Aleena
I froze mid-step, my half-full champagne glass tilting dangerously in my hand.
There was no way I heard correctly.
I froze in front of the window, my fingers tightening around my glass.
My ears suddenly felt too hot, my cheeks even hotter.
Maybe the alcohol made me hear nonsense.
Maybe she was watching a movie.
Maybe—
“God, yes, right there!”
Okay, that was definitely Lia.
I spun around so quickly my hair slapped my shoulder.
I pretended to admire some random painting on the wall, like I wasn’t eavesdropping at all.
I coughed, a loud, dramatic one that said, “I am clearly interested in my own lungs and nothing else.” It kind of cough.
“You know, for someone who only drinks half a glass of champagne, you’re surprisingly terrible at holding it,” a voice said, startling me.
My head snapped up.
Lia was standing in the doorway I had just tried to avoid, wearing a sheer black dress that glittered under the low light, a sly, triumphant smirk on her face.
Her makeup was slightly smeared, her dark hair a beautiful mess, and her eyes held a spark of pure, unadulterated mischief.
I immediately wanted to disappear.
“Lia!
Oh, hi!
I… I didn’t see you,” I stammered, my face still got.
She laughed.
“Oh, I think you did.
Or at least, you heard me.” She took a step closer, her eyes glittering.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Aleena.
It’s no big deal.
It’s just sex.”
I could only manage a weak nod, trying to regain my composure.
“Right.
Of course.
No big deal.”
Lia’s smile softened into a genuine one.
“Look at you, all flustered.” She reached out, placing a light, warm hand on my arm.
“Anyway.
Enough about my… activities.
Happy birthday, Aleena.”
I blinked, genuinely surprised.
“My what?”
“Your birthday!
December tenth.
Did you really forget?” she chuckled.
A dull ache settled in my chest.
“Oh.
It’s not really a big deal.
Just another day.
Mum forgot about it, too, and I honestly didn’t even remember myself until you said it.” I shrugged, trying to sound casual, but the truth was, it hurt.
My twenty-first birthday, and it was just a non-event.
Lia’s expression turned serious.
“No, no, no.
Absolutely not.
Your birthday is a huge deal.
It’s your day.
And I have a present for you.”
“A gift?
Lia, you really didn’t have to,” I said, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the champagne.
“Yes, I did.
Now, come on,” she said, her smile returning, even bigger this time.
She grabbed my hand and tugged me toward a dimly lit hallway.
“First things first.
We need to get you out of that 0 library outfit.
It’s too good for where we’re going.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, confused as she dragged me into a small, luxurious-looking bathroom.
“To a more interesting and private party,” she whispered conspiratorially, shutting the door.
She pulled a garment bag from behind a silk curtain.
“This is your first step to freedom, Aleena.
Put it on.”
I looked at the bag, then back at her.
The curiosity was winning out over my ingrained caution.
“Why do I need to change?”
“Because,” she said, practically pushing the bag into my hands, “tonight, we’re going to be wild bitches.
And the party is waiting.”
Feeling an exhilarating rush of defiance, I unzipped the bag.
Inside was a dress—if you could even call it that.
It was black, made of some kind of transparent material.
My mother would die twice then resurrect just to faint again.
Instead of shame, a rush of pure, raw excitement washed over me.
This was it.
My first deliberate, undeniable act of rebellion.
I stripped off my dress and slid the black gown on.
It was only covering a portion of my breast and a little bit of my ass.
“Good girl,” Lia purred, checking my reflection with approval.
“Now, follow me.”
My cheeks warmed.
“This feels… illegal.”
“It is,” Lia winked.
“In your mother’s world.
Which makes it more exciting.”
She led me back out, but instead of the main party, she ushered me toward a back door guarded by a large, silent man in all black.
He nodded and opened it to a winding staircase that descended into a soundproofed basement.
It was obvious this was definitely a different party.
The music here was a slow, pulsing beat.
The lighting was deep scarlet and navy.
People were dressed in exquisite, revealing, leather and lace, some with collars, others with bunny ears.
I saw whips hanging on display and people interacting in ways that were clearly about control and submission.
Oh!
It was definitely my wildest fantasy come to life.
Lia guided me through the crowd to a private room tucked into a corner, quiet and furnished with velvet ropes and a plush chaise lounge.
“Sit,” Lia commanded, though her tone was warm.
“Your gift is on its way.”
I sank onto the chaise, my heart hardly hiding its excitement.
“Lia, what… what is it?
What did you get me?”
She walked to a small, ornate table and picked up a black velvet mask.
She winked, that knowing, mischievous spark back in her eyes.
“Remember that one time you got absolutely wasted at that mixer and you confessed your ‘wildest, deepest, most shameful fantasy’ to me?”
My mind raced, trying to recall the hazy night,
“So,” Lia continued, placing the mask gently on my face.
“Tonight, you get to live it.
Sit back.
Relax.
Your Dom is on his way.” She motioned to the mask.
“This is a courtesy keeps the fantasy private and also keeps your identity safe.”
Lia gave my shoulder a final squeeze, her eyes full of encouragement, and slipped out, closing the door behind her.
I sat in the silence, my heart beating out a primal rhythm in my chest.
This is real.
I’m really doing this.
Then, the door opened again.
A man stepped in.
He wore a simple, sophisticated black suit, but his face was obscured by a dark leather mask that covered everything but his eyes.
And those eyes, they were the most startling, beautiful shade of blue I had ever seen.
They seemed deep, intelligent, and utterly commanding.
They fixed on mine, and in that instant, I felt heat pool in the lowest part of me.
He closed the door slowly, and began to walk toward me with a slow, deliberate confidence that made my core clench.
He stopped right in front of the chaise lounge, and all I could feel was him.
He lowered his head slightly, his gaze never leaving mine, and spoke in a deep, gravelly tone that vibrated through my very bones.
“Would you be a good girl for me, little doll?”