Chapter 3: Enter The Den

Wilhemina-

So here I was...sitting at bar at probably one of the most exclusive clubs in all of Central-Bay after receiving a slew of text messages that fucked my night up.

I'd decided to turn in early this evening rather than once again sulk another anniversary away. Little did I know I would be receiving messages starring my ever so dutiful husband.

I stared at the messages for what seemed to be an eternity. My eyes swollen with tears. But then...something interesting happened.

Shock turned to hurt....hurt turned to pain...and pain turned into hatred and revenge. Revenge for the three years I've been trapped in this bottomless pit. Revenge for the all the years I've been used as a commodity instead of a person. And revenge for all the fucking humiliation I've had to endure.

Deena's words suddenly rang louder in my ear. Treat yourself Wilhelmina...you deserve it.

So I went....went to the one place I was told can give me just that....The Angel's Den.

My fingers trembled around the edge of the bar. What the hell was I doing here? I glanced around for what had to be the hundredth time since sitting down.

The Angel’s Den was exquisite.

No.

Exquisite didn’t begin to describe it.

Black marble floors gleamed beneath enormous crystal chandeliers dripping with gold. Deep burgundy couches filled private alcoves separated by sheer curtains, while soft amber lighting made everything appear warm, secretive...forbidden.

Everyone wore masks. Some elaborate. Some simple. All anonymous. For the first time in three years, no one inside this room knew me as Mrs. Emilio Saldini. I should have felt liberated. Instead, my heart was trying to beat through my chest.

“Welcome to The Angel’s Den, miss.” I jumped slightly. The bartender smiled. “Would you like something to drink?”

I sighed quietly. “Yes, I—”

“She’ll have the Sweet-Symphony.”

The voice slid over me like silk. Heavy. Commanding. Sensual. My thighs tightened instinctively as I slowly turned around.

Holy shit.

A man stood beside me dressed entirely in black. He was tall with broad shoulders and dark hair. A black and gold mask concealed the upper half of his face, but nothing could hide the sharp line of his jaw or the sinful curve of his mouth.

Dangerous...that was the first word that came to mind. The second was beautiful. This man was fucking beautiful.

The bartender nodded immediately.

“Of course, sir.”

Sir? My brows furrowed. The stranger smiled causing my heart stumbled.

“So...” He leaned one elbow against the bar. “What made you come here for the first time?”

I blinked.

“How do you know it’s my first time?”

A low laugh escaped him. God; even his laugh was attractive. Before he answered, the bartender placed a pale pink cocktail in front of me.

“One Sweet-Symphony.”

The stranger pushed the glass closer.

“Try it.”

I looked from him to the drink.

“That sounded suspiciously like an order.”

“Think of it as a request you shouldn't say no to.” My stomach fluttered. His mouth curved. “Drink.”

I should have told him no; instead, I lifted the glass. Sweetness hit my tongue first, followed by citrus and something warm that spread through my chest.

My eyes widened. He smiled knowingly.

“You like it.”

“I...it's very good.”

“See...” He leaned in closer, I could smell the mint and hints of whiskey. “You can trust me.”

I took another sip before arching a brow.

“Is this how you approach all the women you’re interested in? Buying them Sweet-Symphonies?”

He laughed.

“What makes you think I’m interested in you?”

Oh God. Absolutely wonderful. Apparently, three years without male attention had completely destroyed whatever social skills I once possessed.

“I'm so sorry! That was rude of me. I...”

He moved closer. My words died. His fingers brushed a curl away from my shoulder.

“You see that?”

“What?”

“The way you flush.” His voice dropped. His mouth hovered dangerously close to my collarbone. “The way your breathing changes when I get close.”

I swallowed. His gaze lowered.

“The way your legs tighten.” My breath hitched as his mouth moved toward my ear. “The way your cheeks warm whenever I look at you.”

Every nerve in my body awakened.

“That,” he murmured, “is how I know.”

“Know what?”

“That you haven't been touched by many men.”

A nervous laugh escaped me. If only he knew. I hadn’t been touched by any. Not in the three years I've been married...or even before. In our world, woman had to basically be "pure" before marriage while the men get to be whores. 

