“Yes, please. That waltz was exhilarating, but I’m quite parched.”
With a smile, he led her out of the dance floor, through a door, and into a sumptuous dining room. The immense table displayed many delicacies, neatly cut into bite-size pieces. They provided sustenance but did not weigh down the revelers with a heavy meal. The small portions also had the advantage of being able to be consumed with one’s hands.
Gabriel fetched two glasses of champagne from a footman who was filling them from an ice sculpture and handed her one. The chilled beverage was delicious on her parched tongue.
“Hmm, this is one of the best champagnes I’ve tasted. It helps that they serve it at just the right temperature. Clever trick, the ice sculpture.”
“I agree. I can’t stand tepid champagne,” Gabriel replied as he turned to the table and filled a plate with assorted delicacies.
Holding one in his hands, he presented it to her. “Open your mouth,” he commanded.
Her face heating behind her mask, she did, and he pressed a small croquette into her mouth. Some devilish impulse compelled her to close her lips over his fingers, and his sharp intake of breath gave her mischievous satisfaction.
The morsel exploded in her mouth, the creamy filling seducing her tastebuds with fragrant spices.
“Hmm, delicious. You should try some,” she said, running her tongue over her lower lip.
His eyes fastened there, and her lips throbbed with the heat of that gaze.
“Wicked,” he intoned, before taking her hand and peeling her glove off, pulling it off finger by finger with exquisite sensuality.
“Feed it to me,” he commanded when her hand was naked.
Spurred by the sensuality swirling in the air and the heat simmering in her belly, she chose a bite and presented it to him. He grabbed it without breaking eye contact, engulfing her fingers in the moist heat of his mouth, making her sigh when he caressed her digits with his tongue.
Singed, she retrieved her hand, but the naughty smile he threw her promised untold delights still to come.
Still sipping their champagne, they strolled to the other end of the room.
“I have to confess, this is not what I expected,” she told him, speaking in a low voice for his ears only.
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. But something more... decadent. Certainly not this elegant affair. The food and drink are superb. In fact, if not for the masks, and the shadowy corners, and the air of mystery, this could almost pass for a society ball.”
He smirked. “Oh, this is no society ball. This is the tamest of all the entertainments here. I’m sure behind closed doors all sorts of debauchery take place.”
Her eyes opened wide at this new information. “Will you show me?”
A small line appeared on his forehead, half hidden by his mask. “I don’t know if I should. Some of it could be rather... graphic for a lady.”
Oh, this was getting better and better. If she was interested before, now she was positively perishing with curiosity.
“Please, Gabriel. I want to know. I’m a mature woman, not a delicate maiden.”
His hand came up to caress her face. The pad of his thumb brushing over her cheek with delicate tenderness. His gaze warmed her all the way to her toes.
“I know that. But you are deliciously innocent. I’m not sure I want to corrupt you.”
Emboldened by the seductive ambiance, she stepped closer, placing her hands on his chest. “A dash of spice can add flavor to a dish. I don’t want to be sickeningly innocent. That could lead to blandness.”
His powerful hands closed over hers on his chest, pressing them closer. “You could never be too sweet for me. And I will never tire of you.”
“Still, I want to learn. Show me, Gabriel.”
His breath stirred her locks and sent heat curling through her body as he pressed his lips to her ear and murmured, “As you wish, Duchess.”
WHAT HAD POSSESSEDhim to bring a decent lady to a place like this? Not only that, but giving her a guided tour of all the decadence going on? He had only attended one of Anjali’s entertainments before and had not partaken of the most risqué activities. He was no prude and enjoyed sex, but wholesale debauchery was not his style.
