He turned to Daniel with a slow, deliberate tilt of his head.
"May I dance with your date?" His voice was low and laced with an authority. He was not asking for permission, and Daniel knew it.
He froze, visibly shrinking. "I…uh—I—of course, you—"
Before Daniel could finish, his strong hand was already on my waist, firm and possessive. He pulled me away from like I weighed less than a gram, and guided me to the center of the dance floor with a confidence that made my skin tingle.
My pulse thundered as this man pulled me flush against him, his body hot and solid. I wanted to protest, but my body betrayed me as my hips moved against his, our breaths syncing.
His hand rested low on my back, dangerously close to the curve of my behind, making me arch my back in response.
The sexual tension was unbearable.
"Why did you run?" his lips caressed my ear.
I forced myself to lift my chin, not allowing my voice to tremble. He would not get that satisfaction. "Perhaps you should learn how to woo a lady properly." I retorted coolly, "That finger-pointing stunt? Not charming."
His chuckle was rich and deep, as it vibrated through his chest into mine. "I did that, cause I thought you already knew who I was, sweetheart."
My blood chilled. He knew who I was. And he knew that I knew who he was.
Yep. I was completely and utterly done for.
"Please…" I swallowed hard. "I wasn't the one who called the police that night. I swear it wasn't me."
No matter how egoistical I was, even I knew when to pull back and be humble. The mafia was no joke.
He laughed softly, twirling me around. "Relax, love. The police can't touch me. And I don't plan on hurting you."
My heart simmered down, but then went back up the moment his hand slid up my spine, fingers grazing my bare skin. "I only want two things. Your name, and that of your perfume."
I frowned. That was all?
I swallowed hard, as my brain spun, weighing risk. "If I tell you, you'll leave me alone?"
"Promise." he said, though the amused lilt in his voice made the promise sound like a joke only he understood.
I exhaled. "I'm Celeste. The perfume's called Swede Malachai."
"Celeste…" He paused, as if savoring the word. "You smell amazing, by the way."
"Um…thanks?" I was genuinely confused, and didn't know why.
"Like an angel" He whispered as his fingers gently caressed my arm. "I'm Alessio."
Alessio. So the Italian mafia.
I wondered if he was lying to me as well. But I could hear the honesty in his voice, and that scared me.
One thing about them made men is that once they start giving you real personal details about themselves, you're stuck in their world.
I needed to get the fuck away.
But before I could react, his hand tightened on my chin, tilting my face up until I was staring into the dark abyss of baphomet. "But tell me, Celeste" he drawled. "Why are you lying to me?"
Shit. He knew.
He saw through me. Yet I couldn't give him the truth. Not my real name, not my real identity. That was the only shield I had, and I wasn't gonna lose it.
My heart pounded, but I kept my expression neutral. "I'm not."
He stared at me for a long moment. "I'll forgive you." he whispered. "Cause Celeste is the name of my favorite drug."
A drug? What kind of narcotic was named Celeste? Or was he speaking metaphorically, playing some psychological game?
God. I couldn't read him. And that terrified me more than anything.
"Since you lied" he continued in a low, sexy voice "I want you to give me something else…"
I tensed. "What?"
His head dipped, and his mouth brushed the shell of my ear. "Two hours." he whispered. "Spend two hours with me. Nothing more."
Anger spiked through my fear. "I'm not a prostitute!" I snapped.
He laughed, low and amused. Then turned me around so that my back was pressed to his hard chest, sending heat spiraling through my veins. Wrapping an arm around my neck, he cooed.
"I don't want to fuck you, Celeste."
He twirled me back to face him. "I just want to watch you. And hear you talk. About anything."
I shivered. That was worse.
This man was dangerous. Not just physically. Psychologically. Spending two hours under his intoxicating presence, would unravel me. I'd spill all my secrets in an instance. But refusing him? That might make him decide I wasn't worth the trouble, and silence me. Permanently.
I needed to keep him intrigued. Just long enough to escape.
So I smiled, as my hands wrapped round his neck. "Two hours. That's all?"
He nodded.
We danced more. His questions came slow and deliberate. I lied through every one. He knew. He didn't care.
At one point, he pulled me too close, and I felt the hard press of his gun against my hip. And something else. Heavy…and thick.
My breath caught. Against my will, wetness pooled between my thighs.
This was madness. I needed to leave. Now!
Looking around, I saw two young women heading toward the bathroom. I recognized the one on a red, short dress. She'd been eyeing Alessio all night, and burning daggers at me.
An idea sparked.
I leaned close to Alessio "I need to freshen up."
Alessio tilted his head, amused. "Running again?"
"No." I tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear "I promise."
He released me. "I'll be waiting, love."
I rushed into the bathroom, locked myself in a stall, and called my sidekick.
"Oh my God, Tati. It's him!" I whispered. "It's really him."
"Slow down, babe. How do you know?"
My fingers trembled as I cracked my knuckles. "Its him. He made me dance with him, and we had a brief discussion."
"Jesus Christ" She exhaled. "What do we do now?!"
"You know what? Screw the auction." I run my fingers through my hair. "We're leaving. Now. Have the driver pull up to the casino's entrance. I'll find a way to distract him."
"On it!"
I hung up and stepped out.
The two girls were at the mirror, taking selfies. As I watched my hands, I noticed them looking me up and down, envy in their eyes.
If only they knew.
I approached the one in red. "You want him, don't you?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"
I sigh. "I know you want the man I was with…"
Her face twisted in annoyance as she rolled her eyes, ready to probably insult me.
"But," I quickly continued "I don't like him. I want to leave without him knowing. He doesn't know my face. So If we switch outfits, he'll think you're me."
She hesitated, though the temptation was there.
I pressed further. "We're literally the same height, and brunette." I dig into my clutch. "See, I even have my perfume here. He loved it. I'll spray you. He'll never know."
Her eyes sparkled. Got her.
She bit her lip. "Fine."
We stripped quickly, swapping dresses, masks, shoes, and even down to the shoes. I wiped her mask carefully with a handkerchief, paranoid about my fingerprints.
Then I doused her with Swede Malachai, ensuring she was jacuzzied my scent.
"His name is Alessio" I told her softly. "And he's like super wealthy."
Her eyes gleamed, and she walked out first, heading straight for him.
Successful. So I bolted, running as fast as my legs would carry me in heels.
Outside, just as planned, the car was waiting with its engine on.
"Over here, Sofia!" Tati screamed, waving from the back seat.
I jumped in, and slammed the door shut. "Go! Go! Go!"
The driver hit the gas, and we sped away.
I dared one glance back, and froze.
Alessio ran out to the entrance, mask still on, watching us.
Of course, he'd realized the switch.
Tati pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "You did it, babe. We're good now."
I nodded, releasing adrenaline-fueled breaths. Yes we did.
I'm never gonna see him again. Pheww.