Still, even with my purity...it wasn't enough. Three years of marriage, and Emilio had never once touched me intimately because Yazmin had been terrified I might become pregnant. To terrified I might give Emilio an heir.

And apparently protecting his mistress from that possibility mattered more than having any sort of marriage with me.

My gaze drifted away. Warm fingers suddenly captured my chin. I froze as his thumb brushed beneath my bottom lip.

“Do you always look away when you're nervous?”

My voice barely worked.

“What makes you think I'm nervous?”

His grin returned.

“Feisty little kitten.” My stomach flipped. He straightened and held out his hand. “If that's the case, let me show you something.”

I stared at his hand. Every sensible thought inside me screamed not to take it. I didn't know him. I didn't know his name. I couldn't even see his face. AND I was married.

That thought should have stopped me. Instead, I remembered Emilio leaving me on our wedding night. I remembered my father's hand across my face. I remembered every empty morning.

Every cold bed. Every time I had wondered what was wrong with me. And I remembered a week ago...that text message...my gaze returned to the stranger.

For once, someone was looking at me like there wasn't a damn thing wrong with me. I grabbed my drink and finished it. His brow rose; then he chuckled.

“Good girl.”

Those two words went straight through me. I placed my hand into his. He led me toward a private hallway where an elevator waited behind golden doors. Once inside, I noticed something strange.

There was only one button. I looked at him.

“One floor?”

“Not one floor...a secluded floor. One that only this elevator can reach.”

“Is there a reason for that?”

“It's private.”

The doors opened. My heels sank into thick carpeting as I followed him into a luxurious corridor. Except...there were no doors. Only one enormous set at the end.

“Where are the other rooms?”

“There aren't any.”

I stopped.

“What?”

He turned.

“This floor has one suite.”

I stared toward the doors.

“Whose?”

His eyes settled on mine.

“Mine.”

Something about that answer should have frightened me. Instead, excitement curled through my stomach.

“Who exactly are you?”

He stepped closer.

“Tonight?” His fingers slipped beneath my chin. “Anybody and nobody.” He leaned down. “And so are you.”

The doors opened and I stepped inside. The suite was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Central-Bay, the city sparkling beneath us. A massive bed stood beyond a sitting area, surrounded by soft golden lighting.

The door clicked shut. Neither of us spoke for what felt like an eternity. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest. Suddenly, the silence felt deafening.

“What happens now?” I whispered.

His gaze traveled slowly over me.

“That depends.”

“On?”

“How honest you're willing to be.”

My pulse quickened.

“About what?”

“What you came here looking for.”

I swallowed.

“I...I don't know.”

“Yes, you do.”

He approached slowly. One step. Then another. I backed away until my thighs touched the edge of a table.

“I'm not even sure if I should be here.”

He chuckled.

“Perhaps not. But you are here.” His hand settled lightly against my waist. I inhaled sharply. “And you followed me anyway.”

“I could still leave.”

His eyes darkened.

“Anytime you want.”

I froze. He didn't grab me. Didn't block the door. Didn't move. He simply waited. I could leave. That realization somehow made staying feel entirely different. Slowly, I shook my head. His expression changed.

“Tell me what it is you want, kitten.”

His hand slid around my waist. Then his mouth touched my neck.

Oh...

My eyes fluttered closed. I'd imagined being kissed there before. Reality was nothing like my imagination. His lips were warm and deliberate, lingering against my skin before moving higher.

My fingers curled into his shirt.

“You're trembling.”

“Am I.” My voice was just above a whisper.

“You are.” His lips brushed my jaw. “And I like it.”

My breath caught when his mouth found mine. The kiss was slow at first. Almost careful. Then I kissed him back and something inside him snapped.

His arm tightened around my waist, pulling me against him as the kiss deepened. A sound escaped me before I could stop it. He paused and I opened my eyes. His were fixed on mine.

“Again.”

“What?”

“Make that sound again.”

My face burned. His mouth curved. Then he kissed me until embarrassment became impossible. I'd never felt anything like this. Wanting. Being wanted. His hands moved along my sides, never rushing, but somehow making every place he touched feel unbearably sensitive.

His mouth traveled along my jaw. My throat. My shoulder.

