Page 53 of Sinful Temptations

Don’t act like you didn’t get your rocks off

Well, yeah, I did. But you make it sound so dirty

Oh stop it. You loved it

Doesn’t mean I have to talk about it

Why not? It’s fun

Actually…

. .I flopped backward onto my bed. The springs creaked beneath me.

What? What?

I haven’t told you what happened today

You’re killing me

It took me a good ten minutes to text her all about Count Frederik and our steamy hot tub.

OMFG. I want just a little bit of what you’re having

Sorry, babe

Don’t you go fucking apologizing. I’m living through you, remember? It’s just a shame I don’t have any photo evidence

I burst out laughing.

Nice try. Not happening. Anyway, sorry but I have to go. I’m off to the fancy-dress banquet. You remember theone at the castle?

Oh, goodie. You going to get Roman with that boob squish thing again?

Hell no

He liked it. You know that

Hmmm. I pictured his reaction to my attempted drunken kiss. He absolutely did not like it. But Zali would only disagree. Sidestepping a response, I sent a final text.

Gotta go. Chat tomorrow. Love you

Luv ya too

Tossing the phone onto the side table, I dashed into the restroom. Aware that I was already late, I jumped in the shower and was out again in minutes. I put my hair into a messy bun at the back of my head, tugging out a few bangs so they fell around my face.

There wasn’t enough time to put on full makeup so I opted for just foundation, a touch of rouge, and my new favorite accessory—berry-pink lipstick. Now to the dress. I plucked it from the bed and froze. In my haste to be prepared, I’d forgotten one vital fact. I needed help doing up the dress.

Damn it.

For the briefest of moments, I contemplated skipping out on the banquet, but then I pictured Roman waiting for me downstairs, and the stupid idea evaporated. I tugged on the dress and pulled up the sleeves. But without the bodice lace done up, it fell forward, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Desperate times . . .

I put on my shoes, grabbed my room key and bag, and with one arm securing the red satin corset in place over my bust, I exited my room in search of help.

With my bare back exposed, and without a bra keeping me contained, I felt utterly naked. Everything wobbled as I made it down the circular stairs, hoping like all hell I didn’t trip over the dress on the way down the keep. In the back of my mind, I recalled that Count Frederik owned this part of the castle, and I couldn’t decide if it would be good or bad to bump into him right now.

At the bottom, I stepped out into the hall and gasped. Count Frederik was right there like he’d been waiting for me to come down the stairs.Shit!Maybe he’d heard my rustling skirts and huffing breath. “Oh, hi.” Keeping my arms over my chest, I did a small hand wave like a bloody idiot.

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