His gaze burned with a masculine demand behind a gleaming white mask. Hailey stumbled, and her fingers automatically gripped the sleek folds of his cloak as she fought for balance. He drew her closer until every carved muscle of his body pressed against hers. The demanding thrust of his cock settled between her thighs. Her stomach dipped as liquid heat pulsed in demand.
She tried to fight the demands of her body. Heavy, tender breasts. Tight nipples rising to greet him and be freed. Heart beating rapidly in her chest.
Hailey shuddered. “Why did you come?”
A smile touched his lips. His jaw held rough stubble and gave him a more dangerous air. The diamond in his left ear caught the light and glimmered with icy brilliance. “Curiosity. You haven’t satisfied it yet.”
Fear flamed to life. Hailey wondered if he spotted the emotion in her face. “I’m not part of your fantasy, Phantom. I’ll dance with you, but I won’t play your games.”
“Then you’re lying to yourself, sweetness. The moment you put on the mask and stepped through the gates you told me you wanted to play.” His fingers trailed the length of her spine in a gentle caress, which contradicted the hardness in his eyes. “That’s what you’re here for.”
“And what are you here for?” she asked. “You sit in judgement, hiding behind a cloak and a mask while you watch and wait. It’s easy to be cynical of life when you refuse to be in it, Phantom. Perhaps that’s your own secret fear.”
Another man reached out to grab her. Demitris twisted her around to avoid the outstretched arms, and his black cloak swirled around their legs as she was led to the other side of the room.
“You’ve got a sharp tongue,” he said.
“And you’re arrogant.”
Did his face reflect surprise or was that a trick of the light? Hailey wondered if there was anyone who surprised him. Something told her he had lived so long in the shadows, he didn’t know anything else existed.
“I don’t know if I believe you,” he said. “It could be clever words and a clever act. Lies mesh too easily with truth when people play games, and women know that better than anyone.”
“You’re also a chauvinist,” she told him pleasantly.
“Maybe you know who I am. Maybe you decided to play with fire because you feel safe behind a mask.”
Hailey nodded. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Who are you?” he demanded.
She stared at him through the carved eyeholes. She had come tonight to be a different person, but suddenly, she wanted to give him the truth of who she was. For once, safe behind her mask, she wanted to reveal herself to him in a way she never had before. The possibility of such surrender made fear curl and tighten in her stomach. Along with excitement.
“My name is Hailey.”
“What do you want?”
She took a deep breath and plunged. “I want to know you. The person behind the mask, the person inside. And I want you to know me.”
“People never reveal their true selves. They conceal and lie until they don’t know who they are anymore.” His tone held distance; pain. “They only want what they perceive, and when they find the truth, they leave.”
“I want to know you,” she repeated.
He suddenly gripped her arm and dragged her off the dance floor. He turned her around and pointed to the couple on the stairs who writhed in delight. The man had now shoved up the woman’s gown, and her legs lay open to any observer, her pussy pink and wet as the man slid his finger over her. Her cries were swallowed up in the roar of the crowd.
Hailey felt the strength of his rock-hard erection strain against her buttocks. Felt his fingers clamp around her arms. She stiffened, trying to mask her response. Her mind fought the knowledge her body already embraced. She wanted this man, wanted to be claimed by him.
“Do you see them, Hailey?” His voice was a low growl of sound. He slowly pulled her back against him. Lifted her up an inch. Then rocked into her with slow, subtle motions. “That’s what you came here for tonight. And I intend to give you everything you want. But first we set up the rules of the game.”
“What rules?”
“You’ll tell me everything. No lies, no half-truths, no denials. You must lay yourself bare and open as that woman’s legs, and let me do whatever I want to you. You’ll answer every one of my questions. Obey my every command for the whole time you’re here. And on the last night, I’ll let you choose. You can walk away without ever seeing my face. Or you can unmask and I will do the same.”
Her body shook. Her gaze was trained on the couple. She struggled to draw air into her lungs. “I have to give you everything?” Hailey repeated.
“Everything.”
She paused. Then craned her head around to face him. “Why make a bargain with me? There’s plenty of women here who’ll do whatever you want without hesitation.”
