Page 12 of Tempted By Poison

Chapter 5

Anita

––––––––

Ronan stands withina foot of us with his hands in his pockets. His all-black attire, mask and dark hair exudes a man of dire power. Or anger. A flutter erupts in my belly, removing the nausea I experienced with Victor.

He steps closer and takes one hand out of his pocket. “I was looking for you, amor.”

Ignoring Victor completely, he stares at me. I can spot the fury in his eyes; it's enough fire in his hard gaze that it can burn the world down.

Victor extends his arm. “Go find someone else.” The palm of it nudges Ronan, stopping him in his tracks.

Oh, shit.My heart picks up a beat as I step out of Victor's hold. I notice the bite in Ronan’s jaw, the bones crushing and bulging. He tilts his head slightly, slowly looking down at where Victor's hand lies. Strands of his perfectly laid hair now falling in front of his forehead. Ronan forms a fist, and I could see the disaster right before my eyes.

My eyes widen, stepping to Ronan, my palm on his chest. “Let’s dance, darling.”

I slide beside him, hooking my arm into his, but Victor doesn't let go.

His head snaps down to mine in shock. I catch a grin playing on Ronan’s lips. Victor lets out a defeated laugh.

“I should’ve known. Someone as alluring as you has to be taken already.” His hold tightens around my elbows before letting go.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us,” Ronan speaks confidently. The wrath that was once fuming him dissipates, but not fully.

I step away from Victor, clasping Ronan’s hand. That sickening weight lifts from my shoulders along with relief. Ronan pulls me closer, wrapping a protective arm around my waist.

Victor's shoulders stiffen for a second before catching the hint. “I need to go handle business, anyway. It was a pleasure meeting you.” He bows his head before strolling off into the crowd.

Releasing a breath, I shift in front of Ronan, which only allows him to grip me closer, to press my chest into him, giving him full access to keep his hand above the small of my back.

We don't break eye contact as we raise our other hand in union, our fingers glide into each other, intertwining into a ball. I don’t wince. I don't push him away. Instead, I melt into his embrace. It’s not cold and clammy like Victors. It’s the complete opposite. A combination of warmth.

Safety and protection.

A softer music plays in the background. More sensual. But his breath is still harsh. I peek up at him, his jaw is tight, one more bite and he might break it.

“Soon you’ll combust if you don’t relax,” I say softly, our bodies moving together as one. When my hip moves, he moves in the same motion. My foot tips forward, his dip back.

“Take a deep breath,” I whisper, gazing at his neck, the lump bobbing, feeling the pump of his beating heart slowing down. We rock back and forth as he pulls me in closer, dipping his nose to my hair then inhaling softly. I shut my eyes, resting the bridge of my nose on his tux. Taking my own advice into consideration.

He smells absolutely delicious.It's calming, with a musky mixture of amber and sandalwood.

My pulse slows.

I’m at ease for once tonight, but I can't forget the urge in my blood to kill Victor where he stood.

I almost did something that would have ruined us all. I would've risked everything. If Ronan hadn’t stepped in...

---