C13 I want you...

"We are here to dance. People are not gonna attack you here!" The place between my brows creased, eyeing the two black clothed men standing each side of me.

They were not for him. They were there so that they could keep away the other people from me who were dancing under the dimmed lights, especially men. And it was ridiculous!

"Not attack, but they're surely starting to pick a war against me by wanting something that's mine," he spoke through gritted teeth. Those hard eyes were set over my shoulder.

I looked back.

Indeed, some of the men's gaze was lingering on me.

I rolled my eyes.

"Placing men behind me won't stop their eyes."

"Then I will just pull their eyes off their sockets!" he sneered, pulling me flush against him.

My lips parted in bewilderment. This man was insane!

"Just because they're ogling me, you can't pull their eyes off. You wear a cross, but your mind is full of aggression, Mr. De Sylvano."

A smirk tugged at his lips. The dark possessiveness and rage flared in those beautiful icy blue eyes. "I might be religious, but that doesn't mean I'm not a sinner, Ms. Brooks. Whoever comes in my way, I don't take time to pluck them out."

Out of what? Just from his way or from the world? Just like that crime boss?

He even bribed the members of parliament for his motives. Who was he in real?

Well, I liked bad boys.

Not a boy, he was a man. A mysterious achingly gorgeous rough man.

"Now enough of dancing! Let's get out of here!" he grunted, brushing his nose across my cheek. "I can't wait anymore."

My heart started racing at the mention of leaving. Leaving meant giving him what he wanted. The kiss I owed him.

I had used this dance as an excuse to stall. Because let's admit it. I was nervous.

Cassandra Brooks was nervous! And it was all because of this man. Thinking of being alone with him having the power of doing anything to me made my heart thunder and knees weak.

"Uh, the dance just started. And you didn't let me match with the rhythm. All you did was sway with me caged in your arms!" I said. "I want to enjoy this night properly."

A brow of his raised. "I thought you found this party boring?"

"I'm enjoying it now."

Sliding his hand up from my waist to my cheek, he let his rough fingers brush over my jaw. Goosebump crawled up my skin.

"Are you nervous, cuore mio?" The corner of his mouth twitched.

My eyes widened. "N-nervous? Of course not! Why would I be nervous?"

Leaning in, he let his lips hover over mine. His hot breath fanned my skin. "Because I'm gonna steal a kiss from you?" Deep husky voice. My heart thumped down my chest. "Or should I say, you're gonna let me taste those luscious lips of yours as a return of my favor?"

Heat rushed up my cheeks. My breath quickened. His choice of words was teasing something deep inside me. And under the dimmed lights and slow music, the proximity of his made the situation more intimate.

"I- I don't owe you anything. I was drunk that night. I wasn't thinking straight. I can pay you in money if you want me to." My eyes wandered around, trying not to focus on his overwhelming presence.

He pulled me closer. "But I don't prefer taking the returns of my favors with money if It's you, mia regina."

"Tell me what do you want then. Except the kiss. Because I'm not giving you that."

As I let out a shaky breath under his scorching touch, he brushed his lips against mine. A lighter than air brush.

A gasp slipped through my lips.

"I want you. Everything that you have to offer. Your heart, your soul and…" With his eyes set on my mouth, he cupped my ass, letting out a groan. "Your body. Every inch of it. So that includes all of your kisses too, cuore mio."

A whimper left me as he planted his warm lips on the corner of my mouth. With my heart pounding, my knees trembled. If not for his tight clutch, I would have fallen on the ground.

Too much! Too much to handle.

His scent, his touch, his voice...

"I…"

"I want a kiss, Sandra. And I want it now," groaning, as he was about to slam his mouth on mine, I pushed at his chest and ran.

"I need to use the washroom!" It was my excuse when a growl reached my ears.

"Sandra!"

Ignoring him, with my heart thundering, I rushed away from the dance floor. Only then I realized all pairs of eyes were glued on us. Oliver had a look of amusement on his face. And if looks could kill, I would be six feet under the ground with Arianna's gaze on me. A gaze full of hatred.

But I wasn't in a state to care about any of them.

As I approached the washroom with a certain person's heated and hungry glare on my back, a shoulder bumped into me, making me stumble a step back.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't notice you!" I said, taking some claiming breaths.

A man with long black hair that almost touched his shoulders and tall height smiled down at me. A crooked one. A pierced brow of his raised.

"But I can't help but notice you." He let his eyes linger on my body. "Who are you, if you don't mind me asking? I didn't see you in any of our events. I can't miss a beauty like you."

God! I wasn't in the mood for this now!

"I'm a girl who doesn't want to play introduction right now. So just fuck off!"

Not waiting for his response, I walked into the washroom and slammed the door shut.

Standing before the mirror, I let out a sigh. My reflection stared back at me. Those amber eyes held confusion and frustration.

