Chapter 23
Tame the Beast
I shrieked in fear as I tripped over my damned high heels and tumbled backwards into the swimming pool. As I hit the water, I thought I heard someone urgently calling my name. I had learnt to swim when I was young, but the sudden encounter with that damned snake had petrified me. Momentarily, I had completely forgotten what my arms and legs were supposed to do. As I started to sink, I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist and the rush of water surging past me as I was brought to the surface.
The president held my soaked body against his chest while patting my back gently as I violently coughed. After expelling all of the water I had accidentally swallowed, I tried to take a deep breath through my nose to fill up my burning lungs.
“Miss Young, are you alright?”
Swallowing the remaining water, I looked up to meet his gaze and nodded. Looking around frantically, I instinctively gripped his arm in fear. The giant python was slithering towards us! Burying my head in his firm chest, I tried to calm myself.
“Mr. President, call the guards! Call the damn guards! There's a giant python over there! Oh my god! Can’t they swallow a man whole? Actually, scratch the guards—call animal control!”
I was on the boarder of hysterics when I felt his chest rumble with laughter.
“Ah, you mean Barza?”
I instantly froze. Slowly, I started to process what he was saying. Lifting my eyes to his face, I saw him grinning down at me in amusement. I knew it! He’s insane.
“Don’t look so shocked, Miss Young. Barza is my pet and he’s completely safe. He won’t hurt you as long as I’m here.” He chuckled at me and gestured over to the snake. “Barza, come to daddy.”
I watched in horror as the “pet” obediently made his way over to us.
“Oh, hell no! No, no, no!” My mind screamed as I broke out into a cold sweat.
“See, he listens to me. He was trained by professionals so he’s harmless. Relax, Miss Young. He's not going to hurt you.”
That was it. I had had it! A temperamental and fastidious person, I could handle. But, this! I didn’t sign up for this.
Directly looking into his deep blue eyes, I said as sternly as possible, “Have you completely and totally lost your mind President Gray!? It's a giant python for fuck’s sake! You could have chosen any other animal. Why the hell did you choose a python? They are deadly and extremely dangerous. Don’t you dare to call it over here! Make him go away or else I’ll... or else!”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise at my outburst. Did I get too carried away? Immediately, I lowered my head and felt completely embarrassed. Even if what I said was true, he was still my boss and I yelled at him!
He firmly grabbed my chin to make look at him and brought his face closer to mine. “Or else? What, Miss Young? You’ll kill me?"
Crap. I was fighting a losing battle and I knew it as soon as I saw my reflection in his eyes. That gaze swallowed my confidence and all of my rationality. Maybe I was insane too. At our closeness, I felt my breathing grow shallow. “W-why do you tame such dangerous animals, sir?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up and he brushed his fingers lightly across my cheek. “I like to tame wild beasts, Miss Young.” He stared intently at me as he continued, “The more they fear me, the more I feel to the need to tease them. They have always attracted my attention.”
He seemed to be alluding to something else but I couldn’t contemplate it as I became increasing more aware of our intimate position and my soaked clothes. I glanced down and saw that my dress was tightly clinging to my curves. My face felt hot as I noticed his eyes sweep over me and I cursed myself for getting so easily flustered in his presence. For a moment, I forgot everything. His grip tightened around my waist and I let out a small gasp as our chests collided.
A smug look formed on his face as he asked, “Don't you like wild beasts, Miss Young?”
His face was so close to mine and I could hear my heart pounding in my chest as I glanced down to his well shaped mouth. This need and burning sensation for him was taking over my ability to think properly. What was it about this man that made me feel like this? I didn’t have an answer and I didn’t seem to care.
“I-I like wild beasts, but don't want to tame them,” I mumbled.
He sensually lowered his voice as he traced my lips with his finger. “You should at least give it a try. It’s a lot of fun. Won’t you try, Miss Young?”
My eyes dilated slightly as he gradually leaned down towards me.