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"Flattered, signore," Stella replied. "But isn't Carnevale all aboutnotgiving out names?"
Rossi laughed loudly and patted his companion on the shoulder. "You sly thing, Dom. I'll leave you to enjoy your companion while I go and find some beautiful diversions of my own." Stella waved her fingers, and the old man walked back into the crowd.
"You looked in desperate need of saving,signore," Stella said, lifting her glass to this intriguingDom. "You're welcome." As she turned to leave, a large, warm hand closed around her forearm.
"Wait, you can't pull a stunt like that and just walk away." It was the first time Stella had heard him speak, and she was stunned by the richness of his voice. It was deep with the touch of a purr that spoke of sin.
Danger, her mind warned her, even as her body tingled all over.
"Can't I?" Stella replied, her mouth dry.
"Please, stay. Your interruption is the most interesting thing that has happened all evening," Dom said, and Stella let herself be drawn back into the shadowy corner.
"I thought this party was a bust myself,signor..."
"Dom, please. Rossi already gave the game away," he answered. "And you are?"
"A mystery," said Stella, earning a small laugh from Dom. Up close, he was even more handsome, with cheekbones sharp enough to hone a dagger on and thick, curly dark hair that begged for hands to run through it.
"Would you like to get out of here,misteriosa?" Dom smiled. Dimples showed from under his well-groomed stubble, and she knew in that moment she was done for.
* * *
Stella followed Dom as he reached into the curtains behind him, opened a door, and led her out into the cool darkness.
Eventually, they came to the end of a long balcony overlooking the Grand Canal, which had been lit up with tiny artificer lights sparkling in gold and blue. Other people mingled below, smoking cigarettes in the golden light coming from the ballroom.
"I have to admit, I didn't expect to end up here," Stella replied, setting her drink down on the stone railing and staring at the boats in the water beneath her.
"Where did you expect I'd take you?" Dom asked as he joined her. "A bedroom?"
Stella grinned. She'd entered into more than one awkward situation by taking the wrong door. "At Carnevale, one never knows where they will be led."
"Is that an invitation or a warning?" Dom asked, looking her over in a way that made her body blush. She could smell his warm masculine scent of cedar and spice, and her blood heated.
She made a mental note for later to research whether shifters could release pheromones on call because sheneverblushed.
"I guess you'll never know," Stella replied as they walked slowly down the balcony. "I'm surprised Rossi didn't extend you the same kind of invite."
Dom laughed. "Rossi gave up trying to get me into compromising situations long ago. He's still not above the occasional ass grope, though, the menace."
"I'm glad it's not only me," Stella replied. Classical music had started up in the ballroom, and Dom held out his hand to her.
"A dance before you disappear?" he asked. It was a tempting offer. Stella knew she shouldn't. She was terrible at dancing, but the music was slow enough that she might not make an ass of herself.
"I feel like I need to warn you that I'm not good at this," she said, placing her palm on his.
"That's okay, I am. I had a mother who insisted on lessons, and a dance with you will be worth any sore toes."
Dom's other hand went to Stella's waist, drawing her close to him. The same hot energy that had piqued her interest before now made her skin pulse wherever he touched, and magic sparked inside of her.
If Stella hadn't been so distracted, she might have recognized Lady Fortune's interference, but she was too focused on not treading where she shouldn't as they began swaying.
"See? You're not as bad as you thought," Dom said as he twirled her.
"Give it a minute," she replied. He laughed softly by her ear, his warm breath tickling her throat. His thumb lightly stroked across the skin at her wrist, sending goosebumps down her arm.
You're in so much trouble, Stella.She didn't tell Dom to stop, couldn't even if she wanted to. Shewantedhim to touch her—more, not less.
