Camille turned to speak with the blonde she’d come in with, both of them easily the prettiest pair in the entire bar. The blonde was tall, leggy, and wearing a dress that didn’t leave much to the imagination. I ignored her and focused on the real prize. Camille wore a demure skirt and top, nothing as flashy as her dress at the gala. Even so, the top hugged the curves of her breasts, the narrowing of her waist, and the flare of her hips.

Link ran his hands along her waist, and bloodlust darkened my vision. Why had I come here? When I’d overhead that moron Hal bragging about going for drinks with Link and his girl, I wanted to shake him and demand the information of where Camille would be and when. Instead, all I had to do was wait for him to give all the details about the bar and their plans during his loud boasting. I’d left work early and claimed a seat toward the back of dark bar, which gave me an excellent view.

I catalogued every move she made, from the way she pulled her hair over one shoulder to the slight jut of her hips when she favored her left foot. My need to possess her thrummed along with the steady beat of my heart, but I counseled patience. The trap was set and couldn’t be sprung until the appointed time. So I had to wait. But time couldn’t stop my growing obsession. I gave myself this little morsel of her until I could devour her completely. It would have to be enough.

But it wasn’t. I watched her—a butterfly unaware of my web—as she disentangled herself from Link and made her way toward the restrooms at the back of the bar. She skirted past me, only a few feet away, and her eyes were troubled. I needed to sit still, to meld into the crowd of social drinkers and drunks. Instead, I stood and followed her into the back hallway.

I caught the flutter of her cream blouse as the ladies’ room door closed. Leaning against the wall, I pulled my phone from my pocket and waited. I typed a message to my secretary about my father’s upcoming trip to the Pacific Northwest, but my true attention was focused on the door that separated me from my prize.

The door opened and she stepped out. About to walk past me, she paused.

“Sebastian?”

I glanced up from my phone and smiled. “Hello…” I let the word trail off, as if I was having trouble placing her.

She didn’t miss a beat. “Camille, from the gala.”

“Right.” I shook my head. “Sorry about that. It’s been a long day.”

“No worries.” She stepped closer as a pair of women in short skirts pushed past us and into the restroom. “What brings you here?”

“I was supposed to meet a friend, but he had to cancel at the last minute.” Playing to sympathy had always resulted in positive outcomes. “Since I was already at the bar, I figured I’d have a drink and call it a night.”

“Do you want to sit with us at the bar?”

Yes, I want to keep a hold on you. “No, I couldn’t impose.”

“It’s not imposing, unless you don’t want to socialize with employees or something. Link and Hal are with my friend Veronica and me. I’d understand if that wasn’t your thing.” She shrugged, then squeezed my forearm. “But I’m certain we’d all love to have you.”

Her touch was just what I needed. The devil inside me roared to life, greedy for more contact from the angel standing in front of me.

“Well.” I drew out the word as if this were a tough decision for me. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips as she stared up at me, doe-eyed and completely unaware of the danger I posed.

“Come on. Let’s get a drink.” She tugged my arm, and I let her pull me toward the bar.

We maneuvered past several people, and I enjoyed the view of Camille turning her hips to slide through the crowd ahead of me. She was like a Christmas gift that needed to be unwrapped and enjoyed. I’d take my time with her when the moment came.

Link saw me first, his mouth turning down at the corners as his eyes deadened. He plastered his fake as hell smile on his face to try and hide it. Unlike Camille, he sensed the threat.

“Sebastian, what are you doing here?” He held his hand out and we shook, his grip telling me that he wanted supremacy. He would never get it. I had an inch and maybe twenty pounds on him, and I would fight dirty.

“Just getting a drink before heading home.”

“He was meeting a friend who ditched.” Camille leaned into Link, and he slid a hand to her waist. Touching my property right in front of me.

“Mr. Lindstrom.” Hal’s meaty palm met mine.

“Hal.”

“Hello there, tall, dark, and handsome.” The blonde spun away from the bar and eyed me like a hungry predator.

“Veronica.” Camille’s sweet voice turned stern. “This is Sebastian, Link and Hal’s boss.”

“What are you drinking?” Veronica held up one finger, and the bartender walked right over.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” I smiled, feigning interest as Link stared daggers at me. I needed to throw him off, make him think my interest lay elsewhere.

Veronica nodded. “Good choice.”

“I think I’m going to call it a night.” Hal stood and retrieved his credit card from the bartender.

“So soon?” Link clapped him on the back. “We just got here.”

Hal glanced to Camille and signed his tab in a hurry. Interesting. “I’ve got a tennis lesson set first thing tomorrow. I forgot about it.”

“You? Tennis?” Link popped a toothpick between his lips. “Seriously?”

“Yep.” Hal tucked his wallet into his back pocket and gave a small wave. “Nice to see you ladies. And gents, I’ll catch you at the office on Monday.” He hurried away through the crowd.

“What was that all about?” Link claimed Hal’s seat at the bar and pulled Camille between his thighs.

