Page 20 of Veil

“New fantasy guide?” Enzo asks.

“No. She’s mine,” I growl before tossing back the rest of my drink, then sliding out of the booth. “Come on, Enzo. I need a wingman.”

TEN

MAKAYLA

Heather and I are on the dance floor, expensive vodka flowing through our veins as “Bad Guy” pumps through the speakers. Heather is in front of me, arms raised over her head, eyes closed. A very attractive man with dark hair appears behind her and curls his arms around her waist.

A hard chest presses against my back, and a pair of hands settle on my hips. I start to turn my head to the side to peek over my shoulder, but his lips press to the shell of my ear. “Don’t turn around,” he purrs, sending a shiver down my spine. “Just dance with me.”

My body relaxes in his embrace, and I rest my head against his shoulder. His rich, masculine scent: mahogany, oak, and something forbidden wraps itself around me like a warm blanket. It’s comforting.

He moves his hands from my hips to my lower abdomen and dips his head, brushing his lips over the pulse of my neck. “What’s your name, angel?”

Angel? I don’t hate it.

It’s better than slut or whore or… gag, kitten.

“No names,” I breathe, and I feel him smile against my skin.

“Do you want to play?”

I stiffen in his arms, my eyes immediately searching for Heather, but she’s not there. Panic seizes my chest momentarily before Desiree’s parting words roll through my mind.“You’re safe here.”

“You can say no.”

“No.” I shake my head, and his hold on me loosens. “I mean, yes. I want to play.”

He removes a hand, then he’s pressing something against my palm. “At the top of the stairs, turn right, and it’s the first door on the right.” That’s the room Desiree had shown me earlier. “Meet me there in ten minutes.”

Then he’s gone.

* * *

A mixtureof nerves and excitement swirls in my lower belly as I shove the key into the lock, turn the knob, and ease the door open.

The room is dark except for the stream of moonlight peeking through the part in the drapes.

“Hello?” I call from the doorway.

“I’m here, angel,” the mystery man whispers.

I guess he’s keeping the nickname.

I turn my head in the direction of his voice and find him sitting in a chair in the corner. That sliver of light brushes over one shoe while the rest of him is hidden in the darkness.

I take a tentative step inside, my hand still gripping the knob.

“Don’t be scared. You’re safe with me.”

I know I am, but it doesn’t make me any less nervous. After he left me on the dance floor, I found Heather at the bar. I showed her the key and told her what room I’d be in. She reassured me that I was safe and reminded me why she’d brought me here.My fantasy.Then we agreed to meet back at the bar later.

“Lock the door and place the key on the table.”

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves and do as he asks. The sound of the key hitting the table cuts through the awkward silence.

“Come closer.”

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