MYSTERY MAN

ELAINE

I turned to face him, and there he was, towering over me, his dark green eyes even more intense up close.

Fuck! He is so much hotter up close.

“Hi,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.

I didn’t respond right away. I couldn’t. I was too busy losing myself in those eyes, in the sheer magnetism of him.

But then I smiled, tilting my head slightly.

“Hi.”

The music thumped around us, a heavy bass that matched the erratic beat of my heart. His arm was still firmly around my waist, pulling me closer until our bodies were flush against each other.

“You were dancing for me,” he said, his voice deep and low, like a rough caress against my skin.

“And what makes you think that?” I smirked.

“Because I couldn’t take my eyes off you—and you knew it,” His eyes glinted, and his hand slid to the small of my back, pressing me even closer. “Every look, every sway of those hips… you wanted my attention.”

I let out a soft laugh, leaning in just enough so my lips brushed against his ear.

“And what if I did?” I whispered, my tone teasing. “What are you going to do about it?”

His fingers tightened on my waist, and I could feel the sheer strength in his grip.

“Trust me, sweetheart, you don’t want me to answer that. Not here.”

A delicious shiver ran down my spine at his words. I turned my back to him, letting my hips roll against his as the music shifted into something slower, more sultry. His large hands settled on my waist, guiding my movements, and I could feel the heat of his body pressing against me.

Then I felt it. Him.

The hard bulge pressed against my lower back sent a jolt of heat straight between my thighs. My breath hitched, and for a moment, I lost my rhythm. But I quickly recovered, grinding back against him just enough to feel the full extent of him.

Fuck, is that a snake in there? How big is he packing!

My mouth watered just at the thought of it.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he murmured against my ear, his breath hot and teasing.

“Am I?” I glanced back at him over my shoulder, giving him the most innocent look I could muster. “I thought we were just dancing.” I teased. His low chuckle sent a ripple of heat through me.

“You’re trouble,” he said, his voice thick with desire.

“You have no idea,” I shot back, my voice bold, though my heart was racing.

“I think I’m starting to get the idea.” His hands roamed lower, brushing over the curve of my hips.

I bit my lip, trying to ignore the heat pooling between my thighs. His touch was doing things to me—things I hadn’t felt in years. Every nerve in my body was alive, humming with anticipation.

The music shifted again, and he leaned down, his lips so close to my ear that I could feel the faint graze of them against my skin.

“Let’s get out of here.”

I turned in his arms, meeting his piercing green eyes.

“What makes you think I’m that easy?”

His lips quirked up in a crooked, confident smile.

“Oh, you’re not easy. But you’re tempted.”

I hated how right he was. I hated how much I wanted to say yes. But there was no denying the pull between us, the way my body responded to his like it was made for him.

“And where exactly are we going?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“My place,” he said simply, his gaze unwavering. “It’s not far.”

I hesitated for a heartbeat, my mind warring with itself. But then I thought about Devin—about everything I’d been through, all the shit I’d put up with.

And I thought about this man in front of me, the way he looked at me like I was the only woman in the room, the way he touched me like he already owned me.

To hell with hesitation.

“Lead the way,” I said, my voice steady, a smirk playing on my lips.