Multiples.
An image of the three of us having her pops in my head, but I shake it away instantly.
I can’t take my eyes off her, wishing she would step out of the dark and come closer.
“So, what now?” Dom’s question breaks the silence, his voice roughened by a mix of curiosity and challenge.
That’s when she steps gracefully out of the shadows, making her way to the bar. She’s a vision, more stunning than I imagined.
Utterly elegant.
Timeless.
“Now,” Tristan smirks, finishing his drink, “we see if Untamed lives up to its name for you.”
Her black dress clings to her hourglass figure, the low-cut bodice accentuating her curves, while the rest of the fabric flows behind her. A daring slit reveals a glimpse of golden skin. Her short, dark hair is tucked behind one ear, and a face covering hides her features, though her beauty is undeniable. The shimmering crystals framing her mask draw the eye. Theupper part traces the curve of her brows, while the rest cascades down her face.
But it’s her eyes that capture me—a clear, brilliant blue, like a cloudless summer sky. They lock with mine, pulling me in. I need to look away before I get lost in those eyes.
“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Tristan says, breaking the spell and reminding me I’m not alone.
Frustration coils through me as the realization that Tristan is taken by her too. But how could he not be? She’s magnificent.
You’re not here to meet women. You’re here for business.
Right. I’m here for work, not distractions. People are unreliable, too complicated. Work is straightforward—effort in, results out. Relationships don’t play by those rules. No matter how much you give, people betray you without a second thought. Even those who should love and protect you can fail, and often do. I only trust a select few; everyone else is a business transaction.
I've sacrificed too much to get here, risking everything—including my life. I'm not about to jeopardize all of that for a night of lust.
I force my gaze to the glass in my hand, trying to refocus. But when she takes a seat next to us, her scent hits me—a mix of something sweet and forbidden. It’s intoxicating, instantly driving me crazy.
She smells like my next mistake.
From the corner of my eye, I watch her long fingers glide over the screen as she orders a drink, the way her dress slides over smooth skin when she crosses her legs.
This is why I avoid places like this.
I thrive on control. Women like her unravel that control, making me forget my goals and leaving with nothing but regret. It’s why I don’t get involved with anyone. Self-discipline keeps me sharp, focused. Successful. Content.
I glance at Tristan, who’s watching me with a curious look, almost competitive. I won’t compete for her attention. If he wants to pursue her, he’s welcome to. Hell, he and Dom can fight over her for all I care.
“Those are some interesting masks,” she says softly, her voice smooth, laced with a faint, unidentifiable accent.
The sound of her voice ignites something in me. My mind conjures images of her pressed against me, whispering in that soft tone, breath warm against my ear.
A shiver runs down my spine.
God fucking dammit.
“Thank you. Yours is quite captivating as well,” Tristan responds, turning his attention fully to her.
I look at Dom while Tristan talks to the huntress. Beneath the disguise, Dom’s eyes are shadowed, tense. What’s got him so worked up?
“I think I’ve seen you here before,” she says.
“Is that so?” Tristan leans forward.
She nods, the crystals on her mask clinking softly. “I remember that mask—and the hair.”
