Chapter 3

(Clarice)

I froze when I heard those words. I detected the amusement underneath the stranger’s voice. Thanks to Julian, I failed to notice that there was now someone else in this garden aside from me. When I turned around, I saw my target standing a few steps away from me.

“I’ll just call you later,” I told Julian before ending the call.

I will deal with him later. Right now, the man in front of me required immediate attention. I caught Alano McClennan staring at me with heat in his eyes. And he was not even trying to hide it.

He smiled impishly. “Hello there, Clarice. Thank you for gracing our humble abode.”

I raised a brow. “You know me?”

Alano shrugged. “Who wouldn’t know someone as famous as you are? You are the apple of everyone’s eyes tonight. It wasn’t so hard to dig some details about you.”

He crossed the distance between us and stopped only when he was standing near the bench where I was sitting. He was so close that I could inhale his masculine scent. It was dazzling.

I was 5’9 and I was wearing three-inch heels. But despite that, Alano was still taller than me. I looked up and casually studied his face even if my neck was hurting. His light brown hair had waves down to his ears. His eyes were like the ocean. Big, blue, and daring. He had an up-turned nose which gave him a playful aura and slightly full and sensual lips.

Alano nonchalantly bent a knee on the ground. I couldn’t tell if he did it so I wouldn’t need to look up anymore. Slowly, he inched closer to me until I could smell his minty breath. My heart raced but I ignored it.

“What should I do? You got me, too, Clarice,” he said as his fingers grazed my left cheek. “But how am I supposed to match the ‘world’ that the man on the phone offered?”

It was my turn to tease him. When I gave him a smile and leaned closer, his pupils dilated. “Why? What can you offer me?”

“Well, it depends,” he replied in a now husky voice. He stared at my lips. “What do you want me to give?”

“How about… your world?”

“That can be discussed.” Alano cleared his throat. “If there is one thing you need to know about me, it’s the fact that I’m not a good samaritan, Clarice. I don’t give without expecting anything in return. I could give you my world but in return…” He ran his eyes up and down my body as if he was memorizing everything about me. The wild heat in his eyes intensified. “You have to give me yours, too.”

When Alano rose, I followed and seductively pressed my body against his. His breaths deepened when I answered in a low voice. “Never mind. I’ve lost interest.”

And then I walked away with a victorious smile on my face. Our little game had begun.

I’d been to different parts of the world because of my job since we had to shoot in different places. It gave me the opportunity to meet a variety of people. And the way Alano looked at me and talked to me, including the way his lower half reacted because of me, all those were indications that he was attracted to me.

His message was clear as well. He desired me. He wanted me.

“Wait!”

I paused when Alano caught my arm and held it firmly. I was still smiling when I turned to him. Gone was the wicked expression on his face.

“Yes?”

“I forgot to introduce myself. I am Alano McClennan. You are the first woman who ever dared to walk out on me and I feel really vengeful,” he said before grabbing the back of my neck.

Before I knew it, his mouth was already on mine.

THE world did not stop spinning when Alano kissed me. It was opposite to what I read in romance novels in the past where everything would stop just because the male lead kissed the heroine. But I knew that the moment Alano claimed my lips, the world will never be the same again. And I knew I would never look at Alano the same way again.

I’d been kissed before but never had I felt something like this before. My eyes remained wide open while Alano devoured my mouth as if he was punishing me. He was kissing me roughly as if he was consuming all of me through his kisses and yet, I found myself wanting more.

His arm encircled my waist while his other hand caressed my back. Because I was wearing a bareback gown, his big hand was directly touching my skin, spreading fire all throughout my body. After a while, his kisses became wicked. He nibbled on my lips before he thrust his tongue inside my mouth. It was as if he was sucking my energy because my knees suddenly became weak that I needed to hold onto his shoulder for support.

Damn it.

I’d anticipated a lot of things, but not this. And certainly not my body’s reaction towards this womanizer.

Alano was an excellent kisser. No wonder he was able to lure countless women in his trap.

When he released my mouth, I was surprised when he took me in his arms. I heard him take a couple of deep breaths as if he was trying to calm himself.

“I’ve never for one moment lost control until you came. Every single fiber of my body is dying to touch you, kiss you, and make love to you right here, right now.” He showered butterfly kisses on my neck down to my shoulder. “Hell, you had me under your wicked spell back in Denver.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I will never let you go anymore. Come with me, I will drive you home, so I'll know where you’re staying.”

I came back to my senses. I almost cursed myself for allowing this flirtatious man take over. I threw a quick glance at his obvious arousal. It was a good thing I was not the only one. This man was just as affected as I was.

And then I looked back at the mansion. Even if Russel gave me a headache, I still owed him something. He made it so easy for me to meet the McClennans. And since I came here with him, naturally, he would expect that I would be going back with him as well.

“I’m with Russel Alejandro.”

A corner of Alano’s mouth lifted as if he did not like that I was hesitating because of another man. It must have wounded his ego since he was used to getting the things he wanted with just a snap of his finger.

“Is he your boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Do you like him?”

I shook my head.

“Then I don’t see any problem.” His smile was back. “A person should not be satisfied in just trying one dish, Clarice, especially if there is a lot of food on the table.”

“You are right. There may be lots of food on the table, but not all of them are good for the body. That’s why I stick with the tried and tested. That’s also the reason why my favorite dishes are not only tasty, they are also healthy and good for me.”

“Then I urge you to try me.” He looked at me as if he was challenging me. And I was always up for challenges. “I can assure you I’m good for you. Who knows? I might even become one of your favorite dishes one of these days? Give me a chance, Clarice.”

“I told you I want your world.”

Alano was quiet for a while before he responded, “Then you will have it, by all means. I can just ask for the compensation afterwards.” He offered his hand. “Will you come with me? I’ll just take you home for now. I won’t do anything more than that. But if you are willing to do more, then I may not be able to say ‘no’.”

“Don’t worry, that won’t happen. Not yet, at least.”

Who would have thought that this was how this night would turn out? Alano McClennan was the type of man I would avoid at all costs in another circumstance. He had it all: the looks, the power, the fame, and the wealth. And he used them all to win women’s affection. He must be used to this kind of game, but I will play this until the end. I will play my cards well and I will make sure that he will never win, not this time.

I couldn't let this chance slip away so I accepted his hand. He held it hand firmly. As we walked towards the garage, he took out his phone from his pocket and dialed something. Seconds later, he was already talking to someone.

“Yes, it’s me, Alejandro. Don’t wait for Clarice anymore. She’s coming with me tonight.”

Alano stopped walking, but his eyes never left mine while he was talking over the phone. “What do you mean how? Did you think it’s impossible for her to want me? Consider yourself lucky that you were the one who brought her here. I wouldn’t need to search for her in Nevada anymore. Otherwise, I would never let you question me this way. This conversation is over.” He looked at my mouth and softly rubbed his fingers against my lips. His eyes darkened with lust. “And one more thing, Alejandro. I’m a little selfish. I don’t want anyone near my woman. I hope I made myself loud and clear.”

The rumors were right. If the devil was fast, Alano McClennan was faster.

“I thought you would let me think it over first?” I asked after he put his phone back in his pocket. “But here you are, branding me as yours already.”

“I don’t play a losing game, Clarice. I don’t want anyone to disturb us while I’m making you mine.”

I breathed sharply. A big part of me was celebrating. Things were going faster than I planned. But there was also a part of me that was at a sudden loss. I planned to strike and surprise him. Yet, he was the one who kept surprising me tonight.

Then again, I expected no less from a McClennan. He didn’t hold back. He was just as shrewd as his father. Victory would taste sweeter this way.

Game on, McClennan.