Page 20 of Pretty Plaything

A knock sounds on the door.

“Enter,” I say.

My maid comes in with the dress. It’s in a bag, so I can’t see it.

Will I like it, or will I hate it as much as I hate Alessandro?

I step forward and tug at the zipper. My frown deepens when I see the dress.

It’s...

Too sexy.

It has a deep neckline, and its back is open too. At least the skirt is normal and covered with lots of lace.

It would’ve been a beautiful dress if it weren’t so revealing, but there’s nothing I can do now, except maybe get a huge veil that will hide me from everyone’s eyes.

“Where’s my underwear?” I ask.

The maid lifts her dark eyes to me, pressing her lips together.

Did she forget to bring it?

“Um, Mr. Bellini said no underwear,” she says, and my jaw goes slack.

I let out a laugh. “You’re joking, right?”

“No, miss.” She looks away.

How on earth does Alessandro think I’m going to get married without any underwear on? That’s just completely insane and doesn’t make any sense.

I glance at the dress.

I can understand that wearing a bra would be a problem because it would be visible, but no panties? There’s nothing preventing me from wearing them.

Actually, I can’t imagine walking and moving around without them.

“Where’s my bag?” I ask.

Luckily, I haven’t come here without any other clothes, and I’m sure I have some panties somewhere in my bag too.

Maybe they’re not white, but it’s not like anyone will see them. Alessandro won’t know I’m wearing them either. It’s none of his business.

He may be my future husband, but that doesn’t give him the right to control what I wear.

“It’s in the other room,” the maid says. “Down the hallway. Do you want me to get it for you?”

“No, thanks.” I storm out of the room.

When I find my bag, I rummage through it. Most of my panties are black, but I have one pair that’s pale pink.

It’ll do.

I don’t know what Alessandro is trying to do, but he’s not my fashion designer.

I’m not his toy that he can play with.

I won’t let him control me like that.