Chapter 5 Euphoric Evil Satisfaction

Five drinks and ten shots deep, Ally and I were untouchable. The music pulsed through our veins, and the dance floor became our kingdom. I tossed my head back, laughing, the alcohol blurring the edges of my frustration into something almost euphoric. This was exactly what I needed-a night to forget, to feel free. And what made it even sweeter? The absolutely murderous glare coming from Leo Astor.

God, it was delicious.

He stood at the far end of the bar, arms crossed, jaw tight, looking like he wanted to throw a chair. Dante, his ever-loyal sidekick, leaned in, clearly trying to talk him down, but Leo's eyes never left me. Not once.

Perfect.

Men surrounded us, eager, charming, hands grazing arms, offering drinks we didn't need. Ally and I exchanged a look-one full of mischief, a silent agreement. We were going to milk this for all it was worth.

A particularly bold guy slid behind me, hands low on my hips, body pressed close. Too close. I let him move with me, just enough to make my fiancé lose his mind. The moment his fingers inched toward my waist, Leo shot up from his seat so fast his chair nearly toppled.

Dante's hand snapped out, gripping Leo's shoulder, yanking him back down. They exchanged heated words, Leo looking like he wanted to throw a punch. I smirked. Oh, was he mad? Did he hate seeing his unwanted fiancée having the time of her life?

Good.

Another hour passed. Then two. More drinks. More shots. More teasing glances at Leo. And the angrier he got, the more reckless I became. If I had any doubts that this night was a spectacularly bad idea, they evaporated when Ally leaned in, breath hot in my ear.

"Babe," she whispered, her green eyes wide and gleaming with delight. "Let's really drive him insane."

I knew that tone. That look. It meant trouble.

I grinned. "What do you have in mind?"

Ally's smile was practically wicked. "Let's make him regret ever breathing in our direction."

Oh, this was going to be fun.

I reached up, pulling the clip from my hair, letting it tumble down in soft waves. Ally let out a dramatic gasp. "YES, BITCH. Unleash the chaos."

I ditched my sweater, revealing the barely-there black dress underneath, and Ally shrieked in approval. The club's neon lights flickered over my skin, casting shadows that made me look almost ethereal, dangerous. Leo's eyes darkened from across the room, his grip tightening around the glass in his hand.

Oh, he was losing it.

I grabbed Ally's hand, and we strutted straight to the VIP section, where a group of rich, gorgeous men sat, looking exactly like the type to fall at our feet. One of them, a tall, blond Adonis in an expensive suit, grinned as we approached.

"Ladies," he drawled, his voice oozing wealth and charm. "What brings you over here?"

Ally slid onto his lap like she was born for it. "Entertainment."

His friends laughed, clinking glasses. I, however, was more interested in Leo's reaction. He had gone completely still. Dante was talking, but Leo wasn't listening. He was staring at me. No, he was seething. The vein in his temple throbbed, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like it might snap.

"What's your name handsome?" I asked in my best flirty voice.

"Daniel."

I tilted my head, smiling sweetly. Then, just to really twist the knife, I leaned in and whispered something into Daniel's ear. He grinned like I'd just given him the best news of his life.

That was the breaking point.

Leo moved.

He was across the room in seconds, storming toward me with the kind of furious determination that sent warning bells screaming in my head. The second he reached me, his fingers wrapped around my wrist, yanking me up from my seat.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" His voice was low, lethal, vibrating with restrained rage.

I blinked up at him, feigning innocence. "Dancing? Drinking? Living my best life?"

His grip tightened. "You're embarrassing yourself."

I laughed. "Oh, sweetheart. That's rich, coming from the guy who looks like he's about to commit first-degree murder in a bar."

Daniel stood, expression shifting from amused to irritated. "Hey, man, let her go-"

Leo's head snapped toward him so fast it was almost inhuman. "Sit. The fuck. Down."

Daniel held up his hands in surrender and wisely obeyed.

Leo turned back to me, dragging me toward the exit, ignoring my protests, ignoring Ally's protests, ignoring everything except the fire in his own damn head.

"Let me go," I snapped, trying to wrench free.

He didn't stop. Didn't hesitate. "Not fucking likely."

We burst through the club's doors into the cool night air, his grip like iron. He didn't let go until we were far enough from prying eyes. When he did release me, it was with a forceful shove-just enough to put space between us, just enough to make his point clear.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he hissed.

"Oh, I don't know, Leo." I crossed my arms, eyes blazing. "Maybe the fact that my life was ripped out from under me and handed to you like some goddamn business deal?"

His expression twisted. "So you decide to act like a reckless, desperate little brat?"

I stepped forward, toe to toe with him, unflinching. "Careful, Leo. If I'm a brat, what does that make you? A controlling, egotistical prick who thinks he can tell me what to do?"

His jaw flexed. "You're my fiancée."

"Against my will."

His eyes darkened. "And yet, here we are."

I hated him. I hated the way he looked at me like he owned me and especially hated the way his presence made my heart pound in a way I refused to analyze.

"I am not yours," I bit out. "And I never will be."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping into something dangerously soft. "Keep testing me, Celeste. See what happens."

I met his stare, unyielding. "You're going to regret this marriage more than I ever will."

A slow smirk curled at his lips. "We'll see about that."

"Oh, we shall!" I gave the most devilish smile I could muster and stormed right back into the club.

"Celeste! Don't you dare! Celeste!"

I laughed as he raged on outside where I left him. Now I'm going to show you how bad I can be, Leo Astor!