Just one night

Elizabeth POV

It was almost time.

I stood in front of my closet, heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and something dangerously close to guilt.

My fingers brushed over each hanger until I landed on a black dress—short, tight, with a plunging neckline that screamed trouble.

It wasn’t my usual style, but then again, nothing about tonight was usual.

I slipped it on, smoothing the fabric down my hips. It hugged my curves in all the right places, clinging like a second skin.

I added my favorite red gloss, thick mascara, and winged eyeliner for good measure. Then came the heels, ten inches of confidence in shiny black leather.

One last look in the mirror and I froze.

Damn.

I looked nothing like myself.

The girl staring back at me was bold. Sexy. Untouchable.

The kind of girl Christian probably expected to see when he came to sign the contract—confident, loud, and sultry.

The kind of girl Jessica had always been.

Not me.

And yet, here I was, playing dress-up in a life that didn’t feel like mine.

This isn’t who I am, I reminded myself as I grabbed my purse. It’s just for tonight. One night. Then I go back to being invisible.

I walked out of the room, the soft click of my heels echoing against the marble floors.

The guards stationed in the hallway lowered their heads as I passed, carefully avoiding eye contact.

I didn’t blame them.

I looked like sin and trouble wrapped in one.

Christian’s wife or not, I knew better than to think they didn’t notice. But I appreciated the attempt at professionalism.

I descended the grand staircase, already bracing myself for Nana’s reaction. She didn’t disappoint.

“Elizabeth!” she gasped the moment she saw me. “You look like a hooker!”

I rolled my eyes, grinning. “That’s not very nice.”

She squinted at me disapprovingly. “Your breasts are practically falling out of that dress. For God’s sake, put on a jacket.”

“Ugh,” I groaned. “What’s the point of going to a club if I’m not practically naked? This is the uniform, Nana. I don’t make the rules.”

“You have no shame,” she muttered, but I caught the amused twitch at the corner of her lips.

“I’ll be fine,” I said, stepping forward and pulling her into a hug. “Promise.”

She sighed, squeezing me tightly. “Here, take this.” She slipped a small canister into my hand.

I blinked. “Pepper spray?”

“Just in case any drunk fool thinks he can touch what doesn’t belong to him.”

I laughed, tucking it into my purse. “Thanks, Nana. You’re the best.”

“No drinking till you pass out. No dancing on tables. No kissing strangers. And be back before one.”

I saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”

She gave me one last look, her eyes softening. “Take care of yourself, darling.”

“I will.”

As I turned to leave, she called after me,

“Dan is waiting outside. He’ll drive you and he’s under strict orders not to say a word to Christian.”

I smiled. “Perfect.”

I stepped out into the night air, my heels clicking against the pavement, heart thudding with something that felt like freedom.

For tonight, I wasn’t the girl abandoned in her husband’s mansion.

I was just a girl looking for a night off from reality.

And God help me, I planned to take it.

*********

The car came to a smooth stop in front of a neon-lit building, the bass of the music already vibrating through the pavement.

The club's name glowed red above the entrance like a warning or a promise—depending on what you were looking for.

Dan killed the engine and looked at me in the rearview mirror. “I’ll go in with you.”

“What?” I blinked. “No. Absolutely not.”

His brow furrowed. “Mr. Reed gave specific instructions—”

“To protect me,” I cut in. “Not to babysit me like I’m five.”

He stepped out and came around to open the door for me. I got out, wobbling slightly in my heels but owning it like I’d been doing this for years.

Dan wasn’t convinced. He folded his arms, standing like a wall of muscle in his black suit. “If something happens to you, I’m dead.”

I tried a different approach—less protest, more charm. “Come on, Dan. Look at me.” I gestured to my outfit. “Do I look like I want to be seen walking in with a bodyguard? You’ll scare the fun away before I even get in.”

He raised a skeptical brow.

“Honestly,” I went on, flashing a playful smile, “the moment they see you, all the guys are going to think I came with my boyfriend. No one’s going to even buy me a drink.”

He muttered something under his breath, something that sounded dangerously close to “That’s the point.”

“Fine,” he finally relented. “One hour. Thirty minutes max. If I don’t hear from you by then, I’m coming in to drag you out myself.”

I grinned. “Deal.”

He shook his head, already regretting it.

“Stay out of trouble, Miss.”

“I’m just going to dance. What kind of trouble can I possibly get into?”

Famous last words.