Chapter 1

Vincent's POV

There, near the bar, a tall man caught my attention. His body was a bit muscular. I could picture myself leaning in on him, feeling the burn of my skin against his, tasting the sharp sting of his kiss. I imagined stepping in, closing the space between us, while my hand ran along the back of his neck.

I shook my head slightly to clear the thoughts, but it was just one of the many that settled in my mind. The club was alive with rhythm, the neon light flickering and casting shadows of the men who swayed their bodies to the music. A gay club where there was no shame in the air, only freedom, self-expression, and desire.

I leaned back in my chair, half listening to the music. Another figure caught my attention. I watched his cherry lips part as he gulped down the whiskey. He had an unrefined smile and a mischievous grin on his face as he laughed heartily with the group of men surrounding him.

He moved to the dance floor, shrugging his jacket off his shoulders and letting it fall carelessly to the floor. I could see his muscles under his shirt. I pictured myself wrapping my hand around his waist, his lips brushing against mine, tasting the whiskey that lingered in his mouth.

Another figure stood near the door. His shoulders were broad and his shirt unbuttoned to leave a peek of his sculpted chest. His hair fell loosely, covering some part of his face. I imagined him pushing me to the wall, my hand tracing his firm chest and his lips locked onto mine in an intense kiss.

He noticed my gaze and locked his amber eyes onto mine. I winked at him, causing him to part his lips for a smile. I glanced away for a second, and when my eyes returned, he had been lost in the crowd.

I sat in my private booth, nursing a glass of vodka, and then I saw her. The woman who stepped on the stage caught my attention. She moved effortlessly in the center, her shiny blonde hair falling down to her waist. She wore a flowing crimson dress with a daringly high slit, revealing smooth skin and long legs. Her hips swayed gracefully to the rhythm.

My gaze sharpened. She wasn't just dancing; she was owning the stage. It was obvious that I wasn't the only one who had eyes on her. She had caught the attention of other men whose gaze traveled in her direction, except for the ones that tailored their attraction to only men. I did both. I didn't care.

She spun, and her eyes swept over the crowd before meeting mine. Bright blue and piercing, she held her gaze. Her red lips curled into a faint smile, teasing me like she knew the kind of effect she had on people.

It wasn't just desire; there was something about her that intrigued me. Why did she feel so familiar?

She bit her lower lip, her fingers moved, and she curled them, giving me a flirtatious sign to join her. I was about to rise from my chair to bridge the gap between us when a voice interrupted.

“Boss,”

I turned around in an irritated manner as I saw Leonardo approach. The tall, broad-shouldered man had his hands clasped behind him. His face was shadowed with urgency.

“Not now.” I snapped at him, my eyes still drawn to the woman that I had a connection with.

“We have a situation. We need to talk.”

“Can't it wait?” I growled, my eyes darting around the room to the spot where I had left her, but it was empty.

Damnit.

I cursed under my breath and leaned back to my seat, gesturing for him to sit. “Fine. What's the matter?”

Leonardo launched an explanation concerning a problem with our recent operation. I tried to listen to him, but my attention kept straying. My eyes darted around the room, desperately trying to pick her out of the sea of bodies. But she was gone.

“What do we do, sir?” Leonardo asked as he finished with his report. I barely listened to any of his words.

“Handle it.” I snapped, waving him off.

After he left, I turned to Michelle, the club attendant, who hovered around with a clipboard in her hand.

“Michelle,” I called in a sharp voice.

She approached me quickly. “Yes sir.”

The blonde woman that danced just now,” I mentioned, heading straight to the point. “Who is she?”

Michelle blinked, hesitating and darting her eyes as if trying to remember the lady. “I'm not sure who she is. This is the first time I'm seeing her.”

I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening around the glass I held in my hand.

“I'm so sorry, sir. It's just that I didn't get her information.” She apologized, bowing her head slightly.

“Next time I want names. Understood?” I announced, dismissing her.

As she scurried away, I reclined in my booth; the memory of her was still fresh in my mind. Why should a stranger yield so much power to make me think about her this way?

There was something about her that beckoned on me to demystify her.

A man walked into my private booth, interrupting my thoughts as I glanced to look at him. He wore a seductive smile, trying hard to capture my attention.

“Come closer.” I ordered, and he strolled towards me. I studied his features. His chestnut hair, lean but slightly muscular chest, and oval lips which were partially pressed into a thin line.

Perfect. Just like how I liked my men. Leonardo had done a good job in his selection. I pinned him to the wall, capturing his plump lips in a searing kiss. There was an image that kept playing in my mind, flashing before me even as I busied myself with the man in front of me.

The picture of the mysterious woman lingered and I felt a pull.

Desire, yes.

But also curiosity, and that was far more dangerous.