Pretty little decoration

He chuckled, a wry smile curving his lips as he took her hand again and lifted it to his mouth, his eyes never leaving hers. He placed a chaste kiss on the back of her hand, his lips lingering just a little longer than necessary, his gaze still intense and unwavering as he looked at her.

"Alexander," he replied, his voice just as smooth and seductive as before. "And who might you be, darling?"

She felt a strange shiver run down her spine as he held her hand in his, his grip firm and possessive, as if he was marking her as his own. Despite herself, she found herself drawn to him, his presence commanding and almost magnetically attractive. He held her gaze, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of intensity and something almost like mischief.

"I'm Amber," she said, her voice steady despite the rapid beat of her heart.

Alexander's lips twitched in a sardonic smile, a hint of mockery in his gaze.

"Amber," he repeated, his voice smooth and almost mocking, "A beautiful name for a beautiful woman."

She couldn't help but feel a little offended at his sardonic tone, but she tried to keep her expression neutral. He was clearly enjoying toying with her, and she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten under her skin.

"Thank you," she replied, her voice cool and polite.

He chuckled again, his eyes still locked with hers. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of mockery and intrigue.

"So what brings you to this lovely party, darling?"

She was getting tired of his sarcasm and mocking facade, but she tried to keep her patience. She was used to dealing with difficult people, and he was certainly one of them.

"I was invited by the mayor," she replied, her voice cool and controlled.

He chuckled, his sardonic smile widening. "Of course you were," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "The mayor always does enjoy showing off his prized possessions."

She bristled at his words, feeling a flash of irritation at being referred to as a "prized possession". She was not some object to be shown off, even if that is how the mayor viewed her.

"What makes you say that?" she asked, trying to keep her tone even.

He raised an eyebrow, as if surprised by her question. He leaned towards her, his eyes glittering with mockery and a hint of something more.

"Oh, come now, darling, you don't really think the mayor invited you here solely for your sparkling conversation skills, do you? With beauty like yours, you're a walking advertisement for his power and wealth."

She felt a flash of anger and indignity at his words, but she suppressed it, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. He was clearly enjoying taunting her, and she refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten to her.

"I like to think I have more to offer than just my appearance," she said coolly.

He chuckled again, a smug smile curling his lips as he looked her over, his eyes lingering on her body again.

"Oh, I have no doubt you have other... talents," he said, his voice thick with innuendo. "But you must admit, your beauty is certainly a primary draw, yes?"

She tried not to react as he continued to look her over, his eyes roving over her body. His gaze was almost predatory, and she felt a shiver run down her spine as he continued to look at her like a piece of meat.

"I like to think my talents are more than just skin deep," she said, doing her best to keep her tone confident and steady.

He chuckled again, his smirk widening. It was clear he was enjoying taunting her, enjoying watching her get riled up.

"Of course, darling, of course," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But let's not pretend that your looks aren't the reason you were invited to this party. You're a pretty little decoration, nothing more."

She clenched her jaw, trying to control the anger and irritation that was growing inside of her. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep up the act of politeness in the face of such blatant mockery and disrespect.

"And what talents do you possess, aside from being a rude, condescending jerk?" she asked, her voice beginning to sound a bit strained.

He chuckled again, seemingly amused by her rising anger.

"Oh, darling, I have many talents," he said, his voice low and almost seductive. "But I don't think this is the time or place to demonstrate them all."

She tried to ignore the shiver that ran down her spine at his words, his low, silky voice making her feel simultaneously attracted and uneasy. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her, his eyes drinking her in like a man dying of thirst.

"And what makes you think I'd be interested in seeing your talents?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

He chuckled again, his smirk widening into a smug grin. He was enjoying this, enjoying watching her get more and more flustered. He leaned in closer, almost as if he was about to share a secret.

"Oh, darling, I have no doubt you'd be very interested in my... talents," he said, his voice almost a purr. "I have a feeling you're the type of woman who appreciates... skilled hands."

She swallowed, trying to keep herself from blushing at his words. There was something about the way he was looking at her, the way he was talking to her, that was making her feel more and more unsettled and yet intrigued. She tried to keep her mask of composure in place as she replied.

"And what makes you think I'm interested in your... skilled hands?" she asked, her voice a little breathier than she would have liked.

He chuckled again, his smirk turning into a predatory smile. He was enjoying this, enjoying watching her trying to keep her composure in the face of his relentless teasing.

"Darling, I can see it in your eyes. You're curious about what I could do with my hands, what kind of... pleasure they could give you."

The mayor approached them, interrupting their conversation. He placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke in a low voice.

"Amber, it's time for you to take the stage and perform. Are you ready?"

She took a deep breath and nodded, trying to push aside the conflicting emotions that had risen up in her during her conversation with Alexander. She put on a smile and turned to the mayor.

"Yes, I'm ready," she said, her voice cool and steady.

The mayor smiled and led her towards the stage, where a microphone and a piano had been set up for her performance. As she walked, she could feel the weight of Alexander's gaze on her, watching her every movement with a mix of mockery and intrigue.

As she took the stage, she tried to put aside her thoughts of Alexander and focus on her performance. She took a deep breath and began to sing, her voice clear and strong as she belted out a beautiful song that filled the room and captivated the attention of the guests.

As she continued to sing, she noticed that Alexander was watching her, his eyes fixed on her as she performed. His expression was difficult to read, his smile sardonic but his eyes almost magnetic as they followed her every move. Despite herself, she found herself singing to him, her voice almost taking on a softer, more intimate tone.