Page 65 of Beautiful Cruelty

"Would you like to try it on?"

"No. That one's notappropriate." She emphasizes the word I used earlier in the car. “For a pakhan’s wife.”

I lean closer, pitching my voice low. "And just which onewouldbe appropriate for you,zvyozdochka?"

Lacey's eyes give me one last unreadable look before they turn to scan the display case.

I can tell from the slight lift of her chin that another challenge is coming. Those amber-flecked brown eyes of hers drink over every detail of every piece, until finally, she extends a single delicate finger toward an elaborate monstrosity.

"I wantthatone."

The necklace she points at looks almost too heavy to be worn. At its center sits a diamond the size of a quarter. Two rows of thick white gold chain flow like metallic rivers around it, studded with more diamonds that could each serve as engagement rings on their own. Teardrop stones dangle between them, glittering under the light.

It looks almost like a sparkling bib, with swirling metalwork resembling precious metal lace. Even the clasp is decorated with tiny diamonds.

"You're right." I match her saccharine tone. "That would beperfectlyappropriate. Shall we have Ms. Crestfield take it out?"

"Oh yes, please." Lacey's smile is pure challenge. "After all, we wouldn't want anyone questioning myposition, would we?"

The wordpositionhits me like a shot of vodka, burning through my veins. My mind floods with images of Lacey on her knees, that delicate neck adorned with diamonds as she takes me in her mouth. Or bent over my desk, the heavy necklace swaying with each thrust.

I shift my stance, grateful for the counter between us as my cock stiffens painfully.

"An excellent choice." Aria beams as she unlocks the display case. "This piece was actually commissioned by?—"

"While we're looking at jewelry and rings. What about cock rings?" Lacey's innocent tone contrasts sharply with her words. "I would love my dear fiancé to have something that can match my own finger."

"Oh…" Aria's hands freeze on the necklace as pink creeps up her face. "Um…"

"Or maybe something more intimate?" Lacey taps her chin thoughtfully. "I've been dying to try out some new clit and nipple piercings." She turns back to me, smirking dangerously. "What do you think,darling?Would you like that?"

My breathing grows heavier as fresh images assault me—her perfect pink nipples adorned with platinum and diamonds, a tiny jeweled barbell glinting between her legs each time I spread her thighs.

"We... um..." Aria stammers, her professional demeanor cracking.

"No?" Lacey's disappointed pout is pure sin. "That's a shame. I was hoping to geteverythingto match."

The way she looks at me through her lashes makes my cock throb painfully. This little game of hers is going to drive me insane.

"Your ears aren't even pierced,zvyozdochka." I lean in closer, savoring her intoxicating scent of citrus and lavender.

"Sincesomeonenever buys me the jewelry I want." Lacey's eyes spark with mischief. "The holes have closed up. But the ones below haven't. Not yet, anyways."

My cock jerks against my zipper. The memory of her wet heat around my fingers and her delicate fingers scrambling to undo my belt in the backseat returns.

"Is that so?" My voice drops lower as I press my lips against her ear. "Because I don't rememberanyother holes from your photos.”

"Those photos weren't my best work, remember?" She slowly runs her tongue across her lips. "The lighting was terrible. Unless you'd like to conduct a more thorough inspection later?"

"Excuse me..." Aria clears her throat and steps closer, dropping her voice to barely above a whisper. "We do actually carry a discrete collection of intimate jewelry pieces. They're not on display, but I can bring them out if you'd like to view them in our private consultation room."

"Oh yes, please!" Lacey claps her hands together with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Let's see all of them! I'd love to try them on."

Her little performance might fool Aria, but I catch the slight tremor in her fingers, the way her eyes falter ever so slightly, and the telltale way she's not to bite her lower lips.

She's nervous. Which means it's time to show her exactly what happens when she pushes too far.

"Yes." I rest my hand on the small of Lacey's back, feeling her stiffen. "Bring them all."

---