AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A rush of heat swept up from my neck, staining my cheeks. I was grateful for the dim lighting, allowing my embarrassment to blend in with my costume. But I was wrong in my assumption.
He lowered his head, and I could swear the man was going to devour me. “There’s no reason to be embarrassed, Aphrodite. It is rare when two people meet who feel such a powerful pull toward one another are allowed to engage in whatever carnal activity they hunger for.”
It felt as if a rope was slowly being tightened around my neck, the long strand being used as a leash, and I didn’t know why. But it was obvious the mystery man believed I was an easy mark. To hell with him. “Only if and when the second party believes the first to be honest and forthcoming. Without it, the experience will be painful and nothing else.”
He narrowed his eyes, his body so close to mine that I could feel the buzz of vibrations wrapped around every muscle. I tilted my head, ensuring that he’d see the defiance in my eyes.
Even if the sexual tension left a delicious taste in my mouth.
“Pain and pleasure are intricately woven together, an explosion of sensations that frees a person’s very soul.”
His words cut through me, sending another crackle of electricity into my veins. However, if Zorro thought I’d fall for his line of bullshit, he was sorely wrong.
“Zorro. I have some people I’d like for you to meet,” Senator Campbell said in his usual booming voice as he approached. Then he glanced in my direction, offering a huge smile. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting, Ed… Aphrodite.”
The spell wasn’t easily broken, our eyes locked as if we were standing outside in the dark, the glow of the full moon enticing our senses while the predator marked his prey. I was the one who blinked, looking away, the hard thud of my heart echoing in my ears.
“Not at all,” I managed, hating the fact the encounter with the stranger had made me lightheaded. No man had ever blown me away with his presence or good looks. New Orleans was filled with plenty of beautiful people, many of whom had set foot in my gallery once or twice. Not one of them had intrigued me in the least.
Until him.
What was it about the masked man that fascinated me?
Zorro took a deep breath before answering. “I’d be happy to, Senator.” I caught the hard look he gave the senator, which prompted the host to walk away. “I apologize for the intrusion.”
“No need to apologize. I have another party I’m required to attend.”
“Ah, yes.” He polished off his champagne, not bothering to say a word to the waiter as he placed his flute on the empty tray. The man’s arrogance had just made an appearance. “Hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar, diosa. Cuando lo hagamos, exigire su rendicion.”
Without translating, he nodded, then headed into the crowd, disappearing within a few seconds.
I remained where I was, trying to control my heartrate, finally able to take a deep breath.
Then I did what good little girls should do in this instance.
I left the party.
* * *
“You did what?”
Jasmine’s tone was laced with admonishment. “I was uncomfortable, so I left.” I was still chastising myself for doing so. My best friend had been pushing me to crack the hard shell encased around my heart. While we shared almost everything, including raunchy discussion on men and admonishment of work conditions, I couldn’t divulge my reason for caution I used surrounding my life. She wouldn’t understand.
And I couldn’t risk being found.
“It was a fantasy event. My God, woman. I would have given my right arm for an invite to the party of the year. You walked away because a gorgeous Spaniard flirted with you?”
“It wasn’t exactly flirting.” Even through the mask, I could have sworn I’d seen him before, at least once, including when I’d gone into a local coffee shop. Granted, there were plenty of gorgeous men with dark, wavy hair on the street, but it was more about my tingling sensations. They remained even though he was nowhere near me. That wasn’t normal.
“You’ve been out of the dating scene far too long,” Jasmine snapped. “He was flirting with you. Why didn’t you just hang around and see if he asked for your number?”
“Because there was something about him.” Something dark and deviant, rough and overtly sexual. Maybe I was just fooling or misreading the conversation, but I could swear the man not only had undressed me with his eyes, he’d all but devoured me whole. I grabbed my glass of wine, trying to calm my nerves as I paced back and forth. I’d ripped off the outfit, changing into my usual floral pajamas, and still the butterflies remained.
“Something insanely amazing? I could hear it in your voice. Don’t deny it.”
“He was… attractive. But he was also dominating. He mentioned something about a woman’s beauty is often defined by her willingness to surrender.”
“He didn’t make that up, honey. I’ve heard it before. It must be something taught to men. You know, a pickup line?”
