Page 6 of Royal Sin

What I hadn’t expected was how much I liked the jazz club. There was a certain elegance here that defied the pristine world of sophistication to which I’d been raised. Not that we didn’t enjoy dinner music of a more jazzy variety, but the gritty, complicated atmosphere spoke to a part of my soul that was buried from society.

I sat in the middle of the room, a slate-grey cocktail dress clinging to my curves. I didn’t look young, and the fake ID was good enough to fool both bouncers and bartender. But I was careful to only sip the beverage on the table. It would be my only purchase. I didn’t want to cause suspicion.

Lost in the music, I didn’t immediately notice when my mark entered. It was only when the rumble of conversation behind me conflicted with the raspy voice on stage that I turned to see who was being so utterly rude to the singer.

Leonard looked up from the bar at that moment and our gazes collided. Warmth spread through my belly, and I felt the uptick in my pulse.

It was showtime.

Shaking my head, I turned back to the stage. The bait was there. The businessman recognized me, and I counted on his appearance at some point in the night to say hello.

When a burst of leather and smoke filled my next inhale, I smiled inwardly that he’d come to me so quickly.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Leonard said, sliding into the empty chair beside me without waiting for an invitation. The leather scent clung to him like a second skin—expensive and masculine.

I feigned surprise. “Americano. Following me now?”

“I could ask you the same.” His eyes, dark and knowing in the club’s dim lighting, traveled from my face down to my dress with deliberate slowness. “This doesn’t seem like your usual scene.”

“And what exactly is my usual scene?” I challenged, taking another careful sip of my drink.

“Coffee shops in the daytime. Prowling magical kingdoms after dusk.” He signaled to a passing server. “Lagavulin, neat,” he ordered before turning back to me. “So tell me, did he tie the mortal girl up?”

My cheeks burned, but I refused to look away. “You shouldn’t have read my work.”

“What can I say? You intrigued me.” Not my work…me.

Another song began, and we fell into a companionable silence as we listened to the heartwrenching melody. This might have been a carefully planned encounter, with every detail thoughtfully arranged, but I found myself genuinely relishing the experience. My gaze kept shifting to the man sitting across the bistro table from me. Here, in the shadows of the club, the polished veneer of the business world faded, and the realman behind the suit peeped through. His eyes, though dark and mysterious, seemed to radiate with a focused energy. He exuded confidence and power, his posture and movements smooth and controlled. In the dim light of the club, his aura seemed to pulsate with a raw intensity, proclaiming the command of those around him.

Leonard focused on the stage, not the singer, but somewhere beyond where the musicians played. I wondered what he was thinking about but didn’t break the spell to ask.

When the notes faded, he rose. “May I buy you another drink, little author?”

“Sparkling water with lemon.” I finished my martini. “I have to drive tonight.”

He nodded without comment and left.

I sagged into my chair, suddenly able to draw a deep breath now that his dominating presence was gone. I wanted a man for this very reason, but perhaps I’d misjudged. This being couldn’t be manipulated easily.

“Alone at last,” a voice broke through my tangle of thoughts. The paid actor was right on cue, earning every cent I’d paid him.

Remembering the role I was supposed to be playing, I put aside the strategic moves of this game. “Can I help you?”

The man in the slim suit looked me up and down. “Why don’t you join me, and we can get to know each other better?”

“Um, I’m good, thanks.” I shifted in my seat.

He stepped closer. “But I’m not.”

If this was a real situation, I would have pushed him aside. There was nothing intimidating about this actor, much to my disappointment.

“Thanks, but no.” I moved away again.

The man reached out and grabbed my waist.

“Hey! No touching,” I hissed.

“That wasn’t part of the deal,” he slurred.

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