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.

hand to me, and I placed mine

His deadpan expression made

he was, however. He, of

I

know specifically who I

free hand sat comfortably on my waist. Together, we began to move with the music. We glided over the floor as if

where we could pretend to be

well, my lady,”

an excellent partner,” I replied.

onto the balcony, where we were alone. Slowly, he stopped turning, ending the dance. He did not move away, however, keeping his hand on my hip and

clutching mine.

didn’t move away

now? My mind whispered, as my heart took flight in

flirty, and well,

handsome in the starlight,

wider than usual, and my knees felt weak.

is your beauty that has stolen me away. This is

to bring his own to my face. Gently, he traced my cheek along the edge of

he leaned forward.

in my throat. He came closer and closer. I felt his

closed. I

wanted him to close the distance and kiss me. The very thrill

night of magic. Anything felt possible. Even this. Maybe especially

brushed mine

but

in. He didn’t perhaps think I was someone else, did he? With mask covering most of my face, and my hair hidden, he might not have

said, voice breathy and soft,

I wanted him to kiss me

near, and when it was, I felt so

and dashed into the ballroom as fast as I could in my heels. I

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