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  I forced myself to turn away, but that only brought my attention back to the fact that Liam was on stage. From the way he was also staring over at me, I wanted to flee. This was too much. My mind swirled and a strange antsy feeling took over. I needed a release. Something to get rid of all the frustration. My eyes glanced back over to Michael, who still appeared content to stand there and study me. I groaned, frustrated, as a slight tingling raced down my skin. Regardless of what I thought, my body had a life of its own. I fucking wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anyone. Maybe it was because he was off limits, or maybe he was just that damn good looking. He was a God amongst men. Standing high on a pedestal amongst the clouds and here I was, silently wanting to grovel at his feet and beg him to do the vilest things to me possible. How many other women had done just that?

  “You’re not dancing?” Sarah’s blonde hair flew over her shoulder as she nudged her head to the dance floor.

  “You know I’m not much of a dancer.” I took another drink. “Besides, you’re not out there either.”

  My cousin shrugged, scanning the crowd around the dance floor. “Not really anyone I care to dance with. At least, not anyone that’s available. Damn Nancy for calling dibs on the hottest guy here. I wish I’d seen Michael Barnett first. I so would have…” she trailed off, looking in his direction. I didn’t dare follow her stare. Her words had me shaking my head.

  “Wait, what? Nancy called dibs on him? I thought he was a...” I lowered my voice, “she told me he was a manwhore. That I shouldn’t even waste my time.”

  “And you believed her?” Sarah asked, laughing. “She’s had the hots for Frank’s cousin now for months. He won’t give her the time of day, but she’s just so sure tonight is the night. My sister just won’t face the fact he doesn’t like her that way.” Sarah frowned. “He seems to like you, though. Holy shit. I don’t even think he sees me standing here gawking like a complete fool. He’s too busy drooling over you.”

  Before I could stop myself, my eyes darted over. Michael still looked the same, standing there all relaxed, but his face was anything but. What was he thinking?

  “What do you know about him?” My voice was slightly breathless. I couldn’t believe Nancy had lied to me. Knowing he wasn’t who she said he was had my guard dropping. I wanted him even more. Hell, Nancy was beautiful and he could have had her… yet, he hadn’t. That spoke volumes to me. It also told me that I probably didn’t stand a chance. He may have been interested in me for unknown reasons, but I doubted it had to do with what I wanted.

  “Let’s take a walk. I want to see something.” Sarah grabbed my hand and started pulling me further into the room, weaving me around clusters of people who were clapping and laughing. We didn’t stop until we were twenty feet from him and the stage. “Still, he watches you,” she said next to my ear. “Amazing.”

  “You’re not telling me who he is, though.” The speaker rested not far away and I found myself trying to speak over Liam’s lyrics.

  Sarah stepped back, placing herself between me and Michael. Although I had the urge to look around her to see what she was so in awe of, I focused on her face. Her smile was radiating with just the slight hint of mischief. “You want to know who he is, just type his name into a search engine. You’ll find all sorts of information on the internet. He’s big shit in the business world. Every gold digger’s dream. But, if you really want to know who he is,” she laughed and shook her head, “I couldn’t tell you. He’s very private. Cassy hardly knows anything about him. Supposedly, he spends a lot of his time at his penthouse and rarely goes into public. Kind of odd, if you ask me. But…” she licked her lips, “kind of hot, too. He’s such a mystery. One I’d love to figure out. Unfortunately for me, he only has his sights on one person here and that appears to be you.”

  The song ended and I glanced toward the bright blue and white decorated stage. Liam was addressing Cassy and Frank, leaning forward and pointing to them as they came out onto the dance floor. White silk flared out as my sister’s new husband spun her around.

  “I’m not so sure I’m interested.” I smiled and reached over, squeezing Sarah’s hand. “Thanks for the information, though.” A waiter walked by, a petite boy who couldn’t have been older than nineteen, and I switched my empty glass for a new one. Red wine sloshed around the brim and my mind battled between giving Michael any more thought or just letting it go and getting through this reception as best as I could.

