Page 67 of Beautiful Cruelty

I hold them up, watching Lacey's reaction. Her eyes widen and her throat bobs as she swallows hard.

"This one might be more your style." I select another—a more elaborate bellybutton piercing whose hanging chain is dotted with pink diamonds. "Or perhaps..."

My fingers drift to a different section of the case and pick up a delicate vertical barbell designed for the clit. Three diamonds cascade down its length, each progressively larger than the one above it.

Lacey's breath catches as I examine it, turning it to catch the light. Her thighs press together and her knuckles whiten around the handles of her crutches.

"The stones are internally flawless, of course," Aria explains, professional mask firmly in place. "And the settings are designed for maximum comfort during even the most vigorous of motions."

"We'll take them all." My voice fills the quiet showroom as I turn to Aria. "The necklaces, the pink diamond ring, and every piece in this intimate collection."

Aria's demeanor brightens considerably, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of the biggest commission check of her life. "Excellent choice, Mr. Stravinsky. Is there anything else you'd like to do?"

"Yes." I rest my hand on the small of Lacey's back, feeling her muscles tense beneath the thin dress. "I believe you said something about a private room to try these on?"

"I did." Aria nods excitedly. "Would you like to go now?"

"I would." My smile widens. "I wouldloveto see how all the pieces complement each other."

"Of course." Aria gathers the items with practiced efficiency. "Right this way."

Lacey's crutches click against the marble floor as she follows Aria. Her steps are measured, controlled, but I catch the slight tremor in her lower lip the closer we get. The confidence she wielded like a weapon just minutes ago is cracking further with each step.

"Having second thoughts,zvyozdochka?" I whisper in her ear.

She lifts her chin, but her voice wavers. "Not at all,darling."

A dark thrill runs through me. She started this game, pushing and teasing until she thought she had the upper hand. But now she realizes she's in far deeper than she intended. And she can't back down without admitting defeat.

Me?

I want to see just how far she's willing to go.

The private room Aria leads us to is intimate, with plush seating and mirrors strategically placed to showcase the jewelry from every angle. A velvet-covered table sits in the center, ready to display our selections.

Aria sets down the cases and turns around. "Would you like me to bring anything else?"

"Yes, actually." I guide Lacey to sit beside me on the curved settee. "Do you have a piercing kit on hand? Like my fiancée said, some of her holes have closed up because I never buy her the jewelry she wants. And I wouldhateto leave before we have a chance to examineeverythingthoroughly.”

Lacey stiffens beside me, but she still refuses to say anything to stop this. Her chin lifts in that stubborn way I'm coming to recognize. Even now, she won't back down. Won't admit she was bluffing about those non-existent piercings.

I arch an eyebrow at her, giving her one last chance to confess. To yield.

Last chance, zvyozdochka.

She meets my gaze with fierce defiance. "Yes, darling. We wouldn't want to waste a trip, would we?"

"I... um..." Aria's professional composure finally starts to crack. "We have a piercing specialist on staff. I can call her and ask her to?—"

"No need," I say. "A kit will be sufficient. I won't have someone else pawing between my fiancée's legs."

Aria looks at me, unsure of what the proper response is. I level my gaze at her, refusing to budge from my position.

Finally, she stammers. "I can bring a kit."

"Please do." I turn my eyes towards Lacey's, watching as her confident façade slowly crack away.

"Right away, Mr. Stravinsky." Aria's heels click rapidly across the floor as she exits, leaving us alone.

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