Page 56 of Born Reckless

"We're not having sex," I say as I look at my reflection in the mirror. "I don't trust my self-control enough yet."

"Yet," Elena parrots between clenched teeth. "Don't kill him, Juliet."

I'm doing my best not to, I think to myself. "I'm just saying that this isn't about deep, meaningful feelings. I'm not saying that I'm in love with your brother, and I'm not saying he's in love with me. He’s just… accepting. It’s simple being with him. Easy."

Elena doesn't say anything for several long moments. She looks at her reflection in the mirror, but I don't think it's the fit of the dress that she's thinking about.

I look at my own reflection, and I don't like the lacy sheerness of this dress. "Not this one."

I realize just then that every employee in this building is human. And here Elena and I are having a conversation about not killing her brother. Yet none of them seems alarmed. As far as I can tell, no one has called the cops to report the plotting of a homicide.

I wonder. How many humans in this city are fully aware of how much of their population is made up of vampires?

"I realize that I have to let you and Mason make your own choices," Elena says. Her voice comes out a little too quiet, and I know she's not used to conceding like this. "You're both adults. Once upon a time, this was everything I hoped for. The circumstances might be different, but I guess this is sort of my fault. I pushed you two together that day. Iknewit was going to take. So, I'm backing down. I can’t support a relationship between you two now, but I'm not going to get in the way anymore."

She doesn't look at me once. Everything about her body language tells me that she doesn't like saying what she's saying. Elena Godfrey doesn't back down. But for me, for her brother, she will do what it takes to make us happy.

"Thank you," I say. And I hope she can hear in my voice how much I mean it. "I promise, I will be careful. I don't want to see either of you get hurt."

Elena still doesn't look at me. She stares at herself in the mirror, her gaze hard. She simply gives one nod and takes a deep breath. "A sweetheart neckline," she says. "I want to see a sweetheart neckline on Juliet here."

It takes another fifteen minutes, but when the attendant pulls out the final dress, it's like magic fills the room.

I slide it up over my body, and it's as if it was custom-made for me. The neckline is indeed a sweetheart shape. It accentuates my bust in the most perfect silhouette. It hugs my waist in a way that has me staring at my own shape. It traces the line of my hips halfway down before flaring out in beautiful ruffles.

As Elena put it, today is about feeling like a goddess.

"It's all over your face, my dear," Elena says. I look up to see a smile on her face. "That's the one."

"This is the one," I say in confirmation as I slide my hands down over the silky fabric.

"We will take that one," Elena says. "And this one as well."

The dress Elena is wearing clings to her body almost as if it is made of water. It has a high turtleneck and tight sleeves extend down to her wrists. The dress is black, but it is covered in what looks to me like glitter. Elena shines like a midnight empress.

"We're looking for two more dresses," Elena says as she arches an eyebrow and looks over at me. "It's been all work and no fun for too long, don't you think?"

I don't know what she has in mind, but with Elena, I trust her completely. "Definitely."

"Find me something short and red," Elena says with a sly smile.

Chapter Twelve

“No,”I say as I look up at the sign and shake my head. “Just no.”

“Look, I know he’s a prick, but it’s the only club in the city where you don’t have to hide, at all.” Elena stands just behind me, grabbing me by the shoulders.

I feel ridiculous and amazing at the same time. I’m wearing this little red dress. The fabric is the silkiest, slinkiest scrap of clothing I’ve ever felt. It hugs my chest and waist and hips like a glove. The neck is square and supported by thin, tiny straps that rise over my shoulders. My hair is curled wild, and my makeup is dark and smokey. I’m also wearing four-inch heels, which puts me at normal height.

Elena is dressed almost exactly the same, except her dress isn’t shiny and has a V-neck.

“That man is evil. Why would I support him by going to his club?” I protest.

“Because it’s fun,” Elena says, her voice low, spoken right into my ear. “And because my brother is looking at you like you’re the last prime cut of meat on the planet.”

My eyes slide over to Mason’s, and she’s right. The hunger in Mason’s eyes sets my stomach on fire. “Fine,” I growl, even as a cat’s smile pulls on my lips.

I reach out for Mason’s hand, and he takes it without hesitation, pulling me in tight to his side. Heat flashes down me at every point of contact made.