“Don’t worry, Princess.”

My body relaxes when he uses the endearment I’ve unexpectedly grown to like.

“Be downstairs by seven o’clock.” Then, he turns on his heel and struts toward the house while an excited grin spreads across my face.

Cinderella is going to a ball.

The overwhelming numberof dresses strewn across my bedroom leaves me anxious and indecisive. The stylist knows what she’s doing, so I trust her when she pulls out a stunning, champagne-colored gown that fits my curves perfectly. After choosing lingerie and being pampered for hours, I feel like a princess for the first time in my life.

My thoughts are consumed by Marco as he walks in while I’m getting dressed. “Everyone out. Now.”

There’s a rebuttal on the stylist’s lips until Marco shoots her a venomous glare. She ducks her head and ushers her assistants out of the room, closing the door behind them.

I’m exposed, standing in scraps of lace just big enough to hide my most intimate parts. I glance around, looking for something to cover up with, but there’s not enough time as Marco closes the distance between us and kneels in front of me. My belly quivers when his gaze focuses on my barely-covered pussy before trailing up my body until he’s staring at my chest. He tugs the sheer cups of my bra down until my full breasts spill out, my nipples tightening from the cool air.

No words are exchanged as his hands grip my body possessively, and wetness pools between my thighs. Standing this close to him, I’m embarrassed that he can smell my arousal building, but my shyness disappears when he pulls my panties aside and devours me with his tongue. I grip his hair as he brings me to the brink, spreading my lips apart with one hand while delving inside me with the other. My knees are unsteady, but I can’t get enough of him.

My head drops back when he brings one of my legs over his broad shoulder, giving himself better access to my pussy. He flicks his tongue across my clit while he caresses my ass with his palm. Then he grazes the seam between my cheeks until he reaches that forbidden spot that makes my entire body tense.

“Marco… I don’t…”

Lifting his head, he gazes at me with my wetness smeared across his mouth. “Trust me, Lyla. You’ll like it.”

Do I trust him?To bring me pleasure, absolutely. To not crush my heart and bring me unimaginable pain, that’s still to be determined.

“Relax for me,” he says, massaging the puckered hole before breaching the tight ring of muscle. It’s uncomfortable at first, but I melt into his touch when he resumes eating my pussy again while thrusting his tongue into my entrance. I’m overwhelmed as he sinks his finger farther inside my ass, pumping it in and out before adding another.

“Oh my God,” I cry out. “I… it feels…” I can’t form a coherent thought as his tongue and fingers fuck both my holes.

“Soon, I’m going to fuck you here. Claim every part of your body as mine.” He dives back in with his mouth on my pussy, his fingers now gliding easily in and out of my ass.

It’s not long before I’m teetering on the edge of an orgasm, feeling it build in my core until I’m ready to explode. He moves his hand faster, sucking harder on my clit and grazing it with his teeth. Then I buck my hips and cry out, surrendering to the immense pleasure.

“Marco…” I pant, my body quivering as I flood his mouth with my cum. He slows his movements, but doesn’t stop until he’s enjoyed the last drop. I should be satisfied with such an intense release, but it’s made me crave more.

When he lifts my leg from his shoulder and returns my foot to the floor, I’m expecting him to move us to the bed and fill me with the cock I’ve been dying for all day. Instead, he rises from his crouched position and grabs my silk robe that’s draped over a chair. He secures it around me while a pinched expression covers my face, and my core clenches around nothing.

“I know what you want, Lyla.” He watches his hands while tying my sash into a loopy bow. “I’ll give it to you when you beg me for it.”

My jaw drops as insolence grows inside me. I’m desperate to be with him again, but I shouldn’t have to beg for it. Not when he wants me too. “You can’t be serious.”

His gaze lifts to my face as he smirks. “I’m always serious, Princess.”

My shoulders slump and my mouth gapes open as he strolls out of the room and the women come back in. So, he gets me off and gets out? What was the point of that? I’m ready to scream at this confusing man, but I hold back my frustration and continue getting ready. Although a fresh pair of panties is in order now, so I walk into the closet to retrieve them after discreetly slipping my breasts back into the cups of my bra.

Right on time, I’m ready as requested, standing near the front door in my beautiful dress with strappy heels on my pedicured feet. When Marco comes downstairs, his eyes are smoldering as he takes me in from head to foot. A blush warms my cheeks under his observant gaze, but coyness turns to lust as I admire how sexy this man is in a black tux. No one has any right to be that gorgeous.

“You’re exquisite.” The words sound foreign as I rarely receive compliments from anyone. He stands in front of me, his eyes wandering over my made-up face before he cups my cheek and runs his thumb along my bottom lip. “Every man in the room will envy me tonight.”

Despite Marco’s flattering appraisal, which continues in the car, I’m nervous when we arrive at the private estate for the party. This one is closer to the city, a Victorian-style mansion with a gable roof and large windows. Inside, there are vaulted ceilings with dark wooden beams. Though not as extravagant as Marco’s, it’s a breathtaking home, and I’m mesmerized by the luxury of it as we make our way to a large ballroom full of people dressed in formal gowns and tuxedos. Waiters in black suits mill around with silver trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and there’s a string quartet playing music on a small stage off to the side.

On the arm of such a powerful man, I walk into the room with my head held high and my shoulders back, receiving appreciative looks from several men. That is, until they see who’s escorting me and avert their gazes. Fear or respect, I’m not sure which makes them turn away. The women, however, do no such thing, and their ravenous eyes lock on Marco as they pretend as if I’m invisible.

I forget that everyone else in the room exists when he guides me to the dance floor, his intense gaze never leaving mine. I place my hand in his, but nervously lean into him. “I don’t know how to dance. I’ve never done this before.” I worry that I’ll embarrass us both by tripping over my feet or stepping on his toes.

“Keep your eyes on me and follow my lead. Your body will know what to do.” The heat in his gaze says he’s talking about more than just dancing, but I can’t deny it applies to both scenarios.

Every touch from him sends tingles down my spine, and heat builds between us as we dance. After a few songs, Marco grabs two flutes of champagne, then introduces me to several people he knows. His actions are conflicting, or perhaps they’re changing as he treated me more like property just a few days ago. Now, there’s a glint of pride in his eyes when he presents me to his friends, making it clear that I’m his and he wants the world to know it.