"Yeah. It's a whole situation, unfortunately. I'm just doing my best to help him out and be a good brother."
Oh crap. That was really sweet actually. "How old is he?"
"Just turned thirteen."
"Is he home alone?"
"No, my father's ex is there too. She flew in for the weekend." There was bitterness lacing his tone. "And my housekeeper aswell. Her place has a busted pipe. It's a little too crowded for me at the moment... hence the hotel."
"Ah, I see. You were seeking refuge." Totally understandable. "But then why did you come to a crowded ball tonight? Why didn't you just stay holed up in your nice quiet hotel room?"
He gave me a sideways glance. "That's a good question. And I feel like I detect a bit of suspicion in your voice. But I can assure you... I'm not married. No significant other. And I had no intention of finding myself a masked beauty tonight. I only went because of a business deal I'm working on. I was hoping to do a bit of reconnaissance on someone. But I ended up getting distracted... in the best possible way."
It wasn't the first time tonight that I thought this man was smooth. And even more so when his hand landed on my leg, specifically my thigh, which was currently bare due to the slit I'd strategically placed in my dress.
He squeezed, drawing my attention to the connection and the contrast of his hand against my skin, everything about it so damn attractive. So masculine, strong, warm, precisely what I'd been craving, the hunger inside me leaping dangerously.
I had nothing witty, smart, or sexy to say to that. My brain wasn't functioning, my lust taking control and leading the way. Which was exactly what I'd wanted. One night. Just letting myself go completely.
"If you'd like," he said, "we can get rid of the masks, reveal ourselves, our names."
That brought me back to the present. "I'd rather not. If you don't mind."
"I don't mind. Whatever you'd like. Anything you want. Just tell me."
A thrill went through me at those words. The fact that I was on the precipice of exactly how I wanted this night to go? It was unbelievable.
Maybe too good to be true, a little niggling voice in my head added.
After all, there was something vaguely familiar about this man.
His thumb made small circles against my thigh, and it felt like heaven, every movement setting off a chain reaction from head to toe.
God. Those doubts needed to go away. So maybe I'd met him before. Between work and family connections, my social circle was vast. Maybe we'd made small talk waiting for drinks once, or I'd heard his laugh at an awards show after-party.
I knew for a fact we weren't related, so it didn't really matter if we'd crossed paths in some way before.
His hand crept up higher, making my breath hitch. I glanced over at him to see him staring at my legs. There was an indecent amount of skin showing. Maybe I'd gone a bit overboard with the slit, but after hearing about my sister Annalise's night in the dress I'd designed for her and how much that slit had come in handy, I'd been determined to wear something similar.
The car came to a stop, and his hand left my leg. And once again, he was all sheer determination and force of nature, helping me from the car and leading me through a crowded lobby to a quiet, more discreet corner. After swiping a key card, the hidden doors of a private elevator opened for us.
I wasn't surprised in the least because of course this man would have the penthouse suite.
With his hand on the small of my back, he ushered me inside, and the second the doors closed, he whirled me around and backed me right up against the mirrored interior of the elevator.
"You're sure?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me.
If I thought his eyes had been intense before, that was nothing compared to now. They practically burned into me.
"Yes."
That single word seemed to ignite something in him, and before I knew it, his body was flush against mine, the sheer strength and power of him making me forget how to breathe.
There was a slight hesitation as he lowered his head, and I expected a fierce kiss, but instead I got a hand in my hair, the other on my cheek, and a sweet brush of his lips on mine. It made me melt inside, something I hadn't expected, that this big man who was capable of crushing me would be so gentle.
I kissed him back, and our lips moved together in a soft, slow exploration. My goodness, it was incredible. This man knew how to take his time, even though I had the sense he was holding himself back.
With every caress of his mouth, I had the sense he was savoring the kiss, savoringme, making my heart soar.
