Chapter 7 #2
But standing here watching a beautiful woman who was clueless that her entire world was about to change was truly an extraordinary awakening.
“Just don’t break her, Xander. I don’t believe we’d be able to hide the body.”
We both chuckled at my statement. There were bodies of former rivals buried in very creative locations. I’d long since wondered if the unearthly graves had been discovered. Even if they had, there’d be no finger pointing. We’d been damn good at what we did, the games we played.
And every creative idea had followed us into adulthood and business.
“She has a fascinating taste in art,” he mused, nodding toward the painting I’d provided.
Penelope was giving the framed work of art more than a casual perusal. She was also more than genuinely interested. I could tell when she lifted her hand to touch it before realizing that wasn’t allowed.
“Don’t look now, my friend, but she’s putting in a bid for the piece. Be careful you don’t blow your cover before the night ends.” He offered an amused look before walking away. As soon as she slipped the paper into the box offering her bid, she walked away.
For the next twenty minutes, I enjoyed watching her from the shadows, although every time someone approached her, I was on edge. I’d also enjoying studying her while she’d been working earlier in the day, laughing and chatting with readers as if old friends.
Xander was right in that my methods had changed. Never had I spent so much time learning about a contestant. I was beginning to think she was more than that, perhaps a true possession that needed permanent residence on my shelf.
Whatever the case, my obsession with her was growing. And my possessive nature was on full display.
Especially when one man in question paid her far more attention than I would normally tolerate. While I had to give Penelope credit, her ability to push him off extraordinary and flawless, a moment of anger had already settled in.
His luck was with him in that he decided to take the hint.
The incident soured her actions. After giving the room another quick but detailed scan, she left, moving through an incoming crowd quickly.
Yet I’d noticed she’d been looking for something.
Or someone.
I took a swallow of my drink, heading toward one of the hotel employees assigned to the bidding boxes. “When the event has ended, I want the bids collected for item number twenty-three. Do you understand?”
The young man nodded several times. “Absolutely, sir.”
“Good.” Time to pretend as if I gave a damn about those gracing the event with their presence. I could play nice if only for a little while.
As far as later, I had plans of feeding my indulgence.
* * *
There was no room for error if I wanted to fully enjoy the contest. Yet I found myself drawn to sweet Penelope in inexplicable ways, more so than I’d experienced before and certainly more than I should at this juncture.
I left the charity event, heading toward the elevators, instantly annoyed at the number of people waiting in line. My agitation only growing, I found the stairs and slammed my hand on the door. By the time I made it to the floor below, I’d come close to allowing my anger to get the better of me.
As I’d seen the day before, the corridor was packed with people coming and going, almost all wearing some version of what I’d seen my sweet Penelope wearing. Only she’d gone to great lengths to appear true to the era where others had merely adorned cheap representations.
But they were all wearing masks.
Anonymity.
How delicious.
Now where to obtain a mask? My initial desires were answered, two girls at a table selling them for a mere pittance.
Where the music upstairs was a beautiful rendition of all things classical and in my mind wrong with the mundane life of those pretending to care for those in need, both the music and the atmosphere on this floor were lively. The book lovers were having a party.
Plus, there were disco lights creating swirls of color ebbing past the four sets of open double doors. And the laughter if nothing else would draw the typical person inside to see what everyone was so obviously happy about.
The contrast alone was fascinating.
As I approached, both girls lifted their heads. I could tell by their expressions my presence was unexpected.
“You’d look best in gold,” one offered while pointing out a mask.
“Silver. Look at his eyes,” the other insisted.
While the first girl kept her eyes on me, she nodded profusely. “She’s right. Silver.”
“Then by all means silver it is.” I paid for the mask, noticing their eyes followed me as I headed for the door.
“Oh, my. Aren’t you a luscious addition, but I do need to ask you for a ticket.” Yet another girl, also garishly dressed, was holding court by the door.
I patted my tuxedo jacket pockets, offering a sly smile. “Sadly, it would appear I’ve left my ticket in my room.” When I pulled out my wallet instead, offering two hundred-dollar bills, she appeared befuddled. “Would this do for the inconvenience?”
“I think I can make an exception.” She offered me a wristband, which I accepted for no other reason than to blend in. “Drinks tonight are free, compliments of the hotel, which we love. And there’s some yummy food on the back wall if you’re hungry. I hope you like to dance as we have a fabulous DJ.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
With the mask in place, I headed inside, immediately reminded of my college days and the bars I’d frequented after every hockey game.
Only the people inside were of all ages, from early twenties into their seventies. I stood in the entrance, debating getting a drink. I was pleased to see Jordan had taken me at my command, the room transformed into something straight out of the nineteen-twenties.
I was here with a sole purpose in mind.
Indulging in my proclivities.
Tonight wasn’t the right time for a full seduction, even if we were both adults and I had the time. The game itself was far more enjoyable than usual.
In a crowded room, it didn’t take long to spot Penelope. She stood out from the others, her presence a true beacon. She was conversing with several others in a group, all laughing and chatting while enjoying a drink.
I circled the area, remaining in the shadows.
I’d learned from my father that you could discover everything you wanted to know about someone by simply observing their behavior.
The way they reacted to others. While she was listening intently to what was being said, a master at engaging at the right point in the discussion, she was keeping a watchful eye around her.
Not only because she’d taken it upon herself to ensure the event went better than planned, but also because she’d taught herself to be very aware of her surroundings.
Her animation drew me in, pulling me toward her. While the mask could only hide a limited amount of my identity, it was enough to create an air of illusion. I suspected that would be more of a comfort to the lovely Penelope than she’d want to admit.
I should be grateful she’d been intoxicated the night before, uncertain of who’d caught her before tumbling into my room. Yet even with her eyes unfocused, she’d felt the same chemistry, a jolt of current that had already locked us together in a predatory dance.
There was a sudden strange tightness in my chest when a male model approached the group. More so when he decided to stand next to her. Anger surfaced when I had no right to feel as if she already belonged to me.
Yet I was possessive by nature, which required me to follow the rules as previously established for every contest past or present.
Thou shalt not kill those unnecessary for the outcome.
Pity.
At least with bloodshed, I could soothe the beast within for a little while.
I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her from the moment we’d met, dissecting the reasons why I’d become so affected. Ultimately, the way I felt about her could become a problem.
Daring to move closer, I caught another round of laughter just as the DJ shifted the music. A slight squeal came from within the small crowd, others from across the room.
Another girl touched my Penelope on the shoulder, nodding toward the dance floor. I wasn’t surprised she agreed, placing her drink on one of the standing tables. The entire group went with her, crowding the dance floor as the disco balls churned, creating a luminescent light show.
Given where she was standing, I was given a perfect view. Within seconds, my cock was fully aroused and aching and I was glad to be wearing a jacket and that the lighting was dark. I chuckled and moved even closer, studying every move she made.
The anonymity of the masquerade offered a thrilling shield. The usual social pretenses dissolved, leaving only pure, magnetic curiosity.
And an unrequited raging desire.
The way she flipped her hair over her shoulder, casually but with purpose enticed me.
She was creating space around her, not wanting anyone to get too close.
The way she threw her arms over her head, twirling without losing her balance even wearing her tall heels was telling. She was used to wearing them.