Lorcan smiled at me brightly as his hand moved across the bar. Fingers slid softly against my wrist, pushing my golden bangles up as he brushed my skin. The overwhelming pressure of danger and lust slid up my arm.

My mouth cracked open and I took a deep inhale. It felt as if I’d had more than the one drink I’d had.

“Would you like to play a little poker?” He asked.

“Poker?” I asked, my vision once again becoming unfocused and dim around him.

“In my room. A private game.”

“Oh,” I said before a smile spread over my face.

“It’s the crowd,” he explained, shooting me a playful look. “They tend to get too close and it’s distracting me from our conversation.”

“Is that so?” I asked. “Let’s go to your room then…for a private game of poker.”

“Perfect,” Lorcan purred. He looked smug as he walked me towards the elevator as if he’d won some bet he wanted to brag about. Was I a bet? That would be cute.

He leaned forward and pressed the button to bring it. Immediately it dinged and opened. He hummed, looking at it curiously.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

“It always takes ten minutes to get here.” His head tilted to the side and I looked at his perfect, smooth skin.

“Just lucky I guess,” I countered and he turned towards me with a dazzling smile.

“Yes, I think you’re right.”

In the elevator, the air felt thick. We stood at opposite ends, both our hands wrapped around the banisters behind us with strong grips. I felt anticipation like I never had before. My stomach fluttered and it was making me anxious. I couldn’t recall the last time I felt like this but here I was, trying to control my breathing as Lorcan glared at me across the elevator.

It was a combative expression compared to the seductive smiles he’d offered at the bar. It sort of made me want to laugh but the tension drowning me in this elevator stopped me. It felt like I was in an enclosed space with a tiger, the same one who had chased me at the restaurant. A beast with claws, teeth, and a ferocious appetite.

This, I believe, had maybe been a bad choice. I sort of liked those though.

My tongue darted over my lips and I tried to remain calm.

“How old are you?” I asked. For a moment he didn’t seem to hear me. His eyes were searing every inch of my body, his expression becoming almost angry as his gaze ate me up. I could feel heat and tingling sensations where his attention burned me.

Was it hot in here? Was I feeling faint? I clutched the banister harder to keep from falling over.

“Twenty-six,” Lorcan said. He inhaled the air in our small elevator car and then closed his eyes slowly as if savoring the scent.

“You smell intoxicating,” he said, his throat bobbing as his face lined with pain. Was he struggling to control himself?