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CHAPTER 018: The Bigger Box

CHAPTER 018: The Bigger Box

My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. I hate that my heart is pounding so

loudly I'm afraid everyone in the house can

hear it.

"It's so..."

"Beautiful?" he finishes, with that cocky little tilt of his head.

Yes. But that wasn't the word I was going for. Exquisite. Breathtaking. Impossibly timate in front of his entire family. Ther s what it is.

But I nod.noveldrama

He steps behind me, and the world tilts a little. Maybe from the anticipation. Or maybe because I've stopped breathing again. He doesn't touch me right away. He leans in, close enough for me to feel the heat rolling off his chest. His scent curls around me like smoke. He brushes my hair to the side with slow, intentional fingers, his knuckles grazing the back of my neck. My skin erupts in goosebumps.

"Relax," he murmurs, low enough that only I can hear.

As if that's even an option.

I feel him reach around me, the chain of the necklace grazing my collarbone. His knuckles brush my jaw on the way up. unintentional maybe, but it still makes my stomach clench. Then his thumb skims over the side of my neck, right where my pulse won't stop kicking. It's nothing, just a touch-but my whole body reacts like it's everything.

"There we go," he says, fastening the clasp.

He doesn't move away.

He stays there.

Breathing beside my ear.

His mouth dips to the shell of it, and-God help me-I shiver.

"Come out with me tonight," he whispers.

"Don't say a word. Just listen. Think about how good it felt when I was inside you- how you clung to me, how loud you gat when you came. I'm not done with you, Sloane Mercer. Not after one taste. I want more. Again. And again. And I know you do too. So take your time. Let it sit with you. Let it drive you a little crazy. I'II see you after the rehearsal dinner."

He straightens himself and steps back, finally giving me a second to inhale actual air. Then he reaches down and places a larger box on the table beside my plate.

"I'll advise you to open this when you're alone."

He walks away, strolling back to the couch like he didn't just seduce me in front of his mother, my best friend, and Jesus himself.

Everyone is staring.

Finn looks like he wants to commit murder. Victoria looks confused.

I shoot to my feet, every part of my body tingling. "Thank you so much for the food, Victoria. I have a little emergency that I must take care of upstairs.” scoop up the boxes and flee.

Like a full-on, legs-burning, heartbeat-in-my-throat retreat. No dignity. Just pure panic.

I hear Finn behind me, asking Knox about the content of the larger box. But by the time Knox replies, I'm out of earshot. I'll find out soon enough anyway.

I barrel into my room, slam the door shut, and throw the lock. My back hits the

wood, boxes clutched to my chest ke shield, like they could protect me from the tidal wave of horniness threatening to drown me.

Oh, god. Oh, god. Oh, god.

I run quickly to the bed and drop the boxes. My fingers tremble as I push the smaller one aside-the one with the necklace! currently have on-and stare at the bigger one like it might hite

I should throw it out. I should set it on fire. The Successfully unlocked!xe. Instead, like the weak, twisted little masochist I apparently am, I grab the larger box and head to the dresser. At the back of my mind, I tell myself that this level of excitement stems from the fact that I almost never get presents. I lived with my father for a good part of my childhood, and he wasn't the giving type. Neither was Mom. But to be fair, I didn't see or talk to her enough times to know if she's a giver. And then there's Finn. I mean, I'm the one who picks Delilah's birthday and

CHAPTER 018: The Bigger Box

anniversary presents every year. That should explain the kind of person Finn is when it comes to gifting

I set the box on the dresser's tabletop and glance at myself in the mirror. The necklace sparkles against my skin, tiny crystals catching the morning light. I brush my fingers over it.

It's delicate. Expensive. Thoughtful

And it's sitting right over the throat he marked last night.

I know what he's doing, and I'm almost unashamed to say I'm falling for it, his

schemes. Being seduced by the devil has its advantages, it seems.

I tear my gaze away from the necklace and look down at the bigger box. Without hesitation-and way too much excitement - open it.

The first thing I see is a pair of heels. Sleek, pointed toe stilettos in a shade of nude that screams, "I cost more than your rent." They're sexy without trying. Elegant, but with a come-screw-me curve in the arch that makes my calves clench just thinking about wearing them.

Next, the dress,

I pull it out carefully, fabric whispering as it unfurls in my hands. It's black. Of course it's black. Short. Sinful. Barely-there straps. Low enough in the back to make me forget I have a spine. It's cut in a way that suggests this wasn't meant to be worn sitting down. Honestly, I'd say it looks like something you wear when you're about to make mistakes you'll remember forever

Beneath it is a pair of black lace underwear, Strappy. Soft. My size, of course. Everything is surprisingly the right size.

And then... there's something else.

A smaller box nestled under the fabric. White with minimal branding. I pull the box

out slowly, holding it between two fingers like it might detonate.

There's a picture of what looks like a computer mouse on the front.

Only it's not a mouse.

I rip open the box, cheeks burning, and sure enough-it's exactly what I thought.

A vibrator.

Apanty vibrator, Guess he had the device in mind when buying the lace thong with a suitable pocket. I have to hand it to him-he's meticulous with details. Color- specific. Thorough with sizing, a thing that's still a mystery to me. But there's something missing from this entire package, the vibrator's remote control. I flip the box over and check the inside twice. Nothing. Then I read the packaging. Controlled by a mobile app. That sly son of a bitch. I bet he's already connected it to his phone.

As if my face and body aren't already flaming enough, I see a note sitting pretty at the bottom of the big box.

'This is not an apology, Kitten. I'm not sorry I tasted you and want more.

Put the dress on tonight. The heels too. Wear the special gift if you're feeling

brave.

But, be warned, if you step into a room wearing it, I will turn it on.

No matter who's around.

No matter what you're saying.

I'll be watching and waiting.

With lust and longing,

K'

I drop the note like it burns me. Like the words crawl over my skin and leave trails

of fire in their wake.

A knock on the door startles me.

"Sloane, are you in there?" Finn says, "Open up."

Shit.

"I'm here. I just need a minute."

I scramble. Toss everything into the drawer. Heels. Dress. Lingerie. Vibrator. I unhook the necklace and slide it in after the rest of them, pushing the drawer closed.

Then I take a calm breath, walk to the door, and open it.

As soon as the space is wide enough, Finn barges in.

"Where is it?" he demands.

I shut the door and turn around to face him. "Where's what?"

我

**

*king

They always swe

me a box definway at

the gas die fos

Pris face sightens

***see for myself ke sap

*