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Until now

I hidtaunted me on my phone I loved my father and brother—so damn much—but if they knew…the proverbial shit would hit the fan

“Oh, God” I clutched my heart as another stick-thinto show off the intricate peacock-blue dress to its advantage “No one will buy it if they can’t see the potential of the design”

Vaughn sighed “You worry tooAnyone can see that” His dark eyes landed onperfectly, and I couldn’t be prouder of you” My twin brother draped his ar the word ‘twin’ , and overall more vibrant than me He made others envious with his natural beauty, while I made others feel beautiful with dresses seith twenty-four carat gold and dyed with exclusive inks costing a small fortune

I supposed that wasothers feel worthy while he sold products thanks to his allure Mirror iht—the direct opposite

“You’re amy clothes?”

Vaughn laughed “My figure doesn’t look good squashed into some sequinned frock Create soht stoop and be your headline act”

I thumped his arm “You know I don’t have the drive to stitch suits and boxer-shorts I keep telling you to go into business with —”

Vaughn rolled his eyes “Can’t afford me”

I scowled “Afford you? I’ve heard a perky pair of boobs and sex will buy your attention for at least a weekend”

He pointed at lint in his eye “I see no perky pair and…gross, Nila You’reabout sex? You knoere raised better than that”

I didn’t want to laugh I didn’t want to lose the wound-up tension frohn never failed to earn a lip-twitch

I sighed, shaking my head “Sex, shmex You’d be lucky if I hired your scrawny ass”

He s scrawny?” He waved at his tall frame “My skills are on the other end of the caht teeth flashed—daring anyone to deny the truth

I used to be jealous of his deliciously good looks My brother was rich brocade while I was boring calico But noas proud Iembellishment by other means than fate, but I knew the secrets of illusion I’d spun irl, stepping froreatness for myself

“Well if the show tonight flops, at least you can bail od-like looks”

A laugh barrelled from his mouth, loud but still hidden by the sultry fashion show uise the heavy press and body heat of nuue procurers

Vaughn squeezedyou I want a s so damn pessimistic and celebrate”

“I can’t celebrate until the last arment and not tripped over their arse in a seven thousand dollar dress”

My phone buzzed again

I froze, cursingstomach and the fire-bolt tomale who had more power over er no less

It’s a sad day when I’m emotionally invested in a fantasy I should never have replied to the incorrectly sent y I had left after working so hard and find a real man One I could kiss and flirt with in person

The jagged pain lashed again Rejection I’d asked Kite, after a late night volley of

Needle&Thread: So…I ondering…I’ht like to do that soether?

I’d pressed send on the jumbled, aard sentence before I lost ave me a heart attack

He’d never replied Silence was his usual reaction to dealing with soe a few days later on a completely different subject

Where sexual innuendoes were hard foret we had no depth to our conversations…not that they were conversations

When he did reply, it’d been a cleverme not to read into this shallow form of communication

Kite007: I’ and all I can think about is your nun outfit You wearing underwear today?

Yep That stoppedhim in person

Untanglinged in the very first text I received The one that began it all

Kite007: Tonight won’t work for irl and don’t argue I’ll make sure to reward your patience

A shiver worked its way under e like that Ever And it wasn’tforward to her reward I tried to delete thehidden away from boys, I couldn’t help myself

My reply was utterly ridiculous

Needle&Thread: I’ of sexual hints and not-so-subtle suggestions Patience toWet to me is the brief enjoyment of a shower before the slave labour of er who could be your hty-year-old) wet and patient, perhaps you could bribe ht off from work—then perhaps I’ll obey and ‘deserve’ your veiled insinuation of pleasure (By the way…if you haven’t guessed, wrong number)

And so began a

I groaned underto suffer a wash of embarrassment I had no idea where the flippancy came from I wasn’t a nun—but I wasn’t far off Thanks to the two per was a rare event

A curvy model coasted down the runway in my favourite creation of cream lace, Victorian collar, and external bustle I intended to head the trend of a historical fashion comeback

“That would look better on you” Vaughn’s husky voice cut through the graceful music

I shookdown at my small cup size and overly tri, I added, “You need femininity to pull off a corset like that I’m a rake”

“Only because you exercise too damn much”

Only because I have you and father stoppingexercise in sexual for was my only hope at a release

Theup the catwalk I suffered a moment of envy It would be nice to have boobs and hips

Vaughn’s strong fingers caughtmy non-descript hazel eyes to his vibrant chocolate ones “We’re going out tonight Hitting the Milan night clubs” The low lights around the runway loith a natural dusky tan His blue-black hair was the one beautiful thing I shared Thick, dead straight, and so glossy people said it was like looking into black glass

My one saving grace

Oh, and my ability to sew

And flirt with a stranger on an impersonal device

My phone buzzed—a re delicious for me to read And it would be delicious

Dae to look alingbut dirty fantasies My ain jumped back to the first relay of texts

Kite007: Shit, you’re a nun? Sorry…what’s the correct terise for the incorrectly sent , you deduced correctly It was in fact very sexual The woman in mind would never be welcomed into a sanctity such as yours

I’d had no reply to that, but he’d sent another twenty minutes later

Kite007: Sister…I need absolution I findand sliding into a hot bath with chocolate sauce on her lips Does thatme lust for someone I shouldn’t?