She humphed at the glib explanation, but then they were inside the house. At first glance, she still saw no signs of impropriety. It seemed as if a perfectly respectable gathering was taking place. She passed tastefully decorated rooms. Men and women in elegant gowns and suits conversed and music was drifting down the corridor.
“Would you like to check out the ballroom? Maybe you’d honor me with a dance?”
“That would be lovely, yes.”
He led her down the corridor to a set of double doors, and footmen standing on each side opened them. Inside, the ballroom was exquisite. Done in tones of gold and burgundy. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, sparkling with candles, but the light was subdued, as if to keep the secrets of the attendees.
He smoothly glided her onto the dance floor and spun her about to the strains of a waltz. It didn’t take her long to surmise he was a superb dancer. One who moved with effortless grace and provided a strong lead.
“I love the way you feel in my arms.” He looked at her with half-lidded eyes and her heart stuttered, and then galloped.
“You are holding me too close.” Now why was her voice coming a bit breathless? It had to be the effect of the dance.
His head dipped, and his lips brushed her ear as he replied. “Not nearly as close as I would want to.”
She stumbled a bit, but his arms held her securely, his feet never faltering as he covered her misstep.
“You are flirting,” she accused, but it came out imbued in wonderment.
“You sound surprised. I’m dancing with a gorgeous woman, in a place designed for seduction and decadence. What else am I to do?”
“Behave,” she admonished. “This is just an exploratory excursion for me. I’m not looking to be seduced.”
“Maybe it’s me who is being seduced. By your perfume, your velvety voice. Those plush lips...” he groaned. “Don’t bite them.”
“Bite them?” She had not realized she did that.
“Yes. Right now, you sank your teeth into your lower lip. And I can’t stand it. I want to bite it myself. And then soothe it with my tongue.”
She released her lip with a gasp and turned her face to meet his gaze. The music swirled around them, their bodies moving in unison with the torrent of melody. But their gazes locked, engaged in a different kind of dance. Unfortunately, that brought their mouths entirely too close. Those heavy-lidded eyes settled on her mouth, and her lips tingled as if he were touching them.
Slowly, his head dipped a bit more until their lips almost touched. Their breaths mingled. He was going to kiss her any moment now. And she was powerless to resist him. But he surprised her again by not doing that.
“Kiss me,” he begged, instead. Leaving the decision in her hands. As if she could deny him. Her face lifted the last fraction, and she pressed her mouth to his. His lips were warm, and so soft. She had not expected lips that looked so sculpted and firm to be so pliant. Their velvety texture invited her to explore. Going on instinct alone, she rubbed her lips against his.
He groaned, and his hold on her tightened, bringing their bodies flush. The kiss deepened as he took possession of her mouth. The floor beneath her seemed to dip and undulate. She was positive she would have fallen if not for his powerful arms supporting her.
His mouth was demanding, his lips sliding sensuously across hers, sucking at her lower lip. Then a soft bite had her groaning and opening her mouth. He took advantage of the opening to plunder her mouth with his tongue. She was glad she had never experienced a kiss before. Glad she didn’t know what it involved. If someone else had tried to do this, she would have objected. But with him...the caress of his mouth provoked a hunger in her. He kissed the same way he danced. With uncompromising command, with elegant grace and ultimate expertise.
His tongue teased hers, seducing, inviting it to play. Timidly, she touched her tongue to his, and his deep groan of satisfaction provoked a corresponding arousal in her. She didn’t know when they had stopped dancing, but she found herself pressed between a wall and his hard body. Their ragged breaths, straining bodies and devouring mouths, were her only reality. She had never imagined a kiss could be so carnal. So all-encompassing.
He tried to pull back. She wouldn’t have it. Grabbing his lapels to hold him to her, she captured his lower lip with her teeth and bit it. Hard. He merely growled and lifted her off her feet with his hands on her bottom and carried her from the ballroom.
She had an impression of shadowy corridors and dark alcoves. When he set her down, their gazes locked and the energy pulsing between them was a tangible thing.
She looked away, breaking the connection. Afraid of it. He let her escape. For now.
“Had enough? Would you like to get out of here now?”
Her gaze snapped back to him. “Already? I have barely seen anything!”
His eyes narrowed. “Would you like to do a bit of exploring, then?”
“Yes, I’d love that,” she replied breathlessly.
He took her hand and guided her through a door and into another corridor. This one was dimly lit and lined with small alcoves on both sides. “I believe you wanted to observe?”
“Y-yes?”
