Perfect Villain (Dark Lies Duet 1)

A shiver ripples down my spine, and even as I feel the rush to look away, I can’t. I physically can’t stop myself from staring at this man. I swallow around the lump forming in my throat and try not to show interest. That’s hard to do, though, when the man looks like he walked off the cover of a damn magazine.

Even in the dim lighting of the bar, I can see his piercing blue eyes. They home in on me, wrapping like a meaty fist around my throat. My eyes move over his unruly blond hair and down his body. His skin is the color of roasted almonds. His jeans are tight and tailored to his perfectly sculpted body.

His white T-shirt fits like a glove over his broad shoulders, and I can make out the lines of his muscles beneath the fabric. My mouth waters, and I lick my lips involuntarily. He’s paired his entire ensemble with a leather jacket and a pair of black boots.

“He’s not the devil. He’s the villain in every single fairy tale ever told,” I say more to myself than Kyla, who I find still at my back when I turn around to face her.

A smile breaks across her face. “Well, that villain is headed your way, baby. It’s your time to shine.”

I roll my eyes, trying to hide the turbulent waves of excitement sloshing around inside my belly. I’m still dating Taj, and Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome is the last thing I need in my life.

A second later, the air around me shifts. The tiny hairs at the back of my neck stand on end, and I force myself to breathe. Oh, God. I don’t even know this man, so why does he have this strange effect on me? Better yet, why haven’t I run into the women’s bathroom to get away? This isn’t me. I don’t take risks. I don’t talk to strange men I’ve only seen across the room.

I’m seconds away from running away, the panic finally reaching my brain when I feel the heat of his body brush against mine.

“Ladies.” The mysterious man’s deep voice reaches inside me and swirls around like smoke. My mouth has suddenly become dry, my tongue a useless organ.

“Hello, my name is Kyla, and this is Siân,” Kyla, of course, introduces both of us with a dazzling smile.

I’m afraid to move, let alone draw a breath into my lungs, but somehow, I force my lips up into a smile.

I’m not sure there are words to describe how handsome this man is. His blond hair shines in the sparkling light. It’s a little unkempt in a way that makes it seem like he just ran his fingers through it. The sides are cut a little shorter, and the strands on top are at a finger’s length.

His features are hard and rough but manly, with an edge. His cheekbones are high, and his chin is angular and as sharp as a razor blade. Everything about him says I’m bad, and I know it. Usually, that is the first sign I need to turn and walk away, but I’ll admit I’m intrigued by this man.

His full, very kissable lips curve up into a smile. It’s the grin of a predator if I ever saw one. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ladies. I’m Christian.”

I can see the wheels in Kyla’s head spinning. She’s going to try to set us up. Shit. I open my mouth to say something—what I’m not sure of yet—but she beats me to it.

“I apologize, Christian, but I need to use the ladies’ room. Perhaps you can keep my best friend company while I’m gone?”

I don’t even realize I’m snarling at her until I notice Christian looking at me. Fuck.

“I can come with you,” I tell Kyla.

She smiles like the witch she is. “No, no. Keep our new friend company. I’ll be right back.”

Sure she will. The last time she did this, I had to search the entire bar to find her. I watch anxiously as she walks away, throwing daggers from my eyes. She’ll pay for this.

“Why do I get the feeling you don’t like being alone with anyone you don’t know?” Christian’s question draws my attention away from Kyla.

I turn to face him, doing my best not to appear intimidated by his presence. I shrug. “Isn’t that any smart woman at a bar with her best friend?”

The smells of the bar linger around me, but Christian’s intoxicating scent overpowers them. He smells of spicy, clove, danger, and sin. Stupidly, I want to lean in and take a deeper whiff, but that would be strange, right?

“Not a woman looking for someone to hook up with, which your friend is definitely looking for. You, however...”

His response has me on the defense. “Yeah, and what am I looking for?”