cheery yellow. I touch the yellow. Another time. The black is a better option, though it’s something more in-your-face sexy than I’ve ever worn in public.
I carefully pull it on. The fabric fits like a second skin, making it impossible to wear anything under it, an asymmetrical cut that is long sleeved on one side and sleeveless on the other. It featured two cut-outs, one a deep diamond between my breasts, the other a circle right at the curve of my waist that leaves half my hip exposed. It’s not exactly indecent, but it’s the kind of dress that makes one think of easy access and fucking. The fact that it hits the top of my knees does nothing to combat how naked I feel; more naked than when I actually was naked.
I take another deep breath and shake out my hair, giving it a little extra toss for volume. I look like a sex kitten, like the dirty little slut I play for these men.
I … like it.
Beast is waiting for me in the bedroom, dangling a pair of strappy black heels from his finger. He drinks me in, his gaze going hot and intense. “You look good, princess.”
“Thank you.” I clear my suddenly dry throat. Strange to feel so affected when I’ve literally been naked with him for two days, but nothing makes sense when it comes to this situation any more. I reach for the shoes, but he shakes his head. “Sit.”
“I can do it myself.”
“I know. But I want to.”
Impossible to argue with that. I sit on the edge of the bed. My heart leaps into my throat as he goes down to one knee before me. “Beast—”
“I have a question, and I want you to answer it honestly.” He lifts my foot and slips it into the first heel. His hands have committed more acts of violence than I can begin to guess, but he touches me like I’m something priceless, due the utmost care. It should irritate me, should be a reminder to how he never let me see the truth of him before. It’s different this time. I don’t know why.
He doesn’t speak again until he has my second shoe on, and then he pins me with a look. “Why didn’t you choose one or the other to begin with?”
A lump forms in my throat. It’s a question I’ve been asked dozens of times, from my father to people who are barely more than strangers. The only two who never actually asked me are Gaeton and Beast. They’re the only ones I owe an answer to. “Because I’m selfish.” When he just waits, obviously wanting more, I press my lips together. I can do this. I can be honest. “You are both so different. I wanted you because you’re this mystery wrapped up in the prettiest package I’ve ever seen. I wanted Gaeton because he’s giant and brutal and yet has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. Being with you brings out different things in me.” My voice wobbles a little bit, but I power through. “And I liked that you were both mine, that I was both of yours. The things Gaeton accused me of are the truth of it. Part of me got off on bouncing back and forth between you.”
His expression gives me nothing. No condemnation. Certainly not forgiveness. “There are people who aren’t meant for monogamy, Isabelle.”
I’m not sure if he’s trying to absolve or condemn me. “If you really believed that, you wouldn’t be having me choose at the end of this.” I hold up a shaking hand when he starts to speak. “I’m not trying to get out of the choice. I’m just saying that what we had before didn’t work. We can’t go back to that.”
“No, what we had before didn’t work.” He rises smoothly to his feet and tugs me off the bed. “Do you trust us to take care of you tonight?”
I try for a smile, but it doesn’t feel natural on my face. “I thought you wanted to punish me.”
“Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive.” He brushes strokes a finger down my jaw. “You’re going to be on display, princess. Are you ready for that?”
I don’t know. I truly don’t. Part me wants to curl up in a ball at being the center of a scene in front of an audience. But the rest of me? My skin goes hot and my pussy gives a pulse of desire. If it was