Page 131 of Gilded Locks

Her belly swooped with nerves. “Stop trying to scare me.”

Ultimately, like everything else, it was her choice. And she wasn’t going to let fear change her mind.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, volleying between flirtatious banter, personal stories, and details of their day. She could barely taste the food through her anticipation, too nervous to have much of an appetite, so she eventually switched from food to champagne.

“You’ve barely eaten,” Ash said with a disapproving stare.

“I’m nervous.”

Stone set down his glass, and Ash pushed back his chair. “Does that mean it’s time?”

Her empty belly made her jumbling nerves that much more pronounced. The significance of the evening approached like a storm on the horizon.

* * *

“Yes,” she breathed. “I’m ready.”

“Good,” Stone said with a predatory smile. “Because I’m still hungry.”

The champagne gave her liquid courage. She drained the glass in several quick swallows, feeling alcohol spread warmth through her limbs like liquid starlight, then she pushed back her chair.

“We’ve planned something special first,” Ash said, leading her from the table.

Hunter followed, already loosening his tie.

The promise in their eyes sent shivers of anticipation racing through her like competing symphony orchestras. When they didn’t go directly to the playroom, she frowned.

“Where are we going?”

“The ballroom. Like I said, we wanted it to be special.” Ash led her to the massive double doors and paused.

“Once you walk through those doors, there’s no turning back.” Stone gave her a moment to let the gravity of this moment set it. “You sure this is what you want?”

“Positive.”

Her hand shook as she reached for the door handle, fingers trembling with anticipation. This was it—the point of no return she’d been approaching since the moment she’d entered their world.

She pulled open the heavy doors and stepped into her future, ready to become exactly what she was meant to be.

Theirs.

Completely, irrevocably, eternally.

Taking in the sight of their preparations, she gasped. Massive didn’t begin to describe what was clearly a platform built for gods and carnal pleasures. Candles flickered from crystal chandeliers suspended from a glass dome in the vaulted ceiling. Alcoves were adorned with oil-painted murals of erotic orgies that boasted appetites for the flesh. The architecture was designed for worship, draped in champagne silks that stretched to the ceiling.

But it was the restraints that made her pulse race like thoroughbreds at the starting gate. Golden cuffs attached to each corner of the enormous bed, a spreader bar positioned with mathematical precision, everything beautiful enough to be jewelry but clearly functional as sacraments.

She stepped further into the room, anticipation trembling through her legs. The door closed behind her with a soft click that sounded like destiny sealing itself.

They emerged from the darkness like ancient gods made flesh, materializing from shadows where candlelight couldn’t reach. Three sets of eager hands untied her dress and pulled away her underclothes like she was a gift to be unwrapped.

In the mirror, she saw a goddess—polished, perfected, ready for worship by those who understood her true worth. Her hair fell in perfect waves that caught light like spun gold, framing her face. She looked like a virgin sacrifice prepared for worship.

Tracking every detail of her appearance with the focus of men memorizing scripture, fingers trailed over her bare curves reverently. Their touch was the most exquisite torture she’d ever experienced, a systematic dismantling of every defense she’d ever built.

They exposed her in ways that transcended physical nakedness. They saw the vulnerability in her soul, open to possibilities that terrified and excited her in equal measure.

“Beautiful,” Stone breathed, his pale eyes drinking in every curve like a man dying of thirst. “Absolutely fucking beautiful.”