The Beast (Wicked Villains 4)

I make it one step into the room before the scene fully registers. It looks like a hipster bar, one of those hole-in-the-wall places that make up for the lack of square footage with a whole lot of carefully curated decor. There are a handful of tall tables with people I don’t recognize standing around them. I do a quick count. There are seven, but the small space makes it seem like more.

Aurora walks behind the bar and immediately leans in to speak to the two men sitting there with a careful space between them, watching me in the mirror situated so they can see the entire room. Beast and Gaeton.

I hesitate. The command was clear. Fuck the first person to offer me a drink. I might laugh if I could find the breath. Trust them to orchestrate the acting out of one of my fantasies in a way that’s entirely within their control.

Are they really going to have me fuck someone else?

I don’t know, and because I don’t know, my next step is cautious. I can’t decide if I’m relieved or not that I don’t recognize anyone else in the room. It lends a certain kind of freedom that gives me a little more confidence. I can do this. I asked for this, though I couldn’t have dreamed at the time that they’d bring it to life.

“I haven’t seen you in here before.”

It takes everything I have not to startle. A lean white man turns and gives me a long look from my feet up to my face. He’s attractive in that roguishly handsome sort of way—dark hair a little too long, square jaw, the kind of face that will tempt a partner to a night free of inhibitions, only to find themselves waking alone the next morning. He grins, the effect dazzling. “I’d definitely remember you.”

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and then curse myself for the nervous gesture. Then I stop. Why shouldn’t I be a little nervous. This is playing a different kind of role. Even if Beast and Gaeton have this planned down to the tiniest detail, if we were in a real bar, I’d be just as nervous and turned on as I am right now. I could fuck anyone. I have to because they ordered me to. Because I have no interest in using my safe word. I want this. I’m allowed to have it. The thought makes me a little lightheaded. “I’m Isabelle.”

“Isabelle.” He says my name like he’s sifting through it the way a person does with fine wine, detecting the notes beneath the surface flavor. He offers his hand. “I’m Alaric.”

“Nice to meet you.”

He gives my hand a little tug, pulling me a step closer. Even with my heels, he has a few inches on me, putting him just over six foot. “I think those guys at the bar were looking for you, but when you’re done with them, you should come chat with me.” He winks.

How does this man walk down the street without people throwing their panties at him? “I don’t know if they’d like that.”

Alaric raises his eyebrows. “Sounds like you might enjoy how much they wouldn’t like that.”

There it is again, the compulsion rising beneath my skin. I want to be wicked. I give myself a moment to imagine if Beast and Gaeton’s command was different. If they ordered me to seduce every single person in this room. Would I start by taking Alaric’s hand and slipping it beneath my dress?

His grin goes white-hot. “You’re nothing but trouble, huh?”

“You have no idea.” I run my finger down the center of his chest. He’s wearing a pair of slacks and a graphic T-shirt with a superhero on it. The combination is strangely charming to me. What if I asked him to buy me a drink?

Follow the rules.

I give me a small smile. “Maybe I’ll see you later.”

“You can count on it, beauty.”

I feel his eyes on me as I pick my way through the remaining tables and sidle up to the bar between Beast and Gaeton. I catch Aurora’s eye and lean down enough that my breasts are in danger of popping out of my dress. “What’s good here?”

Aurora licks her lips, her gaze glued to my chest. “We have a whole list.”

“Mmm.” I glance at Gaeton. “What do you recommend?”

He turns to me. There isn’t much space, not with Beast at my back, so I end up nearly pressed against his chest. He leers at my breasts. “Nice dress.”

“Thanks.” I tug at the hem, arching my back a little. My nipples are stiff points against the thin fabric. “You don’t think it’s too much for a place like this?”

“Nah.” He leans down a little, backing me up closer to Beast. “You wearing it to send your men a message?”