Corrupted by Innocence

XAVIER

I’m already tired of the party. My friends are hanging out in the corner, waiting for me to make my pick so they can swoop in on the rest. I’m a little jealous because even though I’ve made my choice, the other six women seem like they’d be more fun.

My dad didn’t give me much to go on before tonight, even though I saw those headshots almost a week ago. I tried to find her online, but came up with nothing.

She doesn’t have an online presence, which is weird, but I trust that my dad, or at least Ron, did their research.

The more I think about it, the more I suspect that the girl in the seventh headshot is the one my dad wants me to pick.

She looks like she’d be scandalized by a single curse word. She’d probably faint if I showed her one of my three Aston Martins.

I laugh at that, knowing my wealth will impress her.

She looks kind of…poor.

And innocent.

That makes me grin, knowing that I’ll be the one to change her, to introduce her to the life I need her to live.

She’ll be at home, waiting for me, ready to please me after a long day of messing around. She’ll learn to love it, begging me to let her stay when the eighteen months are up.

Eighteen months of pretending that I’m not a mess, that I don’t want to party and drink every night and waste my money on pointless things.

“Cheer up, man! You’re about to find your forever.”

My friends laugh and clink their beers together. They’re all wearing rumpled suits because their parents don’t own anything like Knight Enterprises. We run in the same circles, but they don’t have an image to maintain like I do.

I wish I were them.

Since last week, I haven’t been able to do anything I wanted. The public has been told that there’s a big announcement coming.

Everyone’s talking about it, especially since I’ve only been seen at the corporate office.

I’ve been wearing suits and ties all week.

I hate it because there are eighteen more months of this.

My friends don’t know that this isn’t some weird season of The Bachelor, although I don’t know how they haven’t figured it out.

I pat Chase on the back, nodding. “Yeah, I’ll be all tied down for a few months.” It’s part of the contract. Engaged for three months, then married for the remaining fifteen.

The story is that we’ve been engaged since the start of the year, so almost six months now.

I’m not sure how we’re going to pull that off with the lack of chemistry I usually have with girls.

And if the girl in the seventh headshot really is inexperienced, everyone’s going to see right through her. This is going to be the performance of my life. I’m really going to have to sell it.

A bitter taste creeps up the back of my throat at the thought. I really hate this.

ANGELA

Five minutes into the gala and I already hate playing the innocent little girl.

I should have chosen a different age, something that would suggest maturity. Twenty-three is a terrible age because a woman is just figuring out who she is. Fresh out of college with the whole world at her feet.

Xavier’s almost thirty and once people see us together, they’ll think it’s a joke. There’s no way this can work.

“Excuse me, my dear. Would you like to dance?”

I squint at the hand offered to me, wondering why someone other than Xavier has approached me.

I was given little information other than an address and a time. I was dressed and made up before being sent into the gala full of strangers, none of whom look like they belong here.

I haven’t seen Xavier yet, but I suppose it’s only a matter of time.

I stare at the hand a little too long, and it pulls back, but the voice doesn’t stop. “You’re one of the options, but I assure you that Xavier needs someone a bit more… experienced.”

I pretend to shiver at his suggestive words, blushing and looking down.

Did I mention I hate this?

“I’m not—” I pretend to stumble over my words. The man grins at my act as he offers his hand again. This time I take it, letting him lead me onto the dance floor.

He’s tall and could easily be a linebacker. He’s surprisingly agile for his size, guiding me across the floor.

His blood smells sweet, and the temptation is almost too much.

His left hand holds my right, his other hand on my waist before slowly dropping to cup my ass. I let out a little squeak of surprise, playing the part, my eyes wide at his audacity.

He smiles but keeps his hand there, his eyes sparkling with the clear intention to sleep with me tonight.

This isn’t the plan, but it could work in my favor.

I’ve done my research and while Xavier is ruthless, reckless, and dangerous to innocent human girls, he’s also incredibly possessive and hates to be outdone.

Being in this man’s arms will likely ignite Xavier’s possessive streak in front of everyone, securing my place by his side.

I just have to play my part.

I lean into the man, parting my lips slightly and blushing with feigned arousal. He must find the sight irresistible because he leans in to kiss me…but we never touch.

He suddenly disappears and I’m left standing in front of the man I’ve been waiting for all night.

Xavier Knight.

In person.

He’s taller than I thought; the pictures in the news don’t do him justice. I can see why all the women are crazy about him.

His dark, penetrating eyes, the chiseled line of his jaw, the hint of tattoos peeking out from under his collar, and the impressive bulge in his pants, not to mention the intoxicating, spicy-sweet scent of his blood—it's an unexpected variable in my plan.

I have to fight the urge to lick my lips, my fangs itching to come out. Soon, I reassure myself.

“What’s your name, princess?”

I cringe at the pet name, but I can’t help but be captivated by his gaze.

His deep voice sends shivers down my spine, reminding me of the absence of company in my bed recently. My thighs quiver at the thought of what he could provide. And he has so much to provide.

“Angela.”

“Angela,” he echoes, reaching out to take my hand. He pulls me close against his chest. I gasp, looking into his eyes as we begin to dance, as if I hadn’t just been in the arms of another man.

“I quite like that name,” he murmurs.

With his firm body against my soft curves, the only image in my mind is of me on top of him, Xavier crying out my name as I taste his blood.

We’ll get there.

But first, I need him to fall for the innocent flower he believes he’s holding in his arms.