Page 5 of Lethal Infatuation

I looked down between us and frowned. "Let go of my wrist and I'll tell you."

"Are you going to try to run off again?"

"No."

He bent his head down slightly, his face inches away from mine. "You sure?" he mocked.

"I'm sure." I clenched my teeth and tried to remain as neutral as possible. Slowly, he unwrapped his hand and gestured towards the bar stool.

"Sit, Gabriella." The command was rough, but the way myname rolled off his tongue was the complete opposite of that. The sound was almost dizzying.

Reluctantly, I sat down, keeping my eyes on his. "I'll have champagne."

"No vodka?" So he had been watching us the entire time. I shook my head, making his lips curve into a small smile. "One glass of champagne for the lady, please," he said to the bartender and the man nodded.

Nicolas wrapped his large hand around the glass and took a slow sip of his alcohol. "Is there a reason why I'm joining you for a drink?" I asked.

"What?" He feigned innocence. "Can't a man have a drink with a beautiful woman?"

"Flattery will get you nowhere." I crossed one leg over the other and his gaze dropped towards my thighs, albeit for a split second.

"That doesn't mean I can't try." Another sip of whiskey. "I wanted to get to know you."

"Why's that? Dating apps not working for you anymore?" It was a low blow, but I didn't understand the man's sudden fixation on me.

"I don't require dating apps." He pushed the champagne towards me. "I prefer the traditional way of doing things."

When I grabbed a hold of the flute, my fingertips lightly brushed against his hand. I could feel the blood rushing straight to my cheeks. I've never reacted to a man in this manner, so I didn't understand what was happening.

There was a glint in his eyes, but it vanished as soon as it appeared. "Interesting." I took one long swig, allowing the sweet liquid to trickle down my throat. "I had a drink with you, are we done with this little chat now?"

"What's the rush?" He moved his body in my direction, hisknee brushing against mine. "We've got all night."

"I'm not in the mood for small talk."

"A woman after my own heart."

"What do you want, Nicolas?" His name sounded bitter as it left my mouth.

"Do you want an honest answer or the sugar-coated version?"

"Honest answer." Normally, I wasn't this curt with anyone, but for some reason he just rubbed me up the wrong way. His fresh scented cologne lingered in the air and I just knew the scent would haunt me for the rest of the week.

"I think you know the answer, but I'll tell you anyway."

He leaned in and my breathing quickened. We were too close for comfort and the proximity affected me immensely. "I want you," he whispered, his eyes flicking to my lips. "In every way possible."

I gasped at his confession and gulped, digging my nails into my thighs. "What?" I asked breathlessly.

"Looks like you have some emotion after all." He leaned back, swiping his thumb across his bottom lip. "Even if it's unorthodox methods that bring it out of you."

I was flustered and the flimsy material on my body felt like thick clothing, slowly suffocating me to death. For the first time since our first interaction, I was rendered speechless.

Heat pooled in my lower belly and I shifted in my seat. His suggestive tone of voice and subtle hints really did a number on me.

"Shutting you up has definitely been the highlight of my evening," he teased, getting off from the stool and shrugging on his suit jacket that I hadn't even noticed was on the empty chair next to him. "Dance with me."

He held his hand out and I looked at it as if he was handing me poison to drink. When I looked up, his focus was solely on me, his gaze burning a hole right through me.

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