Page 165 of Stolen Voices

It’s deceivingly lightweight, made of gauze-like fabrics that cascade down my body, hugging my curves perfectly. Twisting again, I watch as the sunlight refracts iridescent sparkles, with hints of blue and gold that perfectly match my necklace, giving the gown a dramatic and dazzling effect.

My blonde hair is pinned behind my right ear and styled high, with Hollywood waves falling around my shoulders and down my back. A smoky violet paints my eyes, a glimmery warm bronze highlights my cheekbones, and a neutral shiny pale pink colors my lips.

I feel like a gilded goddess. The stylist and makeup ladies Eli hired are new to me, but when they explained their vision of making me look like a dream cloud of lavender haze, I let them run with it. They did an amazing job.

It seems unreal that just yesterday I was wearing leggings and Eli’s dress shirt, and now I’m in a gown worth thousands of dollars.

“You look gorgeous, Ms. Wright. It was such a pleasure to work with you.” Mona, the makeup artist grins.

Her stylist partner, Letty, helps me slide on matching sheer opera gloves. “Such a pleasure. You are the sweetest person we have ever worked with. When Mr. Miller called, asking for our help to dress you, we couldn’t believe it. I almost choked on the avocado toast I was eating for breakfast. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

“You’re welcome. If you don’t mind me asking, how do you know Mr. Miller?” I ask curiously. Eli hasn’t discussed how and why he knows so many people and gets them to do things for him, but it has me intrigued.

Mona shakes her head. “We don’t. He knows my cousin Taylor, whom we help dress for all kinds of events and galas. She’s the one who got us this job and told us all about you. Nothing but good things, of course.”

My already intense love for the man grows with another one of his acts of kindness and paying it forward. I know Taylor is his friend, but going to her was another way for him to pay back his debt for all her help.

“Eli was right to call. I saw Taylor in the red satin dress with the boat neck. She looked amazing. Please tell her I said hi and thank her for the recommendation. If you want, I’d really like to work together again.”

The two of them stare at me, slack jawed.

“Are you kidding?” Letty whispers.

“Not kidding. I love what you did with this look on short notice. I can’t wait to see what you can do with a longer time frame.”

The women scream and jump around in glee, hugging each other and me.

“Oh my god. Thank you so much, Ms. Wright,” Mona gushes.

“Callie. Call me Callie. I plan on working with you two for a long time.”

Before they leave, Mona and Letty exchange information with me, help me finish one last final touch-up on my hair, and slide into a pair of matching crystal-studded stilettos.

Glancing around Eli’s office, I look at the mess. It looks like an extra-large closet, with a rack of dresses and shoes, shopping bags with everything I could need, and a team to help me get ready for tonight’s movie premiere.

My heart does a little flip at the idea of walking down a red carpet. I hate these types of events. They never get easier. All the eyes watching, the cameras flashing, and the shouting… My stomach nosedives as a wave of nausea rolls through me.

I breathe through my anxiety, like Eli showed me, and make my way to the living room, where I know he’s waiting for me. I love his place. It’s homey and warm. A flash of making his home my home blooms like wildfire in my stomach.

Too soon, my brain cautions.

As soon as Silla is out of the picture, I’m going to have to find a new place to live. Even though it feels a lot longer, Eli and I have only been together for a short time. It would be crazy to move in together, wouldn’t it?

I push the thoughts away as the man I love comes into view.

An approving moan vibrates in my throat as he turns around in his tux, looking like a sexy-as-fuck version of James Bond. If Hudson hadn’t required us to attend this event, I’d march over, rip Eli’s shirt open, and climb him like a tree.

Eli’s eyes are wide as they trail the length of my body. He licks his lips and rubs his big hand over his chin as his eyes glaze over with lust. “Holy fuck, princess, you’re stunning. A goddess. I swear, if we didn’t have to leave, I would flip that dress over your ass and fuck you right here, face down into the couch, until you were coming on my cock screaming my name.”

My clit pulses at the images my imagination conjures up. I cross my legs, searching for friction to quell the ache between them.

Eli smirks, aware of what his filthy mouth has done to me. He grips his cock over his pants and squeezes.

I moan, sounding like a small, wounded animal in pain.

Eli walks over to me and runs his forefinger down my arm, giving me goosebumps. “Does my girl like the idea of her man fucking her hard from behind until she comes?”

“Oh, god yes.” I sigh.