Shadow Of The Prey

CH7. Hindrance.

My brow raises as I stare at his polite smile. It's the kind of smile that's irritating to look at. A smile that's obviously fake—resembling the facade Sir Garnet wears so well. The only difference being, Sir Garnet wears a smile that hides any indication of what's underneath—this man makes it evident that his smile is just as detachable as his mask.

"Your partner? Without even having a conversation?" I scoff, giving him a meaningless smile that hides the annoyance I have for such a rude stranger.
"Of course. It's not everyday a talented gambler as beautiful as you comes along. It'd be a shame to not ask for a dance."
"I'll decline. I have no interest in dancing."
"Funnily enough, neither do I."

One look at his expression is enough to confuse me, almost derailing me from my focus. Glancing at Meredith and her friends, I watch as Miss. Hayashi and Miss. Vidius are whisked away by his companions for a dance.

"If you have no interest in dancing, why bother me to be your dance partner?" My tone is harsh, resembling the tone of an entitled heiress.
"Oh Lady Ruby, you're too splendid to not approach." He shrugs, giving a wistful sigh—his eyes narrowing as they look back at me with a glint of lust.
"Since I don't want to dance, what idea of a partner do you have, inside that peculiar little mind of yours?" I scoff, teasing at his audacity to drool so openly for Elise.
"Anything you desire. However, at the moment I have only one idea in mind."

Gently taking my hand, he brings my fingers up to his chin—his head bowing slightly as he keeps his eyes secured back to mine.

"I only wish to see your beauty bared in front of me. Won't you show me what's under your mask?" His words whisper obscene intentions—only for my ears to hear.

His cologne a spiced-dry woody scent that assaults my nose from the artificial sharpness. Slowly closing the distance between us, his lips plant a feather-light kiss onto my knuckles.

"You haven't even given your name, so what makes you to think it's acceptable to treat me with such familiarity?" My eyes turn sharp as I analyze him, my demeanor sharply turning hostile.

He's irrelevant to my mission, but I can't help try to read him from pure curiosity.
Someone who looks at me with a friendly gaze, his eyes painted with what can only be described as scorching lust—beneath his smile, there's a sign of chaotic fury. His internal aggression doesn't show any signs that I was the cause of the turmoil within him, but the one thing is clear of my analysis—he's a man who's hungry with desire. Not the desire he'd find in a bed partner, but the desire he'd find in accomplishing something with malice.

Could he be from the agency?
No, UNS would never employ someone so easy to read—especially if they're in my location.
This man is after the target.
His gaze remains locked on me but for a mere second, he looked past me with his gaze focused to the direction of where the target and his friends stand.

"A night where our identities are hidden, shouldn't we use this chance to free our desires? Why not free yourself with me?" He whispers in a honeyed voice that'd make any woman to fall for him—unfortunately, Elise Barrington is not just any woman.

Ripping my hand away, I take the handkerchief in his pocket.
Wiping the back of my hand where his lips made contact, I meet his stare with a look of visible disgust in my expression before haphazardly dropping the cloth on the ground.

"I'll have to ask you to leave. Our ideals are far too different, and you're unruly in attempting to pursue me to follow your indecent lechery." I hiss my harsh words.
"I apologize for being rude, I just thought you were the kind of lady who would enjoy such escapades." His expression never falters—the same revolting friendly look, even as his eyes quickly glance at his handkerchief on the floor.
"You have no value to me. You're merely a stray dog who's drooling at my feet, hoping I'll offer a bone."
"And have you no empathy for even a stray?"
"A stray as disobedient as you, doesn't even deserve a crumb. If you're done, I'll let you leave my sight before I notify security."
"If you wish. But one day you'll wish to offer a bone to this stray."