Page 79 of My Sweetest Temptation

“Nico, what...?” I breathed, my voice barely audible.

“I’m getting you ready,” he murmured.

“For what?” I asked, afraid to know the answer.

He inhaled deeply, as if savoring my scent, before meeting my gaze. “To fuck the innocence out of you.”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The pounding on the door startled me, yanking me from the sensual haze. Disoriented, I found myself bathed in sunlight; Nico’s late-night visit was a freaking dream! I let out a frustrated sigh, collapsing onto the bed, disappointment pressing down on me.

It wasn’t real! Just a freaking dream!

My thoughts were still tangled up in Nico when the knocking came again, sharp and insistent. “What the—” I mumbled, glancing at the clock. It read nine a.m. Dragging myself from the warmth of the covers, I realized my panties were damp. “Oh, my God. Did I really just?—?”

The truth dawned on me that it was a wet dream. Of course, they were wet. “Jesus,” I groaned. I grabbed my fluffy robe from the back of the door, wrapping it around my body, then slipped my feet into my fuzzy slippers. The knocking continued relentlessly as I shuffled down the hall. Peering through the peephole, my breath caught at what I saw. Three women stood there, elegantly dressed in designer clothes. I opened the door. “Yes?”

With a bright smile, the brunette stepped forward, her energy almost overwhelming. “Hi! Are you Winter?”

“Yes. Who’s asking?” I replied.

“Mr. Moretti sent us,” she said.

“Mr. Moretti?” I echoed, confusion washing over me.

“Yes, Nico,” the redhead chimed in, her surprise evident, as if she thought I didn’t know who he was. “He owns Luxe Club.”

“Oh, yes, Nico. sorry,” I said, and her smile warmed slightly.

“Nico sent us to get you ready for tonight,” the blonde interjected, wheeling in a large case.

“Wait.” I shook my head, trying to clear the fog from my brain. “He said he’d be here at seven at night. It’s only nine in the morning.”

“We have lots to do!” the brunette insisted cheerfully, striding into my apartment confidently, dragging the wardrobe behind her. I stepped aside, half-amused, half-annoyed.

“Okay, then.”

The other two girls followed suit, and I shut the door behind them. Turning, I was met with their eager, freaky grins—a mix of the Joker and Pennywise.

“My name is Anastasia,” the brunette introduced herself, her voice bright. “And this is Ruby”—she gestured to the redhead—“and Bianca,” she finished, indicating the blonde. I nodded politely, my smile feeling a little too tight.

“Lead us to your room and we’ll get started,” Ruby said.

With a resigned sigh, I guided them to my bedroom. The following hours were a blur of plucking, waxing, and a whirlwind of beauty treatments. You’d think they were getting me ready for the Miss America pageant.

“Now, for the final touch,” Ruby announced, presenting a stunning satin white dress that cascaded to the floor like liquid silk.

“Oh, my God. It’s beautiful,” I murmured, taking the dress from her.

“Yes, Nico definitely has impeccable taste,” Anastasia added, her eyes sparkling with what looked like admiration.

They left me alone to change, and I could hardly recognize the woman staring back at me as I stood before the mirror. My hair was styled in soft, cascading curls, and the makeup was subtle. The lightweight foundation enhanced my features, a delicate blush added a radiant glow, and teardrop diamond earrings swayed gently, catching the light.

The dress hugged my form, a daring slit revealing just enough leg, while the matching necklace completed the look. The high heels, decorated with diamonds, provided me with extra height.

It felt like I was transported back to when I was fourteen. It was my first date with Drew, one of the popular boys and who had asked me to our eighth-grade spring dance. I remembered how anxious I was that day and how Mom used her special ability to calm my nerves.

“So, Mom, do you have any wisdom for me?” I said it out loud, sensing her presence in the space around me.

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