shyly dropped her still moist eyes. “Not this time,” she said quietly, more subdued now that she’d brought him to his knees.
“Very well. Go remove it.” If you must. “Then you will get dressed. I have business in Bucharest, and you will accompany me. Wear something dark and formal. I want your makeup noticeable and your hair down. Wear stockings beneath your dress but nothing else. Make sure the neckline is deep, and you will wear no jewelry other than your collar. Seeing it around your neck will make it that much less irritating for me when others covet you.”
He kept his attention off her as he tucked himself back into his pants and stood.
“Do you need me to remain while you dress?”
“No.”
“Good. Try to keep in mind your dress should compliment the man you are wearing it for. Meet me in the foyer in an hour.” He was so self-indulgent when it came to her, he knew he would forgo the meeting and take her to bed if he lingered. He didn’t even look her way as he left.
He made his way downstairs with his jaws grinding together, and all he could see in his mind’s eye was his father sitting in a wooden chair by the door in their library, his emotions laid out for all to see. Lucian barely recalled the fear and anxiety. It was the relief that was scarred into his brain. That motherfucking relief that would flood the man’s face when he would hear his wife walk in the front door. And it never left even when she drew near, bringing with her the smell of sex she’d had with someone who wasn’t her husband.
And never would Lucian forget the knowing smirk and condescending yes, of course, his mother would drawl when Lucian’s father would offer to run her a bath. She’d known she had him by the submissive, so-deeply-in-love balls, and the bitch had thrived on it.
♦ ♦ ♦
Feeling drained and emotional, and a tiny bit resentful of the ease with Lucian could walk away from her—after she’d worn a tail for him!—Yasmeen did her hair and makeup with a particular image in mind. She concentrated on the music still playing and tried to find humor in the fact that this would only be her second date with her madman.
When it was time to dress, she sifted through the selection of cocktail dresses boasting labels from designers she’d only ever seen on TV during Fashion Week. It wasn’t until a black gauzy creation caught her eye that her mouth curved into a smile. She eyed the stunning dress then the door.
“Compliment the man I’m wearing it for, huh? Got it.”
She carefully got into it, added a pair of four-inch black Louboutins, and took off her cheap rings. When she stepped in front of the mirror, she kept her face free of expression. With her hair straightened from a severe part down the middle, and dramatic eye makeup paired with a pale foundation and red lip stain, she was extremely pleased with the result.
Could Mrs. Addams have been right? Was normal only an illusion?
TWENTY
Lucian put his empty glass down on the table and looked at his watch for the fifth time in the last few minutes. His skin felt tight. He should have waited for her upstairs. Watched her get ready.
“Holy shit.”
It wasn’t Sorin’s curse so much as the chuckle that followed that had Lucian’s feet carrying him to the entrance of the sitting room. He joined his protector and looked across the foyer to see a magnificent queen of the damned gliding down the carved staircase, an onyx river trailing behind her as if the darkness couldn’t bear to be left behind.
He started across as she reached the last step.
“Gomez.”
His jaw clenched, and he wondered if he would ever get her references. He was sure he’d missed every one so far. He’d actually Googled Heimdall earlier today as he’d sat in his office forcing himself to work.
“The Addams Family,” Sorin supplied with a smile in his voice. “Gomez and Morticia,” he added as though Lucian was completely out of touch.
“To compliment your date,” Lucian said when he reached her.
“But, of course.” She held out her hand and would have looked more the part if she’d had some arrogance in her.
“I appreciate the effort you took to mock me, pet. But it was wasted.” He kissed her hand, his mouth watering when he caught a glimpse of the bronzed skin of her flat navel.