Page 31 of Born for Lace

I’ve never seen anything so male.

I back up as he approaches, the heat and heaviness from his attention pressing on me. He is the one naked, yet I feel unbearably vulnerable.

I lick my parched lips, tasting something metallic on them. For a flash of a moment, I imagine Lagos dragging me into the room and forcing my legs apart, thrusting into me, hurting me, but then?—

He closes the door on my face.

Time seems slow, so I shake my head. Try to feel present.

“Interesting,” Sweets mutters, a pleased tone dripping through each syllable. “I guess I was wrong.” She steps out of my way. “He clearly doesn’t like you at all, Lace Girl.”

That sentence shouldn’t burn.

It doesn’t affect me at all…

“Excuse me.” I swallow as my throat thickens. I don’t wait for any more harsh truths, heading down the corridor, taking the steps as sweat slides between my brows.

I have to be quick.

Spero might need me.

Usually, I have a few hours at this time while he sleeps, but I don’t want to take any chances.

Something strange courses through my body, leaving me vibrating as I stride to the cove.

My fingers tremble as I undress and paddle into the water, soon finding its cool bite soothing. The water laps my flushing skin, and the ocean’s body holds me.

What just happened?

Why did I watch that?

I wasn’t disgusted. In truth, I wanted to be Beauty. I was born to soothe and relieve a Trade man but never know anything impure myself. Never feel a man’s touch, remember it, and even know it is for my enjoyment. What Lagos was doing with his mouth was for Beauty’s relief. What could he get from that himself? Kissing her there?

If his gaze can make my stomach clench and his proximity hums across my skin, I am terrified to know what that indecent kiss would do to me.

I am more thanintriguedby that brute. So obscenely virile… I… I— I dunk myself into the water, wanting to wash the thoughts away. Drown them.

My hair mimics floating wings of red around my body as I blink underwater. The salt burns my eyes. I close them and see Lagos thrusting into that girl, his back muscles alive with power and energy.

It's too much. I want him. I don’t know why or what this is; perhaps I’m self-sabotaging. Trying to prove I am like Maple, clinging to something dangerous. It’s confusing, and I wish it away.

Lungs suddenly squeezing, I push back up and gasp the clear salt-pinched air. Breathing hard, I walk from the water, beads sliding down my skin.

Then I notice I am not alone. A strange man stands in the cove, watching me while he slowly removes his dark shirt. I can’t distinguish his features from this distance, but his physique, height, and girth lead me to believe he is a strong Xin De male.

Nerves rush down each leg. I’m not used to being alone, this sense of wariness, a perpetual shuttering pulse.

Stepping from the water, I gather my clothes and dress quickly, breathing a sigh of relief when, in the corner of my eye, the man wades out into the water to bathe.

I shake my head at myself, clearly overthinking everything. He wasn’t looking at me like that— I’ve been ignored my entire life. I’m not sure why I feel like everyone is watching me all of a sudden. ‘Pretty but plain,’ is what my Ward said, and it was a compliment.

‘Easily forgotten.’

ChapterNine

Dahlia

Too soon, I am walking past the House Girls again, cringing internally. At least this time, the door is closed, but the same obnoxious sounds beat through the walls. I can hear every thrust through his grunts and almost feel the fatigued agony in the ballad of moans.

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