The chaotic scene raging all around me fades away as I lay eyes on Devlin Vile for the first time in the flesh. Pictures could not possibly do justice to the sheer size and solidity of him. The vitality and virility that simmers in every muscle and sinew. He towers over the bonfire, the tattoos twining across his perfectly balanced form standing out in the shadows. Across his chest, the Latin word for devil, Diabolus, is scrolled in rough script. He certainly looks like some sort of demon king, presiding over this drunken, fire-lit scene. And I guess that means I’m about to make him the devil I know.
I screw up every ounce of my courage as Devlin raises a flask to his perfect lips. His features look like they’ve been forged from iron, cast in the most brilliant and unforgiving of flames. Those high cheekbones, that sharp scruffy jaw, his straight nose and blazing eyes...I don’t think it’s the towering fire that’s getting me all hot and bothered.
Devlin’s gazes swings toward me and sticks. I watch, breathlessly, as he takes notice of me, standing all alone in front of the fire. Every other woman who arrived here tonight has been snatched up, but not me. It’s like he can sense that I’m holding out for his attention alone. He’s almost too gorgeous, too enticingly dangerous, to look at head-on, but I force my eyes to meet his. I can’t be the first to look away.
I watch as his focus bores into me like a laser. He’s intrigued by me, I can tell. I beam my invitation to him across the bonfire, the raucous goings-on around us fading into the background. He tucks his flask back into the pocket of his leather cut, and I note the patches he wears proudly on his chest. “Circle of Death MC” the first reads, and beneath it the singular word, “President”. If there was any doubt about this being the man I’m looking for, it’s gone now. He circles the fire, making his way toward me.
“You look like you could use a drink,” Devlin growls.
His rich, raspy voice sends a bolt of sensation down my spine. I ignore the rush of fear and excitement, and reach an even hand into his cut, snatching up the flask. Eager for a calming buzz, I knock back a swig of whiskey and shoot the MC President a wicked grin.
“Thanks,” I reply, craning my neck to take in the full, staggering form of him.
“My pleasure,” he grins back. “Now, what are you gonna give me in return?”
Brazenly, he places his hands on the points of my full hips. I have to force myself not to jump at his sudden advance. Still, can’t have him thinking I’m going to be some easy lay. I knock his hands away and take a step back.
“Sorry. I don’t think I happened to catch your name,” I remark, raising an eyebrow.
“Huh,” he scoffs, “This isn’t usually a place where names are traded, babe.”
“Humor me,” I say firmly.
“I’m Devlin,” he tells me proudly.
“Hi Devlin,” I say, forcing myself to keep breathing as his eyes skirt up and down the length of my scantily clad body. “I’m Logan.”
“Well Logan,” Devlin says, taking another step toward me, “Welcome to The Club. I bet you’re ready for a taste of the action out here. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you don’t go to bed hungry. Trust me, I know how to fill a girl up.”
“Oh, I bet you do,” I whisper. “Or at least, I bet that’s what you think.”
“I don’t think, little girl. I know. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?” he laughs, tracing a finger down the bare length of my arm. “To spend the night with a real man? Someone who can really do a number on you?”
“Something like that,” I say, as nonchalantly as I possibly can. “Is that what you are? A real man?”
“You know I am. And it probably scares the shit out of you, doesn’t it? I bet you have no fucking idea what that’s like,” he growls, his sweet, spicy breath hot against my neck. “Being with a real man.”
“With all due respect,” I laugh lightly, ducking under his arm, “You don’t know the first thing about me. Or my life.”
“Sure I do. What, you think you’re mysterious to me or something?” he shoots back, catching my wrists in his vice-like hands. “The girls who come out here from the mainland all have the same story. My boys and I have only been out here a couple of weeks, but I catch on pretty quick.”
“Please let go of me,” I say firmly, tugging against Devlin’s unbreakable grip.
“You sail out here on your little pleasure cruises, bored with your frat boys and horny hipster man-children,” he goes on, amused by my fruitless attempts at escape. “You’re looking for something new. Something edgy. Something you can tell your sorority sisters about at the next cocktail mixer or whatever-the-fuck.”
“You’re way off,” I reply sharply. “That’s not me.”
“That’s you all over!” he crows, tugging me hard against his incredible body. “Come on. You don’t have to be shy, babe. I know it’s hard, saying what you really want out loud. Saying that all you want is for me to ride you dirty. Teach you what a good fuck is really like. Lucky for you, I can read your mind like an open book. And it’s one hot read.”
I let out a surprised yelp as I feel my feet leave the forest floor. The fireside scene goes topsy-turvy as Devlin slings me over his broad shoulder, running a hand up the back of my toned, bare thigh.
“Put me down, asshole!” I yell, pounding my fists against his leather-clad back. “What are you, a caveman or something?”
“Come on, live a little!” he crows, carrying me off toward the thick forest. All around, his MC buddies are pointing and laughing, cheering him on as he bears me off into the darkness. He strides along quickly, covering ground. With every step, the sounds of the bonfire fade a little more. Where the hell does he think he’s taking me?
“I mean it, Devlin,” I growl. “This is not what I’m here for.”
“Sure it is. You don’t have to be coy with me,” he insists, that hand gliding over the firm rise of my ass. “Trust me, babe. I know exactly what you—”
His words cut off into a groan as I cock back my knee and drive it into his gut. Finally, his arms loosen, and I tumble from his unwavering grasp. I dance beyond his reach as he straightens up, staring at me with a mixture of intrigue and awe. Plus a little indignation thrown in for good measure.