
“Tom, what are you doing here?” I hope that hasn’t come out rude, I don’t want to offend him.
“I just wanted to see you before you leave for the ball. I’m not going so I thought I’d see what you’re wearing before Tucker comes to get you.”
“Why aren’t you coming?” I ask, as I take a step closer, and then stop myself.
“It’s not really my scene. Besides, I can do without watching Emmet lose it when he can’t claim you for the evening like he did at the masquerade. I think I’ll pass on all the drama.” He doesn’t hold himself back like I do, but he stops inches away.
“Do you want to see the dress?” I ask shyly, and he gives a quick jerk of his head.
I take a step back, and pull at the belt, until my dressing gown falls open, and he draws in a deep breath.
“Fuck, Moonbeam. You’re going to cause a few heart attacks in that dress tonight. You look… incredible.”
My hands go to tuck my hair, but it’s already up in its fancy bun, and they meet with nothing but air.
“Thank you,” I say with a whisper, and he closes the distance once more.
“I’m going to win you, Moonbeam. No matter what it takes.” His hands are suspended in the air, millimeters away from my face.
“I’m not a prize to be won, Tom,” I sigh.
“No, you’re not, you’re the moon, and you’re everything. Have a good night.” He places a chaste kiss on my cheek, before he leaves me alone, and my hand hovers over my lips. I feel like crying, but I won’t let myself. Why do I always come undone whenever he’s around? And why can’t he love me?
Tucker arrives not long after, but arriving early isn’t as good now. If only it had been him instead of Tom, then I wouldn’t be feeling so vulnerable right now.
“Wow, Tiny One. You look fucking sinful, and I am not looking forward to seeing all those guys looking at you tonight.” He prowls over to me and slides his hand into my hair. Drawing me closer to him, and sucking hard on my bottom lip, before nipping at it.
“We don’t have to go,” I say hopefully, and he just shakes his head.
“D would have my balls if I kept you away tonight, and she’s scary. Bradley is such an idiot.”
“Did you know what he was going to do?”
“I had my suspicions, but you’re better off asking Emmet or Aeron. They live closer to him and would know a lot more than I do.” He tucks my hand into the crook of his elbow, before leading me down to the ballroom.
It’s deathly quiet as we enter, and I can feel too many eyes on me. I don’t care what the girls think of this dress, but the guys’ attention is making me uncomfortable. Maybe I should have gone with a different dress.
“D is over by the bar. Shall we join her?”
“Yes, please,” I say, before leaning my head against his shoulder, and then we move through the crowd and head right for her.
“Damn, Luna, I knew you would slay everyone in that dress. I’m so glad you went for it.”
“Hey, look at you. I bet there isn’t a jaw that hasn’t hit the ground at the sight of you tonight.” She blushes furiously, but she doesn’t deny it either. “So, who did you come with tonight?” I ask, and she glances around but doesn’t say anything.
“Was it, Maddox?” Tucker asks, and I don’t know why he’s interested.
“Yeah, he’s easy to be around. Besides, he doesn’t make me feel like a piece of meat. That’s always a win in my books.” She smiles over my shoulder, and I turn to see Maddox heading our way.
I’m glad they’ve become friends, seeing as they’re my two favorite people in this place.
“Right, it’s dancing time,” she declares, and we follow her out onto the dance floor as the music changes to a slow song.
My head falls onto Tucker’s shoulder, and my mouth is inches away from his neck. I can’t stop my eyes from slipping closed, as his arms circle my waist and hold me close.
This is one of those perfect moments that I wish I could freeze and keep forever. I never want it to end, but even the best moments have to come to a close, soon or later.
We stay like this for three songs, and even when the beat changes, we still stay the same.
“What’s going on with you, Tucker? You’ve been so good to me lately, I guess I’m just wondering why.”
“It was brought to my attention that I can be a callous prick, and I guess I’m trying to prove that I can be decent when I want to. I know I won’t always be like this, but I think I needed to prove it to myself. And who better to try it with than you.” His hand drops lower, until it’s only inches away from my ass, and I smile contentedly against him.