Page 36 of Goldsin

The overwhelming need to trace those intricate patterns with my fingertips devours me whole as we stare at one another. He’s wearing a silver mask, but his smoldering eyes are exposed enough for me to see.

Movement to his right catches my attention, and I see another guy sitting on a chair next to him, legs spread open, drink dangling from his hand. He’s dressed similarly, but with no tattoos etched onto his brown skin. His purple mask conceals his identity as well.

But there’s something about his posture and the way he observes the scene around him that reeks of familiarity.

I try to shake the feeling of unease his attention is giving me, but no matter which corner of the room I occupy, the tattooed man’s piercing stare is still there.

It’s unnerving.

Several minutes go by with me feeling like hunted prey, and irritation finally gets the better of me. I square my shoulders and cross the crowded room, clenching my hands so hard that half-moons become engraved on the skin.

I stop before the couch where he’s reclining, two girls under his arms.

“Can I help you?” The words slip from between my gritted teeth, my voice dripping with annoyance.

He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead he takes his time, roaming his gaze up and down my body before finally meeting my eye again. The action alights something inside of me. It’s like a signal, as if I’m used to this person’s attention. No—as if I crave it.

The two black holes where his eyes are hold me captive, but something around his wrist makes my heart skip a beat. Not just anything. A unique black hair tie, with a black bead in the shape of a raven.

Sadness floods my senses, mingling with bitter anger.

“Julian?” My voice is barely above a whisper as I stare into the eyes of the man who once meant everything to me.

“Ah, so you recognize me,” he drawls, an amused smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

Without thinking, I grab the drink from the other guy’s hand and throw it straight at Julian’s face. The liquid splashes across his skin, dampening his dark hair and causing the two girls to shriek in surprise.

And Julian simply chuckles.

CHAPTER EIGHT

AURELIA

“Well, that was refreshing,” Julian coos, fixing his sticky hair.

“That was for never showing up.” I glare at his amused face. “Now, stop. Staring. At. Me,” I say through gritted teeth.

In the blink of an eye he stands from the couch, his body crushing mine. “I don’t think so,” he growls in my ear. “You were made to be watched by me.”

Taking a small step backward, he glances intently at the curves of my body before his eyes settle back on my face.

Heat rises in my cheeks, and I curse myself for blushing so easily around him.

“Aurelia,” he says in a measured manner. “Why aren’t you wearing what I told you to?” A hint of disapproval laces his words.

“You like it? It’sBordelle.”

His eyes flick back and forth between mine. “You didn’t follow my orders.”

“And you didn’t pick me up.”

His lips twitch. “That’s a bit immature, don’t you think?”

My mouth parts, so close—so damn close—to smiling.

“I had some unexpected business to attend to,” he adds.

“I can see that.” My gaze falls to the two girls sprawled on the couch behind him. “Luckily, your brother was kind enough to help when you couldn’t.”

---