When Reyna returned to her room to get ready for the wedding, she was surprised to find a long black bag hanging in her closet. For a second, her mind returned to that time Harrington had sent her a dress to wear to Penelope’s mayoral ball. The shadows lengthened in the room. Her mind felt fuzzy. The walls closed around her, slowly constricting her breathing and narrowing her focus. She felt queasy, unsure if she was going to vomit or not.
She closed her eyes against the pain of the memory. This wasn’t real. She took deep breaths in through her nose and slowly released them from her mouth. There were no shadows or monsters lurking in the darkness. There was no Harrington, no B, no captivity waiting. She was fine. She was safe. He couldn’t get her here.
When she opened her eyes again, the shadows had disappeared. The room was the same as it had ever been. She let out a shallow breath and crossed to the closet. There was a note pinned to the bag.
You are my greatest temptation.
She grinned despite herself and slid the zipper to the floor. She opened the bag to reveal a bloodred floor-length gown. She salivated at the sight of the gorgeous dress. It was silky and stunning. As much as she liked it, though, she worried she would look way overdressed. Everyone else she knew was going to the wedding in clothes they already had, except Jodie—Meghan had gotten her a dress for Christmas. Reyna had been planning to wear the single dress in her closet. The boys were wearing jeans and button-ups. This was too much.
She ran her hands over the fabric once more and then zipped the bag back up. She wouldn’t wear it. She couldn’t.
Retreating to the bathroom, she took her time getting ready. She had just finished her hair and makeup and slipped into some unmentionables when she heard the door click in her room. “Hello?”
Beckham appeared in the doorway. His eyes crawled the length of her nearly naked body. “Hello, Little One.”
She choked on her reply. He was in a tuxedo, crisp and black and fitted to perfection. He looked like a god walking among mere mortals.
“You’re early,” she finally stammered.
“I believe I am right on time.”
They stood there staring at each other, completely enraptured. She felt like at any second they might tear each other’s clothes off.
“I should probably get dressed.”
“Probably.” Except he continued to block the doorway. She stepped into his space, and he reached out, running his hands down her sides. “Or you could stay like this.”
She laughed breathily. “You can have your dessert after dinner.”
“Rules were meant to be broken.”
“Is that so?”
“You’re wearing lingerie.”
“You bought it for me,” she said with a grin.
“Remind me to buy you more, because I’m tearing this off of you tonight.”
She shivered with excitement at his words. A promise for later.
He moved to the closet and reappeared a minute later with the black bag. “Your dress,” he said, opening the bag for her. “Put it on before I change my mind.”
“I can’t wear that.”
“You don’t like it?”
“It’s just extravagant for the occasion.”
He slipped the straps of the beautiful dress off the hanger and passed it to her. “Wear it.”
“Becks.”
“I took care of it, Reyna.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why don’t you put it on and find out?”
