Page 9 of Tempt Me

Everything is designer, gorgeously made. It’s not really my style, but even I can see how beautiful every detail is. I don’t even want to think about how much this all cost.

I take a quick shower and change into the outfit, one eye on the clock. The dress fits perfectly, but I knew it would. Max had me give my dress and shoe sizes to his secretary when we first started dating—“just in case,” he told me with a wink. Now he sends me a new outfit every other week: fancy gowns and prim sundresses to wear at all the big Mainwaring functions. To tell the truth, it’s a relief: my wardrobe is more H&M than Hermes, and there’s no way I can keep up on my junior agent salary.

I fix my hair back in a simple twist, put on some lipstick and mascara, and give myself a final look in the mirror. I look great: sophisticated and luxurious. But for some reason, Jase Banner’s words echo in my mind.

“You’re simple. Elegant. Beautiful.”

This dress is anything but simple. I’m weighed down with all the beading, glittering like a Christmas ornament whenever I catch the light. I know that Max is trying to help, giving me gifts like this so I don’t feel out of place in his society crowd, but suddenly, I don’t feel like dressing up like everyone else tonight.

My phone sounds. The car is waiting downstairs. I pick up the purse and head for the door, then stop.

Max said everyone wants to get to know me, but how can they do that if I’m still nervously playing pretend?

It doesn’t take me a moment to wriggle out of the beaded gown and grab another dress from my closet. It’s my favorite: floor-length in blushed ballerina pink. I found it in a vintage store, years ago, and fell in love at first sight with the simple column of silk and delicate spaghetti straps. The fabric slithers over my head, and when I look in the mirror again, I finally recognize the girl staring back at me.

That’s me.

The silver sandals still look great, and the purse. I don’t need any jewelry with such a simple outfit, and I quickly wipe off my lipstick, too. My phone buzzes again, and I sprint for the door, feeling on top of the world again.

Look out, Mainwarings, you haven’t seen nothing yet!

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