Page 6 of Bad Blood
I swallow hard, glancing behind me, noticing the creep from before is nowhere to be found. At some point, he got up and left. A small part of me wishes he would come back so I could see if the sexy alluring stranger would return.
“Nowhere,” I whisper in her ear. “Let’s go get you a drink and then you can show me your moves on the dance floor.”
I never stop looking for the man who saved me. When I dance to my favorite song, I pretend I’m dancing for him, and that he is out there somewhere watching me with those same hungry eyes from before.
6
Gabriel
Imade sure to wait until the perfect moment to step in. I hated watching that man put his hands on Mateo, and I have no idea why. I shouldn’t care what happens to him. I tell myself it’s because I don’t like the idea of anyone ruining my plans. If anyone is going to put fear in Mateo’s eyes, it’s going to be me. If anyone is going to teach him a lesson about making stupid choices, it’s going to be me.
My jaw clenches when the man reaches for his arm. I push my way through the crowd of people, ignoring their reaction to me shoving them out of my way. It’s my time to shine and become the hero. The man wasn’t a part of my original plan, but I decided to use it to my advantage. It’s the perfect way to have Mateo gain my trust. To make him assume I’m a better person than I am. I send the asshole to the floor and don’t stop there. Mateo watches me tentatively and I enjoy it way more than I should.
Walking away is harder this time with the way his eyes hold mine captive. I’m tempted to take what I want from him right then and there, but the timing isn’t right. I need him begging for it. I need him to be desperate and a pathetic mess. Judging by the way he watched me walk through the crowd, I am on my way. I walk up to the second floor and grab a drink at the upstairs bar. I watch him dancing below with his friend and his movements are imperfect and sloppy, but beautiful.
The golden liquid swishes in my glass as my eyes continue to be held captivated by the man dancing below me. I no longer know or care what song is playing. It could be the most annoying song in the world, and I wouldn’t notice. His curls are wild and flowing around his face as he continues to spin around the woman he’s with. I enjoy the way his smiles and how his laughter brightens his face, making him look free. I suddenly crave to be the one to rip it right from him. To be the one to rob him of his innocence and every good left in him. He would enjoy every minute of it too. I lick my lips when he tilts his head back revealing the smoothness of his neck. His eyes locking with mine nearly have me losing all composure. I know I should leave, but I struggle to pull away from the heat flowing in his eyes. Someone’s hand slides on my shoulder and when I turn around, I am met with a server in a short dress eyeing me up and down. “Can I get you another drink,señor?”
Her English is too perfect for her to be from here, but then again so was mine. It had to be. Hers was completely free of an accent though and mine told anyone who met me that Spanish was my first language. I set my cup on the tray after downing what’s left of my drink. “No,estoy bien.”
Before she can respond back, I’m sliding in between the occupied tables and hurrying down the stairs. I didn’t even look back to see if my little prince was still dancing or not. The thought of someone else dancing with him, besides his friend, left a sinking feeling in my gut. How could I be jealous when he was nothing to me? Nothing more than a pawn in a game. And like any game, when it ended, I would no longer need him. The cool air hits my face and I tug my coat tighter to my chest, hurrying to the darkened parking lot. When I reach my car, something falls from my pocket and I reach down to retrieve it. The folded piece of paper doesn’t look familiar and I’m wondering if I should even read it here. Going against my better judgment, I let it unfold in my hands. The writing is sloppy and in Spanish.
Is this the only way you will communicate with people? I didn’t think I would see you again but if you are reading this letter then that means I have.
I crumple the paper in my fist and am cranking my neck at the sound of a soft voice behind me. “Is it?”
My heart beats faster when I’m once again caught in his gaze.
He speaks again but this time louder and with more confidence. “Who are you and why did you do that in there?”
I swallow the lump in my throat, unable to pull my eyes from his bobbing Adam’s apple.
“I’m the man who was just leaving. If you are smart then you will let me. Go back inside, little prince. You shouldn’t be out here alone.”
“But I’m not alone. You are here.” He inches closer and I let him. My feet remain cemented to the ground. No one has ever had this effect on me before, and out of all people, it’s him who has me wanting things I’ve never wanted with anyone else. Things I could usually live without. The closer he gets, the more I want to taste those perfect lips. The plan was for me to break him, not the other way around. He threw off my focus when he was near and he had me changing the plan I made on my way here. I had it all completely mapped out before I walked into that club. Him making me want him only makes me hate him more. Once again, this isn’t a part of the plan. I wrap my fingers around his chin, tilting his head back. I hate the sparks that dance along my skin when I touch him. “Trust me, you are more alone than you think, little prince.”
7
Mateo
“Little prince.”
He keeps calling me that and I don’t know why. Maybe he’s right, I shouldn’t be out here. But something about him fascinates me and it’s not just because he keeps showing up in all the places I’m at. Did he come here for me the way he did at the party? If he did, how did he know I’d be here? He grabs my face, forcing my head back and the usual fear that flows through me when Santiago does it isn’t there.
He slams my body against his car, and again I should feel threatened, but the urge to get away isn’t there. “What are you going to do to me?” My voice comes unsteady and his hands gripping tighter around my face have my cock restricting in my jeans. I don’t know why a complete stranger has my body reacting this way, but as much as I fight the pleasure running through me, my body betrays me.
“Nothing yet.” He loosens his grip and his thumb swipes against my lip, before his hand pulls away completely. “Goodnight, little prince.”
He slips into his car and leaves me standing there in the parking lot, watching him drive away. My body is as confused as I am. It wanted things it’s never wanted before. I was always so focused on making my father proud, getting more involved in the business, that I never focused on much else. I rarely ever went out and never cared to go on dates.
The men that I was always around never caught my attention and I never caught theirs. Most people who were immersed in this lifestyle lusted after women, and the trouble I had to go through for a one night stand only turned me away from the whole idea.
Besides, I never thought my father would approve. Everyone knew my father, and everything always got back to him. Then he surprised me with my engagement to Santiago and I wondered if I wasted an opportunity to have my first sexual experience my way. The thought of sharing any intimate moment with Santiago was jarring. The air around me grew warmer as I got closer to the club.
I’m not sure if it was the leftover effects of my encounter with the stranger or if it’s all the shots my cousin made me take. The music is once again loud and pounding in my ears and no longer has the same effect as it did before. I no longer feel the need to be here. Maria rushes toward me with arched eyebrows and confusion written all over her face. “Where the hell did you go? I had three creeps trying to grope me on the dance floor.”
I laugh, grabbing her hand and dragging her to the bar. “I needed some fresh air. I’m good now though. Let’s get more drinks, they are on me.”
“As long as you’re willing to pay, then I guess I’m willing to forgive.”
