CHAPTER TWO

The club was exactly how Claire had described it. Maybe even more. It was a hidden world of desire, luxury, and a quiet form of danger. Unlike a cheaper club, this place pulsed with controlled music, whispered conversations, and bodies grinding against each other.

Thanks to Claire's influence, we were able to make it into the private suite. I moved across the room with a renewed sense of confidence and motivation, even though I wasn't sure it was just my low alcohol tolerance kicking in.

I glanced around the club, watching the way everyone moved in hypnotic sync, bodies grinding against each other, men and women kissing without shame. The interesting fact is they might be going through worse than I am currently experiencing.

My eyes kept moving through the room, looking for a possible adventure I might explore tonight. Then I saw him.

He was walking into the room, but not the same one I was in. He was escorted to the top floor. Everyone paved the way for him as he moved like he owned the place. His devastatingly handsome features caught the light as he walked past me.

I was immediately hooked by the mysterious stranger, who wasn't even smiling yet every woman in the room couldn't take their eyes off him.

“Who is he?” I asked Claire, who was obviously not bothered by his appearance.

“Don't even think of him…” she said through the noise.

“Why?” I looked at her face.

“He is not approachable, just comes here and leaves, doesn't give anyone attention, no matter who you are.”

Instead of scaring me, it only made me curious.

“Really…?” I smiled, glancing back to the VIP section upstairs.

He was now resting against the railings, his eyes sweeping across the crowd like he wasn't bothered by anything, but at the same time watching over everyone. With the way he casually leaned over, I could have sworn he owned the place, but I knew he didn't because the owner is my friend.

He might not own this place, but I wouldn't mind if he decided to own me.

I bit my lip at the thought of that.

Claire snapped me out of my rivalry, cautious.

“That's off limits, Aria… I don't even know his name… that will tell you how mysterious he is.”

I barely paid attention to her warnings, as if she wasn't referring to me at all. My gaze locked onto him, my pulse quickening as his eyes kept sweeping through the crowd like a predator watching for his next meal.

I wouldn't mind if I became his dinner, actually, just for tonight. His gaze landed on me for a fleeting second but was swept away as soon as it landed.

I felt frustrated at first, wondering why he wouldn't spare me a second glance. I am beautiful and curvy as hell, yet he isn't interested in me for more than a few seconds.

I stood up, alcohol coursing through my veins, giving me courage that shouldn't belong to a girl who has just absconded from her engagement.

“You are seriously not thinking about what I assume you want to do, right?”

“He will be mine tonight, Claire.” I said to her, winking as I grabbed a glass of whiskey and made my way through to the VIP section.

I made my way out of our VIP section, moving to his. Fear tried to creep in, but I shoved it aside; tonight is all about pleasure and marking myself as free from relationship shackles.

I want that man, and I will get him even though he doesn't look like he could be bought.

His VIP section was heavily guarded by bouncers who had followed him earlier; they were so big that I genuinely believed they could toss me back to my previous sitting position with just one flip. I inhaled sharply, taking a sip of the whiskey in my hand.

They glanced at each other as I approached, obviously not fond of me being in this area.

“I want to meet your boss,” I said, with so much confidence that I almost forgot I was here to seduce someone.

I looked past them, my eyes locking on the stranger watching me with so much attention that I could swear the darkness in his eyes was simply affection instead of annoyance.

They glanced at his face and he gave a small nod; they moved aside and I walked inside, feeling even more confident.

His section wasn't as filled as ours; it had just a few men who watched me with obvious interest.

But I wasn't here for cheap attention; I wanted the person I was currently looking at.

As I got closer, I tried swaying my hips, but it ended up embarrassing as I tipped and spilled my drink on his shirt.

Panicked, I hurriedly grabbed a nearby tissue. “I'm so sorry… I didn't mean…” I said, walking closer to clean his shirt. He grabbed my hands just before I wiped his shirt.

“It's fine… I got this,” he said, releasing my hands.

“I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to spill on your shirt. I just wanted to talk to you, that's all,” I hurriedly explained, slightly nervous as his intense gaze and expensive cologne made my stomach feel queasy.

A man younger than him approached me, asking for a dance. I politely declined as I kept my eyes locked on him, feeling lightheaded.

“Do you go around spilling drinks on strangers?” he asked, his deep voice twinkling slightly with amusement.

“No… I only trip when I'm nervous,” I said, breathing consciously through my nose to ease my nerves.

“So you are nervous talking to me?”

I nodded gently. “Your reputation precedes you.”

He raised a brow, tilting his head to the side as if assessing me even further. “What about my reputation do you know?”

“You have a reputation for not allowing anyone close,” I said, echoing what Claire had said.

He smiled gently. “Some people aren't worth it, and some people wouldn't stay even if you did,” he said, bending down to my height.

“Why would you decide that? Did someone hurt you? Or did you lose someone?” I asked, anticipating an even better response.

“I don't discuss my private life with strangers,” he said, and with that, he turned around and walked towards a dimly lit hallway, and I guessed it might be the restroom, cutting through the crowd as both men and women openly listened to him. I mean, who wouldn't?

Men created so beautifully are awfully rare to come by.

I bit my lip, wondering if I had crossed the line or should simply shoot further. Getting laid sounds like the best choice I could make tonight.

I dropped my glass and followed him through the crowd, certain I would try my best.

He is going to be mine tonight; I don't know how, but I know he will.