I want to wrap it around my cock.
The business associate and the millions I could make from him? Forgotten. My mind’s empty except for the feminine figure clinging to the railing like it’s a damned life raft. She blinks up at the gold chandelier, clearly awed. Or blinded. From halfway across the room I watch her wobble on her heels. Shit. She’s going to tumble all the way down, and there’s nothing I could do to stop her.
Then one of his guards—discreetly dressed in a tux and earpiece—takes her elbow. For a second I think he’s going to steady her. My blood burns hot with possession, even though I’m glad she’s safe. How is it possible to feel like this about a stranger?
Except the guard doesn’t lead her down the stairs. Instead he bends his head slightly and speaks to her. What the fuck? If they’re trying to kick her out of the party, they’ll answer to me. I don’t care if she wasn’t invited before—she is now.
I offer a curt apology to the man who’s still speaking before heading toward the stairs. On the way I pull out my phone. Only my head of security is on speed dial. “The woman at the door. Let her in.”
“Yes, sir,” comes the response. Blue knows better than to question why. Within seconds the message passes through the security personnel headpiece and the guard steps back.
Something inside me eases. I don’t want anyone touching her.
At least, not until I’m done with her.
The woman hesitates on the stairs, glancing back at the entrance. Is she thinking of leaving? Fuck. I push through the crowd to get to the bottom. People call my name. People who paid fifteen thousand dollars a plate just to be here. The gala is for charity, but that’s not why they came. They came for business. They came for me.
A hand catches my wrist. “Sebastian, darling.”
I glance back only long enough to impale the woman with a stare. Sure, we’ve fucked. A few months ago, maybe? Who knows? That doesn’t give her the right to touch me now.
She shrinks back, feigning a laugh. “I’ve missed you.”
It’s a miracle I manage to mutter, “Excuse me. I’m looking for someone.”
Except the stairs are empty. I’m ready to take them two at a time, to search the parking lot for her. I’m ready to order fucking roadblocks out of town. All because I’ve seen her? It’s crazy, but I can’t deny my reaction. If I feel this electric just looking at her, I can only imagine how it will feel to fuck her. I’ve never felt instant lust before, but now that I have, I need more.
The crowd parts for a brief, breathless second.
Between suits and gowns, I see honey-colored hair. Her angular shoulders and the slender slope of her waist. God, she’s gorgeous. And something else, too. Something fairy-like. A creature I’ll have to capture to keep.
I push past people, barely hearing them, barely caring. All I can think about is how soft her skin will feel beneath my hands. Whether or not she’ll play coy. I’ll have my answers before the night is over. I’ll find out in five fucking minutes even if I have to shove people out of the way.
Then she’s here, facing the other direction, hair falling over her shoulders and down the back of her silky dress. I touch her wrist, feather light, and feel heat spark against my skin.
She turns to face me, her brown eyes reflecting surprise and recognition. And fear? Maybe she’s heard my reputation. I’ve earned most of it, but I won’t hurt her. Not too badly.
“What’s your name?” I’m too demanding, too harsh.
Her mouth opens, pretty lips making my dick hard. I seem to have shocked her—and well, I hadn’t even gotten started yet. She’s in for a long night, whether she knows it or not.
I bend my head, breathing in her sweet scent. “Your name.”
The answer is barely a whisper. “Lucia.”
God, those lips. So pink, so lush. I want to sink my teeth into them. That soft flesh, all pale and ready to be marked. I want to feel her squirm beneath me, trying to get away.
And that name. As sensual and perfect as the girl in front of me.
“I’m Sebastian Conti.”
She blinks. “I know.”
Something about her seems familiar for a second. Except I would have remembered a woman this sensual, this gorgeous. I would have already fucked her, if we’d met before.
“Here’s what’s going to happen next, Lucia. You’re going to come with me to the balcony. You’re not going to look around or speak to anyone else. And you’re damn well not going to fight me. Understand?”
Fear flashes through her eyes, proving that yes, she understood.
I’m still not taking any chances. I slide my hand around her waist and pull her against me, reveling at the graceful curve above her hip. Her warmth seeps into me through the feather-light fabric of her dress, through the thin wool of my suit. My body reacts instantly, cock thickening, gut tight. Jesus, I can’t get her to the balcony fast enough.
