Page 81 of Ruthless Rose

“Trust Scarlett.” She wiggles her brows and points a blush brush at me. “You look gorgeous—this color is so natural on your cheeks it looks like you just … you know.” She shoots me a playful grin.

“Like I …?”

“They may as well call the color Orgasm Flush or something like that.”

“Oh.” My eyes widen and a real flush infuses my cheeks. I wipe my sweaty palms on the poofy flounces of the skirt of my dress.

She stops, setting the makeup brush down. “Daphne …” She sinks her teeth into her lip as she eyes me. “Did you and Micah …?”

I meet her steady gaze, and my heart rate ramps up.

She cocks her head to the side, her eyes getting big.

“Yes,” I blurt out, then swallow hard, squeezing my eyes shut.

“Oh, wow.” Her shock at my outburst is clear when I peek at her with one eye. “Was that your first time?”

At her gentle tone, I nod, opening both eyes.

She pats my knee and comes at me with the mascara wand again. After a few swipes, she softly asks, “Was it good?”

“I mean—yeah. It hurt a little, but it was—” I exhale through pursed lips. “It was kind of amazing. It just happened on Tuesday.”

“That’s good. I mean, I wouldn’t expect anything less from someone like Micah considering he’s been with—” She sucks in a sharp breath. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“It’s okay. I knew what I was getting into with him.” I press my lips together. “But I couldn’t seem to stop myself. And we were fine at first—better than fine, really—but…” I hold up my hands. “I guess I’m just frustrated that I don’t get to go with him tonight.” I wedge my lip between my teeth. “Don’t tell Max.”

She waves a hand. “It’s not like Max doesn’t know the deal.” With a chuckle, she takes a step back to survey her work on my makeup, squinting as she looks at me from different angles. “And there’s no way Micah’s not going to like what he sees tonight. Maybe this will be the turning point.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like when the big guy decides to grow some balls and tell Alora to fuck off, once and for all.”

“His balls are just fine.”

Scarlett gasps, laughing. “Watch it, or I’ll give you a new nickname.”

I raise my brows, playfully. “Lay it on me.”

“Dirty, Dirty Daphne.”

We dissolve into laughter just as the doorbell rings, interrupting us. We exchange an excited look.

“Shoes.” Scarlett helps me slide into a pair of strappy heels and get them fastened. “You look flipping awesome.”

I grin at her, getting up from the chair. “You do, too. Thank you.” Downstairs, we hear the door open and Scarlett’s uncle greets the guys. He calls out to us from the bottom of the stairwell. “Girls? Max and Xander are here.”

Scarlett hurries down the stairs and directly into Xander’s arms. He holds her close, then takes her hands, making her step back, eyes roaming over her. “You’re gorgeous, Red.” He nods his head in approval as she lets go and does a little turn for him. He slides the pad of his thumb over his lower lip. “Seriously hot.” He glances up to find her uncle glowering at him. “Sorry, sir. Your niece is beautiful.”

And she is. She’d chosen a cobalt blue dress that shows off her curves and makes her eyes pop. I can tell from the hot, hungry look in Xander’s eyes that they are going to have a lot of fun tonight.

My eyes shift over to Max as he puffs up his chest posing for me. “What do you think? Does your date measure up?”

I grin. “Always.”

“Thank goodness because I was half-afraid I wouldn’t when I laid eyes on you. You look freaking stellar, babe.” He gathers me into a hug, tucking his head down near my ear. He whispers, “Micah’s going to lose his fucking mind. You’re about to give him enough spank bank material to tide him over for the next twenty years.”

I jerk my head back, laughing. “Max! I swear to God, the things that come out of that mouth.”

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