Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
It wasn’t like it suddenly transformed me into a wily temptress, but suddenly my youth and innocence had a new appeal I’d never seen before. The dress accentuated my finally visible curves, and hugged me in all the right places. My boobs were pressed up so seductively it almost looked too much, but because the dress was such a modest length, it looked perfect. Combined with the hair and makeup, I looked like the best version of myself there was.
Edna stepped up behind me and fastened a feather mask around my eyes. It was dark blue, stitched with beautiful silver thread that sparkled in the light. I was barely recognizable.
I looked like a real princess.
“Like a princess,” Edna whispered as if she’d read my thoughts. “Ella, you look so beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I said with a thankful smile. “I love it. I really do.”
She helped me do up the back, and gave me a pair of beautiful crystal heels to go with the dress.
“I don’t know how to walk in those,” I said when she held them up for me.
“Oh, that’s easy,” she grinned. “Take small steps, arch those legs and sway your hips!”
She paraded around the room and I followed suit, which ended with both of us in stitches. I laughed for so long my eyes teared up, but when I stopped, I couldn’t stop them.
“Oh no, sweetheart!” Edna said, waving her hands in my eyes to stop me from crying. “Don’t cry! You’ll mess up your makeup!”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “But I’ll miss you so much when I leave, Edna. So much. You’re the only friend I have.”
She gave me a sympathetic look, but it didn’t look like she understood completely. There were still a sparkle in her eyes, and she looked mischievous. Maybe she wasn’t convinced I was actually going to leave… But I’d bought the bus ticket already, and they weren’t refundable, either.
“Don’t you worry your pretty head,” she winked at me. “You’re going to be just fine.”
She took my hand and led me outside, and I was surprised to find her little tricks for walking in heels worked perfectly. We got to the lawn, and Edna pointed to her car parked in the front.
“What?” I asked her, then giggled. “Is that my ride?”
“You know how to drive, no?” she asked. “Figured it was about time you tried again.”
I hadn’t driven since my dad passed away. Martha never let me use our car, but Edna’s adorable VW Beetle was calling my name.
“Are you sure?” I asked her, and she beamed at me.
“More than sure,” she nodded. “Now, off you go!”
I headed towards the car, holding up my dress as I went. Edna called out to me, “Don’t forget to be home at midnight!”
I giggled and waved her off, getting inside the car. It was a stick shift, but Dad had taught me how to drive one.
“Wait!”
Edna ran up to me, and kissed my cheek, grabbing a little pot out of her bag and blowing silver glitter all over my hair. I coughed and laughed as it went all over me.
“A little fairy dust,” she grinned at me, winking. “For good luck, princess.”
T HE NIGHT WAS SET TO be one the guests would never forget.
I’d been told about the parties my father used to host at the mansion—they described them as Great Gatsby parties, so lavish that getting an invitation was like celebrating Christmas in itself. But now, it seemed like it was my turn. I’d left the planning in the hands of the event organizers, and they had truly done a wonderful job. The house sparkled like never before, the gardens lit up in shades of white, silver, and blue. It was beautiful, there was no denying it, the ballroom decked in the same colors, with even the food and drinks being thematic.
It was undoubtedly Christmas, and with the scent of snow heavier in the air than ever, you could practically taste the wintertime.
But my mind was on anything but—all I could really think about was a certain Miss Monroe.
And I couldn’t wait for my girl to show up. She’d been permanently on my mind ever since her sweet little snatch had left my mouth. My body yearned for more of her, to taste her again in ways I’d never let another man enjoy.
I stood at the top of the staircase, looking down at the party. Over my face, I wore a Venetian mask I’d picked up on holiday years ago, and a dark suit a designer had cut out especially for me. I felt like the world belonged to me, but it was all for nothing unless I had my princess by my side. My body and my mind pined for her, the wife I’d already chosen. All there was left to do was find Ella and tell her she was fucking mine.