Page 16 of Liar
“Say no more.” I spin around, taking the silk slip with me. It really is a square of fabric that will barely cover my nipples and show a lot of leg with that long slit on one side, but if Savannah’s uncomfortable when it’s just me she has to dress for, then it’s up to me to be the sexual sacrifice.
“A Noble totally picked these out,” I mutter as I peel off my knee socks and unclasp my skirt, then step into the dress. “There’s no way any woman would make a fellow Virtue parade around a Society pageant like fucking Miss Raven’s Bluff, Lingerie Edition…”
The crypt’s door groans open.
Yelping, I cover my bare breasts as I turn.
In my swing, I catch Savannah, fully dressed in her gown, cowering in the corner. The girl must’ve stripped in seconds. Nausea grows in my stomach at how she learned to be so quick.
A Noble, another senior, stares down at us at the entryway, one hand holding the stone door open. His name is Luke something-or-other and the size of his chest looks suspiciously familiar. “Hope you girls enjoyed your bonding session. Your presence is requested.”
My hands come down. Suddenly, a free nipple doesn’t seem so bad. Why was it important to have us bond?
Because I did. I totally like this beautiful, damaged girl and now I want to protect her.
Shit. That’s not good for me.
Luke’s dressed in a hand-tailored all-black suit. I think he’s on the swim team, considering how tapered his torso is under the Armani fabric. His free arm swings from behind his back, holding a bouquet of exquisite white roses. “This is for you,” he says to Savannah.
His pale eyes then land on me. “Pull your slutty straps up, Cum Bucket. You’re coming, too.”
Luke can’t help it—his attention immediately goes to my breasts.
I stride up to him, openly displaying myself. His eyes grow dark as he lowers his chin, a feral murkiness obscuring his features. All except for his eyes, which dance against the flames behind me.
I purse my lips, gathering up a good suck of saliva.
Then I spit on his shoes. “That’s for locking us in here and ignoring her screams, you fucktard.”
He blinks. Readjusts his pants.
Fury overtakes his face before he gets it under control by breathing deep. “You’re lucky Thorne’s laid his claim on you,” he seethes. “Otherwise I’d fuck you right here and now, whether or not you wanted it. Now cover yourself up, whore.”
I roll my eyes, because of course I’m not leaving this room without a top on, even if it is two swatches of expensive silk that my nipples will definitely cut through once I leave the warmth of the fire.
“Cum Bucket?” Savannah asks quietly. She shuffles out of the shadows, folded in on herself. But her gaze is steady on mine, and I can practically read behind her eyes, like she’s reliving Luke’s revelation over and over again. You’re lucky Thorne’s laid his claim on you…
If she was unsure of me before, she’s definitely on alert now.
“A gift from your bestie, Aurora,” I explain. Sliding the last strap in place, I offer her my hand, reminding her I’m not the enemy in this underground of rivals. “Do you want to do this together?”
She focuses on my open hand for a few longing seconds before shaking her head. “It’s better we stay separated. I don’t…”
Want them using it against me later.
Savannah doesn’t have to finish the sentence.
I swallow the instinct to help her and instead focus on doing the exact opposite of what the Society hopes for.
They wanted us to bond? Let’s show them distance. Nodding at her in understanding, I’m the first to follow Luke into the torch-lit corridor.
“Thank you for standing up for me,” she whispers at my back.
Happily, I watch Luke’s shoes leave small wet splotches as he leads the way.
Chapter 6
Ember