Page 11 of Ruthless Touch

Left alone, I consider trying to escape the hotel, but I have to assume he’s told security to be on the lookout for me going anywhere but this room. I should find a way to get out, though. Now that my hopes are dashed for anything happening between us, what’s the point of staying?

Lost in my misery, I don’t see the handsome man stop in front of me. When he clears his throat, I look at him and smile, unsure if I can speak now. Then again, why shouldn’t I, even if that means I have to have sex up on that stage? It’s not like the man I want gives a damn.

This man is almost as tall as me with light brown hair and brown eyes that look out from behind a silver mask covering only the span around them. Although I can’t be sure, I get the sense he isn’t from the Amalfi Coast area. Something about him says he’s American.

I don’t say anything, but it doesn’t matter because the man asks, “Would you like to dance?”

While my brain confirms his accent is American, I look around me and realize there are people dancing while the sex show is going on in the center of the room. I was so consumed first by the orgy and then by my jealousy over Gideon and Sasha that I never even saw all the couples on the dance floor.

After glancing in the direction of the door to see if Gideon has returned, I give the man another smile and take his hand. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”

As we take our place away from the orgy over near the floor to ceiling windows that look out onto the terrace below, he takes me into his arms in a polite way and says, “My name is Marcus. What’s your name?”

“Aria,” I answer, enjoying the sound of his deep American voice.

“You’re not from here,” I add as I look up into his dark eyes and like what I see. They’ve got a sweetness about them I haven’t found in most men.

My statement makes him grin, and I see he has a nice mouth too. Not as sexy as Gideon’s, but he’s not here right now.

As his hand presses ever so slightly more against my back, Marcus says, “I’m from the US. Have you ever been there?”

I shake my head. “No. I’d like to, though. It seems incredible,” I lie, preferring not to let on anything real about me.

That makes him roll his eyes and his smile broadens. “I don’t know if it’s all incredible, but where I’m from is. I would love to take you away from here and show you.”

God, he’s charming. It’s so refreshing to have a man actually want me instead of treating me like I’m a piece of furniture in his penthouse.

“I wish you could, Marcus. I think it would be lovely.”

He slowly turns me as he leans in and says in my ear, “I can promise you lovely would be the least of what it would be if you were with me.”

I close my eyes as his words filter through my brain. I like being desired. I’m not ashamed of that. I would love if Gideon showed me even a tiny shred of what Marcus has done in the past minute or so.

Our bodies gently sway to the beat of the music, his strong hands holding me against him and making my body come alive. If only it was the man I wanted making me feel this way.

When I open my eyes, I see Gideon and Sasha walk through the ballroom doors. Instantly, he looks toward the spot where I was and then swivels his head to search for me. His dark eyes meet mine, and for a long second, it’s like time stands still.

He rips off his masquerade mask and glares at me dancing with another man. What did he think I was going to do when he left me alone to go do something with his favorite person? If he wants me to be at his beck and call, maybe he should show me he gives a damn before I’m dancing with another man.

As his stare intensifies, I see something in his eyes that hasn’t been there the entire time he’s kept me in that penthouse of his.

Jealousy.

CHAPTER FIVE

Gideon

I can’t stop my hands from curling into tight fists at my side as I watch Aria dancing with whoever the fuck that guy in the silver mask is. His hand cradling her back makes my rage surge until all I want to do is kill him.

“Looks like your pet found a new owner for this dance,” Sasha says with a chuckle.

“Who the fuck is he and why is he in my hotel?” I bite out through clenched teeth.

She hesitates, so I tear my furious gaze away from Aria and glare at Sasha. “I asked who the fuck is he? I want to know his name and why he’s here. Now!”

Sasha smiles and runs her fingertips down my arm in that way she always does when she feels like she needs to calm me down before I do something I might regret. Except I won’t be regretting anything I do to this motherfucker.

“He’s an American. Very nice. I believe he’s Cordelia’s nephew. Or maybe grandnephew. I spoke to him earlier today out on the terrace. Very sweet. I bet Aria is loving the attention from him. He’s got a real nice guy thing going. Not my type since I’d devour him whole, but after a month of being ignored by you, I bet she’s eating up every word he’s saying to her.”