Seducing Mr. Solis

CHAPTER FOUR

The city lights looked like bright blue and purple streaks as Svetlana left the club. The warm, damp air hit her face, a big change from the expensive, clean air inside. She didn't call for a car. Instead, she started walking, her heels making a steady clicking sound on the ground.

One, two, three…

On the count of four, she heard the heavy doors of the club open behind her.

"Hey! Blue dress! Wait!"

Svetlana kept walking. She knew how men like Hunter Solis thought. To a man who always gets what he wants, a woman who walks away is more exciting than anything else.

She heard him running to catch up. He reached out and gently grabbed her arm. Svetlana spun around, looking angry on purpose.

"Do you always chase women down the street?" she snapped, pulling away.

Hunter stood there, out of breath. His tie was loose and his hair was messy. He looked like a wild prince. "I didn't get your name. And I’m not used to people leaving while I'm talking."

"We weren't talking, Hunter. You were just making announcements," Svetlana said, crossing her arms. Her blue dress shined under the streetlights.

Hunter laughed. It was a real, loud sound. "Okay, you're right. I’m a jerk. My father tells me that every day. Can we start over? I’m Hunter Solis. And you are?"

Svetlana waited a moment to make him curious. "Svetlana. Just Svetlana."

"Svetlana," he said her name slowly. "Are you Russian? Polish?"

"Does it matter? Or is that just how you keep track of girls?"

Hunter held up his hands to show he meant no harm. "No. I’m just curious. You don't look like the usual girls at the club. You look like you’re searching for something, and I know it isn’t a free drink."

Svetlana let herself look a little kinder. This was the "hook." She needed to show him a fake version of her soul. "I’m looking for a reason to stay in this city, Hunter. So far, I’ve only met men who think money is the same thing as a personality."

Hunter stepped closer. He smelled like expensive cologne and club smoke. "Maybe you’re talking to the wrong men."

"And you think you’re the right one?" she asked with a small smile.

"I think I’m the most interesting man you’ll meet tonight. And I have a fast Italian motorcycle parked two blocks away. Let me take you for a ride. No loud clubs. Just the bridge and the wind."

Svetlana looked at him as if she were thinking about it. Inside, she was cheering. She had researched his love for bikes, so this was perfect.

"I don't go on rides with strangers, Mr. Solis."

"Then let’s not be strangers. We’ll go to a small 24-hour diner I know. It’s a cheap place, but the coffee is great. I'll tell you my story, you tell me some of yours. If you’re still bored by sunrise, I’ll call you a taxi and leave you alone forever."

Svetlana sighed. "Fine. But if you brag about your father’s business even once, I’m leaving."

Hunter grinned. "Deal. My father is the last person I want to talk about."

The rest of the night was a perfect act. They didn't go to the diner right away. Hunter led her to a black motorcycle and gave her a helmet. Svetlana climbed on and wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt the power of the bike, but all she thought about was how close she was to a Solis.

They raced through the city and across the bridge. Hunter drove fast and wild. Svetlana stayed calm and steady even though they were going very fast.

They ended up at a small, greasy diner in the industrial part of town. It was a messy place where the waitress didn't care about famous names.

"See?" Hunter said, sitting in a plastic booth. "No cameras. No fancy ropes."

"It’s cute, in a 'I might get sick' kind of way," Svetlana joked.

For the next three hours, she played her part perfectly. She listened as Hunter complained about the pressure of being a Solis. He said his father, Theron, was a "cold statue" who only cared about money.

"He doesn't see people," Hunter said, looking into his coffee. "He just sees things he can use or things that cost him money. I’ve tried to prove I’m useful, but I think he’s already decided I’m a problem."

Svetlana reached across the table and touched his hand. "Maybe he’s just afraid of your power, Hunter. Some men hide their feelings because they are too heavy to carry."

Hunter looked up, surprised. No one had ever spoken to him like that. His other dates just agreed with him or wanted something from him. Svetlana was giving him something he really needed: understanding.

"You’re different, Svetlana," he whispered. "You actually see me."

No, Svetlana thought coldly. I see the lock. And you are the key.

"I see a man who is tired of living in someone else's shadow," she said out loud, using a warm, fake voice.

As the sun began to rise, Hunter walked her near her apartment. He was completely under her spell. He didn't see her as just another girl; he saw her as someone who saved him.

"I need to see you again," he said. "Tomorrow. Dinner. A nice place. I want to show you off."

"I don't know, Hunter. I’m a busy woman."

"Please. I’ll be good. No bragging. Just us."

Svetlana gave him a soft smile that she knew he wouldn't forget. "Call me tomorrow. If I’m not 'busy,' maybe I'll say yes."

She walked away into the morning fog and didn't look back. She knew he was watching her.

When she got home, she took off the blue dress and threw it on the floor. She went to her board and picked up a red marker. She drew a big "X" over Hunter’s photo.

"Phase one is done," she whispered.

The hunter had been caught by the prey. And the prey was getting hungry for revenge.