Her flirtatious expression is back in place, and warm, honey brown eyes peek through her pink satin mask. She smiles like she hasn’t a care in the world, and her full, pink-painted lips pull away from perfectly straight white teeth. It’s a glorious smile that turns my body molten and renders me speechless. The silence crackles with static, and as I drag my gaze over her body, energy shifts between us like I’m rubbing a balloon over her hair, teasing every loose strand of her being towards me. I take in the smooth curve of her shoulders, the column of her neck, the dip between her collarbones. Maybe this is what Julian meant by choosing a woman with my dick. But if it renders me unable to string a sentence together, I’m not sure what chance I have.
I clear my throat and gather my thoughts. “It’s only one floor up.”
She gives me a sidelong look, which, even with the mask, screams mischief. “True. If you were that fast, I’d be very disappointed.” She hovers her finger over the button. “Shall we take it to the top then?”
Heat rushes through my torso. “That’s not what I meant.”
She taps her forefinger against her lips. “But that’s why your friends didn’t get in, isn’t it? So we could get it on in here?”
I slide a hand into the pocket of my suit pants, attempting to look and sound unaffected. “I can’t claim to know what they were thinking. Probably not much.” I glance at her. “You’re the one who closed the doors.”
A burst of seductive laughter slips from her mouth, and it’s a beautiful sound. She might have the best laugh I’ve ever heard. “Yeah. That was me choosing you, in case you were wondering. I was absolutely thinking about a quickie in here with you.”
To my surprise, my heart thumps awkwardly at the confirmation. “You’re very forward.”
“I’m efficient.”
“But not efficient enough to enjoy sex in an elevator.”
She bites down on her bottom lip, turning those sultry honey coloured eyes on me again. “Not if the ride is only ninety seconds long.”
My cheeks ache from trying not to laugh, but she’s smiling too, so I allow the grin to spread.
“I like the look of you,” she says. “I’ll give you all night if you want it.”
The way her words make my heart race is ridiculous. I just met this woman. I must be twice the size of her, and yet here she is, looking me right in the eye, dressed in her pink sequins and dangerously high heels, telling me what she wants, and making my heart fuckingflutter.
I’m inclined to give it to her. What shewants, not my heart. Maybe Henry’s right. Maybe a liaison with a gorgeous woman, like the one standing mere inches away from me, is exactly what I need. Meaningless. Casual.
Random, but hot as fuck.
“I might not like the look of you,” I say, which is an outright lie, but I want to see what she’ll say.
She pops a hip and rests a hand on it. “Why not?”
I get the sense she doesn’t really care what I answer, because she knows the moment the elevator doors open, she’ll have her pick of men. She might even choose Julian.
The idea has my stomach clenching and, as if to galvanise me into action, the elevator halts and the doors open.
I let her exit ahead of me, but she doesn’t go far, turning to face me as I step out into the bar area. Crystal chandeliers sparkle overhead, and dark velvet curtains drape at wide windows. Soft piano music plays, and the hum of chatter drifts above it. Groups of people gather at tables, drinking cocktails and champagne,their evening finery paired with an array of elaborate masks, like they’re at a society party rather than a sex club.
“What don’t you like about the way I look?” the blonde asks, pulling me back to our conversation.
I nod at her mask. “I can’t see your face.”
“Ah.” She performs one slow, exaggerated nod. “So you’re a romantic. Bet you like to make eye contact when you fuck too.”
“Preferable. But not essential.” I gesture to her mask. “Take it off, and I’ll give you my verdict.”
“The only way this bad boy is coming off”—she flicks the side of her mask—“is if you agree to come on my face.”
I laugh, but when she doesn’t join me, I stop. “You’re serious?”
“Absolutely. It’s masquerade night.” She fingers the edge of her mask again. “This is my protection. I’m not giving it up for anyone, unless they agree to make themselves wholly vulnerable to me.”
“You think a man coming on your face makeshimthe vulnerable one?”
“Absolutely.”
