Page 40 of Claim

What Natalia meant by sheer was transparent. This dress, if one could call it that, covered nothing. Outside of the jewelry, glitter nipple covers, and the stone-encrusted thong covering my crotch, there was barely anything left to the imagination.

I gave Karina a tight smile, not knowing what else to do.

I’d better prepare myself for the fallout. I could hear it now. It would start with lectures about embarrassing the family right before Eva’s wedding and go on to business dealing and social standing.

Always the fucking social standing.

“Your body was meant to wear authentic jewels.”

I stared at her, cocking my head to the side. “Are you saying everything I have on, including my underwear, is authentic sapphires?”

“And diamonds.”

Diamond nipple covers? Was this woman insane?

That’s when I noticed the security team, whose attention focused solely on me.

I gaped at Karina as if she’d lost her mind. “You could have warned me.”

“You would have said no if I had.” She pursed her lips. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“I’m here as a favor, and you have me naked out there.”

She shrugged. “You’re already the troublemaker in the family. What’s one more thing to add to the pile? Besides, you’re only twenty-five with a killer body like that once. Rock it while you can and tell everyone else to fuck themselves.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re an only child.” I frowned. “I’m never doing you a favor again.”

Karina adjusted the draping of the fabric on my shoulder. “You say that every time. I swear, your skin tone and curves are perfect to showcase millions in jewels. I can guarantee that by the time you step off the runway, someone will have purchased all the pieces just because you wore them.”

Yep, that was all my mother would want to hear. Some random guy bought diamonds and sapphires since I wore them as underwear.

“You are why I ended up in trouble with my family the last time I walked a runway. Why do I keep doing this to myself?” I glared at Karina.

“Because I’m irresistible.” She batted her lashes at me. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise. Now go do that thing you do with your face that makes everyone believe you’re thinking of sex.”

“You are testing our friendship, Mehta,” I muttered over my shoulder as I stepped into position behind the model, about to take her spot to walk the stage.

The music changed to a sultry hip-hop beat, and the lights dimmed as the show producer cued me to take my place.

Think of sex. Well, until a little over a week ago, I’d never had sex. So what was the face I gave while walking the runway?

Umm. The hell. I’d wing it as I usually did.

The spotlight illuminated my body, and gasps emanated from the audience. That was the exact reaction Karina wanted.

Bitch knew how to make an impression.

“Go,” I heard the producer order, and I moved.

I licked my lips, knowing that seemed to work, and then tossed back the hair on my shoulder, giving a coy smile to those seated to my right in the front row. I swept my gaze over the crowd and concentrated on swaying my hips to convey seduction while keeping in tempo with the music.

Suddenly, my breath caught as my gaze landed on deep emerald green ones. Lust and untamed desire stared at me, making my body react. Heat sizzled over my skin, and a desperate ache throbbed deep in my core.

It took all my strength to control my exhalations and keep my pace from faltering.

Why was Damon here?

Wasn’t this the type of event he preferred to avoid at all costs? One couldn’t disappear here. The point of a show was to see and be seen.

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