Page 13 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

I couldn’t resist one last glance over my shoulder, our eyes connecting. “Thanks again, buddy!” I winked flirtatiously, shocking myself. I wasn’t the flirty type. More like the killer type.

Turning my attention to Margaret, we shared a grin and off we went. We both had responsible jobs and ran an organization that came with heavy responsibility, but we also liked to party. After all, we'd only be in our twenties once.

Rushing over to the bar, we ordered our shots. Downing one each, we headed onto the crowded dance floor.

We danced, relaxed and happy not to have Margaret’s brothers hovering over us and pushing all men away. Not that I wanted any men. Most of the time I hated men being near me, never mind touching me. Though my earlier encounter surprised me.

Maybe my body was just waiting for the right guy to respond to. A rush of excitement shot through me thinking back to the magnetic stranger. My eyes traveled over the dance floor, searching him out, but he wasn’t here and disappointment washed over me.

I had no idea who he was, but somehow, he felt important. There was something electric about him. Those tattoos on his neck and his hand would usually turn me away, but on him, they just fit. Almost like a second skin.

No man had ever commanded my attention but that one… he was like a dangerous king, capturing all my awareness and at the same time; he felt familiar. Comforting. Safe.

Beautiful and ruthless.

Those were the two words that came to mind to describe him. The reckless part of me that I never experienced before wanted to test how far I could go with him before my body would shut down. Eventually, itwouldshut down and that old, familiar panic would claw its way to the forefront. I had no doubt. But the curiosity in me wanted to test those lustful waters… only withhim.

I glanced next to me and noted Margaret had snuck away. I had no doubt she’d have something wild to tell me later. I was a tiny bit jealous of her free spirit. Sometimes I wanted to be able to just hook up with a man and enjoy the spur of the moment, passion. Except, with me it always ended up with a sudden rush of terror.

Lovely! I am every man’s dream.

The music switched and I danced by myself, swaying to the beat. The familiar tunes of Halsey “Bad At Love” played and goosebumps crawled over my skin. It was exactly what I was. Except I didn’t have a boy in Michigan. Or anywhere else.

Closing my eyes, I let the music wash over me, letting go of all other thoughts. There was plenty of time for worries, fears, and insecurities. Right now, I just wanted to dance and pretend there was nothing wrong with me.

I was Wonder Woman on the dance floor. The costume wasn’t very practical, but it certainly made me feel badass. Though nobody wore it as good as Gal Gadot. And sexy. I'd never felt sexy before.

Hands slipped around my waist, and my heart rate instantly sped up. It went into overdrive. The familiar smell and fluttering feeling in my stomach told me who it was. I didn’t have to turn around to know. Still the cautious part of me had me glancing down to see ink on the hand wrapped around me.

Oh my God!

And still no panic. On the contrary, I felt a rush of lust like someone shot an injection of it into my bloodstream.

It was wrong; I knew it. I wasn't a one night stand kind of girl. But when you finally feel something after so many years of hearing your girlfriends raving about sex, I couldn’t help but to give into the temptation to be touched by a stranger.

My body warmed and my heart drummed, feeling his hard body at my back and his hands on me. A craving unlike anything I’d felt before rose with powerful intensity within me. It was intoxicating.Hewas intoxicating.

Maybe Iamnormal, I thought with excitement. Just my body was extra, extra selective.

The song switched and Faith Richard’s “Too Good To Be True” came on. I wanted to see him again, get lost in those eyes. With bravery I hadn’t felt in a while, I slowly turned around and met his gaze. Holding my breath, I waited for my body to react, protest, scream.Nothing!

Just a pleasant hum and tingling warmth all over. Nothing resembling a panic attack. It was indeed too good to be true. I exhaled slowly. It felt so good to feel all thesenormalemotions.

“Well, well,” I said, smiling and hiding my inexperience at this. “It’s the guy that doesn’t dress up for a costume party.”

His beautiful mouth curved into a ghost of a smile and my thighs clenched. Gees, did my hormones decide to kick in tonight after years of nothing? No complaints here though.

Just that little hint of a smile on his handsome face and every fiber in me jolted, then ignited into something feral and hot. My visceral reaction to this man shocked me.

“I am dressed up,” he drawled, his voice a deep timbre that sent shivers down my spine. The woman in me cheered and rejoiced at this novel reaction. My pussy wanted him.Oh, my freaking God!There was something in my brain that chantedmine, mine, mineon repeat.

“Dressed up as what?” I asked in a slightly breathless tone.

“As me,” he murmured softly. “Is that not good enough?” My cheeks instantly heated.Hewas good enough.

“It certainly is,” I muttered, my eyes lowering down his body.Oh gosh, I’m being too obvious. The heat of his body just radiated right through me and into my veins.

My focus returned, seeing his lips curved into a full blown smile. He studied me with a grin and there was fluttering low in my stomach. Somehow, I sensed he didn’t smile a lot, but he should. His dark, brown eyes told of a hard past. Each time our eyes connected, I got a sense this man wasn’t a stranger, but I couldn’t quite place him. Maybe I had one too many shots, though I didn’t feel drunk. Besides, I felt it earlier too when I first saw him.

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