Page 10 of Beauty Sleep

As I stand up, he leaps to his feet. “Are… are you coming back…?” he asks, still adorably shy.

“Are you going to leave the window open tonight?”

Beauty’s eyes shine with excitement as he nods so hard that his chair rattles, and my chest swells up like a damn balloon. Despite all my cynicism, I can’t help smiling. After the way our last encounter ended, this reaction is exactly the flattery I needed. Then, like he hardly dares to ask but he can’t help himself, Beauty murmurs, “How quiet will you be?”

“You’ll find out,” I tell him with another wicked smile. “Or perhaps you won’t, if I’m quiet enough.”

Beauty makes this strangled moaning noise that turns into a breathless, nervous giggle. “Well, now I don’t know how I’ll get to sleep.”

“Chamomile tea,” I deadpan, stepping back over the wall. “Or find a contract to read.” I lift my chin slightly in farewell. “Good night, Beauty. Sleep tight.”

“I will,” he breathes out, and then he dives straight through the window and tugs the curtain closed.

Poor Beauty. I don’t think there’s enough chamomile on Earth.

I stay where I am for a few moments and count down the seconds in my head.

Ten, nine, eight?—

On five, the curtain wobbles. On three, I catch him peeking at me, and I give him a slow smirk.

He makes another of those strangled little noises as he lets the curtain fall again, and then scurries away from the window. My ribs hurt from holding back my laughter as I finally turn away.

It’s not just the mask that helps me hold my head high as I walk down the street and into Vibes. It’s the glowing knowledge that there’s a boy out there waiting for a Daddy—waiting for me.

And I know exactly what to do.

Chapter

Four

BRIAR

I can’t believemy luck.

A prince has finally come, and he’s left me with dirty promises, weak knees, and an insatiable hard-on.

Forty-four, forty-five… wait. Was I on the forties or the fifties?

Oh, fuck it. I can’t stop myself from peeking again.

I half-expect him to still be there, lingering outside all evening. Guarding his catch and tormenting me while I try to fall asleep. God, that’s a hot idea. Maybe I could be into it.

With one trembling hand, I reach out to lift the curtain.

He’s gone.

“Ohhhmygod,” I groan, letting out a breath as I tumble onto the bed and grab my pillow, squeezing it for dear life. “Happyfuckingbirthday to me.”

See? I’m not sleepwalking through life.I was just waiting for the right man to come along. If only that Daddy I met earlier could see me now.

Prince Charming is kind of like him: confident, older, and happy to call me Beauty. But this time, I made sure he knows what I want. Judging by the fact that he can get me rock-hard with just his fingertips, he’s going to reward me for it later.

Fuuuck.

I have no idea what this guy looks like. Dark eyes, I think, and a sharp jawline. It’s perfect. In all my hottest daydreams, I feel my prince’s force, taste his sweat, and hear his growled demands… but I never get to see his face.

And the chemistry between us! I never even imagined I could feel anything like it. Every time I invited him closer, he took that liberty... and a little more, exactly the way I’ve always wanted. His voice drips into my ear in sultry, honey-golden tones, and I just want to close my eyes and obey every word…

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