Page 7 of Madness

Tattoo guy looked at me like he’d forgotten I was even standing there. He released my shoulder. It was stupid, but I felt like I lost an anchor. I didn’t even know him, but he’d been my last hope that I didn’t have to go back into that room.

I felt like I was walking to my doom as I moved to the door. Because I knew who was going to be on the other side.

6

Kincaid

The noise from the club immediately cut off as I shut the door behind me. But the heavy bass was nothing to the sound of my heart beating. My pulse jumped as I glanced around the room.

All the men had left except one. The one who’d touched me. Asked for my name. Called me little dove.

He wore a black suit over a white dress shirt, no tie. I could see the hint of a hard chest and tattoos where his collar was undone. His dark hair curled over his forehead, and his olive skin seemed to enhance the blue of his eyes. His face was sharp angles and exuded easy charm. But I saw behind the façade.

There was no charm underneath. His eyes were almost lifeless and hard. Unfortunately, there was an appeal to him. It was dark and dangerous. It called to the hidden parts of me that I refused to give a voice to.

A soft clink drew my attention to the table. His long fingers traced the rim of the glass. Even his strong hands had my mind racing with depraved possibilities. I quickly flicked my gaze back to his face, but it was a mistake. His full lips were pulled into a smile. Only it wasn’t a normal smile. It was sinister. Like he knew my secrets and wouldn’t hesitate to use them against me.

I locked down my spiraling thoughts as I looked at him. “Is there something I can get you?”

His smile widened as he examined me. “Your name.”

“I’ve already told you. You can call me Kitty.” I rolled my lips as I tried to hide my annoyance.

“And I told you I could find out your real name.” His deep voice pressed under my skin as if it wanted to make a new home there.

“By all means.” I couldn’t hide the sass in my tone. I was supposed to be playing nice with this guy, but I knew he’d take advantage if I showed any sign of weakness. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”

“No.” The authority in that one word glued my feet to the floor. I wasn’t sure why I was listening to his command.

“No?” I crossed my arms over my chest in an act of defiance.

“You were assigned this room and only this room for the rest of the night.” He took a sip of the whiskey I’d brought him earlier. I was captivated by the muscles working in his throat, and it took longer than it should have for his words to sink in.

“If you don’t need anything, then there’s no reason for me to be in here.” I wanted to take a step back. To turn and run out the door, but I knew if I did, I’d only be hurting myself. Something told me I needed to stay. Needed to face him head-on.

“But I do need something.” He smirked again. “Your name.”

I huffed out a breath. I couldn’t figure out what his game was. Why call me back in here? Why send the others away?

“Why do you want to know?” I stared into the dark depths of his eyes. The blue was almost black, as if I was looking into a well. But the well was dry. There was nothing beyond. The only emotion I saw was enjoyment. He was enjoying playing with me as if I was a toy.

“Don’t you want to know my name?” The smug smile on his face probably worked on most people, but I saw behind the look to the darkness beneath.

“Why would I?” I didn’t want to know anything about him. I didn’t want to be brought further into whatever game he was playing. It felt like he knew the rules, and I was two steps behind trying to catch up. I didn’t like feeling off balance. Life had thrown me around enough.

His eyes roamed my body. I wanted to hate it like I hated Rodney’s attention. I wanted my skin to crawl. I wanted my body to rebel. Instead, the flames I’d felt earlier ignited. My skin felt hot and tight, like I was burning alive from his attention. I was glad my arms were crossed, and he couldn’t see the tightening of my nipples.

“So when I pin you down, rip off that useless skirt, and fuck that tight pussy of yours, you know who to beg for mercy.”

My jaw dropped open, and my arms fell. Did he just say that? I was hit on nightly by all kinds of men, but none of them had ever been so crude and blatant in their attention. They’d always alluded to sex. Alluded to how big there were or how badly they wanted me. But this guy was just saying it. He was telling me what he planned to take from me.

But I wasn’t going to give it to him even as my thighs clenched and arousal pooled in my panties. My body could do whatever it wanted. It wasn’t in control. My mind was, and it was telling me to run. To run far and fast.

I didn’t care who he was or what he thought he was owed. I didn’t care if he got me fired. At least then, I wouldn’t have to put up with him again.

“That won’t be happening.” I turned. I took two steps and reached for the doorknob, but before my hand could even touch it, my body was slammed back against a hard chest. He shoved me forward until I was pinned between him and the wall.

One hand gripped my hip while the other fisted my ponytail. His hold didn’t hurt, but it was firm, telling me I had nowhere to go. My mind screamed at me to fight. To push him away. To claw his eyes out.