But there’s no time to dwell on it now yet.
I slip into a soft, gold dress that skims my skin. The fabric clings in all the right places, the thin straps are barely there, and the cowl neckline dips low to show just enough cleavage.
It’s a dress that will turn heads. And even before I step out, I can almost feel the electricity it will ignite in the room.
Only one pair of eyes matters, of course.
The slit runs high, all the way to the top of my thigh, and I slip back into the same gold heels I wore earlier. It’s a black-tie event, so that I won’t be overdressed. But still, this feels different.
I’ve never made a priority of showing off my body. I have curves—heavy breasts, shapely hips. I’m fit, with a flat belly and toned arms and legs, but I’m no skinny girl. In our world, leering men are a given, so I’ve always covered myself, hiding in clothes that keep attention at bay.
But with Nik… everything changed.
He made me love my body. Taught me what feels good and how to use it to give pleasure. No matter what happens between Nikolai Ivanov and me, I’ll always owe him that confidence. Space to explore. The freedom to test limits and lean into fantasies I didn’t even know I wanted.
And I’ll thank him, too, for never judging the hesitation, the insecurity, the darker corners of me.
My phone buzzes, cutting into my thoughts. I grin when I see Maria’s name. I’ve been meaning to call her, but… well, life just got in the way.
“Hey, Maria!” I answer.
“Lea! Finally! How are you? You’ve been ghosting me.” Her tone is half-teasing, half-concerned, and I can’t help laughing.
“I know, I know. I’ve been… busy,” I say, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“Busy how? Work? School? Or are you finally out there having a little fun without me?”
I chuckle. “Maybe a little of both. Actually… I attended the Commission today.”
“The Commission? Like,theCommission? That sounds… intense.”
“It is. And… I saw him.”
Her pause on the other end is palpable. “Him? Who him? Wait, don’t tell me?—”
“The man from Ahren. The one in the mask.”
“Ohhh, wait… hold on.The humming guy?”
I bite back a laugh, the memory crawling unbidden up my spine. “Yep. The exact same. You know, the one I… had an orgasm humming on a dare.”
Her snort makes me grin even wider. “Lea! You areevil.”
I can’t argue with that. He’s the man I can’t stop thinking about, and just seeing him across the Commission hall earlier made my heart race like a damn drumline.
“So, what did you do? Did you talk to him?” Her curiosity drips through the phone, and I nearly laugh out loud.
“Just… saw him from across the room. That was enough for today.” I bend the truth a little. “Anyway, I have to run to dinner. I’ll fill you in later, I promise.”
“You’d better. Don’t leave me hanging like this!”
“I won’t. Later, Maria.”
“Later, Leanna. And… try not to melt the floor while you’re at it.”
I laugh again, rolling my eyes.
Yeah, no promises there.
