Page 11 of Queen of Vice

I was surrounded by beautiful women, the likes of which stayed dolled up even as they slept. Elena would surpass them at her worst. She was an enigma--a blend of fierce beauty and haunting vulnerability. Her long, dark hair framed a face that was both delicate and strong, with eyes that seemed to hold the weight of the world in their depths. They captivated him, those eyes—dark and expressive, often reflecting a storm of emotions she tried so hard to keep in check. Her skin, a warm, sun-kissed tone, hinted at her heritage and added to her allure.

Her lips were full and enticing, often set in a determined line but capable of breaking into a smile that could disarm even the most guarded of men. The way she held herself, with an air of defiance and a touch of grace, spoke of someone who had seen too much but refused to be broken by it. I saw not just the woman she presented to the world but the one she hid from everyone, including herself.

Without a doubt, I knew that Elena was both a prize to be claimed and a challenge to be met. She was the kind of woman who could stand beside me even after I broke her down, and still maintain identity. That, more than anything, was what fascinated me the most.

As we sat there, I made the decision to burn her sweatpants. They were too effective in highlighting the roundness of her ass, and it wasn't fair for her to expect me to always be there to defend her against anyone who took a look. Once she’d eaten a few more bites, she took a sip of her drink and then sat back in the same way I had, gesturing to my untouched plate. “You haven’t eaten anything.”

“No, but you have and that’s all that matters.”

She reached out and began fiddling with a napkin, a sign she was growing uncomfortable. I debated if I should get right into things or be a considerate gentleman for five minutes. I went with the latter.

For Elena, I would try my hand at being a saint for a day if the situation called for it. “Would you like to get anything off your chest? I'm an excellent listener and can

Her gaze dipped to the table, and I had to refrain from grabbing her face to make her look at me again. “I’d much rather discuss whatever it is that has you suddenly interested in me and why we’re here.”

Thank fuck. In truth, I didn’t give a damn about her losses. How could I when they were my gain? But the last part of her statement didn't sit well with me. “My interest is anything but sudden, anjinho. And a man taking a woman to breakfast isn’t all that unusual.”

Her brows furrowed. “Right…but you aren’t just any man, and this isn’t just breakfast. You’re very Baron von Rotten-ish.”

I didn’t know who the fuck that was, but they sounded important. The fact she realized who sat across from her had me fighting back a grin.

“And what would that make you, Elena?”

She grew quiet once more. I watched her struggle to find words and as something else slithered into her gaze, poorly veiled curiosity joining an emotion I was well acquainted with.

Fear.

Perhaps of me or what I could do to her. Maybe both. If only she knew what I inevitably would do to her.

It was all so stimulating.

With a slight clearing of her throat, her mask was back in place. It was amusing that she believed I couldn’t see right through it. “How much do you know about me?”

“The better question is what don’t I know about you?”

“I imagine there’s not much you haven’t already figured out.”

There was a silent but in there somewhere. I was eager to learn what she thought I didn’t know. However, I wouldn’t reveal my full hand and ruin the fun.

“You’d be correct in that assumption. But why don’t we get to why I really brought you out here?” I began, pleased when her attention didn’t waver. “You need me,” I stated plainly.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

She slowly shook her head. “I don’t understand why you’d think that. If anything, what I need is to stay away from you.”

“Is that why you got into my car and allowed me to bring you to this rural diner?”

“You make it sound as if I planned this. You didn’t give me much of a choice.” She tucked some of her hair behind one ear and then reached for her orange juice.

“I allowed you to choose. For the record, you choose wisely.”

“I don’t…” she trailed off and took a breath to try and conceal her frustration. “I don’t want to talk in circles.”

“We have that in common.”

I could feel the anger radiating off her as I continued to toy with her.

---