Chapter 4 MYSTERY MAN

ELAINE

The bass from the club's speakers pulsed through the walls, vibrating in my chest as Gigi and I strode through the entrance.The place was packed, the air thick with energy, laughter, and the faint scent of expensive cologne.

Heads turned the moment we walked in, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I didn't shy away from the attention.

I felt beautiful.

My platinum blonde hair cascaded in soft waves down my back, catching the neon lights and giving it an ethereal glow.

The fitted black dress Gigi had practically forced me into hugged every curve, the plunging neckline and high slit leaving little to the imagination.

My silver heels clicked against the floor with every step, and with each click, I felt more like the woman I wanted to be-the one who wasn't weighed down by bills, a deadbeat ex-husband, and work.

Gigi walked beside me, equally stunning in her red bodycon dress that matched her bold lipstick.

"Girl, you're turning heads left and right," She leaned in, her voice loud enough to be heard over the music. "If you don't snag a rich man tonight, I swear I'm disowning you." She playfully threatened.

I laughed, shaking my head. "You're insane."

"Insanely right," she shot back, winking. "Look at you. You're a goddess, Elaine. Own it."

Her words made my cheeks flush, but deep down, they filled me with confidence.

She was right, tonight wasn't about Devin or the past. Tonight was about me.

We made our way to the bar, slipping onto two stools. Gigi flagged down the bartender with the wave of her perfectly manicured hand.

"Two martinis, extra dirty," she ordered before turning back to me. "So, let's scout." she said, smirking as the bartender prepared our drinks.

"Scout?" I raised an eyebrow, amused.

"For men, obviously." She tilted her head toward the crowd. "It's a target-rich environment, babe. We've got options."

I couldn't help but laugh, taking a sip of the martini the bartender slid in front of me.

"Fine. Let's do it." I agreed.

Together, we started scanning the room, pointing out potential suitors and assessing them with ridiculous scrutiny.

"Too short," Gigi said, dismissing one guy.

"Too cocky," I added, watching another who seemed way too into himself. "God forbid I snag another Devin."

We went through at least four before Gigi suddenly gasped, grabbing my arm.

"Oh. My. God. Look at the VIP section. Eleven o'clock."

I turned, following her line of sight, and that's when I saw him.

My breath caught in my throat.

Fuck!

He sat casually in one of the VIP booths, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. The low lighting highlighted his olive skin and the sharp cut of his jawline. His dark hair, slightly curly, framed his face perfectly.

But it was his eyes harsh, dark green, and piercing that completely disarmed me. They were intimidating, almost predatory, yet so effortlessly breathtaking that it was impossible to look away.

He was tall-very tall, broad-shouldered and muscular, his black dress shirt stretched across his chest like it was barely holding him in. The top two buttons were undone, revealing a hint of tanned skin and the strong column of his throat.

He exuded power and control, the kind of man who commanded a room without even trying.

And when he lifted his gaze and locked eyes with mine, it felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.

The corner of his mouth twitched, almost like he was amused.

"Holy shit," Gigi whispered, fanning herself dramatically. "He's a walking orgasm. Tell me you see that."

"Oh, I see it," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

"He looks like the kind of guy who could fuck Devin out of your system and then some." Gigi grinned, nudging me. I bit my lip, trying not to laugh, though the heat rising in my cheeks gave me away.

"He's... something," I admitted.

"Something? Babe, that man is everything," Gigi said with an exaggerated eye roll. "And he's looking at you like he's already undressing you with his eyes."

I swallowed hard, feeling the intensity of his gaze still on me.

But I wasn't about to make the first move.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "If he wants me, he can come to me."

"Ooh, I like this new you," Gigi's grin widened. "Alright, then. Let's make him work for it."

I downed the rest of my martini and slid off the stool.

"I'll be on the dance floor."

As I walked toward the thrumming crowd, I felt his eyes follow me, the weight of his stare sending a shiver down my spine. I stepped onto the dance floor, letting the music take over, my hips swaying to the rhythm.

I danced like I hadn't in years, slow, seductive, every movement deliberate. I could still feel his gaze, hot and unwavering, and it sent a rush of exhilaration through me.

Occasionally, I glanced back at him, locking eyes just long enough to draw him in before looking away again.

Then I turned my back to him, letting my hair cascade over my shoulders as I moved. I knew he was watching. I wanted him to watch.

It didn't take long.

I felt him before I saw him, his presence, his heat. Then his strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close.

I turned to face him, and there he was, towering over me, his dark green eyes even more intense up close.

Fuck! He is so much hotter up close.

"Hi," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.

I didn't respond right away. I couldn't. I was too busy losing myself in those eyes, in the sheer magnetism of him.

But then I smiled, tilting my head slightly.

"Hi."

The music thumped around us, a heavy bass that matched the erratic beat of my heart. His arm was still firmly around my waist, pulling me closer until our bodies were flush against each other.

"You were dancing for me," he said, his voice deep and low, like a rough caress against my skin.

"And what makes you think that?" I smirked.

"Because I couldn't take my eyes off you, and you knew it," His eyes glinted, and his hand slid to the small of my back, pressing me even closer. "Every look, every sway of those hips... you wanted my attention."

I let out a soft laugh, leaning in just enough so my lips brushed against his ear.

"And what if I did?" I whispered, my tone teasing. "What are you going to do about it?"

His fingers tightened on my waist, and I could feel the sheer strength in his grip.

"Trust me, sweetheart, you don't want me to answer that. Not here."

A delicious shiver ran down my spine at his words. I turned my back to him, letting my hips roll against his as the music shifted into something slower, more sultry. His large hands settled on my waist, guiding my movements, and I could feel the heat of his body pressing against me.

Then I felt it. Him.

The hard bulge pressed against my lower back sent a jolt of heat straight between my thighs. My breath hitched, and for a moment, I lost my rhythm. But I quickly recovered, grinding back against him just enough to feel the full extent of him.

Fuck, is that a snake in there? How big is he packing!

My mouth watered just at the thought of it.

"You're playing a dangerous game," he murmured against my ear, his breath hot and teasing.

"Am I?" I glanced back at him over my shoulder, giving him the most innocent look I could muster. "I thought we were just dancing." I teased. His low chuckle sent a ripple of heat through me.

"You're trouble," he said, his voice thick with desire.

"You have no idea," I shot back, my voice bold, though my heart was racing.

"I think I'm starting to get the idea." His hands roamed lower, brushing over the curve of my hips.

I bit my lip, trying to ignore the heat pooling between my thighs. His touch was doing things to me, things I hadn't felt in years. Every nerve in my body was alive, humming with anticipation.

The music shifted again, and he leaned down, his lips so close to my ear that I could feel the faint graze of them against my skin.

"Let's get out of here."

I turned in his arms, meeting his piercing green eyes.

"What makes you think I'm that easy?"

His lips quirked up in a crooked, confident smile.

"Oh, you're not easy. But you're tempted."

I hated how right he was. I hated how much I wanted to say yes. But there was no denying the pull between us, the way my body responded to his like it was made for him.

"And where exactly are we going?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My place," he said simply, his gaze unwavering. "It's not far."

I hesitated for a heartbeat, my mind warring with itself. But then I thought about Devin, about everything I'd been through, all the shit I'd put up with.

And I thought about this man in front of me, the way he looked at me like I was the only woman in the room, the way he touched me like he already owned me.

To hell with hesitation.

"Lead the way," I said, my voice steady, a smirk playing on my lips.