Page 4 of Pain and Possession

His dark eyes are glued to me and my skin reacts, breaking out in goosebumps. His sharp features are striking, almost unnaturally so. He isn't ripped to the high heavens like most of the men in here, nor does he have a beer belly like the other half. He's tall, even sitting he towers over the others. His frame is slender and athletic. His muscles look every bit as lethal as the jacked men at his sides. His short, dark, wavy hair and beige skin giving way to his undeniable Italian roots. Just the same as most of the men in this room.My lips part slightly as he smirks at me, making my skin grow hot beneath his gaze but it feels different from before. A fuzzy tingling sensation builds in my gut, pulling taunt a line that reaches far lower before I scowl at him.

"Let's dance!" Lane squeals, making me jump. The music that's playing is some weird folky instrumental stuff. Nothing that screams dancing.I frown at her, gesturing towards the lack of dancing music before I spot a speaker system at a raised platform in the back.

That'll do.

I hop down off my stool, swaying slightly in the heeled boots I'm not used to wearing. Silently cursing her for making me wear this fucking skirt.

I'm going to die uncomfortable as shit.

Laney is clinging to my armtightly as she follows me through the people, occasionally winking at the men eyeing her like vultures. Unbothered by their hungry, desperate stares. Despite there being plenty half-naked women to go around. I bend over, pulling my phone from my boot, all but forgetting I'm in a tiny ass skirt as Lane giggles, "Oops."

Positioning herself behind me, although none of the guy's hungry expressions seem to linger on me longer than a few moments.I shouldn't care, we're all about to die I shouldn't feel embarrassed by my undesirability, but here I am.

Ugly girl.

I take a steadying breath. If my mind is lingering on festering old wounds I haven't drank nearly enough. I unlock my phone, staring at the countdown, my heart picking up speed.

Just over five hours left.

I feel her hand on my back, "Hey don't do that."

Giving her a small smile, I shake my head, pulling up my endless library of illegally downloaded music. She thinks I'm upset, but I'm not. Not at all, really. I should be, I know that. I should want to live so desperately that I'm beside myself with torment. Groveling, crying, maybe sending off an all too late prayer or two.

I just don't. I don't mind.I'm… excited even.

I connect my phone to the auxiliary cord; this sound system seems to be the most up-to-date thing in here and even it lacks Bluetooth. Lane jumps up and down all the way back to the bar, unconsciously filling the room with her energy as I start our favorite drinking playlist.By the time she comes back with more shots, people have begun dancing, grinding on one another like it'll save them. Some are just full-on dry humping at the tables.Others being led into back rooms by their prospective women. I take my shot, then another, far enough gone not to feel the burn of the liquor. Laney hands our empty glasses off to some guy, who takes them with a confused look on his face.I laugh, as she pulls me into her, spinning me around.

I love you. Thanks… for everything.

Chapter two

The Countdown

Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy

Afewshotsandsongs later, I'm only vaguely aware that my friend has abandoned me, now sitting on top of the bar with her long-tanned legs wrapped around Hock's waist.I sway my hips to the musicas I feel a warm body slip behind me, large firm hands grazing over my hips. I start to turn to see who it is before one of those hands finds their way to my neck, holding me tight against him.Not letting me move past our swaying. His tall body moving in perfect sync with mine, "I've been watching you all night, garnering the attention of all my men. I didn't like their eyes on you.”

I gasp, the statement sending heat straight to my core. I lean against him, alcohol and my impending death clouding my better judgment. His touch clouding everything.My head tilts back towards him as his hand snakes from my neck to my chin. His dark hazel eyes bore into mine; I immediately recognize him as the guy from earlier.

The one that was staring at me, of all the women in here… he was looking at me.

His thumb traces my bottom lip. It tickles, making me bite down on my flesh, failing to stifle the giggle that comes out. He smiles down at me, "I like that sound. What other fun sounds can you make?"

My cheeks flush as I clench my thighs together, arousal soaking into my underwear.

"Let's find out." I say, barely above a whisper. He smirks, turning me around to face him before slamming his lips into mine. I moan around his tongue as it expertly swirls around mine. He tastes like bourbon and cigarettes, not a combination that many men could pull off. But with him, it's intoxicating.

He pulls back, "Come home with me."I shake my head, taking a step back from him as my stomach drops and clenches. The moment shattered.Pulling my eyes from his, I continue my dancing.

I can't leave Laney.

My eyes find her at the bar. She and Hock seem to be more than okay but still… it's our last day.

"Everyone is going to die and you're worried about going home with a stranger." He remarks, grabbing the back of my neck. Pulling me back into his spellbinding orbit before I slip away again, spinning and finding the closest warm body to me. I watch the handsome stranger's jaw tighten as I sway against the man at my front. My eyes never leaving his. I'm taunting him and for the life of me, I don't know why. The man at my front reaches back, grabbing my ass with sweaty palms and it does nothing to me like the man at my back. I think I hear a rumble from his chest, but I can't be sure over the music. I lean my head back into his broad chest, inhaling him as he reaches over me, his large, tattooed hand gripping the back of the man's neck tightly.

"Sir. I hadn't realized." The smaller man mutters, his eyes downcast, locked into his grasp. He leans down, his lips tickling my ear, and I giggle again.

"It would be a shame to kill him early. Wouldn't you agree? Come home with me, Bellissima. Do not make me ask again." He shoves the other man forward before spinning me to face him.

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