Page 3 of Beguiled

His features were aristocratic, a nose that was far too perfect and high cheekbones. With his long, dark eyelashes and plump lips,he was without a doubt the most handsome eye candy at the party. How dreadful for me to think of him that way. Maybe not.

I was obviously not very subtle in my appreciative stare.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how would you put him in his place?”

A laugh bubbled to the surface as if I was flirting. Hmmm… Maybe I was for a change and doing so felt good. Very good, in fact. “You have to understand that I was the girl in class most likely to be put in detention.”

He burst into laughter and the sound created another more intense wave of vibrations. “You? You seem like an angel.”

“Ha. Me? An angel? Not a chance. You see, I don’t mind telling anyone when I catch a mistake. Forget about the arrogant jerk catching one of mine. Numbers are my friends and if the asshole were to be so bold as to try and use me as a scapegoat, he’d learn the hard way I’m not the kind of girl to take the blame.”

“Admirable qualities.” The compliment flowed from his mouth. “And very… desirable.”

The dip of his voice was unmistakable. He was also flirting with me. “You think so?”

“I do.”

“Not all men would find that to be the case.”

“True, but then again, I’m not all men. In fact, I prefer a strong woman who always speaks her mind.”

I hadn’t realized he’d crowded my space until I was forced to tilt my head so I could look him in the eyes. He wasn’t just tall, dark, and handsome, he was also in a tailor-made Tom Ford suit thataccentuated his long, muscular legs. While I was tall, well over six feet in my heels I’d been forced to wear, he was at least six foot five and all muscle.

“My guess was that the arrogant man in question wouldn’t feel the same.”

He was far too attractive and I found myself longing to know what his soft lips felt like pressed against mine. Where in the world had that come from?

“Then he’s missing out, which is something I have no intention of doing.” He lowered his head and I was completely enthralled by the sexy stranger.

Maybe I was a little crazy in wishing he would kiss me. That was completely irrational thinking, especially since he could be anyone. Except not just everyone could be out on this balcony. He wasn’t some nutcase or man who’d come in off the street. The security had been tight just to get into the festive event.

My body hummed with electricity, a wash of heat drifting along my spine and at this point, my core was molten lava. No man had ever had this type of effect on me.

“You are truly beautiful,” he said, his voice dipping to little more than a whisper. When he lifted his hand, his actions completely deliberate, I uttered a single moan. The moment he brushed his knuckle across my cheek created such an intense need that before I realized what I was doing, I pressed my hand against his chest.

When I dared look into his eyes, I was mesmerized by the intensity of his gaze. No one had ever looked at me in such a way.

“Nekotoryye zhenshchiny—eto imenno ta prichina, po kotoroy muzhchinam voobshche stoit prosypat’sya po utram.”

The hoarseness of his voice and the closeness of his heated body were as overwhelming as should ever be allowed. Feeling lightheaded around a man hadn’t been on my dance card for the evening. Yet here we were. “If you’re a gentleman, you won’t keep a lady in suspense about what you said.”

“You are right. My apologies. I said some women are the very reason men bother waking up in the morning.” His eyes were hooded and the way his chest rose and fell managed to match the rapid beating of my heart.

I could easily lean into him, enjoying letting go for just a single kiss. But I wasn’t that girl. So I pushed away instead, thankful for the darkness hiding my intense blush. “Does that usually work on the women?”

His laugh was one I’d never forget. Forceful and in full control. As if he didn’t have a care in the world. “I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he mused, the sound ceasing as his fingers shifted, gripping my jaw with utter dominance. I didn’t need to lean into him. He did so with me. “Not even one.”

When his lips captured mine, I was as thrown as any woman should be when kissed by a stranger. But within seconds, the hint of discomfort and even anxiety slowly began to fade as a wild and almost angry desire took over.

Even with his firm hold, I was forced to lean in, breathless from the power he wielded as if a sword during battle, capturing the damsel in distress. As he rolled his lips over mine, all thoughts faded, a tingling series of electric vibrations moving from one side of my body to the other, leaving every inch on fire.

The handsome stranger slipped his tongue inside, consuming my mouth as he explored every dark crevice. I clung to him, completely breathless as dazzling stars floated in front of my eyes. I could easily let go, enjoying a carnal moment knowing I’d never see him again. Why not? I was a good girl. I followed all the rules and laws. I gave to charity when I could afford it.

I helped people cross the street when needed.

He was so passionate, so warm and inviting. When he pulled me tightly against him, I could feel exactly how much he hungered for me. He was rock hard and throbbing.

But somewhere in the beautiful shift in my mindset, a little voice inside my head screamed my behavior was reckless. There was no other choice but to push him away.