Chapter three: How dare you

Camilla POV 

Two hundred thousand…

The whole arena went dead silent. Everyone was looking around to see who dared call that huge amount of money.

Even I was also in search of the person who, in their right mind, would waste the lump sum amount of money.

“WOW. WOW.” Olivia muttered, shocked. “Two hundred thousand from Mr.?” She asked.

He rose calmly from the crowd, his eyes still on me. “Just Landon.” 

“Well. Well. This is shocking. You must be new.” Olivia stared at him, a dreamy look in her eyes. “Who dares beat Mr. Just Landon here?” 

Everywhere was dead. You could hear the sound of a pin dropping.

“No one? Are we all going to watch the new guy take your precious Siren?” She asked again. “Two hundred going, once. Twice. Sold.” She clapped.

“Ugh, this is not fair. We've been regulars here. We can't let this macho cowboy-looking dude take her.” Mr. Krinvestic sneered, glaring daggers at my supposed boss for tonight.

“I am sorry, Mr. Krinvestic. But this is the rule. The one with the bigger pocket gets Siren.” Olivia pats his shoulder, rolling her eyes. “But there will always be next time.”

I certainly hope not.

“Come with me.” She dragged me along as I faintly heard the rest of the team begging.

“Merrill, please, can we come with you? Please. We really want to see her.” 

“Dude, how much is your fucking allowance? Who's your dad? Man?”

I tuned them out and hugged Olivia. “Thank you so much, Olivia. You have no idea how much this meant to me.”

“Girl. I am jealous and happy for you.” She squeals, hugging me back. “Get going. I will talk to the security now.” She ushered me out.

I took hesitant steps towards the VIP. And for no reason, it felt wrong. I was suddenly conscious of my outfit. I didn't want him to see me like this.

I didn't know why. Just… something wasn't sitting right. 

Something in me was screaming. Turn around and run. 

But I couldn't… Not when I am this desperate.

Immediately I rounded the corner, I bumped into a wall—no, not a wall. a human wall.

The other new face. Standing at five feet, he towered over me with a good number of inches. 

He looked menacing from up there—I swallowed hard.

“He is waiting for you.” He held the door open for me like a guard.

Is he a guard? I mean, he looks too good to be one. 

I stepped in, and there he was. Sitting straight. Eyes glued to the entrance.

He gave me a once-over look but didn't say anything.

Still hesitant. Self-conscious. I put on the music. 

Something slow, smoky. Just enough to drown out the sound of my own heartbeat.

My fingers brush the pole. My legs and hips moved like they had a mind of their own. 

But my mind?

It was on him, conscious of his intense eyes following my every move, and at the door.

I was ready to bolt at any moment.

The music stopped abruptly. I turned to see him head back to his seat.

He went back to his seat. “Come here.” He said it calmly, but there was an edge in his tone.

My feet started moving towards him like they were under a spell. 

“What's your name?” 

“Huh?” I stared at him like a dumb bitch. Mesmerized by how he looks so up close.

I expected the look of a frat boy. Maybe some drunk rich kid. From Daddy Old Money.

What I saw was a man.

Broad chest, arms like he could break bone without trying too hard. His shirt strained around muscles that didn't belong to anyone in college—let alone a hockey player.

He didn't smile. Didn't blink. He just watched me with this calm, heavy stare, like he wasn't here for a dance.

Everything about him said power. Age. Experience.

Not the kind of guy you'd expect to find on a college campus—or in a strip club.

“I don't repeat myself. Take off your clothes.” 

“Excuse me?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“How dumb are you?” He muttered, “I said take off your clothes.” 

He stood up and took a step forward.

I hastily took one back. “This is against the rules. I am not that kind of girl. I am just here to dance.” I said, my heart beating rapidly. 

But he didn't budge and took another step.

And another.

Until my back hit the wall and the air left my lungs.

The incident from a year ago came crashing back like a deep-seated wound wanting to make an appearance.

“You need to move, or I will be forced…” My words stuck in my throat as he grabbed me and turned my back to him and yanked the straps of my top off. “What are you doing? Let me go.”

“Be quiet.” He growled like a dog, and all my struggles died down.

“Please let me go. I don't do hookups.” I pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears.

“Where did you get this mark?” He asked, as his fingers brushed my lower back, where my birthmark is. 

Goosebumps rose on my skin; his touch sent electric zaps through me. My whole body lit up—something that has never happened before.

“It's my birthmark.” I replied in a voice that doesn't sound like my own.

He turned me around, and his fingers brushed my face… Then he leaned in, his face burying into the curve of my neck. 

My eyes widened in shock… He was sniffing my neck.

Making me wonder if he's what I think he is. Couldn't be more obvious.

“You smell heavenly,” he said, the tip of his nose grazing my collarbone, making me shudder.

I put my hand on his chest, trying to put some distance between us.

His chest felt hard and soft under my palm that I almost forgot what I wanted to do.

My God, he is so… Kiss him. Kiss him.

I shook my head to snap out of my dream state and started pushing him. “Mr. Let me the fuck go. I will call the security.”

But it was as if I was pushing a hard, rigid rock because he didn't move an inch.

“Call me Landon.” He whispered, nipping at my neck. “And those security won't get past my guard. Tell me…”

He started groaning and grunting like he was in pain. His hold on me tightened like he wanted to split my shoulder from its socket.

“Stop it. You are hurting…” I didn't finish what I was saying as something warm covered my lips.

It took me a second to realize what was happening—he was kissing me.

The bastard was kissing me. He took my first kiss.

I should be angry. Push him away even—but I couldn't. It felt like my hands were tied, and for some weird reason, it felt really good to be kissing him.

So I kissed him back.

Camilla, you need to snap out of it. Alina needs you.

My eyes opened in shock. I pushed him off me immediately; my palm landed on his face.

“How dare you? Do you go around taking advantage of girls? You hockey players are all the same. Players.” I spat and stormed off.