Kiss of Crimson by Samantha Coville (best love story novels in english txt) 📕

clearly excited about the big reveal that came next. She swung a large white dress bag around from behind the door and held it up, a squeal escaping her lips. She looked shocked at herself for breaking protocol, but I smiled and waved off the indiscretion.

The girl laid the bag on the bed and turned back to me, rocking on the balls of her feet. "Would you like assistance getting it on?"

I rose from my chair and reached out to pull her into a grateful hug. "I would like nothing better."

It took a little more effort than I had expected, as the dress was complicated and delicate in design. But after some struggling and sucking in so that I couldn't breathe, I finally got into the gown. Jewel put her hands up to her mouth and jumped up and down. She was so small that she barely even made a sound landing back on the ground. She motioned with her finger for me to do a twirl and I complied.

"Miss Eloise...you look like an angel. Well," she giggled. "Maybe an avenging angel."

I placed my hands on my hips and struck a pose. Jewel grabbed me roughly and spun me around. I wanted to question what she was doing, but then I saw myself in my mirror and whatever breath I had left in my body caught in my throat.

The ensemble was skin tight and hugged my body like a second skin, leaving none of my figure to the imagination. The bodice was made of sheer fabric, black sparkling lace covering just enough to maintain my dignity. The neckline plunged between my breasts. The skirt of the dress was a black fabric that cascaded and flowed, a slit over my left leg almost going all the way up to the bodice. There were sleeves on this dress with matching sheer fabric and beaded black lace that looked like it was tattooed on my skin rather than a part of the ensemble.

Matched with my makeup and hairstyle, I looked dangerous. An image of a black widow popped into my mind. My other outfits at the other balls had been fit for a princess. This was fit for a wrathful sexual goddess. I was proud of myself for putting this together in such a short period of time. But there was a twinge of regret on my face for everything that had led up to it.

You're being petty. Is parading yourself like a cheap piece of meat really worth it to get back at a guy?

The accusations I threw at myself in my mind stung. But I pushed them to the side. It didn't have to be sleazy or cheap to wear a dress like this. It could be empowering if that's how I wanted to view it. Deep down, however, I knew the point of my appearance at the ball tonight was in fact just to hurt Arden. I was ready for him to walk in, cocky as ever, and I was ready to see his jaw drop.

The music downstairs had already been playing for an hour, but I wasn't late. I had planned it this way. I wanted to ensure that everyone was already downstairs and ready for my grand arrival. I twirled some of my loose strands of hair around my finger to tighten the curls more and exited my room, blowing a kiss back at Jewel.

At the top of the staircase, I had a sudden wave of insecurity. This was unlike anything I had ever done. But was it really? I was the girl who disobeyed her mother and waltzed into the ball a month earlier. I was the girl who had slapped a vampire in the face, for god's sake! If I could do those things, why couldn't I walk in and totally own this party?

None of the vampires were in the entryway at the base of the staircase, but the second I walked through the doors of the ballroom, all eyes were on me. My mother was across the room and I watched her glass almost drop from her hand in shock. But, to my surprise, her face did not turn into a mask of anger or disappointment. It, instead, turned into one of approval. I wasn't her little baby in this moment. In this moment I was a young woman taking control of a horrible situation just as she had done a dozen times before. There was pride in that look, although I would no doubt hear something about my finery the next day.

I surveyed the room, subconsciously looking for Arden. I didn't see him, but I knew he was bound to be in there, probably in a corner somewhere enjoying a drink and whatever his newest target was. I stopped myself from continuing my search for that moment and instead put a smirk on my face. Time to shine.

I didn't need anyone to escort me around the ballroom this time. I walked by myself, introducing myself to a vampire here or there. I sashayed by the food table and picked up a chocolate-covered strawberry, biting into it slowly and locking eyes with an especially attractive vampire. He took my gaze as an invitation and strode over, leaning into the wall next to me and openly eyeing me up and down.

"Well, aren't you a dazzling sight?" He crooned in a deep voice that trailed off into a hiss.

I rolled my eyes and feigned disinterest. I actually was disinterested, but I didn't want him to give up before Arden could spot me, so I shifted my dress to show some leg through the slit.

"Playing hard to get, are we? Or perhaps you require a guarantee of a beneficial arrangement before expending the energy to speak to me?"

He took a few steps closer and I could feel him breathe on my neck before he came around to where I could get a better look at him. He must have been very young when he was turned into a