  Yells erupted from the crowd as Cassy and Frank danced to an upbeat tune. I laughed and had to admit, I liked my sister happy. It was refreshing. My parents’ passing had been tragic for both of us, but I’d been the strong one, taking care of her as best as I could while we moved from one relative’s home to another. She’d gone through a very rough time, but pulled through once she started college and found Frank. Perhaps I was wrong about him. From the bright white teeth that flashed as he smiled down at her, he looked like he adored her. My stomach dropped. What did I know about love?

  “I gotta get back. You should really come over with us.”

  The large group of girls squealing in front of the dance floor had me shaking my head. “Maybe in a little while. I actually need to go to the ladies room. I might join up with all of you when I get back.”

  Sarah smiled and glanced over her shoulder toward Michael. “Or you can just hang out here for a little while. I get the impression someone’s waiting for me to leave so they can have you to themselves.”

  “I doubt that,” I laughed.

  The wine disappeared from my glass in one long drink and Sarah took a step back. “We’ll see. Have fun,” she said, walking off and throwing me a wink that made my hands start shaking. Was she right? Although the thought was appealing, I couldn’t fight the nervousness.

  The drumming picked up and almost seemed to match the rhythm of my racing heart as I headed toward the exit of the large room. The almost tangible heaviness that rested at my back made me walk faster. Was he still watching? Following? Should I look and find out?

  I pushed through the doors and turned to the left, not allowing myself to do so. This wasn’t like me. Where was my confidence? My “I don’t need anyone” attitude? Mindlessly, I clenched my fists, one of my many nervous habits. I knew where it was. It was being held prisoner in the darkness of that damn stare that had jumbled everything around in my mind.

  Thin, beige carpet lined the small, secluded hallway. The mirror surrounded by floral accents had me stopping and taking in the reflection that stared back at me. My naturally curly hair was winning out over the straightening the hairdresser had spent almost two hours working on. The natural make-up I sported was still somewhat presentable, but it didn’t hide the flush of my cheeks. Heat poured from my skin and I breathed deeply. Shit, the stress of the day was taking its toll. I was flustered in every sense of the word.

  The door down the hall swung open and my aunt Beatrice barreled out with my cousin Sadie in tow. The ten year old looked angry and, given how much of a tomboy she was, I had no doubt it was because of the blue tulle that flowed around her as she stomped forward.

  “Anne!” Beatrice’s steps ate the floor as she approached with her arms out. “You look beautiful. When’s it going to be your turn?”

  “Not any time soon,” I laughed, hugging her back.

  “Oh, come on. You have a good guy. Leonard, isn’t it?”

  The smile I had plastered on my face fell a little, even though I tried my best to appear happy. “Liam, and no. We’re not together anymore.”

  Lines wrinkled her forehead as if I’d said something she didn’t quite understand. “Not together? But, isn’t he the singer on stage?”

  “Yep,” I said, a little too clipped. “He and Cassy are still friends.”

  My aunt’s mouth twisted. “Oh…I see. Well, pity. You two made a cute couple.”

  “Thanks. It was for the best, though.” I stepped to the side, allowing her and Sadie to pass.

  She stopped and
turned back around before I could escape through the door to the ladies room. “Anthony,” she said. “I’ll introduce you. He’s just inside. A little younger than you, but a good looking boy. He’s one of Frank’s cousins. Smart young boy, just graduated college last year.”

  “I’m thirty,” I blurted out.

  “You’re only a few years older, and he’s really mature for his age.”

  Panic had me stepping back. “Really, I’m okay. I don’t want—”

  “Don’t be silly,” she said, cutting me off. “See you back in there.”

  With a flare of blonde hair, she turned and headed back to the entrance of the reception. My foot stomped the moment she disappeared. Shit. Shit. Shit. What was wrong with being single? Why was it so important for everyone to keep trying to set me up on dates? No one was going to be right for me. Not the real me. Except…my eyes darted to the door. Yes. Michael seemed to hold something that could sate the darkness within, but did I really want to give in to temptation? If I did, I just might not find my way back out.

