Page 50 of Phantom Mine

Even with her face covered, she’s a vision in a gold bustier dress with a corset that tightens her waist and pushes her breasts up appetizingly on her chest. Similarly colored bangles adorn her arms and gold body glitter covers her shoulders and collarbones.

Dozens, if not hundreds of feathers jut out from the back of her dress and beyond her shoulders, encircling her face like a wild crown. Her mask is beautiful and matches her dress perfectly. It covers only the top half of her face, leaving anyone’s gaze free to roam over her pouty lips. Identical feathers halo off the top of the mask, adding almost a foot of height to her and creating the effect of a beautiful headdress.

Sheis beautiful.

A unique vision in a crowd of people wearing standardCarnivalemasks, she shines as brightly as the animal she’s embraced tonight.

A peacock.

Mypavona.

???

Valentina

Adri leans into me and yells so I can hear her over the music. “I can feel my buzz wearing off. I think it’s time for another round of shots.”

I laugh, wrapping an arm around her neck and pulling her close. “I’m glad you’re having fun!”

“Well, I hate to say it, but you were right. This theme is everything. And I don’t mean to be competitive, but our dresses blow everyone else's out of the water.”

I grab her hand and raise it above her head, forcing her to twirl for me. “You look magnificent. I’ve seen no less than five guys fall in love with you tonight.”

Her hands find my hips as we sway to the music, giggling the whole time. “Withme? Leni, that one guy at the bar forgot the mechanics of swallowing when you smiled at him. I saw half his beer drool down his chin.”

“Yes, that wasn’t the most attractive thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

She nudges my shoulder with hers. “That doesn’t mean there isn’t someone else you can have some fun with. There’s no shortage of guys wanting your attention.”

“Meh,” I say, waving dismissively. “No one who’s made mefeelanything. No one clever or interesting enough yet.”

“That’s true.” Adri sighs. “The butterfly pick-up lines are getting a little old.”

“Really?” I tease. “Personally, I thought that one guy who opened with ‘are you in my stomach? Because you’re giving me butterflies’was onto something.”

“Leni.”

“No? It was better than the weirdo who said he was willing to‘drown in your sweet nectar’.”

She drops her head in her hands. “The flirting bar is inhell,” she groans. “Which, coincidentally, is also where I’ve left my patience.”

I laugh again, releasing her as I scan the area for a bathroom. “I desperately need to pee. Want to come with?”

“A tempting offer, but I’ll pass. Go without me, I’ll find someone to buy us some shots in the meantime.” She scans the crowd, her eyes settling on a random guy at the bar. “If you hear a scream, don’t panic. It’s just me reacting to yet another man whispering‘do you know butterflies taste with their feet? How about I taste yours instead?’ in my ear.”

I grimace. “Another…?”

She squeezes her eyes shut and holds up two fingers. “Twice already.”

“Ouch.”

“Yup.”

“Hey,” I add. “If that’s what it takes to get free shots…”

“You’re right.” A determined look crosses her face. “It’s for the cause.”

“That’s the spirit.”

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