Sinful desires

The devil you know

Iris

It's exactly three weeks since I signed the god-damned paper, and today is my engagement day. An engagement I had no say in. I had only seen Dylan a few times in the last three weeks, in the hallway, across the dining table, although that is very rare because he was always out before I even woke up, or I saw him across the window.

I was particularly thankful for that, among other things. I didn't think I could survive being in proximity with him, he would eat me alive. Though he made sure I was comfortable, I went more shopping in the last three weeks than I have in my whole life.

But there was no avoiding him today, it was our engagement after all.

I wore a red silk gown with a deep neckline and high slits. It was the only dress that I didn't trip in, all the others were too long and too puffy. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. A gasp escaped my lips. I looked gorgeous.

I made my way into the hall where the engagement was taking place. It was my engagement, but I don't know a single person present.

My eyes landed on Dylan talking to someone in a corner. He seem tensed. He must have felt my gaze because he threw me a glance before continuing his discussion with the man next to him.

“Hey,” a deep voice said next to me. I turned and was immediately struck by the beauty of the man. He had striking blue eyes and a sharp jawline, he also had a soft and inviting face.

“Hi,” I said and forced a smile. I can't be drooling over a stranger at my own engagement party. Blimey!

“I'm Jaden,” he stretched his hand for a handshake.

“Iris,” I accepted the handshake. It already slipped from my tongue before I could stop it. I just told him my real name.

“A nice name for a pretty lady,” he said, and kissed my knuckles.

“Thank you,” I blushed.

“So this is your engagement party, huh?” He asked.

“Yeah,” I sighed.

“You don't seem too happy about it,” he said, and took a sip from the glass he was holding.

“Oh! I am, I am very happy,” I rushed my words and laughed awkwardly. Why would he think that? I'm sure I'm not that obvious.

He only stared at me and nodded his head.

“Dylan is a tough nut to crack,” he said, but I simply nodded.

“How did you two end up together?” he pressed further. He threw a quick glance behind me and smirked before returning his focus to me.

I was about to answer the question when I felt a hand grip my waist tight, the scent of mint filled my nostrils.

“What are you two chatting about?” A deep masculine voice said in a calm tone. His voice was so calm that it frightened me. He sure knows how to make an entrance.

“Oh hi, Dylan, we were just talking about you,” Jaden said and grinned.

Dylan's grip on my waist tightened and I winced slightly.

“How about you joining us in the chat? You know what they say? The more, the merrier,” Jaden added and sipped from his glass, a smirk dancing on his lips.

“How about you f**k off and don't come close to what is mine?” Dylan replied, still maintaining his calm demeanor despite looking pissed off as hell.

I was a bit taken aback by his rude reply but figured maybe there was some sort of bad blood between them. If there is one thing I've learned my whole life in a gang, something or someone will always hate your guts.

Jaden let out a little laugh.

“Easy there, brother, I came to celebrate with you. You could use some family around,”

Brother? Wow! Shocker.

They didn't seem like siblings to me at all, especially at that moment when they both looked like they'd kill each other. While Jaden has a calm and attractive personality, Dylan's personality screams ‘stay the f**k away from me, or I'll kill you’. They are the exact opposite of each other.

I wanted to intervene in their staring competition, but I didn't know how.

“Get out before I have my men escort you out,” Dylan said.

“You can't do anything, brother. You don't want to look bad in front of Salvatore Ferragamo, heard he is a big traditionalist,” Jaden said and tilted his head forward. The staring - no, glaring - competition continued.

“I don't care about him, I want you out, now,” Dylan repeated, this time sterner.

Dylan's right-hand man, Simon, who I didn't even notice was standing beside him, stepped forward and whispered something in his ears. Dylan's face hardened. He turned and walked away from Jaden, dragging me with him.

I struggled to keep up with his pace because of the high heels I was wearing and the long dress. I tried to wiggle my hand out of his grip but one look from him made me go still. The man is so scary.

He dragged me into a room and slammed the door shut. I gulped down nervously when I saw his expression, he looked really mad.

“What was that for?” I yelled, trying to mask my nervousness.

“I believe flirting with our guests was not part of the contract you signed, Miss Jennings,” he said.

“I wasn't flirting with him, we were just talking, before you so rudely interrupted and dragged me away like a psycho,” I said, maintaining my angry voice.

I was terrified by his expression and hovering figure, but I wasn't ready to let my stance down. He stood tall in front of me as if trying to intimidate me. I tilted my chin forward. Two can play this game well.

“You won't talk to my brother ever again, Miss Jennings” he said in his calm, deadly voice, but I refused to be fazed.

“I will speak with whoever I want to, you don't get to tell me who I should or shouldn't talk to, Mr Colby,” I replied and stared at him with the same menacing look he stares at me with.

He inhaled sharply as if trying to control his anger. f**k him! I'm mad too.

“Do not test my patience, Iris,” he said through gritted teeth. That was the first time he'd called my name.

“Or what?” I asked and folded my arms across my chest, part because I was so mad that I was shaking and part because I didn't want him to know how much he intimidated me.

He walked closer to me, his eyes held a fire that would probably consume me if he came any closer, but I didn't move an inch. I tilted my head and looked him straight in the eye.

He stepped so close to me that the scent of mint filled my entire senses.

“Or I'll punish you,” he said, his breath so close to my face.

“I'll give you the type of punishment that will drive you to the edge, the line between pleasure and pain will blur, and you won't be able to tell them apart. I'll make you beg on your knees to make you mine,” he whispered into my ear and a slight gasp escaped my lips. My cheeks grew hot, and I think I'm already very wet just because of his words.

My stupid brain sexualized everything he said, and I found myself saying,

“Then punish me,” my voice came out so hoarse that I didn't even recognize it to be mine.

I really need to get laid if I'm sexualizing this monster’s words because I have no doubt that he'll do exactly as he threatened.

“Well, aren't you a little bad girl, Miss Jennings?” He smirked and ran his thumb on my lower lip.

He removed his hand and dipped it in his pocket. I didn't understand the tinge of disappointment I felt.

“Stay away from Jaden, I mean it,” he said, his expression turned serious. I found myself nodding, unable to utter a word. He walked out of the room leaving me extremely wet, my mind going crazy due to his dirty words.