I study Max's stern expression as he says, "She's busy, Jimmy."
My feigned smile widens and I bat my lashes at Jimmy sweetly. "I have a family dinner," I lie.
He claps his hands together in front of him. "Nun m’anteressa.I really must insist."
Glass is fragile. It also cuts
While we waiton the porch, I straighten Max's black bow tie and try to ignore the desire building between my legs. He looks like sex and danger in his tailored charcoal vest and black shirt. Even knowing his gun is tucked into the back of his pants, hidden by his shirt, doesn't dampen my arousal. An arousal that's stoked by Max's hot stare as he gazes down my body.
I'm wearing an ankle-length, body-hugging ivory gown. A wide slit runs the full length of my leg. The fabric crosses at my bust, sleeves hanging off my shoulders. I wear my hair mostly pulled up, but with a few tendrils falling around my crown and for the first time outside of the ballet, I'm wearing red lipstick. I part my lips to breathe and Max's gaze is instantly there. I know what the menace is thinking. He's not subtle.
Innocently, Max presses his lips to my forehead. His arms find their way around my middle and squeeze me lightly. Rubbing his nose through my hair, he finds my ear. "Your lips look sofuckable."
With my heels on, I barely need to crane my neck to look at him. Fixing him with my most flirtatious gaze, I slowly trace my lips with my tongue. When his eyes drop to watch the show, I giggle. He laughs.
Yep. Nailed sexy.
Bronson appears by Max's side in a black bowtie, white shirt, black fedora, and black suspenders. A glimpse into the intricate artwork that paints the canvas of his body is offered at his hands and neck. I giggle. His choice of attire seems satirical and reminds me of the Chopper moustache he'd been displaying the day I'd met him. He's since replaced that look with a manicured beard.
Max rolls his eyes at his brother. Bronson snaps one of his suspenders and winks at me. "Sister Cassidy, you look stunning."
"You look stunning yourself," I say and when he tips his hat, I giggle again.
We watch as the limousine pulls up, but none of us take a step towards it. Instead, we wait patiently for the rest of our party.
Bronson clears his throat. "Did you know we were supposed to become boxers like Dad?"
I shake my head, smiling.
"But we're just too pretty, hey Maxipad?"
Max stifles a grin and kisses my hair. Xander and Stacey are the last to join us. Xander is in a navy three-piece suit and Stacey is wearing a wine-coloured strapless gown. They're both effortlessly elegant.
Stacey halts when she sees me. "Ugh. You're so petite, Cassidy. It's not fair. I used to be the hot one!"
"It's five hours a day worth of training," I say. "And I'd prefer your big boobs and curves any day."
"Oh, get fucked," she says. "You have curves. Your wholelittleshape is perfect."
"I'd still like bigger boobs," I admit.
"Bite your tongue. Your tits are fucking perfection," Max growls in my ear and I giggle.
We climb into the car and it takes off, leaving the prestigious streets of Connolly as it heads towards Stormy River, where the auction is hosted. I want to ask questions. Instead, I stare at the flickering lights of the city on the thirty-minute drive to the outskirts of the District.
I know a little bit about what to expect when we arrive. The diamond auction is an annual tender of Argyle Diamonds, known for its coloured and rare-to-acquire diamonds. I was gifted a white Argyle by my dad on my sweet sixteenth, but its value is pennies compared to the pink diamond I'll be wearing for Jimmy.
As we pull up alongside a sleek black limousine, I watch several people step out wearing masquerade masks. They are dressed to the nines and buzzing with excitement.
Xander and Stacey slide on masks and step out of the car. I turn to Max questioningly and he lifts his hands, sliding a mask onto my face. I shuffle to see my reflection in the mirror. The new addition to my outfit is ivory and lacy and covers me from my upper lip to the middle of my forehead. My lips appear even more red and my usually hazel eyes glow almost gold in contrast to the fair colour of my mask.
I beam at Max. "Pretty. I like it."
A mischievous grin tugs at his lips as his eyes scan my face. "No straitjacket. No muzzle. This mask. That lipstick. Your mouth. My cock."
I grin at him. "Crude."
His face softens. "You look fuckingbeautiful."
