the brick wall as I winded down. The bricks were cool and musty under my sweaty palms.
At the ground level, as I suspected, a long corridor full of multiple door options presented itself to me. I tried the first two but they were locked. Shit. They were going to send a search party after me if I didn’t bring this wine back soon. I turned another doorknob and it opened. I peered in and spotted some oak barrels. This must’ve been it. I stepped in hesitantly, unsure. The temperature dropped about twenty degrees.
It was a spacious room but if there was wine in here, it must have been hidden because I couldn’t see a bottle in sight. I circled around, confused. What was the purpose of this room? Against the wall there was one of those coolers that looked like you would store ice cream in. I went over and flinched as I looked down into it. It was filled with IV bags…bags filled with blood. A chill raced up my spine and the hairs prickled on the back of my neck.
“What are you doing in here?”
I spun around and came face to face with Ozi. I froze.
“Raven, I asked you a question. Answer me.” His voice was gruff and his eyes wild.
“I—um…I was looking for the wine cellar. I got lost.” I didn’t dare ask him what he was doing with all that blood.
His eyes hardened. “You’re not supposed to be down here. No one is. This room is off limits.”
“I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I’ll go.” I stepped around him and proceeded to the door when he caught my wrist.
“You can’t tell anyone about what you saw down here.” His grip tightened when I didn’t immediately respond.
I hated secrets. I stepped toward him with a fury. “I was sent to get wine. It’s not my fault Enzo gave me bad directions. If you don’t want anyone seeing you have a blood fetish, then you should keep this door locked.”
He grabbed my chin. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. And this is my house. I shouldn’t have to lock doors.”
I stuck out my lower lip and glared at him in defiance. “Your house until you decide to throw a party for half of Manhattan. Don’t be angry with me just because you fucked up.”
“Watch your tone with me, Raven. I’m still your boss.” He walked me backward until I was up against the wall. With my wrist still in his grasp, he pinned it over my head.
My heart raced. His face was so close to mine and as much as I wanted to slap him, I also wanted to drown in his lips. “Fine, I’ll keep your weird little secret, but don’t you dare threaten me.”
He smirked. “You’re feisty tonight, Raven. I think this is the most fire I’ve ever seen from you. I like it. Relax, I’m not threatening you. I’m asking you nicely to please keep what you saw to yourself.” He loosened his grip on my wrist and I snatched it down away from him.
“Tell me why you have them. Are you sick or something?” Maybe he needed transfusions?
Ozi looked away, his smile fading. “Not exactly. Depends on how you look at it, I guess. I can’t tell you anything more. Not at this time.”
“You don’t trust me,” I stammered, breathless.
“I don’t trust anyone.”
“Well, that’s why you are alone.” I couldn’t tell if he was going to fly into a rage or burst out laughing.
He stepped forward again, pressing into me with his body, his hands against the wall, boxing me in. “I’m not alone right now.”
There was something so wrong about this but I couldn’t tear myself away. His brown eyes gazed into mine and my breath caught in my throat. He was so damn sexy. I never knew that men like him even existed—seductive, powerful, captivating.
“I should get back up with the wine before Enzo has a heart attack.” I fixated on his lips. Hungered for them.
“You are right where you are supposed to be.” Without warning, his lips crashed into mine.
I sucked in a breath at the contact, melting. If desire could be tasted, it would taste like him. I kissed him back, hard. Like it was the last kiss I was ever going to have. He squeezed my hips and I let out a whimper. His mouth was hot like fire and his tongue danced around mine, sending tingles down my legs.
I was getting lost, swept away. His kisses deepened