PROLOGUE

I wasn’t sure how long he had been there, or how long he had been watching me like a predator studying his prey. All I knew was when his molten brown eyes locked with mine it was on. His movements fluid, eyes never leaving mine he navigated his way across the crowded room. He stalked me, ensuring I knew I was being hunted with his every move, my body tingling as his gaze intensified the closer he got. The anticipation, the knowing, the fact he had already claimed me as his set my skin on fire. I didn’t need to know his name, age, occupation, or anything about him. All I needed to know was that for this moment in time he would make me his, and I would allow him to. 

His clothes were neat, his button-down black shirt tucked into a pair of dark jeans. A thin leather belt with a silver buckle low around his hips. His feet seemed to glide over the floor, and as he neared me, I smelled his cologne, it wasn’t overpowering; but soothing and pleasant. His hand lightly skimmed my bare shoulder and that was the only signal I needed. Wordlessly I got up and followed him, his broad shoulders moving steadily in front of me. His long finger pushed the elevator button and we got in, riding in silence to the 3rd floor. Stepping off the elevator I followed him down the hallway, this hotel was one of the most sumptuous and expensive hotels in the area and it showed in every little detail. The bar downstairs a well-known hangout for the upper echelon of the city, even including someone like me. I was only allowed in because of who I was, and even then, it was only out of fear and not that I was wanted. Still, every now and then I enjoyed playing pretend, that I fit in and wasn’t tied to the dirty underbelly of the city. 

He stopped suddenly in front of a room at the end of the hall, a suite. This man had expensive taste, and I was not going to argue; one person staying in a suite at this place was not cheap. Taking out a card he placed it in front of the pad, the door clicking open in recognition. He stepped in and held the door open for me to enter, as I stepped through the doorway the small hairs on my arms stood up in anticipation. His hand gently rested on the small of my back, his fingers feeling cool through the thin cloth of my dress and pressed me slightly forward. The door clicked shut behind me and I turned to look at him. 

He was tall, strikingly so. I had been with my share of tall men; but he was easily the tallest. His eyes were a dark brown, yet brightly lit and I could see intelligence reflected there. He had a few days of old stubble on his chin and cheeks, which only served to highlight his bone structure that was sharp and angular. His nose was straight, with an end that turned neither up nor down. His lips were pink and full, but not overly so, and as he looked down at me, they curved up with a smile.

“Consent?” He asked, his voice low and smooth. I hesitated for a beat, knowing if I said yes I was giving him permission to do anything he wanted to me. Anything. 

I nodded, not looking away from his gaze. “Consent given.”