Page 47 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
“Hello, Carter.” My voice comes out husky and a little shaky.
“Lina!” A masculine voice from behind us calls my name.
Everyone in our group whips their heads around at the sametime. Max is heading our way—wearing the same fucking suit and mask as Carter.What are the fucking odds?Carter is larger and taller with broader shoulders, and there is no denying how my body reacts to seeing him versus anyone else.
I take a generous sip of my martini. Max casually slips an arm around my waist. My body stiffens, and I back away slightly. It was not noticeable, but enough to make his arm fall. I quickly glance over to Carter. His jaw visibly clenches while he looks away.
“Max, right?” Bailey sticks her hand out to greet him.
He lifts the arm that was just around my waist to shake Bailey’s hand. I take the opportunity to take another step further away, which happens to be closer to Carter.
“You brought a date?” he seethes through a whisper.
“I didn’t bring him.” My eyes dart to his. “Nor did he bringme.”
I need some air.
“I’m going to use the restroom.” I lean in to tell Bailey.
She nods and continues chatting with the group. I pinch the hem of my dress and sprint out of the ballroom and down an empty hallway. I have no idea where I’m going, but I need to get away for a minute to clear my head. I stroll down a second corridor with vaulted ceilings and cherry wood walls covered in antique paintings and elaborate sconces.
Under the dim lights, a room catches my eye. I push myself between the heavy double doors. A low yellow hue spills in from the hallway, casting shadows and slices of light, showing tiny dust particles floating through the air. I squint my eyes to get a better look. The walls are lined with bookshelves that span from thefloor to the ceiling. It’s a library.
Pulling my dress up to prevent it from dragging across the floor, I glide to one of the shelves. Running my fingertips along the fabric spines of the books, I see a mix of classics, modern editions, and various types of encyclopedias.
Suddenly, I hear a soft click behind me—it’s loud in this quiet room, and I startle at the sound. I whip myself around, almost slipping on the slick tile floor. The light is cut off now that the door is no longer cracked, leaving only a tiny amount seeping through the bottom. A tall, dark figure stands where the light once was. My heart stops, and my limbs freeze. Oh shit. I’m in a secluded part of this old fucking gothic house.
I lower my eyes to get a better look at the figure. “Can I help you?”
The figure slowly shakes its head back and forth. I stop breathing, only to gasp with a tight breath when I hear the echo from the lock on the door. My pulse is racing.
The man takes a few deliberate steps toward me.
“Do I know you?” My voice cracks.
The figure nods.Okay, so yes?
My pulse slows slightly.
As it moves closer, I realize that the figure has the same costume as Max. I sigh in relief. By now, he’s less than arm’s length from me. The elastic on my white lace mask is hurting my ears. I reach my arms up to adjust the band. “Why are you playing with me—”
Before I realize what is happening, a dark shadow and light wind whip past my face as my arms are pinned above my head.
I gasp.Maybe not Max?
His body is now flush with mine. This man’s breath dusts my lips, causing them to tingle.Why does he feel so familiar?Half of his face is covered behind a black mask. My eyes bounce from one of his eyes to the other while my brain is both confused and fucking turned on at the same time.
He slips his hand under my dress, gliding his fingertips along the outside of my legs. A shutter moves through me, and my eyelids fall closed. Two of his fingers slip under the string of my panties. I should be scared, but I’m not.
The man’s lips lightly caress the seam of my mouth. I open to let him in. He kisses me deeply, overpowering my breath. My knees weaken, my body melts, and arousal pools in my lace panties.
This is definitely not Max.
Goddamn, he tastes good—and comforting. I lean forward and dip my head into him, smashing my nose against his cheek. When his tongue slips into my mouth, a tight moan escapes.
“Tell me to stop,” he mutters before nibbling my bottom lip.
When I open my eyes, a pair of amber-colored ones stare back at me.
