Page 5 of Summoned
Pushing past Boyana, who’s too busy scanning the crowd for her latest interest to notice anything else, I descend the stairs and leave the VIP section. Once on the lower level, I weave through the jam of bodies on the dance floor.
The deafening beat of the club fades behind me as I walk down the narrow corridor leading outside. My reflection follows me from the mirror along the polished walls. The sky-blue dress clings to my hips, highlighting every curve. Its bodice is snug yet modest, just a promise. My lips are red like the nail polish on my nails.Redlike the soles of my Louboutins.Redlikea warning.
The thought hits me like a punch to the face. I stop in front of the mirror. Beneath the smoky veil of makeup, behind the warm brown shades of my irises, there’s steel. I smooth down a stray copper brown lock. I prefer my hair sleek, polished, with the faintest curled ends. The simple act of fixing it grounds me in reality.
Another emotion stirs within me. Cold, controlled resolve. A reminder of who I am.
I’m the predator.
I choose when to show weakness. And when to bare my claws.
As soon as I step out of the club, the summer heat settles upon my shoulders, forcing me to fan myself with my hand. My lungs fill with fresh air, and some of my earlier tension begins to ease. I don’t understand my reactions or what caused them. It’s been years since I felt this vulnerable.
A lighter cuts through the darkness, illuminating a malefigure leaning against the wall and lighting a cigarette. I recognizeBoyana’s man from the bar. His well-defined bicep flexes when he lifts his arm to take a drag. The dim glow highlights the sharp contours of his face—a strong jawline and full lips that part, exhaling a ribbon of smoke.
Something primal,predatoryrises inside me. I cross the space between us, unsure of my intent.
The moment he notices me, his attention drifts languidly down my blue dress. “Hello?” His voice is warm and assured, prompting a smile from me.
Yes, an excellent choice, indeed.
“Is it just me, or is it way too hot out here?” I sigh. “Got a spare cigarette?”
He takes another drag. “Sure.” He pulls a pack from the back pocket of his pants.
I pluck one and he offers me a light. I toss the unlit cigarette into the tall ashtray by the wall. “Thank you. But I don’t smoke.”
His eyebrows lift in surprise, and he chuckles. “Then why did you—?”
“Because I wanted to test something.”
I pivot on my slender heels and saunter away.
Three, two, one…
“Wait!”
Already got him on a leash.
I suppress a smirk when he catches up to me. The entrance lights up his profile, revealing his striking green eyes.
“I never caught your name, birthday girl.”
Ah, so hewaspaying attention inside. Just not to Boyana. Then again, after the DJ’s countless shout-outs, I’m not surprised that my presence made an impression. “Nicole,” I say.
He tosses the cigarette on the ground, crushing it withhis shoe. “I’m Branimir.”
Branimir. What an unusual name. I like it.
He glances at his watch, frowning. “Listen, Nicole. I have to get going, but…” He hesitates for a moment. “I could just hope to run into you again, but getting your phone number would be more convenient.”
I cross my arms, aware that the movement draws his attention to my décolletage. “So, is collecting numbers your thing?”
“If they belong to birthday girls.” He smirks.
“Ah, so I’m the lucky one. Give me your phone, then.”
He hands it over. I enter my number, relishing the feel of his proximity. Even in my four-inch heels, he still towers over me, an undeniable advantage that a man has.
