The whole place seemed surreal, like a scene from a horror film. Its eerie location in a completely desolate area, surrounded by miles and miles of forest-covered hills, was in itself disturbing. The heavy iron gates with bewildering patterns, the grounds with an impressive maze and uncanny statues were enough to make one's blood run cold and then there was the old mansion. Looming amidst the trees, it stood tall and dark, with ivy creeping up its gray walls, the twisted faces of perched gargoyles staring down like silent witnesses to who-knew-what. The intricate stained glass windows seemed purposely designed to filter the daylight and to keep most of it from penetrating inside. As soon as she had passed the doorstep earlier that day, a hair-raising feeling crept over her. The heavy antique interior with colossal fireplaces and crystal chandeliers gave her the strangest of impressions of having stepped back in time.
The cold stone walls seemed to be closing in on her as she hurried down the obscure hallway lit only by flickering candles. Her eyes kept straying to the bizarre yet sensual paintings and she could not help but feel enthralled by their erotic nature. Her black hair was flowing in waves down her back and the strap of her red silk dress kept sliding over her shoulder as she tried to walk as fast as possible without running. She did not want her fear to get the better of her judgment but it was difficult. The sound of her heels against the stone tiles disturbed the silence but it was the echoing footsteps behind her that made her nervous. Mostly because every time she glanced over her shoulder, she saw no one.
Her senses were alert, her adrenaline running high and her heart felt like it might break out of her constraining ribcage by the time she reached the room that had been appointed to her. The sudden quietness was even more unnerving. Her cold hands trembled while she tried to unlock the door and she swore under her breath when the heavy brass key slipped from her clumsy fingers. The piercing sound of it hitting the floor resonated through the corridor, making her nerves react with a needle-pricking pain running through her tensed body.
Her thoughts strayed to her enigmatic host. With his flawless, almost empyrean features and with the way he was elegantly dressed all in black, he stood out from the crowd. Overflowing with charisma and confident in the way he held himself; he was the perfect entertainer and everyone seemed dazzled by him and yet, she found him intimidating. Perhaps that was because he was making her body disobey her mind. During the whole of dinner, he had stared at her with a provocative smile on his sensuous lips, his piercing eyes full of lust, shamelessly devouring her, despite the many other guests. It was clear that he knew how he was affecting her and he used it to baffle and entice her.
She should not feel attracted to this man. He was dangerous. She sensed it as soon as she laid eyes on him. And yet it excited her to have his attention. There were many beautiful women present that evening but for some reason, he seemed to have singled her out. Never before had anyone ignited the fire inside her body the way this strangely fascinating man did. It made her head spin. Flustered and confused, she'd lost her appetite and excused herself, with everyone's head turning her way as she quickly walked away from the dining room. She did not care. She could no longer handle his probing stare and needed to get away to compose herself.
She sighed and bent down to pick up the key but when she lifted herself back up; a large hand covered her mouth and silenced her cry of surprise.
"Shhhh," was all he said. His body pressed onto her back made her breathe faster and his appealing scent made her dizzy. She wasn't sure whether she felt more frightened or thrilled by the unexpected close encounter. It didn't take her long to figure out that trying to scream and fight him was useless.
As soon as she stopped struggling, his hand slid from her mouth down to her neck and rested against the skin of her fast-raising chest. He removed the key from her trembling fingers and unlocked the door to her room, pushing it open. With his other arm still around her, he moved her forward, her resistance having no effect on his strength. Not that she tried that hard. She was battling against herself and she was certain that he knew it.
She heard the door close behind them and for a moment, she did not dare to move. His hand on her cleavage was scalding hot on her skin. She wished her fast breaths would not make her fear so evident. The way he held on to her showed he had no intention of letting her go. He was tall and strong which made her feel small and weak against him. Pressing his lips to her hair, he inhaled her scent and then breathed out into her ear.
"Long have I been waiting for someone like you," his hot breath made her fingernails dig into her palms and his honey-coated voice had a soothingly hypnotic effect on her but his words sent chills down her spine.
With his fingertips, he caressed the exposed part of her breasts all the way up her white neck; then, taking her chin, he turned her face to his. Not daring to look into his eyes, she closed hers. It only intensified the feeling of his lips brushing over hers with a gentleness she did not expect. His breath was sweet, his kiss invigorating, his touch sensual, and she was completely helpless in his arms.
"Say that you want me," he whispered between his teasing kisses, the tone of his voice slightly pleading, and for a fleeting moment, it made him seem almost vulnerable.
There was no use of fooling herself. She did want him with every fibre in her body. But the alarms were still ringing in the back of her mind. The dangerous man was in her room and had her under his spell. It took all of her will for her to wiggle out of his embrace but to her surprise he let her go. She bolted away from him to the other side of the room. Without making a single move, he watched her and only seemed amused by her poor attempt to escape.
She stood there, facing him with her head high but under her shield of defiance and pride, she was wavering. The way his glowing eyes were taking her in and beckoning her to him was making her want to give in. In her despair, she looked at the door and took one step forward but before she even knew how he got there, he was standing in front of her, blocking her way.
