He’s a monster. I’m well aware of this. It’s more fitting for him to behave like the ultimate cold-blooded reptile man than for him tocareabout stuff.
Sifting through soft fabrics, a few things catch my eye, like a lavender-purple lace thong. Lace is my jam, though admittedly I’ve never tried a thong before. This one doesn’t look like it’ll be great at helping me keep things in place, but that’s not an issue right now, since I’m not going anywhere. So I slip out of my robe and step into the panties.
It’s still weird at first, changing out in the open, being that the bars of this cage give you exactlyzeroprivacy. I could go into the bathroom… But it’s unnecessary. No one’s ever around in here. I’m all by myself.
And that notion gives me a boost of confident thrill. Next thing I know, I have on thigh-high stockings—the ones he gave me the other day—a garter belt that lookssocute on me, and a silk skirt that seems more like a slip than an actualskirt, not that it matters in fashion.
Shit, celebrities wear designer nightgowns to events all the time. If it’s Prada or Versace, you wear that bitch out.
The stockings feel good, and they look good. My legs are long and smooth, skin baby-soft from the bath. Finally, this flowy spaghetti strap top that I can pull off well with my frame, and the outfit is complete.
Ari has arrived.
Sure, I’m missing the fake boobs, and the makeup, but I don’t think I need those things. I don’t need it to feel good about how I look. And honestly, this part of my identity seems less about looking or dressing as aconventional femalethan it is simply feeling comfortable with myself. Liking the way I look and feel, just beingme, without concern for the gender constraints of society.
I really don’t want to give The Ivory credit for helping me with any of this clarity, but I can’t deny that I wouldn’t be here, doing this if it weren’t for him.
“It’s not your fault, beautiful. It’s everyone else. If they don’t understand you, it’s because they’re not meant to…”
Something about The Ivory’s desire to figure me out feels different than anything I’ve gotten from other people as Ari…
Because it’s him.
Oh God. Let’s not do this.
Choosing to focus onanythingelse, I twirl around my birdcage, humming one of my favorite songs.Ojitos Lindos by Bad Bunny.
“It’s just me and you, sis,” I tell Avia the sparrow, smoothing my hands over my waist. “Dos pajaritos muy mala.”
Snickering, I peer at her. I’m sure she’s trying to sleep, but it’s fine.She’ll get over it.
“See? I have enough to fill this out.” I cup my chest. “It still looks good, verdad? I actually like the size of my chest the way it is, ya know?”
Fluffing out my hair, I go to the en suite to check the mirror, calling to Avia from inside. “Perfecta. The only thingsI’m missing are the heels, and maybe some jewelry. I don’t necessarilyneedit, but ya girl could do with something sparkly,mesientes…”
Practicing my Ari walk out of the en suite, I nearly crash right into a wall.
“Mm, te siento,” the deep voice croons as black eyes assess me through the bars. His gaze dips. “Heels, and somesparkle.”
I’m burning alive. My first instinct is to turn around, run back into the bathroom and hide. I’m not sure why… This knee-jerk reaction to recoil in shame doesn’t feel good. It binds my stomach in knots.
Not to mention, it’s unnecessary. He’s seen me as Ari twice now. He knows what I look like, and judging by his praises the other day, and what hedidto Ari, he’s a fan.
The Ivory is standing outside the cell, staring.Gawking, even. His eyes are definitely shining with severe appreciation for my appearance.
But he’s a big jerk, and we hate him, remember??
“If you start buying me diamonds, I’ll scream,” I mutter, attempting to regain the sassy confidence that seemingly ran away when he showed up. “What are you…” I clear my throat, and, like an instinct, my voice gets deeper. “What do you want?”
The Ivory snaps out of it, his eyes springing to mine, brow furrowed. It’s highly frustrating.
I haven’t seen him since we had this incredibly intense encounter, after which heclaimedhe’d be back. Now here he is,dayslater, expecting to what? Just show up and get laid?
Ha! Fat chance.
Maybe Angel would allow such things, but I’m inAri wardroberight now. And Ari isn’t going to stand for that.
She only sluts around when it’s convenient for her.
