“That right?”
“Yep. Told me I used him for a free dinner, said that I owed him another date.”
“Arrogance and entitlement,” he said as the server arrived and slipped the drink into his hand. “Not a good combination.”
“No kidding. I ended up having to block his number. Just my luck that I’d bump into him here. Somehow, he recognized me even with the mask on.”
“Truth be told, you looked like you were managing the situation just fine. But seeing him grab you like that…” he trailed off, shaking his head as he sipped his whiskey.
“Thanks,” I said. “You’re right – I had it taken care of. All the same, it’s nice to know that someone had my back.”
The side of his mouth curled in a slight smile, and he offered his free hand to me. I took it, his palm so big that mine looked tiny in comparison.
His skin was rough and warm, my heart beating faster at his mere touch.
“Name’s Noah,” he said. “Charmed. And you?”
“My name?” I asked, a sly smile on my face. “Why would I tell you that? This is a masquerade. Isn’t not knowing who we are part of the fun?”
He narrowed his eyes, regarding me with skepticism.
“You serious?” he asked.
I raised my eyebrows, the crafty smile staying on my lips.
“Do I look like I’m playing around? Just because you were Mr. Chivalrous and saved me from having to toss my drink into that asshole’s face doesn’t mean I have to break the rules of the evening.”
He chuckled, shaking his head as he took a sip of his whiskey.
“Fine. You want to keep your name a secret, I suppose that’s in the spirit of the evening. But I’d still like to get to know you.”
Once more his eyes moved over my body, lingering on my hips and breasts.
A shudder of excitement ran through me, and all I wanted was for those big hands to be all over my body.
“Is that right?” I asked.
“That’s right.” From the stage, the band finished their song, light applause sounding from the audience before the musicians began a new tune – this one a lively waltz. “I’ve always found dancing to be a great way to get to know someone.”
He offered me his hand once more.
“Come on – I’m going to show you what you’ve been missing out on playing around with those apps.”
Noah had always brought an even share of confidence to his calm temperament. It was really something to have that confidence turned onto me, especially when it was sexually charged.
I flicked my eyes down to his hand, certain that this was the last chance I’d get to put a stop to all of this before it went too far; before we did things that couldn’t be undone.
I took it. Without wasting a moment, he pulled me close, wrapping his big arm around my waist as he brought me against his powerful, stone-solid body.
My heart began to beat harder, and for a moment I worried that I’d gotten myself in over my head.
The waltz went on, Noah bringing me into the beat and moving me across the dance floor as if it were second nature.
“Now,” he said as we danced. “You can keep your name to yourself. But I’d still like to know a bit about you.” He was close enough that I could smell his cologne.
“What do you want to know?” I asked.
“Well, let’s start with what you’re doing here.”