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 mine in his.
said. His deadpan expression made it
he was, however. He, of course, knew
I
know specifically who I was? That
sat comfortably on my waist. Together, we began to move with
as breathing. Here, where we could pretend to be other people, nothing
my lady,” Nicholas said.
an excellent partner,” I replied.
we were alone. Slowly, he stopped turning, ending the dance. He did not move away, however, keeping his hand on my
clutching mine.
didn’t move away
my heart took flight in my chest.
flirty, and well, I could
handsome in the starlight,
smiled, wider than usual, and
that has stolen me away. This is a lovely
own to my face. Gently, he traced my cheek along
he leaned forward.
came closer and closer. I
fluttered closed. I parted my
close the distance and kiss me. The very thrill of the near possibility had
of magic. Anything felt
brushed mine and
the barest press, but it made my heart clench.
I was someone else, did he? With mask covering most of my face, and my hair hidden, he might not have known it was actually me.
then he said, voice breathy and
I wanted him to kiss me
A piece of me was so near, and when it was, I felt so whole. I couldn’t
as I could in my heels. I followed the feeling, searching
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