Sinful Serenade

Chapter 9

Kenneth

I arrive fashionably late. It's 11:30 and the party is in full effect. I can't tell if this is some kind of frat house, or some rich douchebag's parents own it, but it's huge and crowded as f**k. Of course, I'm more than accustomed to large crowds, I perform in front of them nightly, but that means it will be harder to find my little trouble in here.

I smirk beneath my LED mask, scanning the mass for her telltale long sleeves that conceal her secrets. She hasn't replied to my f*******: message, and strangely, the silence fills me with a sense of pride. It proves she doesn't give just any guy her attention. And soon, she'll realize mine is all that she needs.

With a cup of what I assume is punch in my hand, I fade into the shadows becoming a specter, hidden yet ever-watchful. That's when I spot her--my gaze inevitably drawn to her. My little trouble is dancing on some guy who seems so damn out of place. My blood boils at the sight of his hands on her body...MY body.

And she seems to be enjoying it a little too much.

I grimace, my grip tightening around the plastic cup until it threatens to crack. Primal fury surges through me, a fierce protectiveness that fuels the obsession coursing through my veins.

I'm never been good at sharing, and I have no intention of changing that. Whoever this guy is, he better back off before the voices in my head deem him a threat, and he accidentally gets harmed.

"Hey, wanna dance?" Suddenly a hand brushes my shoulder, and I flinch away, the girl's touch making my skin crawl. Don't f*****g touch me!

Red fills my vision, but I swallow the explosive reaction threatening to erupt.

"No thanks," I grind out, the warning clear in my voice.

She pouts, but thankfully leaves me the f**k alone. The mask conceals my real voice. Although different from my singing voice, I've done countless interviews. If anyone recognizes it, word will spread like wildfire. And then my little trouble will know her biggest fan is watching.

I'd like to observe her undisturbed for a little longer before I fly back to Raleigh.

Tilting my head, I watch as she leans in for a kiss, only to be openly rejected. I realize it's all an act as she walks away from him and heads over to the kitchen island, where her friend is mixing drinks.

But why? What does she gain from this?

My question is answered a moment later when a blonde girl approaches the guy she was dancing with, and they leave together.

Ahh, so she was acting as a wing-woman. The realization quiets the buzzing voices in my head.

Suddenly, an Ed Sheeran song comes on and her friend drags Danielle to the dancefloor. Despite the fact it's hot as s**t in here, she makes no attempt to roll up her sleeves.

Hmm interesting. Even in the dark, she fears someone discovering her secret.

I watch as they dance and sing the lyrics, but something about it feels off. It's like an itch I can't scratch—I don't want her listening to someone else's voice. I want her to be lost in my music, not this commercial pop trash.

Swiftly maneuvering through the crowd, I find the DJ booth. "Change the song to 'Dancing In the Dark' by the Devil's Knights," I command.

The DJ, wearing an LED helmet, glances down at me and says, "Dude, you'll have to wait. We're in the middle of a song and there's four song requests in front of yours-" I slide him a thick stack of cash, and his eyes widen. "Holy s**t, I got you!"

My song starts playing, and Danielle freezes. She stands in the middle of the dance floor looking around frantically like something is after her.

Oh baby, I am.

Everyone else joins in singing and dancing to the music, including her friend with some guy, but my little trouble begins to edge her way to the sidelines. I push through the crowd until I'm standing beside her, leaning against the wall. At the sight of me, she hugs her arms around herself, quickly putting distance between us.

She thinks I'm going to hit on her, but there's no need when she's already mine.

"Not a fan of this band?" I ask, my voice still distorted from the mask.

She releases a tipsy giggle. "Actually, quite the opposite, but it feels like they're haunting me. Every time I turn around, I'm hearing one of their songs."

No. I'm haunting her.

"I feel you, they're overrated. This song has definitely been radio killed."

Good cover. Act like I hate my own f*****g music.

"I don't think they're overrated," she says, sincerity in her tone. "I just prefer the older albums. 'Fallen Angel' is my new favorite song."

I raise an eyebrow under the mask. "Oh, I just never hear people rave about that song. It wasn't a big hit because fans thought Kenneth was being a whiny little bitch."

At least that's what my father said.

Her head snaps in my direction, her eyes flashing with a mix of shock and indignation, like I just said something deeply offensive. "What? I love the raw emotion in his voice. You can tell he really loved his mom, and her passing really f****d him up."

Her murder.

A small smile tugs at my lips. She likes my music. She defends me. This girl is perfect for me—she understands me. She will embrace my darkness.

Yeah, we're a match made in hell.

Suddenly, loud moans fill the room. We both glance over to see a girl on her back getting her brains f****d out on the couch. Another guy rushes over to zip down his pants and work his c**k into her mouth, chugging a bottle of liquor with his free hand. People gather around to watch and cheer them on.

"Well, it looks like it's time for me to go. It's turning into an orgy in here," Danielle shouts over the music. She sounds uncomfortable, but this is nothing to me. I see s**t like this all the time. I've done even worse.

I chuckle. "Not your kinda kink, huh?"

She shakes her head. "Not. At. All."

"What is your kink, then?" I ask with a smirk.

Her eyes meet mine for a moment, and she bites her lower lip. "s*x with strangers," she replies nervously, but with a hint of seduction.

My d**k immediately twitches in my jeans.

It's an invitation.

She wants me to f**k her. And she doesn't need to ask twice. Of course, after tonight, I will be the only one she f***s.

"Tonight, you're in luck. I may just be the stranger you're looking for."

Her lips twitch into a smile. "Perfect."

"Did you drive here or...?"

The corners of her eyes widen, as if she just remembered something. "No, I came with my friend. I'll be right back. I need to tell her I'm leaving with you."

I nod, playing it cool, but a sinister smirk spreads across my face as she heads back into the crowd. I didn't expect to approach her tonight, but now that she's trapped in my web, I want to see how far she will go, how far she's willing to let her desires take her.

In her eyes, I'm just some random guy, willing to f**k her into oblivion. But to me, she's far more than that—she's my obsession. And tonight, I finally have her within my grasp.