Lured (Team Zero #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,7

the intimacy of the gesture. Dominic doesn’t give two fucks because he’s shameless and lacks empathy for others.

He’ll stare into your soul, invade it, tear it apart, and not bat an eye about it. Worse, he’d cry at your funeral after he stabs you to death.

That’s what makes sociopaths an antisocial anomaly.

He continues his staring conquest, probably trying to intimidate me into retreating.

I don’t.

Dominic’s voice comes out neutral, “Then I will deal with you however I damn please. You’ve been testing my patience and I’m fighting the urge to punish you.”

Oui!!

I manage to not scream the world and act nonchalant. “Promises.”

A flicker of surprise lodge in his deep brown eyes before they heat. “What did you just say?”

“Promises. Promises…” I muse.

Oh. Dieu. The thrill of provoking him is too addictive.

Dominic looks about to do something, but he’s interrupted when the lift’s doors open. He drags me out by the hand. This time, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with him.

Thankfully, we don’t walk for long. We stop in front of room 717. He swipes a card and the door clicks open. He strides inside with me on his tail.

He releases me once we reach the centre of the room. I massage my wrist from the force he clutches me with. The skin is already redening. He’s strong and clearly controlling and... I can’t get much of a read on him.

What am I getting myself into?

Va-t-en, Camille. Retourne à la France. I can almost hear my parents’ voices scolding me.

I shoo those thoughts away. I already decided to do this. I won’t let my cowardice or sheltered upbringing talk me out of it.

The room is spacious in a suite-like way. It’s split into two rooms. One is the bedroom whose door is open and the other is the lounge area I’m standing in. Near me rests a round wooden table with an artistic, crystal vase on top.

Dominic removes his jacket and tucks it neatly on one of the chairs. He rolls the cuffs of his shirt to his elbow. My lips part at the view of his veiny, strong forearms.

Bah alors. C’est trop chaud ici.

“Do you want to turn on the AC?” he asks as he heads to the cabinet and pours himself water.

“What?”

“You mumbled something about it being hot?”

He understands French? Though it shouldn’t be a surprise. He has everything put together, so why not add languages to the perfect mix.

And now, I want to hear him speak in French.

“Nothing.” I fidget in place then stop. I don’t do fidgeting.

Still clutching his glass of water, he sits on the sofa across from me. One of his arms flings to the back of the sofa. His legs are apart. He appears relaxed, nonchalant even, as he twirls the water in his glass. The blazing look in his eyes causes me to clench my thighs together.

“Now what?” I ask.

“Now…” He motions at me. “Undress.”

Chapter Six

Undress.

I stare at Dominic who’s casually leaning in his seat. He actually said that. I’m not imagining things.

The way his authoritative words have rolled out of his mouth is doing stupid things to my body. My fingers are itching to follow his command.

And then… what? I will be completely under his mercy with no way out.

Isn’t this the adventure I yearned for?

“Do it for me.” My accent is thicker than usual.

He raises an eyebrow while still drinking from his water. “I told you to undress, Camille. I didn’t say I will do it for you.”

I puff my chest. “I want you to do it.”

“You’re defying me again.” His eyes harden. “I don’t tolerate being defied.”

He places the glass on the table. The sound is minimal but with the thick tension closing around my throat, it’s similar to a bomb detonating.

Dominic stands with natural grace and menace. “If I do it for you, there will be a price, baby girl.”

Baby girl.

Why do I like the sound of that?

If I’m going to be naked anyway, it would’ve been safer to just remove my clothes, but I’m not playing safe. Today, I’m going to lengths I never thought I was capable of. I’m exploring a part of me I never thought existed.

I’m not the nerd who only had her head in books. I’m an adventurous petite salope.

“Promises, promises,” I muse.

Just like in the lift, Dominic’s eyes narrow and darken. The change stabs me with fear and something primal.

He reaches me in a few strides. I flinch. The small of my back hits the round table’s edge.

I didn’t know what I expected