Page 7 of Cat and Mouse

"Business?" she echoes, sounding intrigued. "And pleasure?"

"Maybe."

She moves closer, her hand resting on my thigh. "I like a man who can handle both."

I smirk, the challenge in her eyes sparking a familiar thrill. "You have no idea."

The music pulses around us, bodies moving in sync with the rhythm. She leans into me, her body pressing against mine, a subtle invitation. Her dress clings to her curves, shimmering under the club lights, revealing just enough to tempt.

I take in her blonde hair cascading down her back, strands falling loose around her shoulders. Without hesitation, I reach up, twining my fingers through her hair, tugging gently. She lets out a soft gasp, her eyes locking with mine, a hunger mirrored in her gaze.

Our conversation drifts into casual flirtation, the dance of words and touches. But my mind is always half-focused on the room, on who's watching, on who could be a threat.

I guide her onto the dance floor, pulling her close as we move together in a provocative rhythm. She matches my intensity, her body moving fluidly against mine, the heat between us palpable.

As we sway to the music, I catch glimpses of admiration and envy from onlookers. In this moment, she's mine, and the power play is exhilarating. I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear.

"You dance as if you were born for this," I murmur, my voice husky.

She tilts her head to me, her breath warm against my neck. "Maybe I was waiting for the right partner."

I tighten my grip on her waist, pulling her closer. The scent of her perfume mixed with the subtle tang of sweat fills mysenses. The club fades into the background as we lose ourselves in the dance, in the seductive game we play.

It's been a while since I've taken a woman to bed, longer still since I've found someone who matches my... kinks. She's confident, assertive, unafraid to meet me head-on in every way. I find myself drawn to her spirit, to the challenge she presents.

The night stretches on, a blur of music and whispered promises. We steal moments in dark corners, exchanging heated kisses and hushed desires. Each touch, each kiss, ignites a fire between us that burns brighter with every passing moment.

Eventually, the thumping beat of the music slows, signaling the approaching end of the night. We linger in the shadows, our bodies pressed close, reluctant to let go.

"You're something else," she murmurs, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest.

"And you're trouble," I reply, a smile tugging at my lips.

She laughs softly, the sound echoing in the quiet moment between us. "Maybe. But you love trouble, don't you?"

I meet her gaze, holding it steady. "Maybe I do. But not tonight. I will find you again."

"I will be waiting, Leonardo."

I excuse myself, needing a moment of solitude. I head to the balcony, the night air cool against my skin. The city stretches out before me, vast and unwilling to give up its secrets.

My phone buzzes with a message from my father: Be safe.

Ah, bless his heart. He worries way too much.

"I'll be fine Papa,"I text back. This is the other reason I don't want to take over the business. When he's busy, he's distracted. And when he's distracted, he worries less.

He jokes about my mother haunting him if anything happened to me, but I have the same fear. If he died from worry, she would straight up poltergeist me.

She died so I could live.

I owe it to her to keep the love of her life safe... and sane.

Her death cannot have been in vain.

I will keep him safe. I will stay safe.

I pocket the phone as I stare out at the skyline. Safe is relative. But I'm careful, always.