Master Of Sin

by Sienna Snow

  As we walked farther into the room, I noticed there were chandeliers of various shades strategically positioned throughout the giant space, giving the area an elegant atmosphere without looking overly crowded.

  A bartender looked up as we neared and smiled. He was opening a case of Firewater, one of a very exclusive bottling that I only allowed to be distributed in limited supply and only to the right clientele.

  It still shocked me how much of a demand there was for my elderflower-infused whiskey. I'd introduced my whiskey a little under eight years ago to the market and had garnered a loyal following. It wasn't until three years ago when an Oscar-winning movie star had thrown a party with the whiskey as the main ingredient in everything he served that Firewater’s demand had grown to an astronomical level. Literally hours after the party had ended, every A-lister, high-end hotel, and entertainment venue wanted the whiskey.

  I grinned to myself. Amazing how the right type of marketing can launch a product.

  "Would you like a taste?" Camille said, catching my gaze.

  "I'm fine, thank you."

  "It's a special reserve. Mr. Lykaios had to sweet-talk the distributor to get six bottles. We were lucky enough to get a sip today. It is quite indulgent."

  I shook my head. "I'm good."

  Camille gave me a shocked look that I turned down the alcohol then continued through the restaurant.

  As we walked through the doors leading to the veranda, my breath hitched. Hagen leaned a hand against the railing that overlooked the strip and talked on the phone. This man personified the sexy-as-sin Greek god name the tabloids had given him. The tailored suit he wore fit his toned body to perfection. His face was all hard lines and angles with a symmetry that usually was only achievable through the expert precision of a surgeon. The only things giving away his bad-boy vibe were the tattoos on his hand and the ones I glimpsed drawn along the skin of the open collar of his shirt.

  Immediately a low throb began to pulse between my legs. He hadn't even looked in my direction, and I had a deep need to jump him.

  At that moment, Hagen lifted his gaze to mine, and a wicked glint entered his eyes.

  Why did he always stare at me like that? And why did my body react to that look?

  This was the reason I avoided him at all costs. No one could know how he affected me, especially not Dara, or she'd find some way to hold it over my head.

  Hagen ended his call and walked in my direction. When he was a foot away, he grasped my hand and lifted it to his lips. A shiver shot through me the second his lips grazed my skin. Then he kissed my cheek, and his intoxicating scent of spiced cologne and soap engulfed my senses.

  "Persephone Starlight Kipos. It is good to see you. You look beautiful as always."

  Why did his use of my full name make a tingle shoot through my core? I had two of the stupidest names on the planet. No Greek girl should ever be named Persephone and Starlight. I still have no idea what my parents were smoking when they decided on that one.

  After a few moments of staring at him, my brain fired, and I said, "It's nice to see you too."

  Something about him had me all tongue-tied in a way Pierce and Zack never made me feel. And the thought of dreaming about touching them, wanting to do deliciously dirty things to them made me want to gag, not squeeze my thighs together.

  I was going to need a long, cold shower and a session with my vibrator when I got home.

  Hagen released my hand and gestured to a table set up with fine china and an array of appetizers.

  "I wasn't sure what you liked so I had the chef make a variety of things."

  "I'm sure all of it will be perfect. Chef Gustav hasn't made a dish I haven't liked."

  "How could I forget? You used to say you were that annoying bitch that made the stuff the chefs cooked on TV."

  Heat crept up my cheeks as I slid into my seat.

  I'd said that at a party Dara had thrown where the food tasted like dirt spread on toast. I'd been all of sixteen to Hagen's twenty-three. I'd spent the night hungry and irritable. Around midnight, when I'd finally called it a night and made my way to my bedroom, I'd found a takeout bag from one of my favorite restaurants in Vegas. I'd known Hagen was responsible, but I'd never figured out how he managed to sneak it into my bedroom with all the security Dara had positioned around the family house.

  "A gentleman isn't supposed to remind a lady of when she's made unladylike comments."

