Landon's POV

This time she pulls me through the crowd. Her friends barely notice us leave. The blonde is surrounded by about three different guys, each vying for her attention and the bloke is focused on the girl he's making out with.

Even though I'm with Aurora, several girls try to get my attention as we approach the bar. They would make this easy for me, I laugh to myself, but that's not what I want tonight.

Tonight, I want Aurora. She's all I want.

When we reach the bar, I stand behind her so close I can feel every inch of her against me. I'm getting hard, and I hope she can feel it.

I want her to know how much I want her. How much every part of me is attuned to her body. My hands are on her, and I'm kissing her on her shoulder, her back, her neck, her ear... anywhere I can reach.

She pulls in a breath as I suck on her neck.

"I want you," I tell her. My voice sounds harsh and uncontrolled; it reflects how I feel, completely lost like a stray fucking cat that's found the fucking cream. I lick my lips at the thought. I feel wild with anticipation.

She orders more tequila, and I'm surprised by how steady her voice is. I thought I was affecting her too. I want to sulk. I'm not used to being the one doing the chasing.

I glance around, and as if to prove my point there are several girls giving me the look; the look that implores me to abandon Aurora and give them my attention instead, but I'm not interested. I'm wealthy and attractive, and at the risk of sounding shallow, that usually gets me what I want. I wear an expensive outfit, put a sexy smirk on my face, buy a girl a few drinks and take her home in my flashy car, and it works every time.

Except possibly tonight.

I get the impression, Aurora isn't impressed by that sort of thing.

We down the shots and then I decide to make a move. I turn her around so that she's leaning with her back against the bar. She's looking up at me with big doey eyes now that I've got her trapped, my arms around her like a cage. I like the feeling it inspires in me. The sense of control, power.

She's at my mercy.

She looks unsure like she really doesn't know how to respond, as she lowers her gaze towards the floor. I take pity on her and lean in to kiss her. She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me closer.

The kiss is anything but gentle. It's devastating.

It's the sort of kiss that would destroy a weaker man but Aurora doesn't realise her own influence. She has no idea how she affects me. She's irresistible and she's completely overpowering me, and although I'm enjoying the benefits, I'm not sure I'm going to like the consequences.

Consequences are something I try to avoid.

In fact, consequences are something I always avoid; negative or positive. The only consequence I allow is a brilliant orgasm. That's always the climax. Then I leave, and I don't look back.

The music is loud, but my heartbeat might be louder. She's driving me insane. I have to have her.

I crave her; perhaps if I let myself have her just once, that might be enough... Just one taste?

She's got me completely enticed. I'm not at all sure what it is about her that has me so captivated, but I'm pretty convinced I can't escape her.

I know I definitely don't want to; at least not tonight. No. Tonight I want her. Tonight, I'll do anything to make her mine.

"Should we go find somewhere quiet?" I ask her because I think I might scare her off if I invite her back to mine just yet. I don't want to scare her away. I don't want to overwhelm her.

She nods but doesn't say a word until we've found a private booth in the garden. There are people all around us, but because of the nature of the booths, we are completely out of sight. There's a gentle breeze, and she shivers as I pull her onto my lap and kiss her again. I've finally got her all to myself. If I were a lion, I'd be roaring in triumph.

"You're beautiful," I tell her before I can stop myself.

I usually avoid compliments. It's actually a rule; don't be too nice.

Compliments suggest you are interested in more than just tonight and I am never interested in anything beyond the one night. I have another rule, only talk about sex or things that will lead to sex. I don't talk about anything that might suggest that I want to know them better because I never do.

God, I sound like a bastard, but I've always been comfortable with that fact, until now.

Because I'm genuinely intrigued, I ask, "so why did you come out tonight?"

I'm fascinated, intensely so. I want to know everything about her.

She's slightly breathless, but her eyes are fiery.

"Tallulah came home today, so I guess we're sort of celebrating." Tallulah, that's the blonde friend. I'm nodding my head, surprisingly eager to hear more.

"You certainly looked like you were celebrating earlier." I shouldn't say it, but I can't stop myself. I've barely known her an hour, and I've broken at least a dozen rules. Shit. It is against the rules, but I can't help myself. I want her to know that I have been watching; that I've been aware of her all night.

