Ruthless Revenge

Chapter 8

Holden's POV

As soon as she stepped onto the podium I was mesmerised by the way she looked, the way she moved, the soft, lilting seduction of her voice. Something moved through me as she spoke. She was so guileless and enthusiastic, it made my heart squeeze. Her eyes always smiled, and she seemed genuinely happy to be master of ceremony. 

My eyes travelled over her body and instantly my pants became too tight. She wore a nude dress that blended perfectly with her skin. Her curves were perfect, just right. Her nose was straight and her cheekbones slashed. Her lengthy black hair danced on her shoulders in bouncy curls.

Beautiful

Utterly beautiful

"Holden?" Breaking from my trance, my eyes shift to the familiar person who had called my name. I gave my best friend, Kristopher Conrad a nod and a smile before turning my head back to the stage, my gaze suddenly locked on hers.

The impact ricocheted through my system, coming into contact with every nerve ending. For a moment I couldn't breathe.

Everything else faded, and all I was aware of was her.

The sudden tightening in my gut was raw, sexual and compelling.

The urge to go to her on the stage was so intense. I'd never felt a pull that strong. I couldn't drag my gaze away from her. I felt trapped. But I couldn't seem to summon up the will to fight my desire.

What the hell was wrong with me? No woman had ever affected me this way before. All that had happened was that our eyes had met. She was standing a good thirty feet away and she'd made me feel weak, winded.

What would she do to me when she was closer?

When I kissed her?

When I touched her?

When I was inside of her?

No. I reined my thoughts and tried to pay attention to what was being said. 

The introduction speech had passed in a daze for me, and I had still been lost in daydreams of the beautiful emcee when the introductions began. My mind was too far away to focus on the people in front of me trying to congratulate me. 

"You've hit big again, Styles." The older man laughed as he patted my shoulder. 

I forced a smile at him. "Thanks, Nelson. You didn't do so bad yourself."

He chuckled, "Well, you know what they say. The duck can only swim to the other side." I raised my brow at his odd statement but nod slightly. He continued to rant away, telling me about his lateness business ventures. 

In boredom, my eyes shifted to the far end of the room and there she was standing by the piano looking down at the keys. She looked tempted to sit on the empty stool. She was alone, everyone around her seemed to be engaged in their conversation.

This was my chance. 

I turned my gaze back to the older man, "It was great talking to you, Nelson. Maybe one day we can meet for a chat." I pat his shoulder and moved away before he could respond. 

I held my head high and walked straight to where she was. Ignoring the calls of my name, I stride towards her. 

I stopped and stood at the other end of the piano. Following her gaze, I watched as her fingers pushed against the keys gently.

"Do you play?"

Those words! 

Ill-fated, if I had but known it.