  Hagen took his seat and lifted a brow. "I've never pretended to be a gentleman, Starlight. Besides, I'm almost positive you thoroughly enjoyed the Kobe beef burger I had waiting for you in your room that night."

  My mouth watered thinking of the juicy burger. "If you want to know the truth, I inhaled it within minutes. I'd spent most of the week before the party starving since Dara had decided to put me on a diet for the party and hoped I'd lose a few pounds."

  A frown marred his face, but before he could say anything, I spoke. "Want to tell me how you got past all the security to sneak me a burger?"

  His eyes crinkled at the corners. "Some secrets are better left unsaid. Who knows, I may need to rescue the princess in the tower next time, instead of commandeering a meal for her."

  If he only knew how right his words were.

  A server came to the table and set up a serving of Firewater whiskey.

  "You do realize that is almost a thousand dollars an ounce?" I stared at the reddish-gold-tinged liquid that was set in front of both Hagen and me.

  "I'm sure I can make a bargain with the manufacturer for a few more bottles." He picked up the tumbler and swallowed the drink in one gulp.

  I licked my lips and felt a sense of panic replace the arousal I had felt moments earlier. He couldn't know. No one in my world knew. Well, maybe a few people, and they were loyal to the bone.

  The look in his eyes told me he was more aware of things than I hoped.

  "I guess that all depends on what you offer."

  "It isn't so much what I want to give but what is requested of me."

  "Hagen, what are you playing at?" I said, trying to keep a tone of calmness in my voice.

  "This isn't a game, Starlight." He said my name in a way that sounded a bit possessive. "You’re here for something that could put you in danger."

  "How would you know what I'm here for?" I knew Adrian would never lie.

  "Your brother is a brilliant boy, but the only reason he would give you over to the devil was if a bargain with him would garner the answers to who killed your father."

  "Are you saying you're the devil?"

  He held my gaze, and the desire reignited. And if I wasn't mistaken, something flared in his sapphire eyes. "I've been called worse. So, tell me. Are you here to make a deal with a man who could ruin your pristine reputation?"

  What if I want it ruined?

  "What is it going to cost me?"

  He stroked his stubbly jaw with a hand covered in tattoos. "Let me see. I may want all of the next shipment of Firewater."

  I opened my mouth to deny I had any pull but he spoke again.

  "Or the exclusive rights to the elderflower you have been secretly developing for your distilleries… Or…"

  I clenched my fingers on the edge of the table. I knew better than to think he would want something simple. "Or?" I probed.

  He covered my hand with his. "Or you in my bed. To do with whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want."

  Dear God. He hadn't just said that. I pressed my thighs together, trying to relieve the dirty visions popping into my mind.

  "Did I shock you, Starlight?"

  My temper flared through the haze of desire. He was fucking with me. We'll see about that.

  Okay, Penny, you aren't a pushover. Time to stop the pretense.

  I leaned toward him until we were nearly face-to-face and said, "What if I said you don’t need a bargain to have me in your bed? That I would let you do whatever you wanted to me, whenever, and however?"

  Shock and surpris
e crossed his face, and he sat back, releasing my hand. Then a deep laugh rumbled from him, making some of the staff around us stop and turn in our direction.

  "There she is. The girl who was hiding under the prim-and-proper conservative facade."

  Just as I was about to respond, a man approached us. He was dressed in a leather jacket, and there was no hiding the side piece he had strapped to his body.

  "Mr. Lykaios, we have a situation that requires your attention."

  Hagen released an irritated sigh. "If you'll excuse me a moment."

  I nodded.

  Hagen rose and followed the man who I could only assume worked for him. I watched Hagen move to a section of the restaurant where a group of men stood. Some words were said, and the next thing I knew, Hagen dodged a punch and landed one of his own, sending the man who had swung to the floor.

  My heartbeat drummed into my ears.