  Chapter 2

  Michael

  The fear mixed with anticipation on the maid of honor’s face as she had stolen glances made me want her even more. Fuck, she was beautiful. Thick, light brown hair with traces of blonde. Even a hint of red was visible when the light hit it the right way. Naturally pouty lips and the darkest green eyes I’d ever seen. They left me mesmerized. Made me want to test her tolerance to see if they changed colors as I brought her to the brink of both pleasure and pain. It’d been almost two years since I’d even cared to look at a woman. Natasha had ruined me in that regard. Claimed I was too much for anyone to handle. I knew she was right, especially since she could barely take half of what I truly wanted to unleash. So, I did the only thing I knew after I sent her away. I buried myself in work and pushed away the thought of being with anyone else. Living for the day and not worrying about the future. That was, until today.

  The swell of her ass under the wispy silk material as she walked down the aisle was the first thing that caught my attention. She wasn’t bone thin, which I liked. Curves always called to me, and she definitely had them. Even though her body was enticing, I’d quickly become preoccupied. The ceremony dragged out while I lost myself in what I needed to do for work. Mindlessly, I glanced around, not even seeing the things before me. At least, not until my eyes stopped on her face. The moment they did, my world shifted. Nothing else existed for the rest of the service. In fact, I hadn’t even realized it was over until cheers exploded around me and my cousin kissed his darling bride.

  Expressions played heavily over my girl’s face, and with each one I felt myself become more transfixed. I could tell she wasn’t feeling the whole wedding vibe. That in itself surprised me. Almost every female in the room was smiling and had a tissue handy. Not her. She smiled, but it was so fake it left me amused. And then, she rolled her eyes. Rolled them. I think I did laugh then. She was perfect. This mystery woman wouldn’t push me to slip a ring on her finger. She was confident. Secure of herself. My money wouldn’t be her sole focus like with Natasha, who pretended to want what I did in order to get her hands on the prize. Somehow, I knew this. And it drew me to her even more. But nothing compared to when she had looked over at me. It was the stamp of approval on my obsessive desires.

  The monster inside me flared for the first time in years, all adrenaline-induced lust, desperate to sink its claws in her. But the chemistry I felt we shared ended almost as fast as it began and I couldn’t stand it.

  There was something about being dismissed that riled me in ways I couldn’t grasp. No one turned their back on me. Not in business and sure as hell not in my personal life. Not that I’d had much of one in the last few years, although it still didn’t stop the women from trying. They were usually too willing. Too ready to throw themselves at me. She was different. I’d watched her go from what appeared curious, to downright disinterested in the length of a car ride. The action sent me from merely wanting to get to know her, to a challenge I was all too willing to accept.

  I scanned the large group of girls laughing and standing amidst the other happy guests. Almost all were clad in that bright blue that themed the wedding. It matched the streamers lining the ceiling, down to the confetti that littered the table tops.

  Red hair caught my attention and I stopped to look at the woman who’d ridden with her. Nancy, if I recalled correctly. Persistent didn’t even begin to describe that one. From the smile she flashed at me, it looked like she still wanted to give it a go. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. It hadn’t at Frank’s birthday party and it sure as hell wasn’t going to now.

  With a small bite of her lip, she leaned over and whispered something in one of the girl’s ears. Not even a second later, the brunette looked over at me. I had a feeling my answers concerning my girl rested with that one. She was sneaky. Untrustworthy. I could read that within moments of initially meeting her. It was the whole reason I’d avoided her like the plague.

  Loud laughter rang out from the dance floor, but I didn’t even bother glancing over. There was only one reason I was still here and she was currently missing. Where had she gone? I looked down at my watch and turned back to the door. Like clockwork, she eased inside. Those big eyes came right to me. Whatever had happened between here and the church may have been a mystery, but if I knew anything about women, she was attracted to me whether she wanted to be or not. That was good enough. It’d be more fun making her give in to what I wanted.

