Page 3 of Unspoken Obsession

"I am a figment of your imagination. Nothing but a shadow."

"A dark and mysterious shadow." I grin. "I will admit. I rather like my imagination if this is what I thought up."

He chuckles and I love the sound. It makes me smile as it ripples through my body.

I lean against the bar, letting my eyes wander over him. He's built like he knows how to handle himself. Dangerous. Powerful. I know I should walk away, but something about him holds me captive. There's a charge in the air between us, a spark waiting to ignite.

He steps closer, just enough for the heat of his body to brush against mine. It's subtle, but it's enough to make my skin tingle. I'm playing with fire, and I know it.

"What brings you here?" he asks, his voice soft, intimate. It feels like a secret shared between us, a conversation no one else in this crowded room can hear.

I sip my drink, eyes never leaving his. "Just passing through."

"Passing through?" He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. "You don't seem like the type to pass through anything."

The way he says it makes my heart skip a beat. There's an intensity in his words, a challenge. He's testing me, seeing how far I'm willing to go.

I tilt my head, meeting his gaze head-on. "And what type do I seem like?"

"The type that likes to play games."

My pulse quickens. He's right. But I don't admit it. "Depends on the game."

His eyes darken the tension between us thick enough to cut. "I like games that end in fire."

The air between us crackles, the electric pull undeniable. Every instinct in me is screaming that I should walk away, that this man is danger wrapped in silk. But I've never been one to heed warnings.

"Dance with me," he says suddenly, holding out his hand. It's not a question. It's a command.

My heart thuds against my ribs, but I don't hesitate. I place my hand in his, the heat of his touch sending a jolt through me. As he pulls me onto the dance floor, the music shifts, something slow and sultry, perfect for the tension simmering between us.

His hand rests on the small of my back, pulling me close, and I let him. His touch is firm, and confident, like he knows exactly how to handle me. My body moves with his, our steps perfectly in sync, as if we've done this a hundred times before.

"What are you running from?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper as his lips brush against my ear.

I stiffened for a moment, surprised by the question. I look up at him, trying to gauge if he knows more than he's letting on. "Who says I'm running?"

His hand tightens on my waist, pulling me even closer. "Because I recognize the look. I'm running, too."

The admission catches me off guard. There's something raw in his voice, something I didn't expect. For a moment, I see past the mask, past the danger. There's something else lurking beneath. Something that mirrors the storm inside me.

"I don't run," I murmur, my breath catching as he leans in, his lips grazing my neck.

"No?" His voice is soft, teasing. "What do you do, then?"

I tilt my head up, my lips brushing his ear. "I chase."

His hand drifts down my back, his fingers trailing over my bare skin. Swaying in time to the music, my body is tingling up against his. I come alive. An intense need grows as my attraction towards him becomes deeper.

I gaze up into those stunning blue eyes and a mischievous smile graces my lips. He leans down, pressing his lips against mine. The kiss is slow, but so intense it takes my breath away.

I'm not sure how or why - but this man has captivated every cell in my body.

He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me close, whispering in my ear. "Follow me, little fox."

When he turns away, holding his hand out behind him, I slip my fingers into his without hesitation.

My heart races with the thrill of the unknown. "This is definitely not my scene," I say hesitantly, glancing back at the raucous party atmosphere. "I'm more of the 'stay in the shadows' type."