Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I'll focus on my daughter and forget all about sinfully sexy best friend.
As the blonde's lips press against mine, a sudden realization hits me.
I have no interest in this woman.
My mind is completely occupied by another.
Iris—her touch, her smell, her laugh.
They're all I can think about, and the guilt is crushing.
Because while she's out there, dancing, teasing, and selling her body, all I can do is imagine taking her for myself.
Claiming her.
Making her mine.
And the worst part is, I don't even feel bad about it.
"Come on, sugar," the blonde purrs, tugging me toward the private rooms. "Let's get this party started."
I follow her without hesitation, but my thoughts are still consumed by Iris.
By the time this night is over, one of two things will happen.
Lyon will be dead, and the club will belong to me.
Or, Iris will never speak to me again.
Whichever happens, it won't be pretty.
And as the door closes behind us, the music pounding and the blonde's body pressed against mine, I can't help but wish I had made a different decision.
I wish I'd had the balls to tell Iris how I feel.
Maybe then I'd have a chance with her.
But now, I'm left with only regrets and a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"Viper," the blonde murmurs, her voice low and husky. "You've got a lot to live up to."
She presses herself against me, her lips hungry and insistent.
But my mind is still stuck on Iris.
Maybe if things were different, if she didn't hate me so much, we could have something.
But the chances of that are slim to none.
I'm a selfish bastard.
A degenerate criminal.
A vicious monster.
Iris deserves better than that.
"Don't worry, sugar," I whisper, my voice thick with regret. "I'll make it worth your while."
With that, I give in, letting the music and the moment wash over me.
The guilt, the regret, the longing.
I pull out my wallet, handing the blonde a few hundred dollar bills.
"Take it all," I rasp, my voice rough with emotion. "And don't stop until the music does."
"Whatever you say, Viper," she murmurs, a wicked gleam in her eyes.
As the lights dim and the music grows louder, I can't help but think of Iris.
Her sweet smile, her gentle touch.
I can't have her.
Not now, but I can have this.
For one night, I can pretend.
I can lose myself in a stranger's arms and pretend that the woman I want is mine.
That, in some twisted way, this is all for her.
That, despite my best efforts, I love her.
And that's the real crime.
That's the real tragedy.
That, even though I'm the villain of this story, the real monster is the man who's already stolen her heart.
The man she used to be in love with.
Lyon.
The man who, after tonight, will no longer be a threat.
He'll be dead.
And Iris will never know how I truly feel.
How I've felt since the first moment I laid eyes on her.
It's a sad ending, but it's the only one I can have.
So, as the music swells and the blonde's lips trail a path of fire across my skin, I give myself over to the moment.
To the fantasy.
To the dream that, just for tonight, I'm worthy of Iris.
Just for tonight, I'm the man she needs.
Just for tonight, I'm the man who can claim her.
Just for tonight, I'm the man she'll love.
Until the morning comes, and reality sets in.
I push the blonde off me.
I can't fucking do this.
Just then, the door opens, revealing a dark figure.
It's time.
Lyon has arrived.
"What are you doing here, Viper?" he asks, his voice dripping with disdain. "I thought you had a thing for brunettes."
He's right.
I do.
Or, at least, I thought I did.
But Iris has ruined that for me.
"I did," I reply, rising from the couch. "But things change. People change. And right now, the only thing I'm interested in is taking over this club."
"You're out of your mind," Lyon spits, his eyes narrowing. "The only way you're taking over is by knocking me off."
"Maybe," I say, shrugging nonchalantly. "Or maybe I'll just take this club from under you. After all, that's how business is done."
"Not in my book," Lyon growls, his fists clenching at his sides.
"Your book doesn't matter. This is Tinsel Creek, and we play by our own rules."
"Is that so?" Lyon sneers, taking a step closer. "Well, I guess we'll see who's still standing when the dust settles."
"You bet your ass we will," I say, a grim smile playing on my lips.
"Oh, Viper," the blonde purrs, trailing her nails down my arm. "I like a man with ambition. Let's get this party started."
As she pulls me close, the scent of her perfume surrounding me, I can't help but laugh.
This is the game.
This is how we win.
By using sex and seduction.
By playing dirty.
There's a long, long, night ahead of us.
One that, hopefully, will end with my victory.
With Lyon dead, and the club in my hands.