I down the rest of my drink in one long gulp, letting the warmth spread through me as I move to the beat.
Alex leans in close, her lips brushing my ear over the pounding music. “Ghost Riley over there? Can’t take his eyes off you.”
I glance where she’s nodding and I almost stumble.
A huge man, head to toe in black, leans against the wall. Easily six-five, maybe taller. Every muscle outlined in the flashing lights, his posture rigid.
I turn back to Alex, eyebrows raised. “I’m pretty sure that’s Kade Cross. Ghost Riley wears a skull mask.”
Alex shrugs, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “We’ll whoever he is, he can’t take his eyes off you… Kade Cross has good taste.”
I laugh nervously, feeling my heart thump harder. The intensity of his stare… it makes me feel sexy. Wanted. Heat pools low in my core. I shiver and bite my lip at the thought of being watched.
Then—my mind drifts to Kellan. I can't help but picture us curled up on the couch, blankets tucked around us, reading together, spooky movies playing on the TV. The thought makes my heart ache a little.
I shake my head and force myself back into the present.We’re not doing that, so might as well have some fun while I’m here.
I let my body move with the music. I steal glances toward him again. He is playing the role of Kade Cross very well—watching from the shadows.
I lick my lips without thinking, my pulse spiking as my mind drifts to those dark, obsessive stalker romances I devour. The thought makes my core throb with desire, and goosebumps break out across my skin.
I bite my lip trying to focus on the music, on dancing. The more I think about him, the hotter I feel.
Alex leans close over the music, shouting in my ear. “Want me to grab us more drinks?”
I nod. And she disappears into the crowd.
A pirate—complete with an eye patch and swagger—slides up behind me, grinding far too close.
I step away and he steps closer spilling his drink, laughing.
I try to step away again, but the pirate’s hand shoots out, gripping my hips and yanking me back against him. His body presses into mine, the music vibrating through both of us.
“No—” I start, shoving at his arm, but he shushes me, obviously very drunk.
I dart my gaze up toward the wall, toward the spot the masked man had been standing, watching me with the dark consuming intensity.
But he’s gone.
The space is empty.
A chill runs down my spine as the pirate’s breath is hot against my ear. I twist in his grip, trying to wrench myself free, but his fingers dig into my hips.
“Hey, I’m not—” I shout, but the words cut off.
Because suddenly, he’s gone.
The pressure against me vanishes, and I spin around just in time to see the pirate lifted off his feet like a rag doll. He’s suspended in the air by a single massive, gloved hand clamped around his neck.
The masked man towers over him, black clothes stretching across every bulging muscle. The pirate's hands shoot up in surrender, eyes wide.
The man lowers him only to shove him violently back, the pirate stumbling, nearly falling before scrambling into the crowd, disappearing.
I stand frozen, chest heaving, staring at the stranger—at the intensity radiating from him.
“Hey, drinks!” Alex’s voice cuts through the haze, and I turn sharply. She’s balancingtwo cups with a bright grin, completely oblivious to what just happened.
Alex’s grin falters as her gaze flicks past me. Her eyes widen, then snap back to mine.
