Velvet Sin

One – Fi

a –

-

ike oil paint and wi

slouching and start pretending you are not seventeen. My dress feels too tight, my lips to

, I tell

efore I

dark and expensive. His face isn't beautiful, not in the way most girls my age would describe, but it's... strik

he owns it. Or like he'

ourse she does. Her entire body

her laugh suddenly three no

is name i

world doesn't rush him. When he smiles at her, i

"This is my d

es mov

rything

etween us-something heavy and hot and wrong. He looks at me like he's

t offer my hand an

akes

His grip is firm. "Nic

his voice. Like a secret b

. "Yo

sness of the artist-but I don't hear any of it. Not really. All I hear is the blood rushing

my heartbeat. I wonder

-

work. Applause. Champagne. Awkward laughter. My mother disappears into

ear a painting of a fac

niel f

of us looking at the painting. The silence stre

he asks, low vo

makes me feel

says. "It's about exp

little. "You speak like

me then. A

all. Almost sad

. I know it. He knows it.

ll-loud and airy. "Bella, let's go. I want

back. Just

e says, professional now, ne

ply. But I can'

y, I turn onc

ill wat