  What the fuck was happening? The man who attacked Hagen was twice his size and now was on the ground pinned by three of Hagen's security.

  They cuffed his arms behind his back, and then hauled the man up. As he got to his feet, he looked through the window at me. Something about him was familiar, but I couldn't place him. Hagen followed the direction he looked, and a scowl appeared on his face.

  He stepped in front of the man, blocking his view of me. After a few more words, Hagen came back outside.

  His face was a bit flushed and a line creased between his brows. "Sorry about that. Mike used to work for an associate of mine, and he wasn’t ready to accept he’d lost his job. Unfortunately for me, I had to be the messenger."

  In my personal opinion, there was nothing to be sorry about. I was the lucky gal who was privileged to see Vegas's bad boy in action. The fact I was super turned on by it told me I definitely wanted in his pants.

  I kept my inappropriate thoughts to myself.

  Hagen set his hand on the back of my chair. “I hate to cut our lunch short, but I have to handle the Mike situation.”

  I felt a twinge of disappointment, but covered it quickly and said, "It’s okay. I have to take care of a few things before I head back to the office anyway."

  "I want a raincheck. And next time, I promise we won’t be disturbed.”

  The idea of being alone with Hagen again sent a wave of desire to my core. I should say no but there was no way I could resist another lunch with Hagen.

  “I’ll hold you to it.” I smiled up and for a split second, there was a gleam in his blue eyes that made it seem as if he’d read my thoughts.

  He offered me his hand, and I slid mine across his palm. The contact felt like electricity shot through me, and from the desire in Hagen's eyes, I'd say he experienced the same thing.

  I stood and nearly moaned when his palm grazed my waist. He led me through the restaurant and in the direction of the exit. My stomach churned, and I realized I had no desire to leave, even with the potential of another lunch. I wanted to explore the promise I'd seen in Hagen's gaze.

  Just as we crossed the threshold, he asked, "Would you like to see the interior of the new club?"

  Nyx, named after the Greek god of the night, was supposed to be the jewel of all of Hagen's clubs, and I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to see inside.

  "Yes," I said a bit too breathlessly, then added. “Don’t you have to attend to the Mike situation?”

  “He can wait? Your time is more important.”

  It was as if he knew I wanted to stay a little longer.

  We took a set of stairs that led to the underground of Ida, the resort that Hagen ran with his brothers.

  "It is easiest to enter the club through the tunnels."

  I nodded and followed him through the maze until we entered a hallway that opened into the main dance room of the club. It had the same atmosphere as the restaurant but with the extra decadent vibe. There were splashes of a reddish gold throughout, in the accent pieces and small details of the walls. From the ceiling hung cages that looked like tasteful chandeliers but I knew would hold dancers in various states of dress.

  Hagen saw where I was staring. "There’s nothing wrong with giving the illusion of classy while indulging in the darker and naughtier side of life."

  "Makes sense. This place is beautiful. Different from your others."

  "I designed it around the spirit that makes up all the signature drinks we’ll serve."

  I turned to him. "Is that right? I hope you’re ready to spend a pretty penny."

  "Starlight, the penny is more than worth it."

  His words made a knot form in my gut. There was no denying he knew who was behind the coveted whiskey. But what troubled me was why he and his brothers would design a hotel, casino, club, and restaurant around it.

  "Come this way. They’re still installing the final lighting, and I don't want us to get in the way."

  He walked over to a wall, scanned his eye. A door popped out, and he led me inside.

  "Let me guess. One of Adrian's inventions."

  A smile touched Hagen's lips that gave me visions of what he could do with that mouth.

  "Your brother takes his craft seriously."

  The door locked behind us, and almost immediately I felt the atmosphere of the office we'd entered change. There was an undercurrent of arousal and need flowing, and it definitely wasn't one-sided.

  I leaned my back against the door and studied the predator in the impeccable suit before me. What was it about him that made me want to throw caution out the window?

