Page 116 of Vying Girls

Nic catches me with firm hands, raking me over with those impassive brown eyes. If she hadn’t heard what we were doing, it’ll be clear as day in the way I look. Elly’s t-shirt barely covering my thighs, my hair undoubtedly a finger-raked mess. Dread to know what my face looks like. I’m keenly aware of my unwashedhands, Elly and Haz still clinging to them, the lube dripping down my legs.

‘Jesus, what have they done to you?’

‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’ I retort.

My voice is breathier than I meant it to be. I feel like the whole of me is an exposed nerve. Like I’m drunk, my inhibitions stripped away. My nipples tighten, feeling the heat of her through our thin shirts. If I leaned up just an inch, our lips would brush, grazing like they had on New Year’s Eve. Even her spitting in my mouth doesn’t seem like such a bad idea right now.

‘More likewouldn’t you?’ She shoves me away, not caring if I stumble now. ‘I got your little gift.’

Catching myself with the wall, I stiffen, having completely forgotten about that. Faced with Nic like this, it feels so stupid. I look away, burning hot with humiliation.

‘Why were you in my room?’ I deflect.

‘Same reason you were in mine.’

I glance at my door, now closed and barring my vision. A present? My bladder twinges, reminding me of a more pressing matter. With a frustrated breath, I enter the bathroom, listening to Nic jog back upstairs to her room.

After sorting myself out, I enter my room gingerly, like I’m expecting something to jump out at me. Wouldn’t trust her not to put one of those wolves in my room for a gag. More than once, that black beast’s popped up in my nightmares.

It’s something black, but it’s no wolf. It’s a dress, a floor length one if I had to guess, laid out carefully over my bed. I stare at it for a while, wondering why, deducing its purpose.

There’s a brown envelope just above it. I pick it up, glancing at the door as though Nic’s stood there watching me.

I run a finger under the seal, ears twitching at the subtle noise it makes. Is she up in her room, holding her breath like I had waiting for her to find her present?

There’s a single piece of cardstock inside, same colour as the envelope, which simply reads,Be ready by nine.

I sit down on the edge of the bed, rereading the words. This is what Nic wanted me for? Some kind of event? Formal by the looks of it.

A date? I huff. As if. The thought thrills me anyway.

I glance at the dress, reaching out to touch it. Velvet. I check the label, seeing that it’s my size. Was that easy to guess or had she had to enlist the others for help, maybe even had a poke around in my wardrobe?

I’m dying to try it on. I hurry to the door and lock it, for some reason wanting this to be a private viewing. I strip off Elly’s t-shirt, taking a moment to find the dress’s side zip and pull it down. Just the sound is enough to arouse me. God, I hope my body chills out on the sensitivity before tonight. Last thing I need is to be around Nic in this dress and in this state.

I wiggle it on before the mirror, holding my breath until I’m sure it fits. And oh, does it fit. There’s a slit on one side, from floor to mid-thigh. I turn to the side, feeling like some kind of Mafia princess, easily imagining a holster strapped there.

Fuck, it’s gorgeous. My stupid girl heart thumps with glee. I do up the zip, glad I don’t need help with it. It even fits my small boobs, the neck not too low, the elegant straps about an inch wide. It’s classy and no doubt cost a bomb. Probably meant nothing to Nic, but everything to me.

I take it off just as carefully, finding a hanger and hooking it on the outside of my wardrobe. Then I sit at the foot of the bed and simply stare.

Nine o’clock can’t come quick enough.

CHAPTER 20

Nic

‘I’d let you strap me,’ Haz says, punctuating her announcement with a hearty belch. She thumps her chest, looking at me sat on the armchair. ‘Come straddle you now if you want, baby.’

I shake my head, sighing through my nose. It’s only the second time I’ve been to one of these formals but it’s a black-tie sort of thing. I’m wearing what I had last time, hoping no one’s that eagle-eyed. Navy waistcoat, brown blazer and tie, the shirt underneath a grey plaid. It’s all a tad oversized, can’t bear the fitted look. The wooden buttons on the waistcoat are my favourite accessory. I play with one between my finger and thumb, enjoying the cold, polished feel of it.

I check the time on my watch, the one I’m wearing for the evening. Tilda’s got time but I’m still antsy.

‘You do look fucking cool,’ Elly says, adding to Haz’s statement. ‘Love the loafers and no socks. Very hipster.’

I flash her a smile, fingers twitching with the urge to crack out some whiskey. I refrain, knowing there’ll be a shit-tonne of it at the meal. Zaccaro’s favourite tipple.

‘Want me to go check where she’s at?’ Haz asks, intuitively sensing my impatience.