“Tennis, I guess.” Camille answered a little too quickly, then took a gulp from her martini glass.

“That guy playing tennis?” Link rested his fingers along Camille’s hips. “Not a chance.”

I followed the movement of his fingertips, the slight pressure he exerted on her. A vision of him with a knife protruding from his neck made me smile.

Link returned my grin. “You imagining him on the court too?”

“Yes, funny.” I took a high ball glass from Veronica and sipped at the smoky liquor inside. It burned on the way down, but I’d always enjoyed pain. It was one of the few things that made me feel human.

Camille set her half-full glass down. “I think I’ve already had enough. That thing was strong.”

“You kidding?” Veronica took the drink and tossed it back, a twisted lemon rind dangling from the side. She slapped the glass down and leaned one elbow against the bar, her eyes roving me. “Tell me more about being the boss.”

Flirting was not a particular skill in my repertoire, mainly because it required me to appear warm and interested in people who bored me. But, to get Link off my scent and keep Camille in my sights, it was a necessary evil.

I adopted what I hoped was a devilish smile. “I enjoy taking charge, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Meow. Aren’t these uncomfortable?” Veronica slid her hands up my tie. “Wouldn’t you like me to get it off?”

I cycled through my possible responses and settled on: “Hit me with your best shot.”

She licked her lips and worked her fingers into the perfect double Windsor at my throat.

Camille hissed, “Link’s boss.”

Veronica made quick work of the top button, her fingertips dancing along my skin. There was no spark, no attraction like there had been with Camille. I didn’t need to own Veronica, didn’t feel the need to leave my marks on her tan skin.

“Much better.” Veronica smiled up at me, her red pout begging for attention I wouldn’t be giving.

“Thank you.”

Link nuzzled into Camille’s hair and whispered in her ear. She shifted to her right foot as her skin flushed crimson.

I snap up the empty martini glass, smash it on the bar, and jab the sharp end into his chest. He screams. Blood gurgles from his wound, coating my hand with crimson. Camille looks at me with horror as I smear Link’s blood across my face, then pull her in for a kiss.

“Sebastian?”

I heard my name and blinked twice. “Yeah?”

“Where’d you go there, buddy?” Link stood, taking Camille’s hand in his.

“Just thinking of good times.”

“I know what you mean.” He nodded. “If you two don’t mind, I think I’d like to take Camille out for a quiet dinner.”

“Ditching already?” Veronica wrinkled her nose.

“I thought you were going clubbing?” Link pressed his lips to Camille’s hair as he spoke to Veronica.

He always had to touch her, and it was getting under my skin.

“Trying to get rid of me?” Veronica handed the bartender a nice tip.

“No.” Link’s hands said otherwise, roving along Camille’s waist and stomach. The fucker was torturing me. “I thought you had plans. And I was under the impression Camille wanted to spend some time with me tonight.”

Camille paused. “Actually, Link’s right. We’ve got some things to discuss.” She shot Veronica a look that I couldn’t decipher.

Though I was in the dark, Veronica picked up on the cue. “Right. Since Link wants to get our darling Camille alone, do you have plans, Sebastian?” Veronica hooked her arm through mine.

Fuck. I wanted nothing to do with Veronica, but Link had already staked his claim on Camille for the evening. I couldn’t tip my hand, not this early. I would have to let her go.

“I’m afraid I have a pile of work to get started on tonight, so please accept a raincheck.” I patted her hand and slid it off me.

“Your loss.” She leaned over and kissed Camille on the cheek. “Text me later.”

“Okay.” Camille hugged her friend, who turned and sauntered out of the bar, leaving several men gawking in her wake.

Link stood and helped Camille with her coat. I marked each point of contact, determined to cover over every spot where he touched her with my own firm hands.

“Can you get us a taxi?” Camille squeezed Link’s bicep.

He gave me a wary look, but agreed. “Sure thing. I’ll be outside. Good to see you, Sebastian.”

“Same here.”

Once he was out of earshot, Camille leaned closer, her sweet scent dulling my senses. “Sorry about this. I’d love to have dinner with you and Veronica, but I have some stuff to discuss with Link about Christmas break. And he might be, um…” She chewed on her thumbnail. “I don’t know how he’ll react.”

“No apology needed.”

“Sorry if that was TMI.”

“TMI?”

“Too much information.” She gave a wry smile.

“Not at all.”

“Well.” She glanced toward the front door. “I’d better go.”

I caught her hand in mine and pulled it to my lips, kissing her knuckles gently. “Always a pleasure, Camille.”

Her cheeks pinked, and someone elbowed past me to claim our vacated seats. I released her hand, and she backed away.

My heartburn kicked in again. It was becoming a real problem. I had a stash of Tums in my penthouse for when these little episodes hit, though they didn’t seem to do much good.

“I guess I’ll see you around.” She turned and maneuvered through the crowd.

I closed my fist, retaining all the heat from her small hand as I watched her disappear. “Yes, you will.”