  "So, what now?" I asked as he took my clutch from my hand and threw it on a nearby table.

  "You tell me."

  I pressed my palm to his chest, loving the heat that radiated through the material of his shirt.

  "Tell me you feel this."

  "Yes."

  "My excuse is the adrenaline from the asshole earlier. What's yours?"

  I licked my lips and watched his eyes dilate. "Do I need one?"

  He stepped forward. "No, you don't." His mouth covered mine.

  Dear God, he tasted amazing, whiskey and his own natural essence. His lips were soft, softer than I ever expected. His tongue found its way against mine, and the kiss grew deeper. He rolled and glided, making my mind cloud with a need suppressed for too long.

  I found my head jerked back in a tight grip as our mouths continued to duel. We ate at each other as if we were starved.

  My arms pulled him closer, wanting nothing more than to feel all of him against me. His hard length pressed into my stomach and my core flooded with desire.

  I knew it would be like this if I ever got a chance to kiss him. He was all-consuming and demanding, everything I could ever want. Logic should tell me to stop, to take a step back and think about what going any further would mean. But all I could do was drown in the cascade of desire.

  Hagen released my hair, and his hands slid up my thighs, pulling them apart and wrapping them around his waist. He rubbed his rock-hard cock along the seam of my pussy and against my aching clit.

  "Hagen," I moaned, wanting more. "I need."

  "I know what you need. I'm just not sure you can handle it." He licked down my throat and then nipped the juncture of my neck and shoulder.

  I jerked, and my core clenched, arching into the pleasure-pain.

  "More. Please. More." I couldn't believe I was begging. Now if only I knew what I begged for.

  Hagen began to grind his cock back and forth against the sensitive nerves at the apex of my cleft, creating a rhythm that had every cell in my body screaming.

  "Come for me, Starlight." His hand slid farther up my skirt and then his thumb began to stroke my clit.

  I detonated, throwing my head back as stars flashed behind my eyes. My pussy spasmed and contracted. I lost all sense of place and time.

  My arousal flooded through my core, soaking his thumb and bringing out a groan from his exploring mouth.

  "I can't wait to taste your sweet cunt. One day you will come while I fuck you with my mouth."<
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  His words spurred another contraction.

  Holy fuck. Dirty talk got me off.

  Slowly, I came down from the best orgasm of my life and realized I was now sitting on Hagen's lap. His erection was a brand under my bottom, and his breath was ragged. I looked into his blue depths that almost seemed black since his pupils ate up his eyes.

  I tried to reach for his pants, but he stilled my movement.

  "I won't take you. No matter how much I want to. Watching you come apart has to be enough."

  He threw his head back against the couch and closed his eyes, releasing a pained breath.

  "I don't understand. You know as well as I do that there’s more to this attraction than we wanted to admit. It’s been there for as long as I can remember."

  He lifted his head. "Starlight, if I take you, the world you know will change. You won’t be the innocent and naive Kipos heiress anymore. My reputation will taint yours. Being with me could mean Dara pushing you out of your father’s company, and I don't think you’re ready for that."

  The mention of Dara was like throwing a bucket of ice water on my desire.

  I slid from Hagen's lap and immediately missed the heat of him. I rested my face in my palms.

  "It wouldn’t matter if we slept together or not. Dara would take everything from Adrian the second she got the opportunity. If I don’t stop her, she may orchestrate something like what happened to Papa to get rid of Adrian.”

  I was going to stop her, and it all revolved around Papa’s death. “Whatever the cost, I want you to use your connections to find out the truth about Papa."

  "Then you know my terms."

  I turned to him. "There were three options. Which one?"

  "So you're admitting Firewater, and the patent for elderflower used in it, belongs to you?"

  "I am doing no such thing."

  "So you’re willing to sleep with me despite the fact you could lose your job and your ability to keep an eye on your father’s company?”

  I opened my mouth to answer, but he cut me off, cupping my face and placing a thumb on my lips.