Stealing Beauty (Fairy Tales After Dark Book 1)

by Jessica Collins

  Crossing her arms again, she spoke, “I have absolutely zero doubt that I can make you jealous.”

  “Why?”

  Because I want to know if you have feelings for me. Belle shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t know, maybe I just like proving people wrong.”

  “Let me get this straight. You want me to allow you to flirt with other men solely as an attempt to make me jealous?”

  His phrasing only fueled her anger. “Allow me? I don’t need your permission, and I will not attempt. I will make you jealous.”

  He paused for a moment as he gave her his calculating look. “How about double or nothing.”

  She narrowed her eyes in question. “What?”

  He traced his finger from her cheekbone down her neck, licking his lips again. As his fingertips grazed her collarbone, his hand wrapped around the back of her neck and pulled her into him, bending forward to nuzzle into the hollow of her neck. She dropped her hands to the side as his face grazed against hers.

  He gently nibbled her earlobe before whispering, “I get to play, too.”

  Unprepared for this turn of events, she tried to play off her growing anxiety. “What’s that going to prove? You’ve already seen me jealous.”

  “Yes, and I like it. I like seeing my Belle all heated.”

  He wants to flirt with other women. She didn’t want to back down from this, even knowing the ramifications could be horrendous.

  “How will we decide who won?” She moved back, re-crossing her arms, angered her plan backfired.

  “We’ll know.” He turned from her as he began to walk away.

  “Where are you going?” she grated, still annoyed.

  “To figure out my costume. And to decide what I want from you when I win.”

  She watched him walk out of the room before she slunk back to her room in angst. Well, shit. Picking up the phone, she three-way dialed Cynthia and Sirena to whine about the mess she got herself into.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Belle smiled to herself as she pulled the frilly socks up her ankles, knowing she looked h-o-t in her costume. Buckling the chunky high-heeled Mary Janes, she smoothed the sequined shorts down, wondering to herself if she went a step too far in how short they were. She turned, the bottom globes of her ass were barely covered. Coupled with the height of her shoes, her legs looked a mile long.

  She applied a last coat of red gloss and straightened her red sequined bow tie. Tipping the top hat slightly on her head, she pushed her arms through the sleeves of a gold lion-tamer jacket, finally together.

  She walked downstairs just as the doorbell rang. Rushing to open it, she squealed when she saw Sirena and her friend Sebastian standing in the doorway in full Rocky Horror gear. Sirena made quick introductions.

  Sebastian’s leather corseted-costume allowed her to see a decent amount of his slim yet muscular build. He had donned a large black wig, so she wasn’t sure of his hair color, yet his blue eyes stood out against the full facial makeup he wore. He was naturally tall, yet he towered over the two of them, with his chunky heels adding another few inches.

  Sirena had teased her hair and wore the French maid outfit, both of them looking as if they just stepped out of the movie. Laughing, she hugged them both.

  Walking into the room, more in command of his sky-high heels than Belle was, Sebastian circled around her before whistling.

  “Damn, sugar. Who are you trying to seduce tonight?”

  Confidence raced through her. So going to win!

  “Well, Aleks and I have a little bet going. I need to make sure all eyes will be on me tonight.”

  “Oh, honey. They will be. You’re going to be in many a man’s fap-bank tonight. Some women’s too.”

  Sirena smirked mischievously. “Wait till you get a load of Aleks.” Turning towards Belle, she explained, “Sebastian’s always had a crush on Aleks. From the sound of things, tonight he might have an actual aneurism.”

  “What, you haven’t seen the cop costume before?” Belle asked of Sebastian.

  “He’s not going as a cop, Belle.” Sirena wiggled her eyebrows. “Your bet’s going to get you both in a lot of trouble.”

  “Not if I win,” Belle started to protest when Sebastian’s jaw dropped and he exclaimed, “Well … touch-a, touch-a, touch me. Please.”

  Belle turned around, her mouth open as she watched Aleks make his way down the main stairs … in nothing but gold shorts only slightly larger than a speedo, and gold gladiator sandals. Fuck.

