Page 11 of Seducer

“She likes you,” Brant threw across the table, breaking the beautiful, lingering moment of rare peace.

The ugliest part of me wanted to pummel his face for the interruption. At least the sane portion of me, however small, knew that wouldn’t present well in mixed company.

“She likes every man, dude,” Steve corrected, which was likely true. The statement brought another round of possessiveness to the forefront. While a part of me wondered why this girl enticed me so much, the answer was easy to ascertain. Any woman who felt comfortable enough to flourish behind a mask was far more intriguing than the typical female.

As quickly as the erotic dance had begun, it ended with the lights going dim, only a hint of blacklights shining from somewhere behind us.

“Would you look at the mask?” Jacob breathed.

“Amazing,” Brant chimed in. “See how popular these costume nights are?”

I rolled my eyes. He wasn’t letting this go.

Brant and Jacob ogled together as the Wild One, as she was called, did her best to lock eyes with every man standing closest to the stage. When she shifted her attention in my direction, I took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds. I could tell by the flash in her eyes and the shift in her gaze as she allowed it to fall down the length of my body that she was as interested as I was.

The attraction was all about intense, carnal needs.

As anticipated, our mutual admiration was interrupted as rowdy men crowded the stage, their behavior forcing three bodyguards to pounce.

I chuckled with amusement.

Worthless fucks who couldn’t control themselves.

My instincts told me that the Wild One was the only beautiful creature who stood a chance of ripping away the portion of the darkness threatening to destroy all that I savored.

Wealth beyond imagination.

More power than almost anyone in the country.

Being able to enjoy the fruits of years of labor, including acts of debauchery and pure evil.

The truth was toxic and disturbing.

I was unraveling from the core out.

Soon, I would fall prey to the monster dwelling inside of me, the one who’d once fed on the blood, death, and souls of all those I considered reprehensible. If my control finally broke free, there would be no recourse.

I would become the very beast I’d fought to contain.

After that?

There’d be no chance at redemption.

There was something telling in the way she reached for me, as if begging me to touch and taste her.

I lifted my glass, my heart thudding in my chest. The woman was far too much of a draw, increasing a need that I’d pushed into the darkest locked locations of my soul.

But I knew at that moment our paths would cross again. Perhaps tonight. Perhaps in a week or a month.

As soon as they did, I would invite her into my world. Once inside, she would never be free, chained by the satisfaction only I could provide.

My Wild One had no idea she’d already been chosen.

The thought should be revolting, but instead, I was electrified, hunger refusing to be denied until completely satisfied.

As my phone rang, I jerked my thoughts from the ridiculous abyss. This was one call I’d need to take.

“I’ll be right back. I need to take this outside,” I told the group absently as I stood. Why was it that I was immediately searching for the mystery girl, finding her seconds later?

---