Page 190 of Gathered Sparkle

I can shine in my own.

I stare at the mirror, and Rosalee’s face stares back at me. But this time, it’smine. It’sme. I see myself.

Myselfhappy.

Myselfwhole.

My throat tightens, but instead of tears, a smile spreads across my face as I tilt my chin up to the ceiling. “Thank you for lending me Glitter, Rosie,” I whisper. “But I’m giving her back now. I don’t need her anymore.”

The words are a release, a final step toward something I thought I’d never have again.

Peace.

I rise from the bench, smoothing my hands down my thighs as I walk toward the door. My heart races, not from nerves, but from the anticipation of givingthemeverything I’ve saved for this moment.

The second I step out onto the stage, music starts up, and the overhead lights shine down, hot against my bare skin.

And there they are.

Koen, Ace, Sylus, and Nicholas are sprawled across the couches in front of the stage, eyes already locked on me. Heat and hunger burn in their gazes, but there’s reverence too. Like I’m something to be worshiped.

Glancing to the back, I spot Ezra and Levi at the bar, glasses in hand. Levi catches my eye and raises his champagne glass with a grin.

I grip the pole and slide my hand up until it’s steady in my palm. The familiar cool metal grounds me.This is my last dance.Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, feeling the music surge through my veins.Time to make it my best.

The beat drops, and I move.

I spin, the air rushing around me as I swing out gracefully, legs taut, muscles flexing. My feet in the way-too-high stilettoshit the stage floor with a satisfying thud, and I arch my back into the next movement.

A loud whoop breaks through the music—Sylus.

That’s right, watch me.

I climb the pole, reaching the top in one smooth pull, then arch and let my body slide down in one fluid glide. The friction heats my skin as I twist and land in a perfect split.

“Fuck,” Koen growls out, loud enough that I hear it over the music.

Chuckling, I tilt my head as I catch sight of him. Mouth parted, looking hungry as hell.

Flicking my gaze toward the bar again, I softly laugh when I see Ezra tugging Levi toward one of the private rooms.

I love that for them. It’s great to see them taking what they want.

I push up from the floor and move into my final spin, arching my back as I grip the pole for the last time. The music swells, and I finish with a flourish, flipping my hair back as I land on both feet, my arms raised above my head.

The last notes of the song fade, but the heat in the room lingers. My pulse hums as I lower my arms and step off the stage, walking straight toward them.

My men.

Nicholas is sitting on the edge of the couch, hands resting on his thighs. His fingers twitch the closer I get like he doesn’t know whether to reach for me or keep them pinned where they are. His lips part, his breathing shallow, as if he’s forgotten how to exhale.

God, look at him.

He’s already wrecked, and I haven’t even touched him yet.

I stop right in front of him, and his eyes flick up to meet mine. He looks like he’s ready to come undone simply from watching me.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I murmur, sliding a hand along his jaw. His breath stutters at the contact, his head tilting into my palm like he’s starved for it.

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