Lured (Team Zero #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,3

space. I’m so tempted to lean close and inhale his head-turning scent deep in my lungs – and maybe in my memories.

“The way you watch is different.” He measures me from top to bottom. I’m only in shorts and a sleeveless tank top covered by the coffee shop non-flattering apron. Although his gaze gives nothing away, I can’t help the need to squirm.

His deep, destabilising gaze meets mine again. “You don’t look like the type who’d be drawn by what interests the foul.”

“How do you know that?”

“A hunch.”

“Do you always go by your hunch?”

“Probably. Probably not.” He flashes me that full-of-shit grin. “Meet me at lunch to find out.”

He’s baiting me.

It’s working.

To say I was curious about him would be the understatement of the freaking century. I want to dig my teeth in him and suck whatever he has to offer like some vampire.

Bah alors. That’s creepy.

But I really want to know more. I only read about his type in books and some realistic films. This is the first time I’m meeting a sociopath, and probably a pseudo-psychopath in real life.

I ran away from home to have this adventure.

Only… one look into those shrouded brown eyes and I know he can rip me apart. I might and would regret this.

What’s an adventure without a risk?

“D’accord,” I say then quickly follow up with, “I mean, okay.”

He has that full-of-shit grin again. I’m sure he thinks he just got what he wants as usual. There’s no need to let him know that I’m aware of what he is. It might trigger his ruthless, conquest-driven side.

I’ll just consider him my adventure. I’m giddy thinking about what tricks he has up his sleeves, and if I will be able to detect them.

He steps closer so he’s caging me between him and the shelf. His body heat overwhelms mine, and my breathing hitches. He places a piece of paper in my apron.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“An address.”

His index finger reaches for me and he rubs my bottom lip just like he did with his earlier.

It’s as if someone lit my body on fire. A moan lodges at the back of my throat. It takes everything in me to not open my mouth and suck his finger inside.

My eyes lock with his. A zip of energy shoots between us, and I gulp. His forefinger stops sweeping back and forth, but he doesn’t remove it from my lip. Dominic seems caught in the moment as much as I am. Or perhaps he’s acting his part? How many has he done this to before? Were their brains about to fly, too?

After a long, overpowering silence, he says, “Don’t change your clothes.”

“Why?”

Still having his finger on my lips, he leans in. His hot breaths tickle my skin, and goosebumps erupt all over. His lips brush against my earlobe, and I shudder.

His deep, authoritative tone locks my muscles together. “Because I said so, Camille.”

Chapter Four

I stare at his back outlined by the fit jacket as he strides out of the storage room. His steps are measured, confident, and so effing commanding.

My mouth is still hanging open and my core tingles.

Because I said so, Camille.

Why the hell would that turn me on so much? I blink a few times to get my bearings together.

The whole meeting must’ve been all a dream.

My obsession with Dominic reached the level of hallucination.

I need a psychotherapist. They’d have a field day with me.

“Caaaam!” Nancy barges into the storage room. Her pink bangs fly all over her face as she jumps up and down with the most excited expression. “What was freaking Dominic Johnson doing here?”

Okay. So it wasn’t a dream.

Or Nancy is crazy like me. Which is believable considering the way she’s jumping like she’s on a happy pill – or drugs.

I shrug. “He wanted to ask me out… I guess.”

It sounds super weird when I say it out loud. Dominic asked me out because he knew I was watching him.

Actually, now that I’m not distracted by his proximity, the whole thing is actually dangerous.

It’s true that sociopaths like attention, but it has to be on their terms. Unwanted attention – like my morbid curiosity – isn’t welcome. Maybe he’s asking me out to shut me up somehow.

How does he intend to do that? If he wanted to kidnap me, it would’ve been easier without getting in touch with me. Maybe he wants to play with my head first.

Merde. Now, I really want to know what he has in store for me.

Nancy stops jumping and waving