Page 13 of Captive Audience
“No.”
“Don’t worry. He will. A guy like him probably buys them in bulk.”
“Great. Now I’m imagining him screwing every other woman in the city.”
“And now it’s your turn,” Beth said. “Look, Asha. Worst-case scenario, he says he’s not interested, and we buy you margaritas until closing. Best case, you get to ride that man all night.”
“Well, when you put it that way.” What did I have to lose? Maybe this was a terrible idea, but if I didn’t go over there, I’d be stuck wonderingWhat if?all night. I wanted to feel wanted. Desired. If I crashed and burned, at least I’d go down in flames.
I downed the last of my drink. “All right. I’m going in. Wish me luck.”
9
ROOK
Spying on Asha from the shadows had never prepared me for this. Being close enough to see the flush on her cheeks and the pulse in her throat. From my table, I took in every perfect detail. The way her sharp brows lifted the moment she saw me and the gentle parting of her full, pink lips while we remained tethered in a duel of who would look away first.
But those green eyes, fuck me, they held me spellbound. As soon as our gazes met, any intention I’d had to stay aloof had flown out the front door of the lively bar.
My guess? She was excited but nervous. And I’d bet all my worldly goods that if I approached and offered to buy her a drink, she’d be putty in my hands. Mine to do with whatever I wanted.
Asha’s expression tightened as though she were trying to read every depraved thought playing out in my mind. She couldn’t; otherwise she’d run for the hills.
And as she rejoined her friends’ conversation, eyes darting back to mine to confirm that, yes, the man in the corner was still staring at her, I couldn’t help but wish that we were two ordinary people meeting in a bar. That we weren’t from different worlds with conflicting ideologies and morals.
That I wasn’t a sick bastard who would wreck her world to seek peace in mine.
But a man like me didn’t get to have ordinary. I got blood, betrayal, and bodies in the ground.
Object of my obsession or not, Asha was my key to vengeance. Any attraction she felt toward me would soon turn to loathing, so I’d soak up her misplaced admiration as long as I could.
Eyes locked on me, my Wildfire rose from her seat and straightened the figure-hugging dress that had crept up her thighs.
She walked straight toward me, hips swaying, expression hopeful. A bolt of heat licked down my spine, and my cock hardened like she was already beneath me. Christ above, I was a second from meeting her halfway, throwing her over my shoulder, and dragging her out of here.
Calm, I reminded myself.Let the prize come to me, if she was so willing.
Time for both of us to find out just how much of a bastard I truly was.
10
ASHA
As I made my way to McHottie, I questioned every single life choice that had brought me to this moment.
I should’ve taken a tequila shot first. Or ten. Then maybe this wouldn’t feel like jumping out of an airplane with no parachute.
Why had I thought this was a good idea? Maybe I should walk straight past him and…what? Pretend I was going to look at the curtain of ivy along the back wall?
Yeah. Walk past the sexiest guy in the bar to stare at greenery. That’ll fool everyone.
Brace for humiliation in three…two…
But as I drew nearer, his gaze never left mine, and against my better judgment, I stopped at his table.
“Hi,” I blurted out.
“Hello,” he replied with a hint of a foreign accent.
