Was this his real form? Was it possible for a whole planet to be full of nothing but genetic perfection? if so, it must have been disappointing to arrive on Earth to find we weren’t all spectacular models. I lowered my gaze, curling my shoulders forward, reminding myself I was nothing spectacular. My work uniform hung over my thin frame during the day, and my black dress tonight was nothing special. I wore my dark chestnut hair in a ponytail most days, though I had toyed with the idea of putting purple highlights in it. But just like with most things, I never gained the courage.
I pushed myself out of his grasp, suddenly feeling less scared, but more out of place. I didn’t belong here, not with these gorgeous people, not at his club, and definitely not pretending this man would be interested in me. Even as an extraterrestrial being, he’d overlook a simple female like me, unless his goal was to hunt down a slave. Even Cherry had picked up a guy, while every inch of me itched to run back to my apartment.
Quickly, I climbed out of his lap, suddenly appreciating his kindness in showing me interest. I shyly glanced away and turned toward the exit when iron fingers wrapped around my wrist.
“Where are you going, my pet?”
I twisted around to face the man with the devilish eyes, his strong hand wrapped around mine like a shackle.
“I made a mistake in coming here,” I answered, not sure if I was talking about coming here without knowing it was a Vepar club or coming here in the first place because I didn’t belong. Something about the tenderness in his gaze coaxed me to speak the truth, because I suspected he picked up on small nuances like my nervousness, that I was alone, and how vulnerable I appeared.
I might be vulnerable, but I wasn’t about to forget how dangerous the creature was holding on to me.
“Humans have a saying that there’s no such thing as coincidences. Do you believe that?” he said randomly, tracing my lips with a whisper soft touch. Somehow the act seemed more intimate than sex. This being was looking at me like he knew all of my secrets or at least felt that my secrets belonged to him. He’s touching me so possessively, not even pausing for a moment to ask my permission. I’m suddenly even more aware that the creature in front of me is a predator hidden behind a pretty face. I have to leave.
I shrugged, trying to hide the fact that I felt almost debilitated by fear, and tucked a strand of hair behind an ear nonchalantly. “Haven’t given it much thought. Guess if enough strange things keep happening, I’d question the coincidence.”
His thumb on the hand that was holding my arm in a vice grip started to rub a circle on the inside of my wrist as he held my gaze, so intent and focused I had no choice but to start shivering. Tremors wiggled south to the pit of my stomach and lower. I’d never had a man stare at me with such depth, not even the boys who’d shown semi-interest in me in the past. This here...this was something else.
“What can I get you to drink?” he asked smoothly, his eyes still on me like I was a shot of single malt whiskey.
The voices, thumping music, and mass crowd in the club floated somewhere behind me. My eyes flitted anywhere besides his face as my mind raced with how to escape. As much as my body responded to his attentiveness, how the heat between my thighs inflamed into an inferno, I was sure I wouldn’t survive the night if I stayed any longer.
“Thanks, but maybe next time.” I said, trying to draw my hand from his without success.
“Sometimes the hardest thing in life is letting go,” he said randomly, finally letting go of my hand.
I should have turned and run at that moment, but something in the way he said that last statement made me hesitate. “What do you mean?”
“Change is never easy.”
I blinked against the lights flashing in our direction. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, the panic starting to bleed into my voice. I regretted my outburst at once as a glimmer of amusement arose in his eyes at my blatant fear.
“You’ll find out soon, pet.” He released my hand, and I stumbled on the spot. “You better go catch up to your friend.”
His riddles made no sense, but considering he knew I came with Cherry meant he’d been watching me before I fell into his lap. I spun and pushed through the crowds, needing to leave, get away, and never visit this club again.
“I’ll be seeing you around,” he called out, and I glanced over my shoulder one more time. But the seat he lounged in was empty.
Where the hell was he?
I ran from the club like I was being chased by demons, the feeling that someone was watching me settling over my skin like dread.