Page 2 of His Forbidden Obsession

“Ignore that. I… I’ll be fine.” He was clearly trying to convince himself.

“I like a man who speaks the truth. It’s so unusual in our world.”

He huffed. “What do you know about my world?”

Fuck. My cock swelled at his show of defiance. Would he fight me if I dragged him away somewhere private? Would he speak the truth then?

He might want to think I didn’t really know who or what he was, but I’d seen the way he looked at me. Anyone could see there was lust mixed with fear in his eyes.

“I know everything. Our families share many of the same characteristics, and I know a lot about you, why you were sent away with your mother, why your father is marrying you off now, and what you really want.”

Niko’s eyes widened. I took a step back, and he took the opportunity to ogle me. His sharp intake of breath told me he could tell I was hard.

He quickly looked away. “I… I should talk to some of the other guests.”

“No. You don’t need to talk to any of these assholes.” I knew there were several men here who would want him as much as I did, men who would never admit their desires but who preferred young men to their wives. They would never have Nikolai. If anyone touched him tonight, it was going to be me.

“My father told me I should mingle.”

“You look pale. You should step outside and get some air.” I might follow him, and I might be good. Either way, he’d escape some of the other predators here.

He chewed his bottom lip, and I wanted my teeth there, tugging on it, biting it, tasting blood, letting him know how dangerous I was.

He nodded. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I am.”

He moved backward, keeping his eyes on me, and then disappeared through the french doors onto the terrace surrounding the pool.

I fought with the voice inside that urged me to follow him, to find a private spot where I could have what I wanted. Dimitri’s gaudy, overly modern house was located on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. If we walked toward the lake, no one would notice us in the dark.

I turned away, moving through the small groups of people who’d been oblivious to the tension between me and Niko. I needed another drink and some space.

I stopped at the bar for a bourbon, then stepped into a much smaller room, which seemed to be a library. Surely it was for show only. I struggled to imagine Dimitri picking up a book.

I walked to the window and saw a lone figure walking around the rose garden situated beside the pool. It was Niko. I hadn’t expected him to stay outside in the heat and humidity. I’d expected him to come back inside through another door and seclude himself, but there he was, walking toward me. When he looked up, I waved. He froze, seeming unable to turn away.

2

LORENZO

“Not enjoying the party?”

My host’s voice startled me. That wasn’t good. Ignoring one’s surroundings could be deadly in my profession. Normally, I wouldn’t have missed the sound of someone approaching, even if they were walking softly on plush carpet like Dimitri. But I’d been indulging myself, watching a young man who was forbidden.

Get yourself together.

I turned to face him with an obviously fake smile. “I’ve found it fascinating, so much so that I needed a moment away from the crowd.”

He glared at me. “I see. What has fascinated you the most? Nikolai’s engagement or the number of friends who’ve come to support him?”

The motherfucker deserved a punch to the face. I fisted my hands at my sides instead. “From what I’ve heard, his engagement was expected, right?” He didn’t manage to hide his surprise from me. He really thought my family didn’t know his plans. “As far as the number of guests, I assume they are all either here to suck up to you or plot your demise.”

“Which of the two will you be doing?”

“Neither. I’m here to negotiate.”

He raised his brows. “You’re not happy with our current agreement?”