A Burning Flame by Daniella Kunz (book recommendations txt) 📕

taking an interest, I pull her to me, making a show of grinding sexily on her, trying to pull out her inner vixen. It doesn’t take long until we are torn apart by the two perverted men as they insert themselves between us. While I'm focused on trying to rid myself of this handsy asshole, I glance around. I panic, not seeing Liliana anywhere, knowing I need to find her because her guards are about as useless as a water gun in a shootout. After slamming my heel into the guy's foot and ramming my shoulder into him, I knock him over. I scurry off to try and find her in the mass of bodies.

Searching through the crowd is useless. I begin pushing through, trying to catch sight of her striking red hair. I make my way to the exit wanting to be sure no one can drag her out without seeing her. As I come to the entrance, I glance around again, looking down the short hallway leading outside. My stomach bunches as I contemplate if someone actually got out of here with her.

Wanting to glance out to make sure she isn't out there, I hurry down the hall. Stepping out into the fresh night air, I look out into the darkness. Scanning around, I turn, startled when I find a large man leaning up against the club wall, cigarette in hand, watching me. I find myself unable to peel my eyes off him in return as I just stand there idiotically.

"Lose something darlin'?" A slow, easy grin pulls on his lips. I'm drawn to his voice. It's smooth and rich like a honey bourbon, though like most liquors, I know there is always bound to be some kind of after-burn. I can’t look away, but something has me cautious about him, setting off alarms in my head. I brazenly stare at him, not bothering to hide my eyes as they wander over him. Attraction immediately pools in my belly like melted butter. I gaze over his thick build with corded muscles winding around his arms. I feel like my legs might give out as I take in his bulging veins visible underneath an intricate sleeve of tattoos.

His sleeves are rolled up, and his shirt is untucked over dark jeans. My attention is drawn back to the orange glow at the end of his cigarette as he inhales. Removing it from his lips, he breathes out a gust of smoke, which feels oddly sensual as I watch him. I'm transfixed and have to fight my body's desire to push forward. Wanting to place my lips over his and draw the vapor from his mouth before letting it seep out of my own into the night air.

"Darlin', if you keep staring at me like that, I might just have to do something about those looks you keep giving me." His voice is a little heavier than before when he speaks. He pushes off the wall dropping the end of his cigarette on the asphalt below as he slowly moves towards me. I watch as he takes his time gazing over me.

I’m not embarrassed or bashful as he takes his turn inspecting me. Seeing the familiar spark of desire settle in his eyes, a fire lights in my belly. Though I have seen it before in others as they look at me, it has never caused a reverse reaction in me in return.

"Do you want to get out of here?" He asks me, still looking down at my body. At his mention of leaving, I’m reminded of what I was doing out here to begin with. Shaking my head slightly to clear away the haze that had settled over me, I take a step back. Though, I wish I could be carefree and do just that, disappointment floods me.

"I need to be going. I’m looking for my friend." The urgency to find Liliana rushes me again, and he simply shrugs, unfazed by my rejection. As I head back inside, I glance behind me at the man I don't want to leave. I see he too is staring at me, watching me retreat into the club with a fire in his eyes. He continues to hold my gaze before I walk inside and out of sight.

Returning inside, I shake off the disappointment that settled over me at leaving. I glance around, searching for Liliana once more. Irritated with myself for having been so distracted outside. My eyes graze past a couple going after each other against the wall before I notice the wisps of red hair behind the man. Oh shit! Pushing my way through bodies, I holler out as I get closer.

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER! When I am close enough, I reach forward, grabbing hold of the man's arm as I try to pry him away from her. He slowly turns, looking down at me with a bored expression as if I am of no concern to him. My grip loosens slightly at the power and darkness emitting off of him.

"And why would I do that?" He asks in a curious tone. I feel my eyes narrow in agitation at this man and his arrogance. As I continue to stare, I realize this is no longer the man who had interrupted our dancing. I turn my eyes down to his attire, seeing he is adorned in an all-black suit. Realization dawns on me, and I’m filled with irritation as I stare up at the man who has hurt Liliana more times than I can count.

"Nicoli Black, I presume?" He completely ignores me as he turns his attention back to Liliana. Grabbing hold of her, he pulls her with him brushing past me.

"Come, we are leaving," he commands. I quickly move past him, I block his retreat by standing in his way, planting my hands on my hips.

"She isn't going anywhere with you. Let her go."

His eyes narrow, becoming dark and hard. Something in his expression tells me he is