Lust in the Moonlight

Chapter 9

                                                                                    Seraphina Farris

            When stepping into Lennox manor, my ears were blessed with the sounds of soothing classical music. The variety of voices from the guests and violins blended harmoniously. A band of violinists, cellists, pianists, and harp players were grouped at the end of the entry hall. Everyone was headed towards the direction of the double doors at the end of the grand hall. No one else around me seemed to take in the breathtaking atmosphere, the air was filled with a lavender aroma. While the guests of the evening were headed off in the same directions, I was curious about the numerous halls that were being guarded by armed security guards. The grand stairs that were carpeted by a red velvet leading to upper unexplored levels, those stairs were just begging to be run on, the beauty of it, I could write a million stories about it. Unfortunately guards stood at the bottom of it having no intention of letting anyone slip by.

            “Come on..” Renya said, nudging my shoulder with a smile, but she wasn’t rushing me, letting me take in the manor and the effects it had on me. We followed the crowd of well dressed guests down the grand hallway, the lights above us hung two hundred feet in the air admitting a beautiful golden light. The scene was extraordinary, I felt like a tourist gawking at an attraction, meanwhile everyone else focused on their own conversations.

            Renya was talking to me in a hushed tone pointing out guests she wanted to steer clear of. My mental notes of the research I had done the previous day were kicking in. I started to recognize faces and match them to their professions and potential business opportunities they might want to indulge in. Once we walked into the ballroom, I had to catch my breath, and blink a few times to make sure I wasn’t daydreaming. I’d never been in a space that made me feel so inadequate, or underdressed, but then again I have been in Mr. Lennox’s office. Crystal chandeliers trickled down from the scarlet red ceiling like frozen-in-time rain drops, radiating the golden walls, and a floor that had been freshly polished. Large circular tables dressed in white lace and decorated with elaborate table decor and plates were elegantly scattered around the room. It was so much to take in.

            “There is a wardrobe crisis I need to attend to, I’ll be right back, make yourself at home-” Renya stated quickly, before I could latch onto her, she disappeared in the crowds of people. 

            “How am I supposed to-” I lost my wording and held a burning breath. Although I did research on the many individuals here, I did not know how to approach a single one of them. Before I could start to panic, my eyes fell upon a bar that was on the far side of the room. While everyone was concentrating on each other, I seeked refuge at the unoccupied bar. I weaved my way through the ocean of guests and champagne-bearing waiters before finally stumbling upon the bar. A wave of relief soothed my entire body as I placed my clutch on the black bar top. Immediately catering to my presence a bartender asked me if I wanted anything to drink, first I was going to decline, but I began to think about my nerves and how they began to creep up on me once again. So to start off the night, I asked for a simple glass of champagne which was served to me in the matter of seconds. Time went by with no signs of Renya or Isaiah, after twenty minutes of idling by the bar and taking down my second glass of champagne I was finally accompanied by someone, but the one person I least expected.

            “I don’t think we’ve met..” The voice said slyly from behind me, I was waiting for some kind of surprise, or like a delightful stranger, but instead I was met with Mr. Lennox himself, who took his stand right beside me at the bar. Something was different about him, his demeanor wasn’t as cold but more welcoming, in a mysterious way. He held my gaze which looked at him in disgust.

            “You’re kidding me right?” I asked faintly, this was his event to avoid getting kicked out I shook my head and pried my look of disgust away from him. My arms crossed over the bar top not paying any mind to the man who has done nothing but made me feel insignificant from the very first time we met.

            “Roy, pour me a glass” He said to the bartender that served me moments ago, but I could feel his eyes never leaving my body. The only thing I could do was be an adult and ignore his presence. It was hard, feeling his alluring dark burnt sienna eyes branding into my skin, I shifted uncomfortably darting around the room to distract myself from him, but I couldn't. I lost my composure within minutes and snapped my neck at him.

            “What?” I asked in a calm but agitated tone. Mr. Lennox lifted his glass of champagne off the bar top and took a sip of the sparkling liquid before concentrating back on me. He smirked, finally being able to gain my attention, like a child he shrugged coyly as if he had done nothing wrong.

            “You’re criminally enticing..” He whispered so faintly so only I could hear, the way he said it with his pleading eyes wandering down my body, as if there was a secret meaning behind his words. My neck twitched at his words, my agitated expression was replaced by a shocked one. I continued to stare at him making sure I heard him correctly.

            “Mr. Lennox-” I began wanting to warn him that his comment was borderline inappropriate considering he was my boss, and I had a boyfriend, who was a close friend of his. Mr. Lennox shook his head taking a few steps towards me, closing in the space between us. It was a concern how close in proximity we were, I could smell his strong cologne that my nose quickly took a liking to. My neck ached from having to look up at him. He looked around at our surroundings and everyone seemed to be distracted with their own dialogues to indulge what was happening between Mr. Lennox and I.