  She absentmindedly bit her lip as she followed his body movements down the stairs. His thigh muscles flexed with each step, and she craved a taste of the skin on his chiseled torso.

  She looked towards the swell in his shorts, knowing he was bulging more than the average male. Everything’s on full display. His hair was messily-styled, adding to the sex appeal. Women will be all over him.

  He smiled, a shit-eating grin, reading her thoughts, before stopping directly in front of her. His gaze lingered at her cleavage, heating her skin. He answered her unspoken question.

  “You wanted me to be part of your group. I was made to play Rocky, don’t you think?” He feigned innocence, as if previously agreeing to some master plan of hers. He winked at her as he went to give Sirena a hug. Going to shake Sebastian’s hand, he was instead pulled into an even larger hug as Sebastian playfully grabbed his ass.

  “I don’t recall ever asking you to be part of the group,” she squeaked out, unable to deliver a witty comeback, brain still frazzled from the closeness of his nearly naked body.

  “I didn’t want you to be the fifth wheel, baby girl.”

  “Then you should be Eddie. He’s with Columbia, not Rocky.”

  Aleks turned, face fierce as he walked into her space, pulling her waist into him. She nearly groaned at the contact. “I’m not exactly with you tonight, am I? If I recall … the point of tonight is to be with anyone but you. Unless, of course, you want to call the whole thing off.”

  Belle’s heart sank at his comment, fearing he enjoyed their bet a bit too much. Refusing to falter, she put on her sweetest smile as she countered, “I never back down from a bet I’ve made.”

  “C’mon, you two. We’re going to be late picking up Cynthia,” Sirena exclaimed, grabbing Sebastian’s hand, leading him outside and towards the limo.

  Holding her in place until they were alone, he surprised her with the intensity of his heated look. “Seeing you like this makes me want to forget the bet, take you upstairs, and have my way with you.” His hands trailed down to grab her ass, fingers finding their way under the fabric. He kissed the spot on her neck which made her moan. “You’re barely wearing any clothing,” he said into her skin.

  “Look who’s talking, Rocky.”

  “What can I say? I play to win.”

  “Well, Mister … cocky…” she cooed as she reached down and grabbed a handful of his manhood, already hard against her palm, “Have fun trying to hide this all night long.”

  “Not planning on it,” he squeezed her ass, pulling her hips into his hardening crotch before letting her go.

  “I should’ve known,” Belle exclaimed out the window as she took an exaggerated look up and down Cynthia’s body.

  Cynthia wore a white lace bra with white lace bloomers. Her date, who could have won a Ryan Reynolds look-alike contest, was dressed in a pair of white boxers with white socks and brown dress shoes.

  “Everyone, this is Steve. Steve, this is everyone,” she said as the pair rushed into the car.

  “Such a slut,” Belle laughed.

  “Look who’s talking,” Cynthia remarked as she settled into her seat, grabbing a champagne glass from Sebastian. “Your boobs are about to pop out to say hello.” Swallowing half the glass, she turned towards Aleks, taking in his costume. “Speaking of popping out … you better keep a close watch there, buddy. Mini-you is bound to make an appearance tonight.”

  “Are you blind, woman? More like not-so-mini-him. I haven’t been a
ble to avert my eyes since he walked down the stairs.” Sebastian playfully grasped Aleks’ thigh.

  Aleks answered with a smug smile, grasping Belle’s hand.

  Showing a display of affection in front of our friends is a good sign.

  Belle’s excitement increased as they pulled up to the bar. She felt a pang of guilt thinking of her father decorating without her. He had adorned the outside to the nines. Coffins, skeletons, a fake electric chair and graveyard, all strewn around the entryway.

  Aleks grabbed Belle’s hand as they climbed out of the car, leading her to the front. She had to admit, the group looked amazing. Each costume was near perfect, and each member looked marvelous. The spotlight was on them. A few of the women stopped their conversations with their girlfriends as they looked on in stunned silence. A few of the men tried to catch her eye as they appreciatively looked her up and down. Game on.

