“Can you make up your mind what you want at least?” she asks.

Once I secure the necklace, I lift her hair and set it down her back, inhaling the clean scent of her shampoo, the hint of her signature perfume beneath it.

“You look beautiful.”

She turns to face me. I still don’t move, and she has to tilt her head way back, so she sets one hand against the dresser at her back to slip on her sandals, then look up at me. They add five inches, but she still has to crane her neck.

“I hope Clifton likes the dress. I’ll make sure he knows you chose it for him,” she taunts, and I don’t have to shift my gaze from hers to see how her fingers play over the exposed skin of her thigh.

I grit my teeth and force a smile.

She steps around me. “I’m keeping the necklace, by the way.”

“It’s a gift. Of course, you are. And thank you is appropriate.”

“Oh, I’m not sure I’d classify it as a gift. I think I more than earned it, don’t you?”

I close the space between us, twirl a lock of thick, soft hair around my finger, then tilt her chin up. “Thank me.”

She licks her lips and searches my face. “How would you like me to thank you, your honor? On my knees?” She reaches a hand to cup the crotch of my pants, and I grab her wrist, my breath hissing. “You’ll ruin my makeup.”

“You really think a man like Clifton Phillips can handle you? You’d eat him alive.”

She grins, pleased. “Better that than him eating me, don’t you think? Although…” I feel myself tense. Feel the heat of possessive jealousy begin to burn inside me. I squeeze her wrist.

“Relax, Judge.” She giggles. “No one’s eating anyone tonight.” Pulling free, she turns and walks out of the bedroom, not bothering to close the door. I listen to her heels click as she steps down the stairs.

Clifton Philips arrives right on time, and Lois shows him into the living room, where I watch from my place by the fireplace, my arm resting against the stone mantel. Mercedes smiles her Society smile. That’s what I’m calling it from now on. It’s one she gives all of them. Not me, though. This one she doesn’t insult me with. And as Clifton shines in her light, I hold that thought.

This is for show. I get the real Mercedes.

But I find it hard nonetheless to greet him as he comes to shake my hand and thank me for the invitation.