  I pushed from the wall, slowly heading in her direction. The sight of my brother being pulled from the bar by some older woman made me want to laugh. Until I realized he was being chaperoned right toward the one person I was after.

  “Anne!” The woman’s voice carried over the loud music. Anthony looked like a panicked kid until his eyes focused a few feet in front of me. A soft smile pulled his lips back, exposing perfect white teeth. I knew that smile, and I didn’t like it. Not one bit. The suave look that masked his features nearly had me growling. He was a younger version of me, all the more a threat.

  “Anne,” the woman said, breathlessly. “Here, this is who I wanted you to meet. Anthony, this is Anne Johnston, my niece.”

  Anne…such a perfect name.

  My brother’s hand went forward, but his eyes came up to mine. The smile melted from his face at the shake of my head.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Anne.” The deflated enthusiasm lacing his tone was something I knew I’d hear about later. My brother was big with the ladies, but Anne was where I drew the line. In my book, she was already taken.

  The blonde haired woman glanced up to me and did a double take. She turned to look at Anthony and brought her big blue eyes back to me. “I don’t think I’ve met you before? You must be the older brother I’ve heard so much about. Michael, is it? I’m Beatrice Allen.”

  Anne spun around, but I didn’t look down. “That’s right. Michael Barnett.” I held out my hand and she eagerly reached forward, introducing herself. The need to pull my girl back, to place my arm around her and make it clear to Beatrice who she belonged to, made my fingers twitch.

  “So, are you in town for the wedding or do you live in the area? Anthony hasn’t mentioned much about you, I’m afraid.”

  Ah, the twenty questions routine. I smiled. “I live here. A few miles down the road, actually.”

  “Oh, I see.” If the woman was local, she’d know what the area meant. Money. I didn’t usually feel the need to flaunt what I had. Again, another thing that was out of character. I shook it off as she glanced to my side. “That’s great. Have you met my niece yet?”

  Only then did I turn my attention to Anne. The deep green that I’d instantly been pulled to had me stepping closer. My hand slid into hers. So soft, so small, compared to mine. “Not formally.” As I brought her fingers to my mouth, brushing my lips against her knuckles, nothing else existed outside of our connection. Not the loud music or the rambling of the guests. Just the slight partin
g of her mouth as she sucked in a breath. Damn, she was so beautiful up close with all of her attention on me.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Anne.”

  Her eyes stayed on mine and time stretched out. “The pleasure’s mine,” she finally whispered.

  Oh, it sure would be.

  “Well, now.” Beatrice’s loud voice had Anne turning away and removing her hand. I didn’t miss the opportunity to slide my fingers down her palm before she broke away completely. The gesture had her licking her lips and breathing deeper. It was followed by a slight color that tinted her cheeks. Fuck, I bet she’d be heaven to look at after I had my way with her. Her face wouldn’t be the only thing glowing.

  I pulled at my tie, loosening it. Since the moment I’d seen her, everything had been thrown for a loop. My cravings were intensifying by the second, something I wasn’t used to anymore. All I could see was her beneath me, moaning, begging for me to fuck her harder. Rougher. My hand around her throat.

  “Do you dance, Michael?”

  “Oh, no,” Anne said, shaking her head. “Thank you for the introductions, Aunt Beatrice, but I really need to be going.” She looked from me to my brother. “It was great meeting the two of you. You both have a wonderful night.”

  Faster than I could have imagined possible, Anne slipped away, right into the middle of a big crowd. Again, she’d dismissed me.

  “I…” Beatrice blinked a few times, apparently just as confused as me and Anthony. I could see his interest appeared piqued even more. His head turned in her direction and his neck craned, to see over the group.

  I leaned forward. “It’s really okay. I’m sure she’s just had a long day. I’ll go check on her for you.” Beatrice’s smile returned and she nodded, lacing her arm through my brother’s.

  “Come, Anthony, you can meet Sarah.”