NALEDI’S POV
“What?” I said, nearly coughing up blood.
Surely he was pulling my legs.
“I’m not one to beat around the bush, Amara.” His grip tightened around my waist. “The last thing I want is for us to waste any more time pretending there is nothing between us.”
!!!
“You are a smart woman. A businesswoman with billions at her disposal. The only thing you need is a push on the right path. And believe me, I’m the best candidate you can find in this business.” He smiled. “I don’t need to tell you the benefits your corporation stands to gain by getting this partnership with me, and even more when you take me up on my offer.”
He leaned into my ears. “All that for a tiny price in return. A price that would benefit you more than myself. Be my woman, Amara. Let me have you for as long as I want.”
I wanted to call him out. Send a rogue knee up his shaft and tell him to shove it but I retained a perfect smile, hoping I nailed the flattered look I was going for.
“I don’t know what to say.” For the first time tonight, I meant the words that went out my lips.
What does one say to that? I came here hoping to strike a business deal and here he was, trying to make me his woman. Safe to say I was sufficiently done. The thought of just how many people listened to him make passes at me made me feel a bit uneasy.
They’d probably think I was getting carried away. I know Caellum would be well in his seat, screaming how I wasn’t the man for the job. The thought of Caellum brought a rev of sparks on my skin.
That was a first.
“Say yes.” Luka purred, and I remember we were having a conversation. “Say yes and I will walk up that portal and announce you as the chosen one. I’ll end the chase right now, and let everyone envy you for getting what they desired.”
I let out a huge breath, and suddenly the music cut. Replacing the slow song was a more trendy one, and just like that, the people started switching partners.
Before I could make out words, I felt a man tower over me, his presence stirred something in me and when he spoke, I knew for certain it was him.
Of course, he’d make an appearance! What was I thinking?
“May I cut in?” The base in his tone made it sound more like a demand than a request.
My eyes did a one-off on him and I took in his body like a thirsty woman. He wore a white dress shirt that clung to his body like a second skin. Leaving little to the imagination.
I swallowed as I took in Caellum, his sharp eyes visible through the little mask on his face. I didn’t realise I was staring until Luka cleared his throat awkwardly.
There and then, I was rescued from my Caellum-induced reverie. Only then did I notice there were other eyes on us. I stood between the two hunks of men who stared themselves down.
I couldn’t tell if it was because the men looked delicious in the eye or because of the drama of it all. Knowing humans need for drama and entertainment gossip, I leaned towards the latter.
“I’ll be waiting for your answer, My love,” Luka said flatly, someone must have shit in his pants. “Catch me when you are ready.” He said, looking meaningfully into my eyes.
With that, Luka left the floor, getting lost in the sea of heads around.
“Shall I have this dance,” Caellum said with an outstretched arm.
One that was mostly for show because he dragged me into himself, butting a reasonable distance between us as we moved in sync with the music.
“Why are you here?” I said well into our dance. “This was not part of the plan.”
“Neither did our plan include you getting harassed by that dick.” He gritted and drew me closer to himself. “No one gave him the right to make passes at you, or even dance with you.”
Caellum sounded pained. I couldn’t believe him. This was business for godsakes!
“Who told you he was making passes at me?” I asked in a low tone, “What? You couldn’t trust me on my own and demanded minutes reports from the team? Don’t make me regret wiring myself up because I can well find my way to the bathroom and take it all off.”
“You dare not.” His tone was fierce, as was his eyes. They burned with a lot of emotions. One of them I recognised as jealousy, the other anger, and the more prominent one that had him press himself hardly against me, desire.
I pushed into him, taking him up on what he had to offer. “You see, that’s where you are wrong.” I pressed into him, leaving no space between us and feeling every inch of his hot body. “I can do whatever the hell I want to do. My job. My rules.” I let my hand glide down to meet his member. “And if you have a problem with that, then maybe you shouldn’t be here. Because I am going to get into that list one way or the other.”
“Do you want to sleep with him?” Now Caellum was mad. “Is that it? Are you feeling so horny and in need of some hot vampire sex? Because if that’s the case I can step in and do the needful. We agreed to satisfy our natural needs anyway. The last thing I want is you getting confused on whose woman you are.”
I felt like I had just been slapped. Was that what he thought of me? Was that how low he regarded me? I stepped from his hold, giving him the dirtiest look.
“I believe this dance is over.” A voice said from the crowd.
I turned around and there he was, headed for me with a smile. Luka Donatello. And what’s worse? He had a mic with him.