Crossed Desires

THE PREY IN SIGHT

Brat

Well then, we'll be waiting for you..." I tell them.

I say it with genuine excitement. God, what a woman—she has to be mine. They head over to the machines, and I stay behind watching her climb onto the equipment. I turn to Iván and reproach him for not having introduced her to me before.

"Why hadn't you introduced me to her earlier?" I ask.

He laughs at my question and answers:

"Which one of them?" he says, grinning.

Which one? Obviously Gabriela. The others don't interest me. I just want to take her to bed and do all sorts of things to that sinful body of hers. I can already picture myself tasting those incredible bre—

"Which one? Gabriela, of course," I insist.

He laughs again and explains:

"Ahh, well, Gabriela isn't like the women we usually hang around with, Brat. She was with me in school, she's also my neighbor, and a friend of my sister. She doesn't know anything about my escapades, and I'd rather she never did. She knows my family, and I prefer to keep all that away from her."

I understand what he means—but I still want her. So, sorry Iván, she has to be mine.

"I see... but do you think she'd come with me to my apartment to have some fun?" I press.

He shakes his head, laughing, and I don't get why he's so doubtful. No woman has ever resisted me.

"Oh, Brat, do you want me to tell you the truth, or would you rather I lie to you?" he asks.

"She's just another woman," I shrug. "Of course, tell me the truth."

"I don't think so. She's not like the girls we're used to. Besides, she has a boyfriend. I don't know him, but I believe she's in love with him—I've even seen his car waiting for her outside."

I frown. A boyfriend is no obstacle for me. Now, a husband might be different. But no woman is too much for me to handle.

"So what if she has a boyfriend? A boyfriend isn't the same as a husband or a spouse," I reply.

It might sound wrong, but I don't care. I want her, and I'm not about to deny myself the pleasure.

"Yes, but it seems like she really loves him," Iván warns.

That's no challenge for me. No matter how much she loves him, he's not better than me. I can break down those walls whenever I want.

"That's only because she hasn't met me yet," I laugh.

"Well, you know what you're getting into. But don't say I didn't warn you," he says.

We grab some dumbbells and keep training while the girls finish their routine. An hour later, we all head to a nearby restaurant. I sit across from her. She looks at me, blushes, and when I smile, she smiles back. She is truly beautiful.

Her long, straight black hair, her flawless cheeks, and those stunning honey-colored eyes... I've never seen eyes more mesmerizing. I try to grab her hand, but she quickly pulls away. I laugh, and she laughs too, telling me:

"No... I have a boyfriend."

That doesn't matter to me. If only she knew what's running through my mind right now.

"So what?" I tease.

She narrows her eyes in such a lovely way it makes me want to kiss her. She definitely has to be mine.

"You're too smooth, aren't you?" I chuckle flirtatiously.

I don't even know what she means.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask.

She teases me, and I can't help but laugh at her expression.

"Flirty," she says, making me laugh even more.

"Flirty? Well, maybe... but I'm more than that," I grin.

"Why do you say that? I'm not doing anything wrong. I just wanted to touch your hands—they're so soft and beautiful," I tell her.

Though in truth, I want far more than just to touch her hands. She has no idea what's running through my head at this very moment.

"You're a charmer, but your tricks won't work on me. You're wasting your time," she says.

That's what she thinks.

We keep talking, just the two of us, while the others chat among themselves. The menus arrive. I order a whiskey; the rest order soft drinks. She gives me a reproachful look.

"Drinking so early?" she asks.

"Not usually, but right now, my body craves it... along with other things," I reply, desire running through my veins.

"So, what's a gorgeous girl like you doing here all alone? If I were your boyfriend, I'd never leave you by yourself for a single minute," I tell her.

And I mean it. She's too beautiful; any man would want her in his bed—including me.

She laughs out loud. "I told you, your tricks won't work on me," she insists.

"I don't know what tricks you're talking about. I'm just being honest—you're beautiful," I say.

She blushes at my words and thanks me with a shy smile.

Her lips look so delicious, my mouth waters just staring at them. I swallow hard, imagining what she tastes like...

"In fact, I wouldn't let you out of my sight. I'd take you everywhere—the gym, the shops, everywhere. I'd pamper you, make love to you every day, every hour..." I murmur, biting my lip.

She opens her eyes wide and glares at me.

"You're very bold. You don't even know me, and you're saying all that," she protests.

I laugh. Maybe I went too far. I forget she's not like the women I'm used to. Winning her over will be harder than I thought.

"I'm just being sincere," I say calmly.

"Look, better stop now. If my boyfriend heard all this, he'd kick your ass," she warns.

For her, I'd endure that and much more.

"You know what? For you, I'd take any beating," I smile.

And it's true. I'd do anything just to take her to bed.

"When will you let me take you out for a drink?" I ask.

"Never," she answers immediately.

Wow. She's tough. But "never" doesn't exist in my dictionary—especially not with someone I want as much as her.

"You're harsh. Don't be so suspicious—I don't bite. Just as friends," I wink.

She laughs, softening a little.

"I can't. I told you, I have a boyfriend," she insists.

"That doesn't matter. Don't you ever go out with friends? Or are you afraid you won't be able to resist me and might end up liking me?" I tease.

She laughs again, her smile more beautiful than any I've ever seen on a woman.

"You have quite the ego, don't you?" she says.

If only she knew.

"Then you're not very sure of him, are you? Otherwise, why hesitate?" I press.

She falls silent for a moment before answering:

"It's not right to go out with someone else when you have a partner," she says.

"Maybe. But I don't see why not. You go out with Iván, don't you?" I counter.

"That's different. I've known Iván since we were kids. He's practically family," she replies.

Perfect. That's my opening.

"Well, then we already share something in common—our friendship with Iván," I say.

She laughs, shaking her head.

"You don't give up, do you?"

"Of course not, baby. Not until you're in my bed," I think to myself.

"Then how about just one outing, as friends? If it makes you feel better, Iván and your friends can come too. What do you say?" I smile flirtatiously.

"I'll think about it... though I doubt my boyfriend would like it," she admits.

That i***t again. Wait until you spend one night with me—you'll forget all about him.

"Don't tell him. You don't need to ask his permission for everything, do you?"

She hesitates, then says:

"I don't keep secrets from him... although..."

"Although what? Tell me," I insist.

"Sometimes I go dancing with my friends and don't tell him, because he's very jealous," she confesses.

I can't blame him. With a woman like her, I'd be jealous too.

"Well, I'd be jealous as hell if you were mine. You're too beautiful," I tell her.

She blushes again.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

I laugh. "Why thank me? I'm just speaking the truth."

I gaze at her for several seconds before asking again:

"So what do you say? Just as friends—with Iván and your girls.

Dear readers, don't forget to vote and leave your comments—it motivates me to keep writing for you, with much love. This was another chapter of Brat. I hope you enjoyed it. We're getting close to the final chapters, and trust me, you don't want to miss them—they're on fire.