I nearly stumble on the ground itself, but he easily catches me and holds me at arm's length. I can't even look at him. Every cell in my body is screaming for more, and I don't understand it. He must be three times my age. He could be my father. And yet I'm so completely captivated by his presence, I've managed to forget about the world existing outside of this... outside of us.
"Stop staring and get back to your friend, trouble," he says, motioning behind me. "She's looking a little lost there."
I toss a look over my shoulder, cursing softly when I see Mercy surrounded by a bunch of guys. This always fucking happens, and she always gets in trouble.
"But I need..." I worry my lip between my teeth again. "Please, I need more."
"More like what?"
"More of you." I want to die on the spot. Where the hell is this honesty coming from? I'm not open like this with anyone, not even Mercy. "Please. Your last name?"
He hesitates, raising the cigarette to his lips and taking another inhale. "It's Santino. Raphael Santino. You going to look me up, trouble?"
I nod, getting ready to speak when a woman comes flitting to him the next second. I instantly recognize her as the bitch that gave me a side-eye in front of the club earlier. But now she's clinging to Raphael, the man I've already decided is mine, and giving me a saccharine-sweet smile.
"Come back inside," she purrs against his neck, biting his earlobe. I want to fucking gag. "I want you to meet my friends, Daddy."
I glance in confusion between the two of them. She looks younger, but not young enough to be his daughter. Why is she calling him that?
As much as I try to ignore the fierce ache between my legs, I still feel it. Fuck. What is happening to me?
"I'll be right there." He smiles at her. "Go back inside and I'll join you in a second."
She must realize pleading with him won't help, so she turns around and leaves, but not before giving me a spiteful look.
"Your hot date?" I raise my brows at Raphael, hoping he'll pretend my voice isn't shaking.
"You could say that." He puts out his cigarette and winks at me. "Bye, trouble."
"Wait." I grab his palm and he pulls back as if I've burned him. "I need more."
"I already gave you more, Willa." My name feels even better on his lips than the nickname he's christened me with. Holy fuck. I'm about to beg him to give me so much more.
"I'm a virgin," I blurt, and he pulls back. "Please. I want you to be my first time."
"No." His answer is final and like the girl before me, I know better than to argue. "Go home, trouble. Maybe I'll meet you in another life."
He pulls away from me and walks off. As I watch him leave, something happens inside my mind. The wheels churn and turn and click into place. Raphael Santino is my new obsession, my new need, my new infatuation. Everything that matters to me in one man. And I will have him. No matter what.
I smile to myself and return to Mercy who's still battling with the group of guys flirting with her despite the fact she's clearly underage.
I let them flirt with me too. I kiss one of them later that night, pretending it's Raphael's sinful lips on mine. But I don't let him touch me anywhere below the waist. I already know how I'm going to get Raphael. It's going to take time... but eventually, I'll get what I want, just like I always do.
He won't be able to resist me. I'll mold myself into the perfect siren to steal him from any other woman. I'll work hard at it, making notes, watching him, until we meet again.
And then I'm going to ruin his life because he turned me down.
On my fucking birthday, no less.
Chapter 2
Raphael
2 years later
"Honey, dinner's ready!"
I stifle a groan and pull myself up from my chair. I really don't want to deal with this shit right now, but I suppose I don't have a choice. After all, this agreement with Elise forces me to play her loving fiancé in front of her friends and family. And right now, two middle-aged women who've been primped and tightened by professionals, sit at the island in my kitchen. Elise's best friends, Kiki and Mimi. I have to make her look good in front of them. It's part of the fucking deal.
I'm not sure whether Kiki and Mimi are twins, but they look disturbingly alike. I smile at them tersely before kissing Elise on the cheek.
"I'm afraid I have to run to the office tonight," I tell her with a smile that doesn't allow arguing. "I'll be back late. Might sleep in the spare bedroom."