~2 HANDSOME DEVIL

CHAPTER TWO: HANDSOME DEVIL

EDEN MONROE

And the worst sister of the year award goes to Bree Monroe for repeatedly ditching me at every event we go for together. My eyes glared lightly at her as she let the handsome stranger whisk her away into the evening and all she did was send me a wink in response. Well, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Bree always got picked by attractive guys, she was a real eye catcher. Those striking blue eyes and platinum blonde hair could win just any man over. With her life of the party personality, she had a 24 hour spotlight naturally turned to her. Bree Monroe was just one of those girls difficult to miss, even in a crowd.

Sighing, my eyes easily lit up at the sight of the assorted mouthwatering delicacies I’d picked out from the buffet and placed on my dinner table. Even though I absolutely had no idea what this banquet ball was supposed to be centred on, I’ll give the hosts this, they sure knew how to combine a fire choice of meals.

Father didn’t give us much information about this dinner ball except that it was being hosted by the Grimaldi family and that was all it took to blow my mind. In North Creekville, certain families were legends, some held power but the Grimaldis were god. Their legacy has been likened to royalty in our city and every word from their mouth was law. No one knew much about them or how they’d amounted that much influence but father had once told me that their roots go way back into the history of North Creekville. Way back into the days when this city was still a waste land of war and death.

Maybe that would explain why I gave it my all in dressing for this occasion. I even had Bree prep my hair and glam my face up. I hated wearing body cons cause of how much they hugged my ample boobs and averagely large backside but this night was different - it felt different. Convinced by Bree, I’d worn my champagne red fitted dress that highlighted my slightly revealing cleavages and call me crazy but I loved it. With the classical music playing in the background, intricately designed interiors and crowd of well-dressed wealthy individuals, I couldn’t help smiling at absolutely nothing. Who knew I’d ever get the chance to be present at the Grimaldi mansion?

Gladly, I took a bite from the chicken wings I’d picked out and savored the bursting flavour. It was good stuff, almost like having a mouth-orgasm.

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing sitting all by herself?” A male’s gruff voice interrupted my serenity.

Pausing in my next bite, I looked up to the bald stranger rocking an overgrown beard and a 90s suit. His eyes seemed to settle on my boobs, shamelessly I must add.

“Dude! Eyes up?” I scowled.

He gave off a sheepish grin. “Don’t mind me, those big jugs are just really hard to ignore.” His gaze wandered down again.

I dropped my fork, eyes narrowed into a hard glare. “Excuse you? I swear to hell, if you don’t look away, I’ll have this fork go through your damn eyes.”

“Calm your tits, sugar. What happened to having some fun-”

“Or would you rather have me snap your neck before you understand the lady?” That wasn’t me. From behind my seat came a deep masculine voice; smooth, precise and reeked of power. My belly flipped.

Mr Overgrown beards frowned at the stranger. “And who are you, mister?”

Suddenly, his warm fingers closed over my shoulder and a thrill of electricity spread through my body at his touch. It didn’t help that his thumb drew lazy circles on the spot.

“She’s with me,” he said and my breath hitched. I am?

For once in my life, words had failed me and while I had the need to turn around and question this stranger with the alluring voice and appealing touch what he meant by ‘She’s with me’, I kept shut and just watched the frown on Mr Overgrown beard’s face fade away and that sheepish grin returning.

“I see. Well, you shouldn’t have left your girl sitting on her own. Wouldn’t want someone else tapping that now, would you?” Disgustingly, he waggled his brows.

The circles on my back stopped and his hold on my shoulder firmly tightened. Then in a low guttural voice, he growled. “Get out.”

A cold shiver went through my spin and the pervert must have felt it too, cause his expression suddenly shifted to subtle fear and he put up his hands in surrender before walking away without one more word. I was impressed.

A sigh of relief escaped through my lips and before I could turn around to thank this man, he was right infront of me. My eyes met his and that was all it took to freeze me over. My heart skipped a beat and the breath left my lungs entirely. Holy fuck! This man was devilishly handsome.

His sharp gray eyes, framed by thick lashes, held a certain depth to them as he stared at me, promising a thousand secrets and sins. I couldn’t breathe, think or speak, the only sensation that flooded through me was a burning warmth that hit right at my core. Perfectly sculpted from hard granite, his face was a combination of raw beauty and striking intimidation, like he was the type of man who has always been in charge all his life.

Clad in an expensive Armani suit, the top buttons of his shirt was left undone in an aloof yet sexy manner. It gave a glimpse to the well toned and chiseled chest trapped behind those clothes and I couldn’t help wondering what running my fingers down his torso would feel like. Heat burned right into my cheeks.

She’s with me.

“Are you good?” His perceptive eyes searched mine keenly.

I blinked, gulped and choked on absolutely nothing. Mr Stranger was quick to move to my side and handed me a glass of water from the table. While I took that and drank, he pulled out a random seat for himself. Sitting beside me, he patted my back gently for good measure and yet again, there was that thrill of electricity that surged from his fingertips and right down my spine. It felt good - a little too good and I never wanted him to stop.

