Lust. || BEYNIKA

L|Chapter TWENTY-seven.

Beyoncé BK Knowles.

Opening Night.

"SO what do you think?"

I turn to find Onika standing in front of me, wearing a dress that should be outlawed, she looks so damn good in it. Too damn good. "Uh..." I can't find my tongue, and I nearly swallow it when she does a little twirl, the skirt flaring out to reveal her pretty knees, her thick thighs.

"I love it, but I don't know," she says when she's facing me once again, a giant smile on her face. Her hair is up, her elegant neck exposed, little tendrils of dark hair curling against her cheeks and neck. She's so beautiful it hurts to look at her. "Say something, Beyoncé, before I think you hate it."

The dress is white lace and sleeveless, the neckline dipping into a deep V that exposes all that smooth, kissable skin. A simple gold satin ribbon winds around her, just below her breasts, tied in a pretty bow at her back, and I'm tempted to slowly pull it undone. Unzip the dress, peel it off her, and kiss her everywhere.

But we have an opening party to go to for Lust. That we're already running late to.

"I think you look amazing." I go to her and drop a gentle kiss to her lips. She looks nervous and I grab her hands, giving them a squeeze. "What's wrong, baby?"

"What if they hate it?" she blurts out. "The interiors? All of it? I'll never be able to forgive myself."

"They're not going to hate it. Everything looks fucking amazing." It does. She did a phenomenal job. We did a phenomenal job together. Proving to me yet again that we make a great team.

"Really?" She's looking at me, really looking at me, and I know she needs my reassurance now more than ever.

"Really." I kiss her again, this one a little longer, leaving her breathless when we break apart. "I wouldn't lie to you."

That in itself is a lie. I'm keeping something from her right now. Like that stupid bet. It's the most juvenile thing I've ever participated in, and I don't want her to hear what Aubrey and Caiah had to say. How she didn't count. How none of them think I could possibly be interested in her.

I need to come clean before Caiah or Aubrey ruin it and tell her first. They're both supposed to be attending tonight, but they won't get a chance to talk to her alone. I'll make sure and keep her by my side the entire evening.

"Beyoncé... " She breathes deep, as if gathering strength, and I squeeze her closer, not wanting to break this physical or emotional connection we have. "What's going to happen after tonight?"

"What do you mean?" I know exactly what she means. I'm just stalling for time so I can come up with a logical answer.

"Between us. I—I have to go back home. I need to go back to my job." She drops her head, pressing her forehead into my chest, and I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close. "I don't want to leave you," she whispers.

My heart constricts. This has happened so damn fast. And I let it. Enjoyed it, really. "I don't want you to leave either," I admit.

She sighs, and I feel all the tension leave her body as she melts against me. "You don't know how glad I am that you said that."