



Chapter 4
Clara’s POV
Something about her was different. Maybe it was the innocence—untouched, pure, untainted by the world I lived in.
She felt like new territory, something uncharted, something waiting to be explored, corrupted, unraveled.
I wanted to be the one to unlock her.
"You’re here again," Katherine’s voice dripped with irritation behind me, making me groan. Of course, she was here.
I hated clingy women who thought they could own me. Katherine was one of them—a girl who believed she had a claim on me when I had made it very clear she didn’t.
"I’m supporting my cousin," I said, downing the last of my second glass of whiskey. The burn in my throat only heightened the rush I was already feeling.
For her.
Sweet, oblivious Ayleen.
Katherine scoffed. "Marcus has been your cousin forever, and you’ve never come here in the middle of the week. You’re staring at that girl again."
I didn’t even bother denying it. "She’s beautiful."
Katherine rolled her eyes. "Not your type. You like femme fatales, women like me."
She turned my face toward her, as if forcing me to see her, but my interest was already locked elsewhere.
Ayleen was not my usual type. And that’s exactly why she intrigued me.
"She caught my interest," I admitted, smirking as I poured myself another drink. "And be careful, Katherine. Don’t act like you’re not replaceable. I made that clear to you before, didn’t I?"
Her expression darkened, but I had already dismissed her, turning back to the stage.
"You just can’t wait to break her innocent heart, can you?" she muttered.
I smirked. "It’s a fun game."
Katherine huffed in disgust and walked away. Good riddance.
The set ended, and Ayleen approached the table with the rest of the band, her head down, avoiding my gaze.
"Beautiful show," I murmured, brushing my fingers along the back of her hand as she reached for a drink.
She shivered.
"Thanks," she muttered shyly.
"Ayleen is a life-saver," George announced, beaming. "The bar owner is thrilled. He even asked us to come back… we have a slot every Friday and Saturday now."
"A permanent slot?!" Marcus lit up, grabbing George in an excited hug.
"We should celebrate," I suggested, hoping to keep them here a little longer.
"It’s amazing news," Ayleen said, "but I think we should get home. I can’t handle another late night in the middle of the week."
Disappointing.
"Then let’s pack up the instruments," George said. "Since we’re not coming back tomorrow… do you and Serena have a car? Only Edward and I drive, and one car won’t be enough for us and the equipment."
"Serena and I will take the bus," Ayleen answered casually.
And that was my opening.
Serena wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, I wanna ride with Edward."
"Fine, then I’ll take the bus," Ayleen shrugged.
That wouldn’t do.
"That won’t work," I said smoothly, jumping in before anyone else could.
Her green eyes flicked to me, uncertain.
"A beautiful woman like you," I mused, "alone on a bus this late? Not happening. You’ll ride with me."
Her cheeks flushed, and I had to fight the urge to smirk.
"You live on the other side of town, Cla—ouch!" Marcus yelped as I kicked him under the table. No one asked him to give me away.
Ayleen hesitated. "I really don’t want to cause you any trouble."
I leaned forward, my smirk widening. "No trouble at all. Shall we?"
I reached for her arm, but she pulled away quickly.
Ah. So she wanted to play.
Serena wasn’t as subtle. She leaned into Marcus and whispered loudly, "What is wrong with your cousin? Is she flirting with my friend?"
I ignored them. Luck was on my side tonight.
Outside, we all went our separate ways, and when the valet pulled up in my car, the exact reaction I expected played out on Ayleen and Serena’s faces.
A mixture of shock and awe.
"This is your car?" Serena gasped, pressing her face against the window. "Look at all the buttons—this is a spaceship."
Amused, I smoothed my hands over the leather interior as I opened the passenger door for Ayleen.
She slid in hesitantly, running her fingers along the seats.
Perfect.
I winked at Marcus before jumping into the driver’s seat, entering her address, and choosing the longest route.
I wasn’t going to waste this chance.
"So, I’ll be seeing you every weekend now," I said, breaking the silence.
"Sorry?" she blinked.
"You’ll be playing every Friday and Saturday. I’ll be here to watch."
She frowned slightly. "You mean me and the boys."
I smirked. "The boys are alright, but you… you’re magnificent."
I bit my bottom lip, watching her squirm in her seat.
But then—her legs shifted away from me.
Hmm.
"I just mean," I added smoothly, "you give their music a special... taste."
She didn’t answer.
I glanced at her, waiting.
Finally, she muttered, "Thanks… I guess. I enjoy playing with them."
Short answers. She was guarded.
Interesting.
"Are you enjoying New York?" I tried again.
"It’s expensive."
Another short answer.
"And must be difficult—leaving your family, friends… boyfriend? Behind."
She tensed slightly. "Family and friends, yes."
"No boyfriend then. So you’re single? Or maybe a girlfriend?"
She sighed. "I don’t have time to date. I’m focused on college."
"So you have dated before," I pressed, refusing to let the conversation die.
"Yes. I had a boyfriend."
I hid my smirk. Of course.
But all noodles are straight… until they get wet.
"What a silly question," I mused. "A woman like you must have men lining up for her."
"A woman like me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, almost offended.
"A gorgeous woman."
She exhaled through her nose, looking out the window. "Uh… no. All my relationships were long-term, so I’ve only had a few."
Before I could pry further, we pulled up to her apartment. Damn it.
I reached into my jacket, pulling out a card. "Ayleen, this was a pleasure. Here—call me. Maybe we’ll grab dinner sometime. Or… you could come to my house."
She froze, horrified.
I chuckled. "You and the boys, I mean," I added quickly, lying through my teeth.
"Yes, yes, of course!" she blurted, nearly stumbling out of the car.
I bit my lip, watching the sway of her hips as she hurried inside.
My smirk deepening at the way she practically bolted out of the car like it had caught fire. The innocence, the hesitancy, the tension—it was all making this game far more entertaining than I had anticipated.
She was unlike the women I usually entertained. Not because she was timid, but because she wasn’t playing along. Most women craved the chase, enjoyed the danger I brought. Ayleen, however, was keeping her distance, pulling back just enough to make me want to close the gap.
Smart girl.
But not smart enough to avoid me.
I watched her disappear into her building before exhaling a laugh, twirling my car key in my fingers as I leaned back against the headrest.
That girl was going to be a problem.
A problem I very much wanted to have.
Oh, this game was going to be fun.