I smooth my hands down the front of my dress before grazing up my dark red lipstick in the mirror with a look of resignation. My eyes scanned the tawny, wavy hair that framed my face, my new hairstyle. I scrutinized my reflection again to ensure my entire outfit was perfect for tonight. I have to commend Ms. Laura for helping me throughout the whole process of my new transformation. And I can say I’m overly satisfied with what I see before me: an enticing image of myself in a fitted cutout long red charmeuse dress with a slit along my right leg and a deep V in the chest area enough to show off my cleavage. There’s a ribbon tied at the back of my dress.
I’ve never been a lover of my looks. I always thought they were unneeded and unworthy of attention. But today is different because I finally appreciate myself. As I narrowed my eyes to look for flaws, stray hairs, specks of dust, or anything else that could detract from my beauty, I found none except my elegance. And yes, I decided to change myself from the way I am now into a woman who held courage and confidence. And this is my choice to prove that the path I’m taking is worth the effort. One of my goals now is to prove to Courtney that I am capable of handling this new life. I won’t waste this luxury chance he gave me. Most of all, I want to be callous in a way I can defend myself so no one can manipulate me again. This is also what he wanted to see in me. To stand valiantly without any stain of fear.
Courtney and I have a grave mission tonight. Since he declared last time that I’d be part of them, he insisted on having me for tonight’s agenda, and I agreed with his idea.
Savannah Cole. That is my identity in this mission, and I have to seduce the man named Easton Moore. Courtney said he was one of his closest investors who secretly betrayed him. He just found out recently that Easton has a bloody scheme, and to kill him is one of his objectives. He is a vice president of the Bounty Gray who stole one of the most expensive paintings in History and sold it for millions of dollars to finance five illegal activities involving drug lords. And my role is to get close to him until I get the YubiKey as proof of his filthy crimes.
When I realized I was ready, I slid on my stilettos in slow motion and then grabbed my silver purse before I finally made my way out. I went downstairs, where Courtney was waiting. As soon as I saw him, I felt a jolt of nerves in every part of my body. He changed his hair color from platinum blonde hair to dark brown hair. His black turtleneck shirt, black jeans with a red coat, and a black belt and shoes completed the ensemble, and it made his blue eyes look even more captivating. As always, the contrast against his light skin was absolutely striking.
His expression when he saw me was priceless, especially when I halted in front of him. His jaw hung slack, and stars were glimmering in his eyes. He looked utterly stunned by my appearance. “I don’t remember telling you this is part of our plan.”
“Of what?" I asked with confusion.”
"To be this damn gorgeous.”
I was surprised by his statement. I could hear my heart beat faster as his words registered in my mind. It took me some moments to compose myself. I smoothed back my hair to give myself at least an inch over my heels and then looked up at him. With a mischievous grin on my lips, I teased, “Then it’s a good thing." I stepped forward and lifted my head to lock gazes with him. “That you find me attractive.”
A hot grin slowly crept its way onto his lips, wordless for a moment. I was stunned when he forcefully turned me around, so my back was pressed to his strong chest.
That was wild!
His hand moved down to my waist, making me shudder a bit beneath his touch. I had no idea what would ensue next until he moved his face closer to mine, his breath tickling my earlobe. “You know what?" He paused as he took the ribbon tie from both sides of my dress and tied it at my back. “I always taught myself not to believe in the idea of getting crazy over someone’s beauty because I believe it’s destruction, but having you now seems a quiet change in my perspective.”
I inhaled sharply and shut my eyes for the briefest seconds before opening it again. I tried to calm myself while at the same time enjoying the moment of being close to him. Those words he said were enough to melt my internal being, but I knew he was trying to test me. His words shouldn’t trick me. If he could make my heart flutter with just one sentence, so can I.
“Why, Courtney? Am I that tempting in your eyes now?" I playfully challenged as I moved my head away from him slightly and glanced sideways at him through my curly lashes.
He seemed momentarily distracted by my statement that his fingers stilled, and he released the knot of the silk ribbon tie. He then turned my body, now facing him. He looked at me with so much intensity I could practically feel the heat radiating off his body, so close that his smell was invading my senses.
“What do you think?” He asked.
I shrugged innocently. “I don’t know. Well, I actually don’t mean anything. Not unless... you’re looking for something specific." I threw him a playful smile and slowly brushed my thumb on his coat lapel. My eyes darted to his lips for only a split second before they came back to meet him. He was smiling seductively. Too hot for my poor heart to handle.
I’m not certain if my actions affected him. But my intention to tease him wasn’t a joke. I did it to see his reaction, and I enjoyed the result.
The way his eyes gleamed when he stared at me was too mesmerizing to ignore despite the fact it’s profound to even define by words.
YOU ARE READING
EXCEPTION
RomanceI've always been a good girl but forlorn- abused and controlled by my husband and neglected by my parents. But the second I walked into the stranger's house, I saw hope that I had never thought would lead me into temptation. There, I met Courtney Si...