            “When we aren’t in the office, call me Kai” He cut me off, and I was rendered completely speechless. My body couldn’t move, not because of the inability not to, but the desire to stay. It was like I was talking to a completely different person. My mind was blurred with confusion but curiosity on why he has such a change of attitude.

            “Why would I call you anything when you gave me the impression that you didn’t want me speaking to you?” I pressed, my insides were screaming for an explanation on why he had treated me so badly. For the first time since we encountered each other, the confidence in his eyes diminished and he turned to his glass of champagne taking a huge gulp of it. It was like he was too ashamed of his actions and was avoiding the question.

            “Sometimes I let my professional side take over too much, it stains on my personality, and I become this ratched human being to the people around me..” I watched his diamond cutting jaw tighten as he looked back at me with a serious look on his face. I wasn’t taking his words as an excuse, but more of an explanation.

            “Trust me, it’s not you. You’re literal perfection..” He husked looking down at me, once again, he uttered in a soft delicate tone that made the entire room silent in my ears . My eyes focused on his perfect pink lips, the tenderness in his eyes, the heat of his body that began to hug mine. My racing heartbeat pounded in my chest and became a deafening sound in my ears.

            “Okay..” Was the only thing I could breathe out, my knees become weak in his presence and every feeling of resentment I felt towards Mr. Lennox was disintegrating. The effect he had on me was worrying and strange. First in the limousine, and now here, my body wanting more and more of him.

            “I have to commence the banquet, it was nice speaking to you Seraphina..” He said, I couldn’t even say anything. The sound of my name on his lips was something I didn’t realize I needed. When he backed away from me he held my eyes until turning away and moving through the crowd. The sound of the room came flooding in and I released the breath I didn’t know I was holding on to. Immediately after his departure my body yearned for his presence once again, but it made me sick. Longing for him the way I did, was humiliating and immoral in so many ways. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. It was like I came to my senses only after he was gone. Clearing my throat trying to compose myself, I asked Roy for something a bit stronger than champagne to help numb the wrongful feelings.

                                                                                              Kai

            “She’s different..” I murmured. After dreadfully making a speech to commence the gala, meeting with people thirsting for an opportunity to partner with Lennox Enterprises, the time felt like it was dragging on. The only thing that kept me from retiring to the night was Seraphina. As if she was born for the role, I watched her move through the crowd with utter confidence. Speaking to individuals about Lennox Enterprises, it amazed me how much knowledge she was able to carry in that mind of hers, not only about Lennox Enterprises but the person she was talking to and their needs. I wouldn’t dare budge into her business transactions but I lingered close enough to be able to listen in on her. She had the ability to connect with people and make them feel safe with her.

            “She’s amazing..” I heard Malachai’s thoughts, he wouldn’t dare to admit out loud that he was wrong about her. It’s the one thing I hated about my humanity, his arrogance, his heartless attitude towards others, but it’s not like I can blame him.

            “Remember that she is the girlfriend of my colleague, so please refrain from doing anything rash” Malachai warned, I was disgusted with his voice. Instead I focused my sights on Seraphina who stood across the room with Renya and the boyfriend. There was so much about him that I disliked, he lacked what Seraphina needed. I could smell her s****l frustration from here, it was intoxicating. It infuriated me that her needs weren't being met, it disgusted me that Isaiah could let a woman of that beauty go unsatisfied. The thought of having my way with her made my c**k twitch.

            “Doesn’t it bother you at all that she isn’t being taken care of by her inept boyfriend?” I hissed quietly to Malachai, I sensed his disapproval. I brought my whiskey filled glass to my lips and took a sip. 

            “It’s not our place nor business to interject in that woman’s s****l life..” Malachai always made his words so unlikable. I scoffed watching Seraphina and Isaiah interact with each other, I listened to her heart beat, and how there was little change when Isaiah made a foolish attempt to flirt with her or when he touched her. Her body or needs wasn’t at all compatible with Isaiah or his limited talents. But just by standing close to her, no touching at all, her body went crazy, I felt the blood hurriedly pumping through her veins, her heart pumping with madness. I could only imagine the endless possibilities of what I can do with her in bed.

            “It's the lack thereof I'm worried about” I retorted back to him shaking my head thinking about that poor girl, cautiously I looked at my surroundings making sure people were picking up on my one-on-one conversation.

            “Since the first day we met her, you’ve been trying so hard to keep your distance and to make sure she keeps hers, when you and I both know you didn’t go to her house to pick up your suit or see Kennedy. You’ve been fighting it, why?” I pressed, I turned my back away from the lurking crowd. Malachai remained silent, refusing to answer the question, his thoughts were unreadable. I wasn’t going to go the entire night fighting with my humanity. My body turned to face the crowd once more, a smile pressed to my lips to assure any doubtful eyes that everything was alright. With my eyes locked on Seraphina, I knew that the night was only just beginning for me and her.