Exhaling a breath and some of the heat multiplying in my body, I dropped the glass and summoned every bit of my nerves to finally face this man. Once again, I met his enthralling gaze and tried not to freeze over like before.

“Thank you.” I laughed, cause why not? “I swear I don’t always choke at the first word a guy says to me.”

“You don’t say.” His lips quirked up the slightest. “Would you have done it?”

“Done what?”

“Gone through with your little threat of stabbing him in the eyes with your fork?” Amusement flitted across his eyes. His hand placed on my shoulder pulled back but instead of keeping them away totally, he hung them lazily around my chair.

“Actually, I would have done a lot more than that. Maybe broken a bone or two as souvenirs,” I said, pulling on my faux poker face.

This got the stranger chuckling, a sound that resonated from somewhere deep and hearty. I loved it. “Well, aren’t you a feisty little one? What’s your name?”

“Eden. Eden Monroe.” I took out my hand towards him and much to my surprise, he took them gently into his hardened palms, then lifted the back of my hand straight to his lips and while those gray eyes never left mine, he placed a feather-like kiss on them. Once again, I couldn’t breathe - not with him staring at me like that.

“Eden…” he tested my name and they rolled seductively off his tongue. “I love it. Where are you from, Eden?”

He finally let go of my hands and fixed his hot gaze on me. I gave out a shaky smile - a futile attempt to hide the nerves and hormones going on a wild rampage within me. How could he effortlessly affect me this much? All I could wonder was what it would feel like to have him whisper my name right into my ears while having me pinned down to submission with those strong arms of his.

I blinked at him, clearing my throat in embarrassment at my own lewd thoughts. “Um…what, sorry? Oh, where I’m from? Downtown by the courts. What’s your name?”

“Dorian,” was all he said.

There was a brief pause in my expression before reality crashed down heavily on me. How could I have missed it? That unrivaled air of authority, the god-like aura, the wickedly sexy looks. Only one family in North Creekville had perfect command over things like this; the Grimaldis. Not just any Grimaldi, Dorian Grimaldi. The same Dorian Grimaldi who owned Creekville’s biggest club, Ace. The same Dorian Grimaldi who was the only heir to the Grimaldi empire. The very same Dorian Grimaldi who was notoriously known for his reputation as the most unattainable man in the city. Yes, that same Dorian Grimaldi was right beside me, staring straight at me with eyes filled with curiosity. My jaw dropped.

“Holy mother of fuck! Dorian? As in, Dorian the man eater?” I questioned with wide eyes.

He arched an amused brow. “Man eater? That’s a new one. I’ll have you know that I’m anything but that, Eden.”

“Dude, you literally have the scariest reputation in the city. Everyone sees you as some sort of cold-hearted man-eating monster,” I blabbered.

Dorian regarded me silently for a second, then titled his head. “Then why aren’t you running yet?”

I opened my mouth to speak but then, I realized that I had no answer to his question. My college friends always spoke about men like Dorian Grimaldi all the time; dark, mysterious and with an underlying thrill of danger. They talked about him with a deep sense of admiration and trepidation. However, all I felt whenever I looked at this man was an unfamiliar yet addictive feeling of safety and consuming desire.

I shrugged lightheartedly with a teasing smile. “Maybe you’re not as frightening as you think afterall.”

He chuckled, letting his lips form a small devilish smirk. “Or maybe I’m just hiding my claws, Red. Who knows?”

I rolled my eyes playfully and as if on cue, one of my favourite classic songs came up. Instantly, my eyes lit up and a broad smile spread across my face.

“Oh my god, I love this song!” Turning to Dorian, I said, “Okay, man eater, would you have this dance with me? That should at least prove that I’m not scared of you.” I smirked.

Dorian rolled his eyes dismissively. “I’ll pass, I don’t dance.”

I gave an exaggerated gasp and dropped my hand to my chest in faux pain. “Ouch, sir. Way to break my heart. You know what, I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Without waiting to hear another word from him, I got to my feet infront of him and stretched out my hands.

Stone-faced, he repeated. “I don’t dance.”

I let out another gasp and glared lightly. “Fine then, your loss.” Whipping around with a dramatic flair, I didn’t wait too see Dorian’s expression before I matched straight to the extensive dance floor, a bit disappointed.

A few other couples were already there, swaying perfectly to the music. In their sophisticated suits and designer dresses, you could easily tell that this was a banquet for important individuals. Not that I cared, it didn’t stop me from moving my body freely to the gentle lull of the music. Well, it must have been a pathetic sight to see a girl dancing alone in a ballroom filled with couples but that was besides the point. I loved the song and it was all that mattered.