  As they got to the door, the bouncer smiled. “Good to see you again, Ms. Lahela, welcome.” He moved aside to let the group in, to the groan of patrons waiting in line.

  Belle showed them the entrance to their saved booth — the only “VIP” section in the bar. It was the only booth on the upper level, which they normally kept closed. As she, Sirena, and Aleks walked up the stairs, his hands grasped her hips and with each step they lowered down her thighs. She playfully swatted his hands away and as they got to the top she turned to look down at her bar.

  The stage was covered in fake cobwebs with spiders and smoke from the dry ice machine. A DJ was stationed near the center of the stage and bright purple and green lights pulsed to the beat. The tables normally lining the floor were all moved out to create a large dance space which was full of customers in costumes. The staff, dressed as Playboy bunnies and Chippendales, walked around with various shots.

  “This is amazing,” Sirena spoke into Belle’s ear, loud enough for her voice to be heard over the DJ.

  Pride flooded Belle’s system at Sirena’s comment. She missed her bar, a lot more than she realized. She hadn’t thought about Gabriel in weeks, but when she imagined his face, an anger lit in her gut.

  It was good to be back, but part of her silently wished the party was already over so she could go home and be alone with Aleks. She hated to admit it, but jealousy already coursed through her, along with an uncertainty about how the night would end. She already counted more than a dozen women ogling him. When Belle declined dancing for the moment, Sirena walked down the stairs to meet Sebastian, Cynthia, and Steve on the dance floor.

  She turned to look behind her at Aleks. He was sitting casually in the booth, his arms draped across the back, staring at her. She smiled, walking over to him and straddling his lap.

  “Is this the part where you tell me bet’s off and you know you lost?” he asked.

  “Hardly. But I’ll happily accept your surrender. Now is your one and only opportunity to do so.” She shimmied out of her jacket, releasing the full, ample cleavage the sequined corset top offered. She wrapped her arms around his neck before continuing, “I could let you take me back stage right now … all alone … to do whatever you wanted. We could be as loud as we wanted — no one would hear.”

  She smiled as he hardened under her. Pulling her waist in harder on top of him he asked mischievously, “Another challenge?”

  “Uh-huh,” she nodded as she kissed his lips. Her fingernails grazed his scalp, grasping his hair. “Admit you get jealous, and we can continue this,” she punctuated with a swivel of her hips.

  His hips answered hers as he bucked into her, “Are you trying to seduce me into winning?”

  She smiled seductively, hoping to turn him on more. “Yes.”

  “Sorry, not going to work. I told you; I don’t get jealous, and I always win.” He continued to gyrate against her, movements so subtle an onlooker wouldn’t be able to see. Belle’s breath quickened the moment.

  “As I recall … last time we were in a club you got awfully jealous.”

  The narrowing of his eyes indicated he remembered her kissing another man in front of him. She recalled the look on his face then, the anger which at the time both frightened and aroused her. Thinking of it now, she was just as aroused.

  “I don’t like when people touch my things.”

  She stopped her motions, disbelieving. “Your things?” His words stung.

  “You.” He backtracked, his hands grasping her ass, trying to force her to move against him.

  She refused.

  “I am not one of your things, Aleks.” Every time she thought she was making headway with him she was more disappointed. She got off of his lap, leaving a disappointed expression on his face.

  “I didn’t mean it like that,” he started but she smiled and cut him off. She bent down at the waist as she trailed her tongue on his erection over his shorts, ending it with a kiss.

  She stifled a giggle as she looked at him; mouth hanging agape, shoulders tensed, arousal obvious. “This ‘thing’ is going to show you just how many others want her.” She turned around, face heating as she came face to face with Sebastian at the top of the stairs. He’d witnessed her little move.

  Smiling, he told them, “Oh, please. Don’t stop on my account. I would kill to watch a little longer.”

  “You can take my place,” she retorted. Turning towards Aleks she continued, “I have more important things to attend to.”

  She recognized the look of regret when it crossed his face. She snaked her way out on the dance floor and grabbed Sirena and Cynthia. “Ladies, to the bar. I need a drink.”

