Twisted Obsession

36 - Deception

Lorenzo Vincelli

The soft, ambient lights glinted off my glass as I swirled the dark liquid, the whiskey catching the light just right to make the whole room feel hazy, mysterious. Luciana had left the table moments before, slipping away with a casual elegance, leaving just the faintest trace of her perfume lingering. I could feel Lorentine's eyes on me, waiting, her gaze heavy and deliberate. I looked up, meeting her gaze, and watched her smile bloom, slow and calculated.

"You know, I never pictured you with someone like her," Lorentine murmured, leaning forward so that her fingers grazed the edge of my glass, brushing mine in a touch just too intentional to be accidental. Her voice was low, a mix of curiosity and flirtation, with a hint of possessiveness that almost made me smirk.

I raised a brow, letting my gaze trail over her with deliberate slowness, savoring the way her cheeks flushed, her pulse quickening just under the smooth skin of her neck. "Oh? And what type would you picture for me?" I asked, leaning in close enough for my voice to wrap around her, rich and low. She swallowed, but her smile held.

"Someone who can handle you, maybe." Her eyes flickered to my lips and then back to my eyes. She angled her head just enough that a stray lock of hair fell forward, framing her face in a way that was almost too perfect.

I chuckled, my hand reaching to tuck that stand behind her ear, fingers grazing her skin, lingering just a second too long. "Perhaps I prefer someone unpredictable," I murmured, locking eyes with her. "Someone who knows how to keep things interesting."

She laughed, the sound soft and inviting, leaning a bit closer. Her perfume was subtle, just a hint of something dark and alluring. "Interesting? Or dangerous?" she asked, her voice dropping to a near whisper, eyes sparking with challenge. "Because I can't imagine you shy away from either."

I let my gaze travel slowly from her lips to her eyes, a faint smirk playing on my mouth. "Danger's overrated," I replied, voice smooth as silk. "But a challenge—well, that I can't resist."

Her hand found its way to the lapel of my jacket, fingers brushing over the fabric as she looked up at me with a faint tilt of her head. "Then maybe you should see how you handle one," she whispered, her fingers trailing down to adjust my collar, her touch lingering. Her eyes narrowed as they flicked up to meet mine, teasing yet cautious. "Think you're up to it?"

I held her gaze, feeling the heat of the challenge, the seduction rolling off her in waves. I wanted to push, to test, to savor every stolen piece of information as I edged her into exactly where I needed her. "Why don't we find out?"

In a smooth motion, I slipped my arm around her waist, drawing her closer, enough for her to feel the cool metal rim of my glasses. "But a real challenge..." I whispered, voice like a caress against her skin, "comes when both sides have something to lose. Tell me, Lorentine, what do you have to lose tonight?"

Her lips parted, and her eyes softened, though a flicker of suspicion flared. She was close enough now that the retinal scanner in my glasses began its work, quietly cataloging the details as I held her in my gaze, unreadable, a mystery I let her try to unfold.

Just then, the small earpiece tucked in my ear crackled to life, and Luciana's voice slipped into my thoughts, low and mocking. "Smooth, Lorenzo. Real smooth. Can't believe she's falling for that tired line."

I fought to keep my face steady, suppressing a smirk as I felt Lorentine lean closer, her lips grazing my cheek. "She's practically begging you to make a move—don't disappoint her," Luciana continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Luciana's laughter cut through, sly and amused. "She really thinks she's special, doesn't she?"

And then Luciana's voice broke in again, her tone wicked. "She has no idea you're still thinking about me, does she?" The amusement in her voice sent a flash of heat through me—annoyance, attraction, I couldn't tell which.