“You're very beautiful,” he murmured.

My chest tightened. No man had ever said that to me...at least not like that. His fingers found the thin strap of my dress. He looked at me. I knew what he was asking.

I nodded.

The strap slipped from my shoulder. Then the other. My heart hammered. His lips returned to my skin and suddenly, reality crashed into me. I had to be honest. I couldn't let him find out afterward.

“I need to tell you something.”

He continued kissing my neck.

“Tell me.”

“I...”

My courage disappeared. His hand stilled.

“What?”

Fuck...I swallowed.

“I'm a virgin.”

Silence. He slowly lifted his head.

“What?”

Heat flooded my face.

“I've never...”

His eyes widened. Then, unbelievably, a short laugh escaped him as he stepped back.

“You're a virgin?”

Humiliation burned through me.

“I didn't know that was humorous...but yes.”

“No.” He dragged a hand over his jaw. “It's surprising.” His gaze swept over me. “What the hell are you doing in a place like this?”

My throat tightened. Before I could answer, he backed away again.

“It doesn't matter. This isn't a place for you.” Something inside me cracked. But then his next words... “And I don't do virgins.”

There it was. Rejection. Again. Of course. I turned away before he could see my eyes filling.

“I understand.” The crack in my voice betrayed me anyway.. I yanked one strap onto my shoulder. The second strap twisted beneath my trembling fingers.

How stupid could I possibly be? I'd come here wanting to feel desirable and somehow managed to prove the exact opposite. And then...something happened. As I was embarrassingly trying to detangle my strap; his hand closed around my arm.

I spun.

“What—”

Before I could finish, his mouth crashed against mine. Shock held me still for half a second. Then anger exploded through me. I shoved him away as my palm struck his cheek.

The sound cracked through the room leaving nothing but silence. His head remained turned. My chest heaved.

“How dare you?”

Slowly, he looked at me. Neither of us spoke. His gaze dropped to my trembling mouth. Then returned to my eyes. Something in his expression changed. He stepped forward. I should have backed away; but for some reason...I didn't. I couldn't.

His hand cupped my cheek. This time, when he kissed me, there was no arrogance in it. There was only hunger and something dangerously close to an apology.

My resistance shattered. My fingers gripped his shirt and dragged him closer.

His arm wrapped around me. The kiss deepened until I forgot that moment. Part of my mind was wondering of course. What the hell changed his mind? I'm ashamed to say I didn't care. I was entirely too glad that he did. Soon, there was no room for doubt. There was only him. His mouth. His hands and the terrifying realization that I wanted more.

He lifted me effortlessly. A gasp escaped me as my arms wrapped around his neck. He carried me toward the bed without breaking the kiss. My back met the mattress. He hovered above me. I stared up at this beautiful masked stranger whose name I didn't know.

“Why did you stop?” I whispered.

His jaw tightened.

“Because I need you to understand what you're asking for.”

“I do—”

His eyes darkened.

"No you don't!" He said. There were no traces of humor left in his voice. Even with his mask on I could see how serious he was. As if he were pleading with me to understand.

“If I keep going, I'm not giving you some forgettable night you can pretend never happened.”

My pulse raced. His thumb brushed my lips.

“You'll remember me.” His mouth lowered beside my ear. “You'll remember my hands.” A kiss beneath my jaw. “My voice.”

Another against my throat.

“And every time someone touches you after tonight, you're going to remember that I was first.”

My breath trembled. He lifted his head. His eyes...it was strange. It was almost as if that thought pained him. As if the thought of another man touching me...caused him pain...interesting.

“Still want me to continue?” He asked bringing me back to this very moment.

Everything I had been taught screamed no. Everything inside me whispered yes. I reached up and touched his face.

“Yes.”

His eyes became almost black. A slow, dangerous smile spread across his mouth. He lowered himself over me again, his lips brushing my ear.

“Then listen carefully, kitten.”

His hand intertwined with mine against the mattress.

“From this moment on...your body belongs only to me.”

His mouth found mine. And somewhere between one heartbeat and the next, I stopped being Mrs. Emilio Saldini.

Tonight...I was simply a woman beneath a stranger who looked at me as though he'd already decided I was his.