Page 52 of Pretty Heartache

“Okay, I’m ready.” Adeline taps her fingertips against her bare thighs. Two strappy high heels dangle from the ends of her fingers.

Ember’s head whips around as she pulls herself back to a stand.

“Holy fucking shit.” Ember gasps. “You are stunning.”

Adeline’s cheeks blush red as her eyes swing up to meet mine.

Heat blooms in my chest, and my body feels like it's bursting into flames. I suddenly feel exposed, like my session in the shower earlier is somehow common knowledge. As if Adeline knows I haven’t been able to shut the thought of her out of my mind, and I fucked myself with my own hand, using her body wash to help.

The flecks of sage green in her eyes are amplified by the purple eyeshadow painted across her lids. Bright glitter dots the inner corners, and smooth, crisp black eyeliner is swept across the top of her lashes. Her hair is pulled high and tight into a ponytail, the pin-straight ends dancing across her bare back. The thin straps of her silver sequined dress sit across her glittered skin. Flecks catch the light in the kitchen. Glitter is sprinkled across every inch, highlighting her bare breastbone and the curves of her shoulders. The moving shimmering fabric dips down to rest above her belly button, and when she moves to stand beside her best friend, her back is completely exposed.

She’s worn skirts and shorts, even tank tops before, but something about this dress is different. It’s as if she’s been hiding her body, her true silhouette.

And fuck me, she’s stunning.

“I was so right to give you this dress.” Ember beams at Adeline. She circles her, holding onto Adeline’s hand as she examines her. “Fits you like a glove. Isn’t she beautiful?” Ember tosses me a look.

I cough, turning around to take a sip of my beer. I tip the can higher, savoring the fizzy liquid down my throat.

“Ember,” Adeline hisses. “It’s fine. You don’t have to ask him a question like that.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Ember asks, an edge lacing her voice. “The answer is easy. Any straight man with a working dick can see you look fucking phenomenal in this dress. Besides, you are a supermodel, so I feel like it’s a given.”

I grind my jaw, a conflict of emotions brewing inside me, so I clear my throat and turn back around, not wanting to raise suspicion.

“Thank you for doing my makeup.” Adeline turns to Ember with a softened expression. “I haven’t looked in a mirror, but I know you did an amazing job.”

“Youshouldlook in a mirror,” Ember says, wagging her finger over Adeline’s face. “This is some of my best work.”

Adeline’s sweet mouth turns upside down while she avoids looking at her best friend… and the mirror hanging on the wall down the hallway.

“We should get going.” Adeline inhales a deep breath, puffing out her chest. She presses her hands to her bare thighs before bending down.

I watch her carefully as she slips one foot into her black heel. She rolls it to the side while she works the clasp.

My cock twitches as I survey the length of her legs. Her dress hitches higher, the fabric stopping just before it reveals everything underneath. Her back is bent in my direction, displaying the pale pink flower tattoo peeking out from across her ribs.

Adeline moves onto working on her next shoe when Ember breaks my attention.

“We’re celebrating our birthdays.”

“What?” I snap my head up to see Ember staring at me.

There’s a playfulness in her expression. She glances at Adeline before turning back to me. Still, I don’t know how much Ember knows of what happened or if she knows anything at all. Something tells me she’s usually like this, regardless.

“Well, Adeline’s birthday was a few months ago, but my twenty-first is today.” She presses her hand to her chest. “We’re celebrating.”

“Oh,” I choke out. “Happy birthday, then.”

“Thanks.” Ember giggles.

Adeline’s finished strapping on her shoes and moves to stand next to Ember. She’s standing on the other side of the island from me, but she may as well be in front of me. I itch to touch her again. A part of me wants to throw her over my shoulder and carry her back to my room, not allowing anyone else to see her.

The thought of other men getting the privilege of seeing her dressed like this makes my blood boil at a temperature I didn’t know was possible.

I flex my fingers, willing the tension to leave. I want to hit something or go out into the backyard and tear up the furniture I allowed to get ruined.

“All right, you ready?” Adeline asks Ember, tucking her matching sparkling clutch under her arm.

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