She blushes.

"We were making a list."

"A list?"

I should drop this conversation and start kissing her again, but I am completely engrossed in what she is saying.

"A list of rules to break."

She bites her lip again and I cup her chin with my hand, releasing her lip from its prison.

"What rules are on this list?" I ask as I run my fingers down her neck and along her collarbone.

"All sorts." Her voice is harsh, and it's nice to hear that I am affecting her. It's almost a relief. I was beginning to think I was on my own in this hell. "Just every rule my parents ever gave me."

Her answer surprises me.

"Surely you've broken most of them already?"

I really misjudged her, it seems. Not many people can surprise me like that. I'm impressed.

She shakes her head.

"Nope. I'm very good at keeping the rules."

Those words do something to me.

I picture her tied up and completely at my mercy. I've never thought of myself as particularly dominant, but there's something tantalising about the idea of her submitting to me; me giving her rules to follow.

I could easily give her a couple of rules; I wonder if she could keep them.

I find her control irresistible. I want her to give it to me. I want to make her lose it in an overpowering orgasm.

I want to ask what rules she wants to break but instead, I find myself asking, "is there anything I can do to help?" and I'm hoping, almost praying that she says yes.

Her answer isn't immediate. She keeps me waiting and it's frustrating.

She laughs, but I can tell she's thinking. She's buying herself time. Her eyes are serious as she deliberates on my offer. I'm anxious for her answer.

"You could take me home," she says confidently, her eyes bright with an excited trepidation.

I give her a wolfish grin.

"Yours or mine?" I want to be certain.

"Yours."

She doesn't miss a beat. She's owning the decision she's just made with the confidence I'd seen from across the bar. She doesn't even blush, and it almost disappoints me. I promise myself that I'm going to spend the whole night finding ways to make her blush.

"Good." I kiss her once more before saying, "Let's go."

As we walk back through the bar to the exit, I wonder if she needs to say goodbye to her friends, but she beats me to it when she says, "Meet me at the exit? I need to say goodbye to Lou and Cameron." That must be the name of the guy.

"I'll come with you if you like," I offer and take her hand without waiting for her reply.

I'm not leaving her side now that I've got her to agree to come home with me. She's mine tonight.

We find her friends quickly. They are sitting in a small group in the booth where I first spotted Aurora sitting.

"We wondered where you got to."

Tallulah winks at Aurora before regarding me with curiosity. I get the impression this isn't a regular occurrence for them.

Tallulah looks like she's assessing me and the dark-haired guy Cameron, is looking at me with unconcealed concern and challenge. There's a threat in there; he's telling me he'll fuck me over if I hurt her. I'm not intimidated at all by the challenge in his expression, but I regard it seriously, nodding my head gently, acknowledging his silent declaration. I might not be intimidated but I can certainly respect another man's protective instinct.

I watch Aurora as she awkwardly tells them that she will see them tomorrow and then we are heading out the door.

Henry is waiting just outside with my Lexus. There is no visible sign that he has just been dragged out of bed by a text from his bothersome boss and for that I'm grateful.

I texted him shortly after the first round of shots I shared with Aurora. He has a smile on his face when he spots me coming towards him, probably thinking he'll be able to get back to bed soon.

The man might deserve a pay rise. It's a good job I don't make a habit of waking him up in the middle of the night.

"Sir," Henry says as he opens the back door.

I guide Aurora into the back seat before joining her.

"Thank you, Henry."

"Anytime sir," he replies. "Where would you like to go?"

"Home."

"Very well sir."

He nods before closing the door and walking round the car to the driver's door. He gets in, places the key in the ignition and pulls out of the car park.

I can't wait to get this girl into my bed. She's got me breaking rules I just don't break, and yet I don't regret a second of tonight. I've had a great time, even if I have spent the entire time rock-hard, waiting for her attention.

She's going to look beautiful wrapped around me.

It's a good job I don't live too far away because I'm impatient. I'm not accustomed to having to wait for what I want. I won't be kept waiting much longer, thank fuck.

Do you think Aurora is going to regret this in the morning? So, you might not know but I have a website and on that website you can subscribe to my newsletter where you can hear all about what I'm writing. Just search for Hanleigh Bradley.