Page 14 of Chandelier Sin
I’d danced with monsters and dined with every facet of evil, so I was beyond showing fear of such men.
Yet he still caused a wave of disquiet to sweep over me.
Studying Atticus carefully this time, I could see he was in his early thirties. The cut of his suit reflected a man who knew the value of bespoke tailoring, knew the value of what it reflected about him. What an unrivaled class of man, with that distinguished air of authority.
I strolled confidently toward him, making my way around the other guests. I was unsure what I’d say to Atticus, but I needed to get closer.
I reached his side but didn’t look at him. Setting my clutch purse down on the bar, I peered into the long mirror behind the row of drinks. Reflected were two masked guests who were deep in their own thoughts.
Atticus was also pretending we’d not met. Like me, he studied our reflection.
We both knew this game—toying with each other for mutual amusement.
“Bellini.” I ordered something sweet.
The barman responded like I’d asked him to dismantle a bomb. His hands trembled as he mixed my cocktail.
Atticus frowned as he observed the man’s nervousness. Perhaps that would tip him off that I was truly unobtainable.
He slid his glass toward the barman. “Another.”
My Bellini was set before me and then the barman got to work pouring Atticus another glass of Glenfiddich.
I took a sip of my drink and offered an approving nod to show my Bellini was perfect.
“Can I get you anything else?” asked the bartender.
Atticus sharply turned to him. “Disappear.”
“What if someone wants a drink?” he asked nervously, and then realized his mistake.
He scurried out of sight.
The light caught Atticus’ Van Cleef and Arpels wristwatch and I admired the craftmanship, the design testament to the Maison’s mastery. Everything about him screamed suave, from the way he dressed to his cultured voice.
He embodied a living contradiction; polished yet adorned with that black snake tattoo threatening to bite.
The string quartet took a break.
Jocelyn Pook’s “Dionysus” rose from the speakerstoreplace them and continued to set the mood.A more perfect piece couldn’t have been played at reuniting with my enigma.
He was closer now.
I could smell his subtle, intoxicating cologne, like the scent of danger, of timeless secrets, and the forbidden.
Closing my eyes, I inhaled him deeply, savoring these precious seconds, savoring his presence.
Atticus reached out and slid my glass away from me, his fingers brushing against my hand, causing a shiver to run through me. I pined for the return of his touch.
Madness.
I feigned offense. “Did you just pull my drink away from me?”
“Hello, Eve,” he said darkly. “For you, it should always be champagne.”
“How about I make that decision?”
With a smirk, he slid my glass back in front of me.