Shaking my hips sideways in light movements, I allowed myself get lost in the lyrical harmony and for a second, I forgot I was in the middle of the dance floor with eyes watching or rather, his attentive eyes drinking in my every move. Until a pair of strong arms enveloped my form, pulling me back by the waist onto his tight body, radiating of warmth.

“God, you’re sexy.” Huskily, he breathed into my ear and it tickled seductively down my neck. My back was pressed against his hard body and his hands wrapped around my waist set fire to the skin beneath. Gently, he swayed with me.

“What happened to the broody man who doesn’t dance?” I questioned with a short laugh, trying not to sound out of breath.

“Well, let’s just say he’s out on a coffee break and…” he tenderly took up one of my arms and spun me around swiftly to face him. “…I couldn’t miss the chance of dancing with a very beautiful lady.”

I met his eyes, smoldering in it’s intensity and a faint blush rose to my cheeks. “Is the man-eater flirting with me? Now, that’s frightening.”

Dorian laughed and I felt his fingers trail down, sending waves of heat through me, and came to rest on my lower back. Dangerously close to grabbing my ass, I might add. “I’ll love to do so much more than that to you.”

His words held an undertone of something else - something dirty and sinful. I shivered. “Things like what?”

Gray eyes darkened and flittingly, his gaze went down to my lips before he stared right into my eyes again - absorbing me. Leaning in closer, Dorian brushed his lips deliciously against my ear and whispered, “I’d love to tell you how much I want to strip you down, out of this sexy little red dress of yours and feel every curve of your body - from top to bottom…but this isn’t the right place for that now, is it?”

I just met this man; Dorian Grimaldi. Just met him barely an hour ago and yet, having him explicitly tell me those naughty thoughts of his sent a feverish thrill down my spine. I should have been pushing him away, condescendingly telling him off for saying such words to a lady he just met but every hormonal nerve in my body was too turned on to care. I wanted to his hands on every inch of my body - holding me, feeling me, touching me like his words had promised. I wanted this man.

My hands on his broad and muscular shoulders caressed lightly and his hand on my waist moved lower, resting provocatively on my ass. Heat thrummed intoxicatingly between us and a light throb went through my core.

“I… How can you say that to someone you just met? It’s not proper,” I whispered, lightheaded.

He chuckled. “Proper? And where’s the excitement in proper?” Dorian watched me intently, my chest rising and falling. “Moreover, you could always walk away…but something tells me you don’t want that, hmm?”

“Get over yourself. Is this like your thing then? Sweet talking every girl in a tight dress?”

He rolled his eyes. “That’s insulting to hear. If you were mine, I’d have had you bent over my knees and spanked till you’re red.”

I sucked in a sharp breath and my lady part pulsed.. “It’s a good thing that I’m not yours then.”

“I could always remedy that.” He smirked and my stomach flipped. How could he affect me this much?

Our gaze stayed locked to each other, his eyes hooded and burning and consuming. My insides were on fire and my nipples were rigid. In this ballroom, with all the classical music and decently dancing couples, he was riling me in - intoxicating me with desire and a wanton lust I’d never felt before. Although it also felt more than just desire radiating between us. It felt like primitive hunger, passion and an incredible need to know everything about him. It wasn’t like anything I’d ever felt before.

My hand on his shoulder, on their own instinct, slowly moved down and rested on his rock hard chest. I wanted to feel him more - all the way down his tight abs. Maybe run my tongue down along with it. A few strands of his black tousled hair fell across his forehead, my eyes returning to his dark and handsome face. Led by the irresistible need to run my fingers through them, I lifted my hand to his forehead and brushed lightly against the skin there as I swiped back his hair.

However, in an instance, Dorian’s expression hardened and every trace of desire quickly dissolved into a cold glare directed at me. He jolted back from my reach, leaving my skin bare of his warmth and a scowl twisted his face.

“What are you doing?” He growled, everything about his stance agitated.

Confused, I blinked and frowned. “I don’t understand… I was just trying to-”

“What are you?” His eyes were quickly darkening but not like before, they held something sinister in them and a cold shiver ran down my spine. My instinct said run.

“Dorian, did I do something wrong?”

His glares never faded but then, there seemed to be conflict in his eyes. There, with a few disguised onlookers, he titled his head at me, like he was trying to figure out a difficult puzzle. Then without an explanation, he spun on his feet and walked briskly away. Just like that.

He left me there on the dance floor embarrassed, irritated and mostly confused. It didn’t make any sense. A minute ago, he had his hand all over me, whispering sinful words into my ears and then in a blink, he disappears? Had I done something wrong? Maybe trying to touch his hair was a bad idea. Or maybe he had come to the realization that I wasn’t his type. Afterall, he was Dorian Grimaldi, a walking icon in North Creekville and I was Eden Monroe, the history major who’s basically a nobody.

Heat rushed to my cheeks and for some reason, a painful pang shot through my chest and my first instinct was to run to a bathroom and bawl my eyes. I barely knew him and yet it hurt. Perhaps I was naive for allowing myself believe for a second that a man like him would be interested in me.