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I pursed my lips, uncertain whether I wanted him to or not.Why lie to yourself?
“No, my sweet goddess, I don’t have the privilege of knowing you. As of yet. That will come with time. However, I sensed the dark needs inside of you, an intense longing that you’ve fought for years, a tormented woman refusing to give in to her carnal desires. That is why I painted the picture.”
“That’s not me. I’m well-adjusted in all aspects of my life.” My statement sounded fake even to me.
“It isn’t? Tell me about your fantasies, Eden. Do they keep you awake at night? Do you fade into the morning hours, refusing to release the web spun around you? Do you long to be set free from the cage you’ve placed around yourself, basking in the fire the burns brightly inside of you?”
How did this man know what I longed for and had for years? Wait. He could be nothing more than a master of manipulation. “What I crave is honesty and respect, not delusions of grandeur, promises of sadistic pleasures.”
He slowly lowered his head, our lips only centimeters apart. When he wrapped his fingers around my jaw, holding me tightly, I pressed my hand against his chest. But instead of pushing him away, I clamped my fingers around his shirt, barely able to breathe.
“That is the least of what you deserve.” He brushed his lips across mine only once, yet he remained where he was, taking several deep breaths. Then he pulled away, allowing his gaze to fall. “Until another time,diosa.”
“There won’t be another time.”
“Yes, there will be. And at that moment, when your pulse is racing and your mind is filled with your darkest desires, then you will come to me. When you do, I’ll show you what no other man can provide.”
His words were hypnotic, my heart thumping and my mouth dry. “And what is that?”
He never blinked as he held his gaze, but there was no doubt what he was thinking, or what he wanted.
To consume every inch of me.
“Pure, animalistic ecstasy.” He waited to see my reaction then backed away, fading into the crowd.
I took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds then forced myself to turn away. Jesus Christ. The man’s arrogance was off the charts. Thoughts of all the ugly things I wanted to say to him filtered in my mind and as I started to head back to the table, I fisted my hands. Why was it so difficult to breathe? Why was my heartbeat echoing in my ears? I couldn’t imagine being with a man like him.
But the desire continued to build, driving me toward a strange series of cravings. I had a need to not only confront him, but also discover why he believed he was so powerful. I was only three feet away from my friends when I stopped, the anger and frustration building. How dare he act like he owned me when I didn’t know his real name. How dare he assume I would fall easily into his bed, acting as if he was some kind of god.
How. Dare. He.
“Are you okay?” Jasmine asked after she moved in front of me.
“I’ll be fine.”
“What did he say to you?”
I laughed, the sound bitter, and shoved strands of hair behind my ear. I was hot and wet all over, my skin tingling from the perspiration.
Don’t lie to yourself. You want him. You need him.
What the hell was wrong with the inner girl? I loathed men like him.
“He’s an arrogant prick who thinks I’ll surrender to his every need.”
“You’re kidding?” she asked as she glanced over my shoulder. “He’s watching you.”
“He’s stalking me. Bastard.”
“Then tell him to fuck off.”
I closed my eyes, still seething even though the same tingles were racing up and down my arms and legs. The crackle of electricity we’d shared had been surreal, leaving my mind foggy. “Maybe I should.”
“You go, girl. Just be careful. He does have a dangerous vibe. He noticed I was staring at him and walked away.”
“Don’t worry. Men like Zorro I can handle.” Painting or no painting, he had no right to act like he owned me. Maybe I’d take out my aggression by shredding it with my pocketknife. I took a deep breath before turning around, scanning the crowd for the umpteenth time. I would find him. He hadn’t gone far. This was a game to him, and I couldn’t stand men who played them.
I moved through the crowd, easing my way through dancers and couples who were already prepared for a passionate night of hot sex and sin. The pulsing lights and vibrations from the pounding music assaulted my senses, dozens of scents from aftershave and perfume, body heat and lust filling in the spaces.
