Vicious Obsession

Chapter Thirteen

It was him.

I was on my feet before my brain could even register the movement, staring up at those intense, inferno-like eyes. They were the exact same eyes from that night.

*That night.*

He offered a slow, lazy smile and gave a small wave. "You're my blind date. How about that for a small world?"

From *that night*...the night I broke up with Gideon. It was him. We had a one-night stand together.

A heavy frown settled on my face as I sank back into my seat, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. I couldn't believe I had dressed up to the nines for this jerk.

"Since you're already here, let's just cut to the chase and stop wasting time," I said coldly. "This date, or whatever this is supposed to be, isn't going to work between us."

"I haven't even sat down yet," he replied, pulling out the chair opposite mine and sliding into it.

We sat facing each other, and I didn't break eye contact for a single second. He still wore that same wicked, insufferable smirk that I repelled then and repelled even more today.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" I demanded.

"Did what on purpose?"

"This date. You knew it was me, and you..."

"I came all the way here because *you* approved the date and dragged me out tonight," he pointed out, leaning back smoothly.

*Shit.* I was the one who insisted on today. Why had I insisted? Because Elias was sitting just right across the table!! Holy s**t! I should've did my research or inquired more about who he was from Lowell instead of showing up here!!

Because I can't believe, he's the one seated right next to me. Mayor's son? Him! He's got to be kidding me right now. "I didn't know it was you," I snapped.

"Are you telling me you had no idea I was the Mayor's son?"

"Do I look like I keep track of who you are? We don't have anything significant enough between us for me to hold you in my memory."

"Oh, really?" His smirk widened slightly. "Yet you recognized me the second I walked up. Didn't you?"

"Go f**k yourself," I spat.

Before he could reply, a waiter stepped up to our table with immaculate timing, placing two covered silver platters in front of us. With a practiced flourish, he lifted the domes, revealing expertly pan-seared Chilean sea bass resting on a bed of saffron risotto, drizzled with a rich lemon-herb emulsion.

"Tonight's entree," the waiter introduced politely, "pan-seared sea bass over saffron risotto, paired with a delicate citrus glaze."

"Thank you," Valerius murmured, reaching for his fork.

I stared at him for a long moment before reluctantly taking hold of my own fork. I just needed to endure this meal, get through the evening, and end it once and for all.

There was no way in hell my mother was going to make me marry this man. Cynthia must have completely lost her mind proposing a match like this, me, as the Mayor of the West's son's bride?

And is his name even Valerius? Didn't he tell me his name was Gaius back then? What was I expecting from a high end jerk like him anyway?

I cut a small piece of the sea bass, brought it to my mouth, and let the flavors hit my tongue before chewing slowly.

"Do you like the meal?" he asked, watching me closely.

"What would you do if I didn't?"

"Still as feisty as ever, I see."

I rolled my eyes, taking another deliberate bite. "I'm trying to enjoy my food here. I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak to me."

I could feel his burning gaze fixed on me while the clatter of silver forks and spoons scraping against porcelain broke the heavy silence between us.

Before long, the waiter glided forward again to clear away our empty plates, seamlessly replacing them with fresh ones. With a subtle bow, he introduced the next course.

"For your next dish, we have a tender, pan-roasted rack of lamb drizzled with a rich red-wine reduction, served alongside truffle-infused potato puree and grilled asparagus."

Valerius murmured a polite thanks, but his eyes never once left my face. The moment the waiter stepped back into the shadows of the restaurant, the air grew tense again.

"So tell me, do you still have those intense heat cycles?"

I didn't reply, choosing instead to focus entirely on my meal, cutting into the lamb with precision.

He smirked, swirling the dark liquid in his glass. "In my entire life, I've never seen a woman who could go wild and feral like you when in heat. I mean..."

"Just shut up," I interrupted instantly, shooting him a glare sharp enough to draw blood. "Don't ruin my appetite. I'm already struggling to stomach this meal as it is."

"Touchy," he murmured, undeterred as he took a slow sip. "I'm only stating facts, Sandra. You were unforgettable." He dropped the wine and focused on his plate.

"I mean, no woman could ever replace that energy, that vibe. I guess mixed breeds really are as different as they say," he said, reaching for his wine glass again and swirling the deep red liquid while keeping his eyes locked on mine.

"Having that vampire blood diluting your veins alongside wolf blood, and on top of all that, being a dominant omega..."

He brought the glass to his lips and drained it in one smooth gulp. "This tastes so much like you."

I dropped my fork noisily onto the side of my plate, the sharp metal clatter ringing out against the silent room. "Are you trying to bait me?"

"Well, I wasn't interested in this date at first," he admitted, setting the empty glass down with a soft click. "But now that I know it's you... don't you think we might be a match made in the stars?"

"A match made in the stars?" I repeated, incredulous.

"Yeah. I mean, after five years, the universe is aligning for us again."

Sandra, are you really going to sit here and endure this s**t for another minute?

"I made a huge mistake asking for this date," I said, pushing my chair back and standing up.

"Leaving?" he asked smoothly, not shifting an inch.

"What do you think? That I'd sit here and keep listening to your s**t?"

"Sit back down, Sandra." His tone lost its lazy humor, darkening into a low, quiet command.

I finally lifted my glass off the table and splashed the wine straight onto his face. The deep red liquid drenched his hair, dripping down his forehead and onto his immaculate suit.

His mouth fell wide open as he stared up at me, completely wide-eyed and stunned into silence.

"Sandra!" he choked out, wiping a hand across his dripping eyes.

"Work on your manners," I warned, looking down at him with a cold smirk. "Else next time, it won't end with just this."

Without waiting for his response, I spun on my heel and walked out, the heels of my silver shoes clicking sharply against the floor as I left him sitting there soaked in red wine.

He lost his damn mind! Why was I having such a bad week? Could it even get any worse?

I pulled out my phone and dialed Persie's number. "Could you come pick me..." I started to say, but my words drained away the second I spotted a familiar car parked a short distance away.

Elias was leaning against the sleek hood, constantly checking his watch.

"Hello? Babe?" Persie's voice came through the receiver.

"Persie, can I call you back later?" I murmured, hanging up before she could answer, my gaze completely locked on him.

Our eyes met across the pavement. His gaze bored into mine, raking over every inch of my dress, taking in the high slit, the low cut, and the diamonds gleaming against my collarbone.

Without breaking eye contact, I started walking straight toward him.

I didn't stop until I was standing right in front of him, close enough to feel the heat radiating off his body. Then, right there in the middle of the street, I grabbed him by his suit tie, yanked him down, and crashed my lips against his.