“Business ties,” Fallon grumbles. “He’s huge in imports and exports.”
“Fallon,” Tristan says to get her attention. They kiss each other’s cheeks, then his gaze locks on me. The corner of his mouth curves up as if he knows I’m hiding behind my friends, and he finds it entertaining.
Letting out a huff, I mutter, “I’m going to get something to drink.”
I walk away, not sparing Tristan another glance.
TRISTAN
There’s nothing I love more than a good challenge.
“I should get a drink as well,” I excuse myself.
Anger still simmers in my chest from Ballmer groping Hana’s arm. A hobby of mine is finding out everyone’s darkest secrets. I’ve heard Mr. Ballmer likes his female company way too young.
I stay a couple of steps behind Hana, my eyes drifting over her.
There’s no way Ballmer’s getting his filthy paws on her.
I take in her thick black hair, her skin that has a soft glow, and then my gaze stops on the curve of her hips, followed by one hell of a sexy ass. The red dress she’s wearing should serve as a warning for me to back off.
Hana’s almost done with school. She’s just turned eighteen. Five years younger than me.
I tilt my head as my eyes burn over her toned legs until I reach the black heels that don’t do shit for her height. She’s still tiny as fuck.
The sight of her makes possessiveness stir inside me.
Nearing the bar that’s been set up for the occasion, Hana glances over her shoulder, and again her exotic beauty steals my breath.
Fuck, she’s otherworldly.
A red diamond in a world filled with fake diamonds.
Her eyes narrow on me, and it makes the smirk return to my face.
Definitely a challenge.
She’s not a prize to be won, but a woman meant to be earned. I get the feeling that attempting to attain Hana will lead to days filled with excitement.
I’ve been with my fair share of women, all easily conquered. None of them piqued my interest enough for me to stick around for a second round in the bedroom.
My personal life consists of non-disclosures and one night stands. It’s become… almost tedious. Tasteless.
Hana orders a glass of sparkling water, and then she nudges some hair behind her left ear. The movement is sensual, drawing my gaze to the curve of her jaw and the elegant line of her neck.
For the first time in my life, my mouth waters with desire, filling me with the need to bite into her soft flesh.
She takes a deep breath as I move in beside her. With purpose, I let my arm brush against her shoulder.
Her gaze darts up to my face, and seeing the flicker of apprehension in the warm depths of her irises causes the corner of my mouth to lift.
“Are you looking forward to attending Trinity?” I ask.
“It will be a welcome change from high school,” she murmurs, her gaze returning to the bartender.
The vibe coming off her clearly states she’s not interested.
My lips curve into a smile.
Hana notices, and then she lifts her chin as if she’s bracing herself for a fight.
It ignites a fire in my soul, making the essence of life rush through my veins like lava.
Leaning closer until my lips brush over her left ear, I murmur, “Have dinner with me.”
Hana pulls back, and her eyes turn dark as she stares at me. When the bartender hands her the glass, she picks it up with graceful fingers.
Fuck. It’s as if every single movement from Hana is designed to lure me in. She’s a venus flytrap, and right now, I’m more than willing to let her suck every last drop from me.
I watch as she takes a sip of the cool liquid, and then my eyes drop to her throat as she swallows. “No, thank you,” she answers clearly. A smile touches the corners of her mouth before she inclines her head and walks away from me.
A chuckle escapes my lips as I watch her voluptuous ass sway itself across the floor.
“This is going to be so much fun,” I whisper as I turn to the bartender. “Bourbon. Neat.”
Once I have my drink, I walk to my family’s table. Taking a seat next to my sister, I set the tumbler down on the pristine white cloth.
“Did you come alone?” I ask Danny. She might be six and a half years older than me, but that doesn’t mean shit. Christopher, my older brother, and I guard her like the princess she is.
Danny lets out a sigh. “Yep, still single and waiting for my prince.” Then she slants her eyes toward me. “If only my brothers would stop scaring off every guy I dare to bring home, I wouldn’t die a spinster with ten cats one day.”
“Bring home someone with a spine, and I’ll reconsider letting you date him,” I mutter.
Danny’s expression turns to a glare. “You do realize I don’t need your permission, right?”
My lips curve into a smile. “You’re welcome to try and date a gutless piece of shit. It would be fun to watch him squirm before either Christopher or myself kills him.” Danny shakes her head, and it has me adding, “That’s if Dad and Uncle Ledge doesn’t get to him first.”
Uncle Rhett’s our father’s best friend and our godfather, whom we fondly refer to as Uncle Ledge. It’s something we picked up from Danny.
“Get to who first?” Ryker, my best friend, and conscience asks as he sits down next to me.
“Whoever’s brave enough to date Danny,” I inform him.
Ryker lets out a chuckle. “Poor bastard.”
“Ugh, I’m going to mingle,” Danny mumbles, and then she leaves the table.
Glancing around, I search for Hana. I find her with the younger bunch. She laughs at something Ryker’s little sister, Mila, says.
“Can you believe Mila’s almost done with school?” I murmur while thinking of Hana and how she’s changed from a teenager to a woman since I last saw her. A breathtaking one.
Ryker’s eyes instantly lock on me. “Don’t go there. Ever.”
Ryker is the good to my evil. He’s one of the few reasons I haven’t completely crossed over to a life of crime. Being from one of the wealthiest families in the world, you can’t help but rub shoulders with the demons lurking in the shadows.
People like my father and brother have managed to straddle the line between white and black with a mastered skill. Me? I’m drawn to the dark. It’s addictive.
I let out a burst of laughter. “Don’t worry.” My teeth scape over my bottom lip. “Hana Cutler’s a different story, though.”
Ryker turns his attention to the group of girls. “Really? Why Hana?”
“She said no to me,” I admit.
Ryker begins to chuckle, but then it turns into a fit of laughter. When he finally catches his breath, he takes a sip of his whiskey, then asks, “How does it feel to hear the word no?”
My eyes lock on Hana. “Exhilarating.”
Hana’s like a lightning strike, illuminating the darkness closing in around me.
Every devil needs an angel to keep them from becoming soulless, and I’m running out of time to find mine. Maybe that’s what I see in Hana? A reason to not cross the line?
Chapter 2
HANA