"Well, that's strange then..." He eyed me, that gleam growing stronger. "Because that one was the truth."
I couldn't help laughing. "So youdohave a tattoo?"
"I do." He leaned in a bit closer like he was about to divulge a secret. "And not a single person has seen it, besides the tattoo artist of course."
My poor brain took a minute to figure that one out because there was no way this man had been celibate for any length oftime. He screamed sex god through and through. "It's new then," I surmised triumphantly.
"Yep. I've only had it for six months."
"Six months? So you haven't—" Oh, crap. I'd really been about to go there, hadn't I? "Um, that's nice. May I ask what it is? And where it is?"
His gaze burned through me. "Nope. You'll have to discover it for yourself."
"Oh. Um, okay," I sputtered, a bit flustered.
That intensity faded into laughter. "You're full of very mixed signals, beautiful."
"Oh, yeah, sorry about that." I sighed. "This night is just a total departure for me."
"Don't apologize please. I get it."
He was right. I shouldn't apologize. I was allowed to have whatever feelings I had, even if they were mixed and confusing as hell.
Besides, something my sisters and I had discussed recently was that I said sorry way too much, and I needed to stop. It was a common occurrence among women in general, for various reasons, but the only thing I could do was start with myself... before I started a revolution, maybe with my clothing somehow?
"So what is it exactly you want out of tonight?" he suddenly asked. "Just so we're absolutely clear."
Now was my chance to say what I wanted, even if it was terrifying. But I had to remind myself that this man had no idea who I really was. So if things went sideways, except for the momentary god-awful mortification, there would be no long-term repercussions.
It wouldn't change a thing in my real life.
His hand moved up my bare arm, sending goosebumps to scatter across my skin, the incredible sensation only reinforcing my desires for the evening. Looking up into his eyes, I embracedthe anonymity of my mask and the freedom it provided, taking a deep breath and deciding to put it all on the line.
"I want to be seduced," I stated. "By you."
Good lord, I'd said it. I'd really just said that.
My heart pounded, my throat tightened, my entire body tensing as I waited for his response.
"Seduced..." he repeated the word softly, slowly, like he was tasting it on his tongue. "By me..."
Did he want me to say it again? Because I just couldn't. Anonymity could only do so much for a girl like me.
A slow smile began to spread across his face, a tinge of cockiness in it that was mirrored in his eyes.
Oh, no. Big mistake. Abort the mission. Huge mistake.Run. Run now.
"Nope. Never mind. All good," I said quickly, beginning to pull away.
His hands on me tightened, practically turning into a vise. "Sorry," he said. "I was momentarily stunned."
Hmm. Not sure at all what to do or say, I stared at him, watching his smile fade away. Maybe it hadn't been smug after all. Maybe that had all been in my head.
"I'd like nothing more," he said. "I can't think of a better way to spend an evening than with someone so beautiful, smart, and—"
"Stop. You don't have to say all that. I'm pretty much a sure thing."
"And what if I mean it? What if I was drawn to you from the moment I first saw you... when you tripped on a rug near the entrance and tried to pretend like nothing had happened."
