Page 18 of Vicious Little Darling

“Shit,” I breathe out, dropping my hands from her.

“What?” Ember spins around, her brows creased with confusion as I start to back away. “What’re you doing?”

“We’ll finish this later,” I tell her, puzzled by the disappointment in her expression. It’s as if she’sactuallyhurt by my rejection. I almost laugh at the sight of her, all hot and bothered, but I don’t have time for humor. I track backwardthrough the crowd, and Ember takes a step or two toward me. However, the bustling, grimy crowd works in my favor, and it cuts her off.

I find a dark corner the neon lights can’t reach, and settle in, immediately spotting my little flame. She’s something else, and I can tell by the shift in her demeanor that she’s still thinking about me.

Don’t worry, Ember. I’ll be back to finish you.

I slip the mask off, so as not to draw attention to myself, and remove my hoodie as well. I position them at the back of my body and now, to the rest of the world, I’m just hanging out, watching the crowd. I know that on the exterior I’m not creepy. I don’t draw untoward attention towards myself.

My eyes stay on Ember as she walks across the dancefloor to the bar. She downs the drink that is handed to her. I sigh, frowning as one turns to four. She doesn’t even realize that her buddy is still searching the place for her. I spot him in the VIP area, now speaking with the bookstore guy, his Barbie date, and the guy that wassupposedto be the one fucking Ember tonight. None of them, except the bookstore guy, seem concerned.

If anything, Barbie and Ember’s date look relieved when the brawny guy, Josh, leaves with bookstore Rich to go to the floor, presumably to search for Ember. It’s striking, the number of men she has around her, although it’s also difficult to be sure about their levels of interest in her. For her date tonight, it was a straight zero. The moment he saw her walk out of those shitty apartments, his mind was made up.

I purse my lips as my gaze lands back on Ember. She’s searching the crowd now, looking longingly at the dancing bodies. I smile at that, imagining she’s looking for me. I mean, shecouldstill be thinking about the way my cock felt against her ass.

I could put it in your ass, Em. We’d just have to take our time to squeeze me in.The thought excites me strangely, though I’m not sure why. I’ve never bothered with long encounters before, but for some reason…

I wanteverysingle inch of Ember covered in me.

Swallowing my lust for the moment, I keep a close eye on her, watching those desperate haunting irises continue to search the faces on the floor. I know that if she saw me, shemightrecognize me, but I doubt it.

Finally, Josh spots Ember, and she sees him. I watch her reaction closely, waiting for her eyes to light up or for the recognition to bring her relief, but… she looks disappointed. It’s just a brief flicker across her face, but it’s perfect—and it confirms that I’ve gotten under her skin.

Why don’t I hate that though?I normally love toying with my victims, but not like this. I’m supposed to scare her, to slip into her nightmares and bring her nothing but fear and terror. Instead, I’m charmed by her seduction. Isshetoying with me? Does she think that if she gives me her pussy, I’ll suddenly change my mind?

That leaves me pondering, but only for a few seconds, because now Josh, in his tight-fitting, black henley and light-wash jeans, is slipping his arm around her shoulders protectively, while her date scoffs something in their direction.

I hate the gestures of both of them. I hate the primal protective glare on Josh’s face. He’s overstepping boundaries into my territory, but also… I can’t make a move in front of them all, not wearing what I’m wearing. Not right now. Josh escorts Ember toward the exit, and Rich slips off with the blonde Barbie. That leaves Dylan alone.

My heart jumps into my throat. It’s as if the universe is dangling a carrot right in front of a donkey. I’m going to fucking bite.

Dylan heads for the bathroom, and I follow, flipping my hood up and avoiding the cameras. I catch the door as soon as he enters.

“Easy there, bud,” Dylan smirks arrogantly, eyeing me over his shoulder.

I don’t give him a chance to even make it to the stall. I shove him forward as hard as I can, before slamming his face into the wall. Blood spurts from his nose on impact, and splashes across the light gray tiles. I burst into laughter as he grunts in surprise.

“What the fuck!” he erupts as he spins around, but my fist is faster, as it makes contact with his jaw and splits the bone. One thing about being raised by a piece of shit mom, I became a hell of a fighter from a young age. I had to hold my own.

Clearly, Dylan, here, did not.

“Dude stop,” he groans, limply tossing a punch in my direction.

I continue to cackle, my low voice echoing. “You’re pathetic.”

“And you’re a motherf—”

“Nah, I don’t fuck mothers,” I sneer, grabbing the back of his head and smashing it into the corner of a sink. “But I’ll bet you are.” With that, I knock him unconscious, and then let his body drop violently to the floor.

He’s still alive. His breathing is shallow and ragged and, as much as I intended to kill him, I know better. It’s never good to kill spontaneously. It always ends in a police investigation that I have to escape. It’s too complicated and I don’t want Ember on that radar either.

Speaking of Ember, I still fully intend to pay my little flame a visit tonight. I glance down at the blood on my knuckles and consider washing it off in the sink, but then think better of it. Maybe I’ll wash my hands in the arousal straight from her pussy.

The thought has me panting like a fucking dog as I slide out of the bathroom and head for the exit. I’ll have to be quick. Myphone buzzes in my pocket, I ignore it. I already know who it is, and I really don’t have time to worry about him.

He can wait.

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