Chapter 128 The Game Of Seduction

Chapter 128 The Game Of Seduction
Ginnie

The black silk dress hugged every curve of my body in a way that left almost nothing to the imagination. The slit along my thigh exposed a glimpse of bare skin with every movement.

I picked up my clutch from the table and turned toward the door. I had barely taken a step when my reflection caught my attention again.

My hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders. My makeup was darker than usual, my lips painted a deep shade that made my face look unfamiliar.

I looked like every bit of the seductive woman Adrain wanted me to be tonight.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped into the hallway, my heart pounding wildly in my ears as I made my way down the staircase.

Voices drifted from the dining room. 

The moment I stepped inside, the conversation stopped. Then I saw him.

Varkos.

He was standing beside the table with one hand tucked into his trouser pocket. The moment our gazes met, he completely went still.

For several seconds, he didn’t say a word. His eyes slowly traveled over me, lingering for a moment before returning to my face.

His lips parted slightly, but no words came, almost as though he had forgotten what he wanted to say.

I forced myself to look away before he could see the effect his stare was having on me.

“There she is.” Adrain’s voice finally cut through the silence. “You look so breathtaking.”

I forced a small smile and stopped beside him.

“Thank you, darling.”

Varkos was still staring at me.

Before he could say anything, Kenna cleared her throat, finally breaking the strange tension. Her eyes dropped briefly to my dress before returning to my face.

"That's quite a dress,” she said quietly, turning toward Adrian. “Did your husband choose it?"

"I sure did, Mrs. Draven.” His hand settled gently against the small of my back. “Because I want my wife to look sexy for me.”

My body stiffened for a fraction of a second as his fingers pressed lightly against me.

Before I could react, Adrian leaned down and kissed my temple.

"Come sit, sweetheart,” he said, pulling out a chair.

Sweetheart.

The word almost made me choke.

"Thank you, darling."

Slowly, I lowered myself onto it. A few moments later, Adrian pulled out the chair before me and sat down.

Varkos and Kenna sat directly across from us. I could feel Varkos’s eyes burning into me as I reached for my wine. 

His gaze followed the movement as I lifted the glass slowly and took a small sip. I slowly lowered it.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Varkos?" My voice dropped to a whisper. “You’ve been staring at me.”

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Have I?" He leaned back in his chair. “Perhaps there is a good reason for that.”

A faint smile curved across my lips.

"Should I ask what it is?"

For a brief moment, Varkos’s eyes dropped to my lips before returning to my face.

"You already know."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I lowered my gaze quickly before he could see the heat creeping into my cheeks.

Damn him.

Five years of forcing myself to bury everything that happened between us. And one look from him had managed to drag it all back to the surface.

Across the table, Kenna shifted in her chair, her fingers tightening around her wine glass.

"I think the wine is distracting him.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “After all, some people are very easily distracted."

I smiled back.

"Of course."

For several seconds, Kenna and I held each other’s gaze without flinching. The expression on her face said it all.

She knew what I was doing.

And she hated it.

“So…” Adrian’s voice broke the tension as he turned to Varkos. “How is the factory rebuilding going?"

Varkos's head snapped toward him.

"It’s going very well,” he said, offering a polite smile. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Mr. Veynas.”

Adrian lifted his wine glass.

"Come on. It’s nothing.”

My gaze moved between them for a moment. 

Two men sitting across from each other, smiling as though they were allies. When, in reality, they were bitter enemies.

The thought made my stomach twist.

Slowly, I turned toward Varkos. His eyes remained locked on mine, his gaze so intense that I could almost feel it burning into my skin.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Still staring again, Mr. Varkos?”

A faint, knowing smirk tugged at his lips.

"I can't help it."

"Can't help what?"

"Looking at you."

The words were simple. 

But they landed harder than they should have. Before I could respond, Kenna's glass touched the table a little too loudly.

"You two seem to have a lot to say to each other."

I turned toward her, leaning back against my chair.

"Perhaps you should ask your husband why he keeps looking at me."

The smile disappeared from her face. 

"Are you sure Adrian is comfortable with the way you're behaving tonight?" She leaned closer, her voice laced with mock sweetness. “Because if I were Adrian, I might be concerned about my wife trying to seduce another woman's husband."

I held her gaze.

"I suppose it's a good thing you're not Adrian,” I replied evenly. “Besides, if you're worried about your husband's behavior, perhaps you should speak to him."

The moment the words left my mouth, Kenna's eyes flashed with rage. For a moment, I thought she might actually lose her temper.

Instead, she leaned back and smiled. 

Without another word, I placed my napkin beside my plate and stood up. 

"Excuse me."

Adrian looked at me.

"Everything okay?"

“Yes, darling.” I forced a smile that never quite reached my eyes. “I just need to use the restroom.”

He nodded.

"Of course."

I walked out of the dining room without looking back. The moment I stepped into the hallway, I released the breath I had been holding.

A few moments later, I slipped into the restroom, closed the door, and leaned my back against it.

"Get yourself together, Ginnie.”

I pushed myself away from the door and walked toward the mirror. My reflection stared back at me.

The woman in the mirror looked confident. But inside, I was falling apart. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water over my face, my fingers gripping the edge of the sink.

"This is just a game,” I whispered. “You’re only doing this for revenge."

Seduce Varkos.

Get close to him.

Make him trust me.

But how was I supposed to do that when every single glance from him brought back memories I'd spent five years trying to bury?

A humourless laugh escaped me before I could stop it, echoing faintly through the restroom.

No.

I wasn't going to break.

Not now.

I straightened and adjusted my dress. Taking a slow breath, I unlocked the door and stepped out. I had barely taken a step when I walked straight into something solid.

My clutch nearly slipped from my hand. Slowly, I looked up, only to find a familiar face staring back at me.

Varkos.

He was standing directly in front of me, his eyes fixed on mine.

"What are you doing here—“

The words died in my throat as his hand came up and covered my mouth. Before I could react, he steered me backward into the restroom, and the door clicked shut behind us.

For a brief moment, his hand remained over my mouth. Then he leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear.

"Do you have any idea…” His voice dropped to a low whisper. “What you’ve been doing to me all night, Ginnie.”