Page 18 of Forever Touched

But, as I caught the slightest movement above the crowded dance floor, my gaze was pulled to her once more. She was in a large silver cage this time, perched on a swing. As if sensing my attention, she looked my way. Our eyes locked, even as the music stopped and a spotlight flooded her cage.

Time ceased to exist for a moment. It was only me and her, our gazes saying what words couldn’t.

I’m onto you, my narrowed eyes openly conveyed.

Her bright golden eyes widened a fraction, before narrowing as well and replying back,I don’t know what you’re talking about.

I curled my lips in a wicked smirk, hoping to rattle her.

She took in the smirk, then matched it with one of her own.

Oh, she wanted to play? Well, little did she know that thehuntwas my favorite part.

As she began to gracefully swing on the bar, expertly flipping and twirling, I tracked her every move. She could hide behind her silver masks and pretty little smirks all she wanted. I would unearth her secrets soon enough. Maybe nottoosoon, though. I wanted to have a little fun with her first. A little payback for blindsiding me last night.

She wasn’t the only one who excelled at luring in prey.

Maybe an hour passed before her movements changed, becoming more erotic. I sat up straighter, realizing what was happening. Shewas on the hunt. Not for me, though. Following her line of sight, I spotted her unwitting target in the crowd below, staring up at her in rapture.

HadIlooked like that? Like a drunken fool missing all of his brain cells?

I snorted, disgusted once more.

Not surprisingly, she crooked her finger at him minutes later, pulling a card from her top as she dangled upside down from the bar to give it to him. I shook my head, glancing down to see my hand tightly fisted on my thigh. Relaxing my hold, I watched her for several more minutes, not missing the way her diamond navel piercing flashed in the light. My mind suddenly pictured her dancing in that cage completely naked.

I quietly swore and banned the image, but my pants tightened all the same. She still had a hold on me. Maybe I should leave and come back tomorrow night. The spell should have worn off by then. But before I could get up, she crooked her finger a second time, choosing a new target. My gaze shot back into the crowd and found the male. He was masked like everyone else, but as he reached up and eagerly accepted the card, recognition shivered through me. There was no mistaking the intricate clock tattoo on his forearm.

Benjamin Osborne was a Venturi noble. An earl. Centuries old, even if he only looked to be in his early twenties, same as me.

He used to be a close friend of mine, up until recently. We’d attended our fair share of feeding dens and orgies together, but that felt like a lifetime ago.

Knowing what I knew about him, a sudden wave of protectiveness surged through me. Not for him. Forher. For a split second, I considered leaving her to her fate. She’d chosen this life. Chosen to allow males like Benjamin into her bed night after night. I banishedthe cruel thought before it could finish forming. Despite my personal grievances against her, she didn’t deserve to spend a night with the likes of Ben Osborne.

I was out of my seat in a flash. But as I rushed forward, the spotlight winked out and she vanished.

Cursing under my breath, I sought Ben out in the crowd. When my search came up empty, I made for the exit that led to the elevators. The same two bouncers were standing guard there, but Ben was nowhere to be found.

“Did you let someone go up a few minutes ago?” I questioned them, not bothering to keep my voice down. “A male about six feet tall with black hair similar to mine.”

They just stared at me. After a moment, the bigger one held out his hand palm up.

I shook my head, irritation bleeding into my tone. “No, I’m not here for that.”

“Clients only,” the bouncer droned, lowering his arm.

Grinding my teeth together, I jerked a hand through my short hair before growling, “I’ll buy her out tonight. Double the asking price. Send her clients away.”

Both bouncers raised their eyebrows, but otherwise, didn’t react.

“I want the whole night with her. Call your boss and have it arranged, if need be. Do it now, and I’lltriplethe price, plus pay you each a thousand for the trouble.”

That put a fire under them.

The burlier one wandered off a short distance to make a phone call, while the other studied me with renewed interest. Instead of staring him down like instinct demanded, I gave him my profile. Keeping my identity hidden was going to be nearly impossible now.

A wholenightwith her? I’d officially lost all common sense.

The bouncer returned before I could change my mind, extending his hand once more. “One hundred and twenty grand, and she’s yours for the night.”

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