The Deity of Death (Virgins and Villains #3)

Chapter 1

1

MALIK

S eeing all of Melina Remington in person, I know I’ve made a terrible mistake.

Big time.

“Whiskey on the rocks and a bottle of water.” Given the circumstances, I’m surprised to see her freckled cheeks raised in a warm, inviting smile. There isn’t a note of fear or doubt carried on her soft voice. She radiates confidence and joy, and it makes my stomach do a kickflip.

“Something to settle your nerves?” I ask, resting my ass against the bar.

My sudden interruption makes Melina jump.

“My dad’s.” Her plump lips part with a giggle from the sudden fright. “I’m not one for intoxicants before business.”

I drink in her snow-white skin. It carries the perfection of her innocence and youth. Long golden locks cascade down her shoulders, nestling beautifully into a loose ponytail down her back. But it’s Melina’s bright baby blue eyes that hold my attention the longest.

“And how do you know I’m here on business?” I crook a brow.

As much as I want to keep my attention on her inviting eyes, I can’t stop it from drifting down her neck and collarbones and finally resting right on the V of her bow-tie dress, where her braless bosom spills cleavage out the top.

“The mean look on your face, for one,” she snickers, between her own inspection of me. Her eyes drift up and down my frame, then lengthwise, before finally settling on my face. To avoid unnecessary awkwardness, I meet her gaze. “And two, the only people I’ve seen so far are Westerners stumbling through the club. Seeing a local can only mean it’s time to get started.”

“Very perceptive.”

“Which makes you Malik. Our facilitator and host for the duration of our stay here.” The way she says my name makes every drop of blood in my body thump into my cock with such intensity I almost collapse.

“Yes, Mr. Omar Ali has asked me to make introductions. Test the waters, as it were. But mostly, I suppose, he wants me to ensure I haven’t made a mistake.” I won’t lie to these people, not with what I’ve orchestrated. A bonding of our houses for wealth and power. Honesty is the least I can offer with what’s being negotiated. “But one look at you is enough to tell me I haven’t.”

Melina’s smile shifts into a sheepish grin, and she leans in close before she speaks again. “The waters, you say? I’ll have you know they’re soaking wet.”

She’s teasing me, and it’s driving me fucking wild. Every word, every damned action she makes, has my cock knocking desperately at my zipper. Eager to break free and split her in two right over this fucking bar counter.

“What’s the matter, Malik? Cat got your tongue?” she whispers before gliding back in her seat and getting comfortable against the backrest.

Devious little minx. And damn brave, to boot. Flirting with me while her soon-to-be-husband sits upstairs awaiting her arrival.

“There’s only one way for me to be sure about that.” I manage to speak without choking on my words. Melina Remington hasn’t even done anything, and she has me flustered. Is that a good sign or bad? “I can’t have you lying to me.”

“Do what you must, but I can assure you’ll be very satisfied with the result.” Melina’s eyes tilt into a hooded gaze, and her porcelain white teeth sink into her lower lip.

“Teasing me isn’t going to end the way you think it might, Melina.” Confidence lines my words, but my body betrays it. Instead of staring at her square and sticking to my reason for being here, my eyes drift down her body once more.

Her words tickle a special part of my brain. A long-forgotten, deep recess where happiness and lust coincide. If she isn’t careful, it might just send me overboard.

“Who says I’m trying to reach any end?” She giggles and kicks one leg over her knee. “Maybe I’m having some fun before I have to give myself to your boss’ son.”

Those words sting. ‘Terrible mistake’ doesn’t even cut it. I set this whole thing in motion, and now I’m gonna have to sit on the sidelines and watch the only woman who’s piqued my interest disappear right in front of me.

Fuck.

The barman brings her order and sets it down before I have a chance to respond. Against my better judgment, I find my eyes dropping to Melina’s thighs as she gathers her drinks. I’m desperate for a glance at what waits beneath. With how our meet has started, why not sink deeper into depravity?

“My eyes are up here, big boy,” Melina says, but her actions don’t imitate her words.

She could’ve stood upright without moving her legs, but instead, one knee parts from the other slowly. Every inch exposes more skin up her thigh, and with it, my breathing becomes sporadic and uncontrollable. Until finally, her legs split in full, and I’m staring straight into white silken panties.

I have to force myself to swallow a mouthful of drool before it dribbles down my chin.

“You might want to pick your jaw up off the floor,” she coos as she hoists herself out of the chair. “My dad’s waiting for us.”