Chapter 3
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ZENA (22YRS)
I stared at the man who’d just occupied a seat at the now empty counter. As though they knew who he was the second he made an appearance, the crowd scattered, forgetting their drink orders in the process. Good thing they were regulars, or all hell would break loose once he left.
Lorenzo Rossi.
A name barely spoken in the club and when it was, it always followed some shit about to go down. I’d seen him once, a quick glimpse in passing. He’d ignored me and the other staff like we’d been invisible.
Now, as I got a better look at him, I felt the air leave my lungs in a dramatic rush. What the fuck? I never lusted after a man, ever. I wasn’t conceited about being God’s gift to man, but I had my fair share of admirers which meant they saw something they liked. Lorenzo, however, was in a league of his own. He literally gave tall, dark, and handsome a new meaning. If I had to, I’d add broody, mouthwatering and older to the mix. Shrouded in mystery and darkness, the man was sin waiting to be unleashed. Judging by the open-mouthed women gathering behind him, I was certain they’d lick his shoes, if he asked.
His dark suit made me jealous in the way the perfect cut hugged his body. Hard muscles, thick and defined rippled beneath the material when he moved. The five o’clock shadow that peppered a perfectly chiseled jaw women would drool over, made my skin itch, hungry to feel the burn of it against my neck, along my inner thighs, scraping over the wet folds of my pussy. I gulped, finding it extremely difficult to tear my gaze away.
He looked like a man who knew how to control a woman, both in and out of the bedroom. Not that I wanted to be controlled—okay maybe in the bedroom and by him. Grinning, I watched the clench of his jaw as he surveyed the bar. With just a look alone, he could be described as easily fuckable and hardly forgettable,ifhe were into giving himself freely to any woman that showed a little too much interest. And right now, I was a second away from swooning over that scrumptious piece of ass. His bland expression told me his features never betrayed his feelings. He would be a hard man to read or seduce for that matter.
I glanced over at Rayden, suddenly feeling like a real slut for cheating on him.Woah, girl.It wasn’t like we were an exclusive couple. I hadn’t given in to his advances or confirmed we were dating, solely. With long, sandy brown hair that danced over his collar in soft waves and teased eyelashes that framed sparkling green eyes, a touch lighter than mine, he was gorgeous. Not only was he younger than me, but he was also mine. I just had to say the word. Probably tonight. We’d shared a few kisses and there were times I got the distinct feeling he was a virgin. Maybe some might call me a narcissist but the idea of being Rayden’s first, of teaching him everything about sex, being the first to show him pleasure, excited me.
While the thought made me feel warm all over, I couldn’t help wondering what Lorenzo would taste like. With that in mind, I stepped forward, resisted the urge to inhale deeply when his distinct fragrance of musky cologne and soap hit my nostrils. “What can—”
His hand shot up, halting my words. Instant annoyance flared in my chest at his rude dismissal, and it must’ve shown on my face because his lips curled in a smirk. Eyes the color of azure crystals that burned into my very soul, held my gaze as though daring me to challenge him. Pursing my lips, I bit back the retort sitting on the tip of my tongue. This wasn’t a man with whom I could display my affinity for woman empowerment. That look alone indicated he was accustomed to dealing with the devil if he wasn’t already related to the ruler of hell. He’d probably put a fucking gun in my mouth and demand I swallow as he fired.
Stepping back, I waited to see what brought him down here. His gaze flicked from me to Rayden and my blood heated.Shit.I prayed he’d refrain from questioning Rayden. Allowing him to help me had been a good decision at the time. Now, watching Satan’s godson run a slow appraisal over Rayden, I realized it was the rashest one I’d made. Not only had I broken the club rule by allowing underage drinking, I’d gone one step further and invited an underage patron to help serve alcohol.Hellfuckingshit.
“What’s your name, boy?” Those were the first words out of Lorenzo’s mouth. The slight Italian accent carried through a voice that was deliciously deep, low and without a doubt controlled, hinting he was a man who only spoke when he needed to.
“Rayden.”
I was surprised at Rayden’s firm reply. It seemed like his anxious expression belied his inner calm.
“How old are you?” Lorenzo’s voice was stern, his tone dark like a subtle warning he wouldn’t tolerate lies.
Rayden’s gaze flicked to me and back to him just as quickly. I hoped like hell he’d lie even though I didn’t want him to. “Eighteen.”
Shit.