Page 52 of Keeping The Virgin

Promises promises, whore. You’ve taken too long.

I know that when Liam wants something, he’ll do anything to get it, and all I can do is hope that he has enough patience for one more day.

Just one is all I need.

But I’ll have to get through tonight’s dinner with Igor Vasiliev first—and that means getting through one more night with Cage.

* * *

I start preparingmyself for the big dinner early.

First on my list: eating something, anything, because I might pass right out if I don’t. I put together a light salad, but I don’t have the stomach for more than that.

Second on my list: A long bubble bath that’s meant to relax and pamper me. It doesn’t, but I’m squeaky clean and I smell like peaches, which Cage will like. I don’t feel clean in so many other ways though, because if Liam carries through with the threats he’s been making, no one will ever look at me the same way again.

As I get nauseated again from sheer nerves, I tamp them down. I’m not going to make it through the night if I’m this much of a mess. Besides, my makeup and hair artist has arrived.

She’s nice, efficient, and has me looking elegant and classy in no time. She has a deft touch with my hair, which she twists into a chignon that exposes the length of my neck in the wine-colored sleeveless Chanel cocktail dress I’ve chosen.

When Cage gets home, my pulse jitters. It thuds with every step he takes down the echoing hallway to the study where I’m waiting for him with my handbag in my lap and the TV on.

I switch the TV off as he comes into the room, but I can’t switch off my emotions. They tremble at the sight of him in his perfect suit, which is gray, bringing out the tan of his skin and the blue of his eyes.

Anguish fills me up, because this is it. There’ll be no tomorrows with him.

I stand, and he silently assesses me. The makeup artist walks into the room, waiting right along with me for his verdict.

“The dress,” he says emotionlessly. “It’s not good enough.”

Not good enough for Igor Vasiliev or not good enough for him?

I doubt Cage is thinking about anything other than Igor as I go with my stylist to choose another, better dress.

He obviously doesn’t want to be kept waiting, and he comes into my room just after I’ve put on a Dolce & Gabbana that clings to my curves and flares out slightly as it ends at my knees. The fabric is black-and-white striped with tasteful, innocent flowers winding through the austere design—cute yet tasteful, especially paired with my black pumps that have straps around the ankles.

Cage tensely nods his approval, then accompanies the stylist out. Meanwhile, I finally breathe, changing out my handbag to one that matches this dress. I take care to include my lipstick, tissues, powder, and phone, which I pray won’t receive any more texts from Liam tonight.

Just one more night and I’ll be able to get rid of him…if I make it through with all these nerves attacking me.

When Cage returns, I’m just walking out of the closet, and I freeze in my steps.

He approaches me with his hands in his pockets, and the nearer he gets, the more my body responds, thumping, melting. He begins to circle me, never taking his intense gaze off of me. I gulp, feeling dominated in an entirely different way right now.

To him, I’m more of a mannequin than a girlfriend. I’m only an actress and not anyone who really matters. But that’s why I was hired. I should’ve never thought anything else.

“Do I pass?” I ask, my voice cracking.

He walks to the front of me, and my heart takes a dangerous dip, because there’s that look in his eyes again—the naked emotion that he quickly tucks away behind a curtain of darkness. Now I see the man who likes to tie me up and blindfold me. He’s never far below the surface.

My pulse flutters at the thought, but now’s not the time.

He finally speaks. “He’s going to love you, Karini.”

The way he says it… Is there something more to it?

Even though he’s still as tense as hell, he offers his arm to me, and I slip my hand into the crook of his elbow.

There’s no turning back for either of us now as he escorts me out of his apartment to the biggest dinner of our lives.

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