‘Look at me when you dance.’

Chapter Twelve

Asli's thoughts were empty. She wasn't thinking about revenge, neither was she thinking about how disgusted she was going to dance for her enemy in a sultry manner.

'His father killed my family. They took over my kingdom. I should be putting a bullet through his skull, not wearing this nasty fabric.' she finally told herself while she undressed. Her chest tightened, each gasp a struggle.

A knock came on the door of the washroom.

"You are keeping long in there… it would be a shame if you are trying to escape through the bathroom window. I didn't kidnap you and bring you here." He teased and she rolled her eyes. She was not thinking that.

"You escaped from our shoot-out. Are you going to run out of this too?" This time around, his comment hit a nerve and she quickly wore the lingerie.

'Who does he think he is?' Asli thought, her anger burning within her. She was going to show him that she wasn't scared of him, that he was beneath her.

She threw the washroom door open and stepped out, her gaze locking onto Ahmet's.

For a fleeting moment, his expression faltered. His eyes widened, and his jaw slackened. He looked surprised, dumbfounded even. Her curves were beautifully framed by the lace lingerie as Asli's reflection looked back. The delicate rise of her breasts was highlighted by the shimmering soft silk on her skin. The delicate straps contoured her beautiful skin and highlighted her shoulders.

She savored the brief flash of vulnerability before his mask slipped back into place. But Asli knew she had seen it – the spark of astonishment, and the hint of admiration.

She didn't understand why. Maybe she did. He had never seen her like this before. The leather boots and mafia attire had hidden her curves and her femininity. But now, in this lingerie…

Was this not what he wanted? To have her vulnerable before him? Did he not prepare himself? Surely she wasn't the only half naked woman he had ever seen, was she?

Ahmet's eyes roamed over her, drinking in the sight but when his gaze met hers, her expression was icy. She didn't smile, didn't even bat her eyelashes.

His eyes narrowed, intrigued by her defiance. He'd anticipated anger, but this… this was something more. A spark of resentment burned within her, and he wanted to fan those flames. To see how much she could burn him.

He didn't understand why she hated him. Surely, he believed it was because she was a spoilt princess who didn't like anybody telling her what to do.

Good. He didn't like that either but why did she hate him? She hated him before their shoot out when all she did was caused so much trouble for him.

His thoughts reminded him of why they were together in the room. He went away from the door, settling back into his chair. He played the tune he had chosen and looked back at her.

She passed him one last look before drinking the tune in. Asli's slender figure swayed awkwardly, her flexible body twisting in ways that would put her Artist name or side to shame.

Her movements lacked the sultry confidence he had expected. Was she not an artist? Or was Asli and Lisa, not the same person?

"Stop," Ahmet growled, his voice dripping with disdain. "You call that seductive?" He couldn't believe she was joking with him. Was it because he was calm? Was it because he wasn't actually blackmailing her?

'You asked for this, now watch.' He could read those words in her eyes.

But was he angry? No, not one bit. The song came back on.

Asli's cheeks flushed as Ahmet's mocking gaze swept over her. She hated him, hated being forced to dance for him. But he held the upper hand, and she knew it.

The music died, and Ahmet's finger snapped, restarting the song. "Again," he commanded.

Asli's eyes flashed anger, but she began to move once more. Her hips swiveled, her arms undulated, but her heart wasn't in it. She felt like a puppet on strings.

Ahmet's sneer deepened. "No, no, no. You're still not doing it right."

Asli's breath hitched as Ahmet's eyes roamed over her, his gaze lingering on her curves. She felt exposed and vulnerable.

"What do you want from me?" she spat.

Ahmet's smile twisted. "I want you to dance like you mean it. Like your life depends on it."

Asli's eyes locked onto his, a spark of defiance igniting within her. She began to move again, her body weaving a sensual spell.

Ahmet's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. Was he enjoying her humiliation, or was there something more?

The music stopped once more, and Ahmet's voice cut through the silence. "Better. But still not enough. Look at me when you dance."