Tough Shit (Rejects Paradise 1)

I place it over my face, making sure not to ruin my makeup in the process and just as I go to fasten it at the back, Milo leans over. “Here, let me.” I beam at him and turn my head, knowing he’ll fasten it the way the hairstylist had suggested as to not ruin my hair. “There, perfect.”

I straighten up and pull the small mirror out of my purse and take a look.

It’s like a complete stranger staring back at me. My plum lips stand out with the black lace mask, but my blue eyes are so bright that they’re stealing the show. I hate how obnoxious that makes me sound, but tonight, I’m going all out and I don’t care who it offends.

Milo’s parents scoot out of the car and Milo quickly follows, knowing there’s bound to be a line of cars piling up behind us. Milo stands at the open door and offers me his hand. I graciously take it as I slip my leg out of the car.

The high split of my silk gown shows off my thigh but I quickly hurry out of the limousine and raise to my feet beside him, covering my legs before I go ahead and show off the goods.

Milo’s parents are long gone so we start making our way up the sixty-six steps to the front door. His hand falls to my back, leading me up the stairs like a true gentleman and I’m thankful knowing that I was bound to fall in these stiletto heels.

Milo’s hand brushes against the skin of my back, reminding me just how dangerously low it dips. If I was to make the wrong move, every guest at the party would get a good look at my lacy thong covered ass. Hell, without the Hollywood tape, I’m sure they would have already seen it.

The closer we get to the front door, the higher the nerves rise within me. I don’t understand why though. I shouldn’t be nervous. It’s just a party in the place I’ve been calling home, yet for some reason, I can’t wait to find Colton and show him just how amazing this gown really is. After all, he just paid 10k for it.

My feet are already hurting in these heels by the time we reach the top, but I’m determined not to let that ruin my night. I’ll stumble back to the pool house with bloodied feet if I have to. I won’t give this night up for anything. Besides, the funny little butterflies in my tummy keep whispering that tonight is going to be different, that Colton is going to be different. After all, he invited me here as his guest and that has to mean something, right? Maybe he’s ready to put the worst behind him or maybe he’s ready to tell me whatever it is he keeps holding back from me.

All I know is that Nic’s warning hasn’t stopped going through my mind and that’s probably because we still haven’t talked. I hate it. I don’t think I’ve ever gone a week without talking to him. Not even a simple text, but that’s what you get when you mix two people with stubborn as hell attitudes.

Soft music flows outside as Milo’s hand tightens on my lower back. “Are you ready?”

I look down, and quickly adjust the gloves that sit high above my elbows then follow the line down the soft golden silk that brushes gently along the ground. “Yeah,” I tell him, forcing the butterflies out once and for all. “I’m more than ready.”

We walk through the door and are instantly welcomed by a host who takes Milo’s jacket and asks if she can check my purse. I hold on to it and thank her anyway simply because I don’t think a complete stranger has ever been so kind to me before.

We get three more steps before a woman with a tray of champagne flutes comes walking by. Milo stops her and takes two glasses, handing one to me before sending her on her way. I instantly take a sip and notice it’s not the bitter champagne that I hated at the last party, but the sweet, fruity one that I had drunk instead.

Half the glass is gone before we even walk out of the foyer and into the main ballroom. We step through the doors and I’m surprised to see so many people already here. It’s only 7:30 pm but I guess when Charles Carrington is throwing a party, you want to soak up every last second.

I find myself looking around and can’t help but feel like tonight is an old school Taylor Swift song. It’s sparkling and enchanting. It’s everything I hoped from a fairytale night.

Milo and I get halfway across the floor when I find him.

Colton Carrington.