Page 9 of Hook

GWENDOLYNE

My breath hitches, my heart thundering as he ensnares me in his dark gaze. His powerful muscles press against me as he twirls me around the floor in an intimate dance. A part of me wants to break free, but I can’t—not even when my fiancé’s name crosses my mind and brings with it an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame.

I relish the forbidden thrill between us, despite knowing it’s wrong.

This man, whose name I don’t know, is persistent. His hard dick grinds against my stomach, making me ache.

I came to this alcove to escape the chaotic party, only to be confronted by a mesmerizing stranger who is intent on seducing me. His smoldering gaze burns right through me as he pulls me closer and closer against him, as if he’s trying to meld our bodies together.

“I came back here to get away from everyone,” I say suggestively, as I try to pull away from him. The man doesn’t budge an inch.

“Is that so? And yet you found me. Isn’t that a happy coincidence?” He grins at me, and my knees tremble.

I can’t gather my thoughts. “Who are you?” I ask, my breathing shallow and uneven. If this man is Piero’s friend, then he’s a very bad one for being so suggestive toward his fiancé.

“That doesn’t matter,” he murmurs against my ear, sending a chill down my spine. “What matters is that I’m here with you now.” The warmth of his body surrounds me as he continues to sway us to the music, our little alcove becoming our own private world where time stands still.

My heart thunders in my chest at the intensity of his chestnut eyes. He’s as devilishly handsome as Piero, but there’s something more menacing hidden in his gaze. A warning that I should steer clear of him.

“So, you won’t tell me your name?” I ask.

“Isn’t it better this way? More mysterious without names.” His arm snakes tightly around my waist as he pulls me close.

My eyes narrow. “You know my name.”

He presses his lips to my ear. “Everyone here knows your name. The question is princess does everyone appreciate how fucking gorgeous you are?”

A thrill shoots through me at his words, both illicit and forbidden.

“That’s inappropriate, considering this is my engagement party,” I stammer.

I try to pull away from him, but he holds firm.

“You’re not claimed until there’s a wedding band on that finger,” he says, motioning toward my hand. He yanks me even closer. “And until then you’re fair game, princess.”

“Don’t call me that,” I say.

His lips move to my neck and he nibbles the skin, making me gasp. No man other than my fiancé should make me feel this way.

“Why not?” he asks, arching a brow. “Is it because your pussy is dripping wet for me?”

I shake my head in disbelief at his crudeness, yet my thighs tremble in response.

What is wrong with me? If Piero were to find us, like this....

“Let go of me. You’re being disgusting.”

“Oh princess,” he growls, pressing tighter against my body. “Why would I do that when I love feeling your sexy curves pressed against me?”

My throat constricts with fear as his eyes alight with dark emotion. Terror fills me. I want nothing more than to sprint away from him and never look back. There’s something unhinged about him. I sense he’s far more dangerous than Piero, who’s a mob boss.

“Please let me go,” I beg.

He bites on my earlobe hard enough to leave a bruise and a sharp shock shoots through the middle of my spine.

“Only once I get a kiss.”

“A kiss? I’m engaged!”

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