"What's wrong with you, Cassie?" I whispered with my knees still weak from that Italian's overwhelming warmth.

That kiss could lead you one step closer to your goal. It could start the intimacy you wanted with him. The intimacy you feared so much. I had kissed before. Been touched here and there by my ex boyfriends. But I had never behaved like this.

I wanted him to make me face my fear, to make me forget. And he did. His presence made me forget everything. But then why was I pushing him away?

The ringing of my phone took my attention.

Em.

"Hey! Beth told me you are at some party with Duncan? How is it going?" Her tone was teasing.

"I don't know," I replied. My lips still tingled even if his lips barely touched them.

"That bad?"

Should I tell her everything? I did need some advice about how these feelings worked. Because I had no experience with them.

I blew out a breath. "I don't understand, Em. Everything is so confusing. I want to get close to him. But when the time comes, I chicken out. My heartbeat starts racing and...It's like, I…"

"You're scared?" She finished for me.

Words got stuck in my throat.

"You're scared of the feelings you feel when he is around?" Her tone was soft. "Like you can't breathe and want to escape but at the same time you want more? When he comes close to you everything becomes so overwhelming?"

"Yes! That's exactly how I feel…" I stopped in my tracks. "Wait, how did you know how I felt? Are you by any chance thinking that I'm falling for…"

No, it wasn't true. I wasn't falling for anyone. He was just my crush. That was the reason behind these weird emotions. After all, which girl wouldn't swoon over that Italian hunk?

"If you're thinking that, you're wrong. I don't do relationships. You know me. Falling for him doesn't fall into my plan." No feelings, no pain. I wasn't made for love. It wasn't in my fate. My own parents didn't love me. Then how could a stranger change that for me?

"I didn't even mention anything," she said. A light chuckle soon followed. "See, you know the answer to your questions. You just don't want to accept it."

"Shut up! It's nothing like that! I'm here for my career and to get him. Once I do that, we both will be on our own ways. And that's it!"

"Oh, really? But it doesn't look like that. Duncan doesn't seem like he is in a mood to let you go. And he never will be." The last part wasn't meant for me to hear. It was a whisper.

But I heard it.

What did she mean?

He said he wanted me. But that didn't mean he wanted anything long lasting.

"Em, you know I don't believe in fairy tales, love and happily ever after. Just tell me how to get over these feelings." It felt like I was a teenager with hormones.

"You don't believe in love? Then what do you think Ace and I have?" Now her tone sounded offended.

You are lucky, Em. But I wasn't lucky with love like you.

"That's a different case. Your husband is obsessed with you. Of course you guys will be puppies in love."

"You're calling Ace obsessed?" There was something hidden in her tone. "Then let's see what you say when you get to know the man of your life."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Remember what I said? Listen to what your heart says. Just let yourself get lost in the flow. If you want him, get him. Accept your feelings and let yourself drown. Trust me, you will never want to get back to your senses."

Whoa! That was deep.

Yes, I had to accept my feelings. Not feelings, my desires. Get a hold on my weird nervousness and get what I wanted.

***

Retouching my makeup a bit, I made up my mind and walked out of the washroom. More confident and poised. Not the girl who literally ran out of the dance floor because she was asked for a kiss.

Damn! I made myself a fool out there. He must be thinking I was an innocent virgin.

Yes, I was. But that didn't mean I was innocent.

But it was time to show who the real Cassandra Brooks was. To show that no man could make me nervous. It was time to claim Duncan De Sylvano…

A squeak left my mouth as I was suddenly hauled up someone's shoulder. A strong built one.

And the crisp intoxicating cologne that entered my nostrils announced who had the audacity to do that.

Duncan De Sylvano.

"What the hell, Duncan! Let me down!"

A slap on my ass made me gasp.

"Like that, cuore mio?" he asked. His tone screamed danger. "Raise your voice more and I will spank you before the whole world out there."

My eyes widened.

Thankfully there wasn't anyone outside the washroom except the two women at the corner. They were stunned at first but soon giggles bubbled out of them.

Walking back into the ladies washroom with me on his shoulder, he slammed the door shut.

"Duncan! Let me go! Now! What the hell are you doing?" I fought in his grip.

Another slap. This time it was a harsher one. My lips parted as something hot ran through my lower region.

"See how you're calling out my name, cuore mio. But I will prefer it more when you moan it." Grunting out, he put me down on my legs before pinning me against the wall.

My breath left my lungs for a moment.

Fury swirled around his intense icy blue eyes. But what made me let out a shaky breath was the dark desire in them.

"S-someone might walk in…"

Pressing his forehead against mine, he cupped my jaw with his rough hand. "I gave you a chance to do it on your own. But you lost it. And now, I will get what I want! And trust me, I won't stop at just a kiss!"

Before I could open my mouth, he slammed his mouth on mine, knocking the breath out of me.