Page 22 of Lethal Infatuation

"This is probably what you wanted," he said bitterly.

"What do you mean?"

"You wanted to turn me into a fucking madman," he said calmly, shaking his head. "I knew exactly where to find you. For one whole month, I've been restraining myself. Telling myself that you clearly weren't interested in me beyond sex."

My lips parted, but I pursed them, unable to respond. What did he mean by that? How did he find that information? Had he been watching me?

"Then I see you tonight in that dress." He trailed his eyes over my figure. I could've been standing fully dressed in front of him and I'd still feel naked under his gaze. Vulnerable. Exposed. "That fucking dress."

"What about my dress?"

"It makes me want to rip it off you and bend you over." My breath hitched, it felt like everything around us disappeared. "You have no idea what you've done to me."

I wanted to reach out to him, stroke my fingers through his hair and feel his skin against mine. I wanted to crash my lips onto his, nibble along his sharp jawline, and hear his groans of pleasure.

He didn't know what he'd done to me, either. My dreams consisted of him. One night together and now everything has been turned upside down.

"What have I done?" I needed to know. I was desperate for him to tell me.

"You've festered an obsession,mikrí petaloúda." Was that Greek? I didn't know what it meant, but I was familiar with the language and he'd used that term during our first…encounter. "You've managed to sink your claws so deep into me and I'm unable to get it out."

With his hands in his pockets, he took a step closer and gazed at me with dark eyes. "Now I plan to do the same to you, andthe next time we're entangled, the last thing you'll ever think of is leaving me. I'm obsessed with you and I'll never stop until you're obsessed with me, too."

TEN

The universe definitely had a twisted sense of humour. After the little interaction at the club between Nicolas and I, my best friend informed me that he worked as a federal agent.

Now the event planner, Helena, and I sat across Asher Braun, the special agent in charge of the Criminal Investigation Unit—the same unit Nicolas worked for. Apparently, Asher was extremely busy, so the only place we could meet up with him was at his office.

Nicolas wasn't anywhere in sight, because according to Kehlani, he was on a sabbatical. My curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know why. Did it have something to do with the scars on his chest and shoulder?

"I look forward to working with you," Asher said, getting up from his seat as we followed suit. "This charity event is extremely important and a lot of important people are going to bepresent."

"We won't disappoint you, Mr. Braun," Helena spoke up, shaking his hand firmly and then he moved to me next. He hummed in satisfaction.

"I know you won't. I've heard only good things about your company and it was highly recommended amongst my friends and family."

We bid our goodbyes and then we headed towards the exit. Someone called out to me, and when I turned around, Amala approached me with a bright smile. Her grey tendrils shimmered underneath the fluorescent lighting.

"Hey, Gabriella." She came closer, opening her arms for a hug. "It's so good to see you again, what brings you to the headquarters?"

"Hey, Amala." I reciprocated her actions, hugging her. "This is Helena, my colleague. Helena, this is Amala." I introduced them, but Helena politely excused herself and said she'd wait in the car. "We had a meeting with Asher Braun, it's regarding a charity event hosted by his family every year."

She nodded. "I'm familiar. He's also my superior." She came closer and whispered, "He doesn't really like hosting it because everyone's pretentious, but he doesn't have a choice."

I burst out laughing and shook my head. "I'm not surprised."

"Don't tell him I told you that, though."

"Your secret is safe with me." I chuckled. "Are you on a lunch break?"

"Unfortunately, no. I'm waiting on Kayden. We're working on a cybersecurity case and that's his area of expertise."

"That sounds interesting. It’s surely more exciting than event planning." Amala laughed, her pearly whites on full display.

"It's not that interesting, it's more stressful than anything else. I'm glad I ran into you, though, I'm having a housewarming at my new apartment this Saturday, you should come."

"I'd love to. Which reminds me, you should give me your number." I took my cell phone out of my handbag and handed it to her.

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