Nicholas held my gaze the longest.
He finally glanced away when a girl tugged on his arm. The music started and she pulled him toward the
dance floor.
It seemed that anonymity made everyone feel a bit bolder than usual tonight.
Myself included.
I stopped by the drink table to grab a flute of champagne. It was easier to lose myself with a hint of
alcohol in the system. Yet before I could even take a sip. I looked out at the dance floor once more and
forgot the drink entirely.
The girl who was dancing with Nicholas had both hands on his chest and was rubbing them up to his
shoulders with an unwelcome familiarity that made my skin crawl.
I lowered my drink back to the table and then stormed across the room.
“Excuse me,” I said, when I was close enough to them. “Do you mind if I cut in?””
“Yes,” snapped the girl.
Nicholas searched my face. Then, he reached up, grabbed the girl’s wrists and pulled her hands away
from his chest.
She huffed in annoyance but didn’t argue. She glared at me as she walked away.
me, and I placed
His deadpan expression made it difficult to tell if he was
He, of course, knew everyone here.
I
did he know specifically who I was?
Together, we began to move with the
as easy as breathing. Here, where we could pretend
dance very well, my lady,” Nicholas said.
helps to have an excellent partner,”
Nicholas led our dance out onto the balcony, where we were alone. Slowly, he stopped turning, ending the dance. He
clutching mine.
didn’t move away
happens now? My mind whispered, as my heart took
and well, I could be anyone tonight.
look handsome in the starlight, my
usual, and my knees felt weak.
your beauty that has stolen me away. This is a lovely dress, but I suspect the woman underneath
to bring his own to my face. Gently, he traced my cheek along the edge of my
he leaned
closer and closer. I felt his hot breath
I parted my lips.
The very thrill of the near possibility had me buzzing out of
night of magic. Anything felt
lips brushed mine and I
barest press, but
in. He didn’t perhaps think I was someone else, did he? With mask
he said, voice breathy and soft,
wanted him to kiss
was, I felt so whole. I
heels. I followed the
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