Page 132 of Chandelier Sin
Pressing my palm to the wall, I felt the vibration, confirming we were ascending.
She looked horrified. “Is this an elevator?”
“What did you touch?”
We were gliding upward, almost imperceptibly.
Stella’s fingernails dug into my flesh.
The doors opened, and an endless corridor stretched out before us, revealing another space that seemed to defy the outside architecture.
Stella let go of my arm and studied my reaction.
Floor to ceiling mirrors stretched down the corridor, reflecting fake candlelight in a myriad of flickering flames. The air was thick with incense and an erotic beat of music could be heard coming from the other end of the hall.
I searched for the button to send us back down. Getting her back to Jake was imperative.
Stella looked past me, blinking.
A woman was heading our way.
I stepped out of the elevator to guard Stella. “Keep your mouth shut.”
I’d foundher.
Eve’s flowing gown whispered against the red carpeted floor. Her stunning face was covered with an ornate masquerade mask. She was a remarkable vision of feminine elegance as mysterious as the night—and just as dangerous.
I felt a stirring of compassion and something else; a yearning to pull Eve into an embrace and kiss her.
How can you not become mine?
A familiar spray of blue feathers crowned her headpiece. A different blonde wig flawlessly hid her brunette locks.
Her enticing allure almost made me forget the fact we were on the sixth floor.
As Eve drew close, her perfume met me like the rarest of flowers, its intoxicating fragrance wafting through the air and sending shivers down my spine. A scent both sensual and innocent, and yet bold, it was a perfect reflection of the woman herself.
I imagined what this looked like to her. Me bringing a submissive to the bad boy’s playground, knowing the circumstances.
My gut clenched that she was so close but felt so far away. “What is this place?”
Eve glanced back. “Not here.”
I turned and slammed my hand against the wall, stepping out of the elevator.
“Go,” I said to Stella.
She reached for me as the doors slid closed, placing a wall of steel between us.
All Stella had to do was make it back to Jake. His wrath was probably a better alternative than being discovered by the others.
“Atticus.” Eve glanced behind her down the hallway and then closed the space between us. “You can’t be here.”
Eve looked horrified. “What are you doing here?”
“You’re coming with me.” I reached for her hand.
She pulled away.
