~Avery's POV~
The time was now ten minutes to eight and both me and Amber were done with our hair and makeup and we had gotten into our dresses. I stood in front of a full body mirror. I scanned myself with a catch in my throat. Never in my life had I ever looked this beautiful. When I had my prom at school and wanted to get dolled up with the help of my mother, all she would say was 'wear whatever you have in your closet'. She didn't want to help me with my makeup or fix my hair like the other girls' mothers did for them. So I never really cared for getting dolled up, for that reason mostly, I never had and I didn't have any fond memories of it either.
I was wearing a red silk dress that fell below my knees with a slit on the left side that almost went so high as to show my underwear. It was classy and sexy with thin straps and just a little bit of cleavage but not too much.
My hair was out and curled, falling down mid-back and pinned back with hair pins that had tiny crystals on them. My makeup was simple with some foundation, rouge and eye makeup along with a bold red lipstick that tied the whole look together.
Amber was wearing a short, green dress with a drape-like lace fabric in a soft green around her waist, showing off her incredible figure as well as her long legs. She had paired the dress with emerald green earrings that bedazzled everything and a beautiful necklace with same stone and color.
We stood there, me mesmerized by my appearance, tears nearly falling from my eyes but not quite because I didn't want to ruin my makeup. Amber was standing behind me with awe in her eyes as she complimented me on my appearance.
" Avery, you look amazing, you look like a true queen," she said with a soft voice but a stern face, indicating that she was serious.
" Thank you. So do you, you look gorgeous," I said as I looked at her through the reflection in the mirror.
" We're already a bit late so we should probably leave. Don't be nervous, everything will be fine, just enjoy yourself," she said after she probably realized my double intake of air after she said we should leave. I was extremely nervous about going down there and meeting everybody.
I wasn't usually nervous but this made me feel a whole lot of emotions and none of them were positive.
I simply nodded and followed Amber out of my room.
As soon as we stepped out I could hear music and chatter coming from the ballroom. Oh yeah! They had a ballroom. Did I forget to mention that?
This place was something else alright.
As we made our way down the stairs I could already feel eyes on me. I looked ahead with my head held high and a razor sharp focus on my walking so I didn't slip and tumble down the rest of the stairs in my heels.
Amber, sensing my nerves, took my hand and gave it a light squeeze which quickly made me feel calmer.
We made our way to the ballroom where the majority of the people were. My only thought was to not draw too much attention to myself. And right on cue a man in the center of the room raised his voice and everyone looked his way. I couldn't see him because of all the people that were in the way but as soon as he started talking, I knew who it was.
" Welcome everyone to the annual ball. Today I would like to welcome a very special guest-"
'Oh no. Oh no. Please don't. For the love of God, please do not do this to me.'
"-Avery Simons. I believe everybody will be on their best behavior and welcome our guest with open arms and respect. She will be by my side for the remainder of this evening so anybody who wants can come and speak with her."
At James' words everyone turned their attention to me. Like they sensed that I was the girl he spoke of. I quickly took a step back, feeling anxious being the recipient of all these eyes, some of curiosity, others of lust and some of jealously and hatred. At this moment I wish I would just melt through the floor and disappear.
I was snapped out of the haze when I felt a hand wrap around my waist. Considering how my body reacted to it, I already knew who it was. I looked over to see James standing beside me, looking down at me with a small smile on his face.
He has a nice smile. It's a shame he doesn't show it more often. I smiled back at him as he leaned down and whispered to me
" Everything will be fine. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere,"
"Thank you,"
" Don't thank me yet. I have my own reasons for staying beside you. If I leave you for even a second, many of these vultures will surely try and take you away," he said as he looked at all the males glaring at me. But as soon as they saw James's eyes, they quickly looked away.
" Well, whatever your reasons are, I appreciate it. And besides, I'm not anybody's to take." I said, truly appreciative of him being with me.
Upon hearing my words his gaze snapped to me and I could see his eyes growing darker by the second.
" I...I didn't me-" I was cut off by his hand slipping under the slit of my dress.
" James ..." was all I could say as my arousal grew by his touch.
" You're nobody's, huh?" He said as his hand gripped the hem of my panties and he pulled them slightly, wiggling them at my core.
" Say that again." his grip tightened and a slight sting burned my clit as he pulled roughly but smoothly enough for it to pass unnoticed by others
"I-I don't..." I couldn't speak. I couldn't think. I couldn't do anything other then begging him silently to touch me.
" I like this dress on you. It's easy access." He said with a smirk on his face as he ripped my panties from my body making me yelp. He quickly took them and put them in his suit pocket and cupped my face with his hand.
" Now, either you never utter those words again, or I take you behind those doors and fuck you till the sun rises. Which will it be?"
I was stunned. I was aroused and furious at the same time. Not a good combo.
" I won't." I submitted. I couldn't think clearly, but I definitely knew I didn't want James having sex with me right outside a room full of people. Though he would definitely pay for this later.
" Good girl," he said, chuckling. I could punch him. Beat his ass. Take one of these champagne bottles and smack him over the head with it.
" I am not some little girl who needs to be praised. Please do speak to me as an adult or refrain from speaking to me completely," I said sternly while staring into his eyes. Even though I was in heels he still towered over me. He was wearing an all black suit with a white button down underneath. Damn he looked hot.
He only shrugged as a response and then started talking to Alex who had just shown up.
As I was standing there I got a moment to look around at my surroundings and I must say, this room was star-struckingly beautiful. It was an English-victorian interior. The tables and chairs looked to be from the 1800's. The floor-to-ceiling windows had massive red drapes splitting in the middle and pinned to the sides with perfection. On the ceiling there was a gigantic chandelier hanging and even the ceiling had exquisite detailing to it.
My eyes wandered around the room, taking in all the details and the fairytale-looking scenery in front of me, when my eyes suddenly landed on a woman by the rounded bar in the corner.
The second our eyes met it was as if I was under some sort of spell. I couldn't look away. I was drawn to her. I felt my legs starting to move in her direction. I had no control over my body, it moved on its own command.
I had taken three steps when I was yanked back by my arm, breaking me out of my hypnosis. I looked to my side to see James holding my arm firmfirmly. His grip around my arm was starting to hurt but his eyes were fixed on those of the women at the bar. His jaw ticked and if looks could kill, she would be long dead.
" James... you're hurting me," his head snapped to me and his face suddenly changed, from anger to concern as he quickly let go of my arm and instead took my hand in his. Slowly stroking the back of my hand with his thumb.
" I'm sorry. How about you go upstairs and but on some underwear and then join us again? I have a few matters I need to discuss with Alex," What matters? I wanted to ask but refrained seeing as his eyes shifted back to the woman. Something about her was causing him distress.
I nodded and was about to let go of his hand and walk away when he pulled me back, hard enough for me to smack into his chest. His hand was still firm around mine as he took his other hand and cupped my cheek
" I'm really sorry, Avery," I looked at him confusedly, sensing that there was a double meaning behind his words. I looked into his beautiful eyes and saw a smile forming on his face, but it didn't appear genuine. More like pity and concern. I smiled back at him and nodded before taking my leave.