  “What’s gotten into you?” Cynthia asked, seeing the look on Belle’s face.

  “Nothing. I have a bet to win. Nothing like a little liquid courage to get the ball rolling.”

  Ordering a shot for each of them, she ignored the look her friends gave her. As the shots came, she ordered another three for immediately after. “Cheers, bitches.”

  After downing the first, she couldn’t escape the look each girl was giving her. Cynthia spoke first. “Okay, what is your problem?”

  Belle took a breath as she explained. “My problem is him. He’s so frustrating. He’s hot and cold; I never know where I stand with him which only leads me to believe he’s not as into me as I am him. I want something he can’t give me. And it fucking sucks.”

  “I don’t understand you. You’re upset because you feel he’s not into you, yet you bet him you could be the bigger flirt?” Cynthia asked, eyebrow raised as she questioned Belle’s motives.

  “That wasn’t the bet,” Belle corrected, knowing no matter how she tried to explain it, it was going to sound stupid. Because it is.

  The next round of shots arrived on the bar, and Sirena handed Belle a glass.

  “Listen. I don’t want to think about this anymore. I just want to take this shot and dance — preferably with a hot guy to remind me Aleks isn’t the only available man.”

  Cynthia rolled her eyes as they raised their glasses. “Fine. If that’s what you want … then the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. Go show him what you’re capable of, love.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Down, boy,” Sebastian muttered, glancing at Aleks’ crotch before sitting across the booth.

  Aleks didn’t need to look down, knowing he was still hard from Belle sitting on top of him. He cursed at himself for the costume, knowing the minute he ordered it, it was going to be hard — pun intended — to keep himself at bay in such close proximity to Belle.

  He hated the idea of her bet in the first place. The thought of jealousy bothered him — it meant he cared who she went home with. His ego prevented him from turning her down. It wasn’t in his nature to just acquiesce when someone challenged him. Instead, he countered with his own terms, expecting Belle to refuse the idea in its entirety. When she accepted, when she allowed him the opportunity to do whatever he wanted, he was wounded. He didn’t like the idea of Belle not getting jealous over the possibility of his bringing someone else h
ome. Not like he wanted to. Hell, he hadn’t thought of another woman since the night he fucked up and almost lost his chance with her.

  Now here he was, sitting in her bar on Halloween, annoyed. The way she looked tonight — her ass in those shorts, her breasts nearly hugging her chin, her red lips begging to be wrapped around him — she would win. It would take just one dopey-eyed jackass looking at her and he knew he’d be unable to control himself.

  Sebastian slid a beer across the table. “Woman problems, huh?”

  He looked over at Sebastian and couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of his costume. He was in full drag, makeup and all, with high heels that rivaled Belle’s. He had known Sebastian as Ari’s gay best friend since they were young. Sebastian had made it painfully clear, on more than one occasion, that should Aleks ever decide he was going to swing the other way, he was to be the first in line.

  “You have no idea,” Aleks replied, taking a swig of his beer.

  “No, I don’t. You don’t have to either, if you catch my drift.” He wiggled his eyebrows and smirked. “I’ll admit, though, that one could make me reconsider the idea,” he shared, speaking of Belle.

  When Aleks glared at him he laughed, “Really? You’re going to look at me like that. Honey, you’re in for a rough night. Why don’t you just tell her she’s won and take her home?”

  When Aleks didn’t respond, Sebastian continued, “Although, based on the way she huffed on out of here, perhaps it will be an interesting battle.”

  Changing his voice to mimic a fight announcer he continued, “Welcome to tonight’s main event; ego verses ego in an all-out, no-holds-barred match. The domineering reigning champion — The Beast — in all his, ahem, golden glory. Against the challenger — she may be small, but she be fierce. Who shall win in this battle of the wills?”

  He brought his voice back to normal as he spoke, “My money’s on The Beauty. A woman desperate for an answer is nothing to mess with.”

  Aleks looked at him, confused. “An answer?”