Page 19 of Dangerous Contract: Part 1

“I was just about to do that,” she fibbed as he helped her off the stool. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here waiting,” he told her.

Smiling, she added an extra sway to her hips as she strode across the room to her friends, who were watching her like a hawk. If she’d been thinking with her head instead of her pussy, she would’ve realized that he’d said her whole name, but she’d never told him her name. But she wasn’t thinking with her head. And once she finally realized it, it was too late.

By then, he already owned her.

Chapter Three

MONIQUE

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Her friends smiled as she approached them. She continued swaying her hips from left to right because she knew Sin was watching her from behind. She stopped in front of where her friends were seated and placed her hand on her hip, posing. Shoulders back, chin high, Monique made her announcement.

“I’m going to get laid tonight!”

“You’re going to do what?” Meka asked.

“Do it!” Toya encouraged. “Do it all night long. And a few rounds in the morning, too. Do it until you can’t do it anymore. Do it until your body begs you to stop doing it. Just do it.”

Monique smiled at her friends. Excitement flowed through her veins. Or maybe that was the alcohol. No matter what it was, it felt good. She felt good. And she was ready to feel even better.

“Toya!” Meka cried. “We can’t encourage her to run off with the first guy she meets. Even if that guy is one of the Cattaneos.”

Monique’s eyes widened. “One of the who? The Cattaneos? You mean, the family who owns this casino and every other Cattaneos Casino and Resort along the Gulf Coast?”

“And they’ve expanded to other states,” Toya informed her. “Look at you, diva. You bagged a rich hottie on your first girls’ night out. We raised you well, young padawan.”

Monique chuckled at theStar Warsreference as she tossed her hair over her shoulder, acknowledging that she was indeed still a baddie. Or whatever the new generation was calling it these days. Maybe it was thot. No, it wasn’t thot. She was pretty sure it was baddie.

“Wait, guys,” Meka spoke up. “Let’s think about this for a second. The crime rate in this state has gone up. Women are being snatched up left and right these days. It’s dangerous out here in these streets, especially for black women. If you go missing, you won’t get any screentime on the news. They’ll sweep your disappearance under the rug. And this isn’t me being overdramatic. I’m for real.”

Monique’s smile faded. Meka was right. Perhaps Monique was being too naïve to think she could just safely go out and have a one-night stand.

“You’re right,” Monique agreed, surprised at the amount of disappointment she was feeling. “I don’t know this man. I don’t even have any condoms. What if he doesn’t have condoms? What if he gets me to his room and won’t let me leave? What if he’s a serial killer? And here goes my silly ass, offering myself up to be victim thirty-two!”

“Victim thirty-two? Well, that escalated fast,” Toya drawled. “Look, you’ve got nothing to worry about. I took a picture of the two of you at the bar talking. I have proof that he was the last person you were seen with. Therefore, if you die, we’ll get justice for you.”

“But I don’t want to die,” Monique explained.

“Right!” Meka added. “Ain’t no dick worth dying over.”

“She’s not going to die. Meka, stop being overdramatic and scaring Monique. Listen, Monique, you’re in safe hands with this man. This particular Cattaneo isOrazio Cattaneo, the oldest brother in the Cattaneo family, who runs this casino. And the sexiest, if you ask me. Unlike his other brother, he doesn’t haveany scandals. He does have an older cousin, who is fine, too, but he has a few scandals. But we’re not here to talk about him. We’re talking about the oh, so fine Orazio. And look at how he’s staring at you,” Toya said, staring past Monique. “He looks like he’s undressing you from across the room. Even I feel naked now.”

Monique glanced over her shoulder. Her gaze connected with Sin... no, that wasn’t his name. His name was Orazio Cattaneo. He raised his glass to his lips and took a sip. When he lowered it, he licked his lips, gaze never straying from hers.

“Girllll!” Toya drawled. “If you don’t fuck him, I will. Shiiiit. I volunteer as tribute.”

Monique smiled, imagining his sexy lips on her body. A shiver raced down her spine, cupped her ass, and tickled her most sensitive flesh.

“He’s mine,” she told her friends.

Arousal. That’s what she was experiencing. She was aroused by a stare. What would she do when he actually put his hands and mouth on her? More than likely, she’d end up begging for more. If she did, she’d lose the bet. Monique faced her friends.

“Have you changed your mind about leaving with him?” Meka asked. “If so, we can go home now and...”

“No,” Monique interrupted her. “I’m definitely doing him tonight.”

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