A half smile settled on his full lips. “Because you came looking for me. You made me want you.”
She closed her eyes and tried to clear her head. Tried to think of the implications of such a bargain. “I did no such thing and you still didn’t answer the question. You want more than just one night of sex. You want...”
“I want it all.” Her eyes flew open. He pulled her harder against him and forced his cock between her ass cheeks until she fell forward, unbalanced. Forced her to breathe in the masculine scents of musk and spice and soap; to cradle his iron hard thighs. Forced her to imagine those carved lips taking his pleasure over her body; to match each demanding thrust of his tongue and still ask for more.
“Aren’t you tired of hiding? When was the last time you exposed yourself to a lover - gave him a glimpse of your inner soul without the fear he’ll walk away? One year ago? Five years ago? Ever?”
She tried to turn away from the raw words whispered against her ear, but he grasped her chin between his fingers. “I want to know who you are. Use your mask to hide your face and feel safe, but give me the truth. I’m tired, too.” His voice grew weary; distant. “I want to see beyond the surface just this once. We have the opportunity of a lifetime right before us, we can both be ourselves and still be safe.”
She turned to meet his gaze. “And what about you, Phantom? I’m supposed to be vulnerable while you give nothing?”
“I’ll answer any question you ask. Give you every fantasy you have ever wanted. Isn’t that enough?”
Still, she hesitated.
“I promise I won’t hurt you. Everything we do together will be for your pleasure. But there will no halfway. All or nothing.”
At that moment, everything broke free within her. Her fantasy had been granted. She could explore the hidden parts of her sexuality with a man she desired. She could open herself up to this person in all the ways she had hidden over the years. Another man would finally know who she was – her body and soul. After being locked away in emotional isolation for her whole life – Ciro Demitris had offered the key to freedom.
But, God, what a price.
An icy chill raced down her spine and threw her into a panic. The taunting voices of her parents took hold – warning her to step back before it was too late. The image of her own night of personal heartbreak passed before her eyes. She would get hurt. He could use her and laugh and she would be alone again, except this time without pride and steeped in humiliation. What if she showed him everything she was and it wasn’t enough? What if he played a cruel game for his amusement? He would strip both her body and soul bare, and she’d be helpless against him.
The thoughts tangled in her mind like a whirling cyclone.
Then, Hailey realized she had nothing more to lose.
She was already alone and afraid to venture into any intimate relationships. This was her time to take a chance and believe in herself. She was so tired of being fearful of every twist and turn life threw out. She had done everything her parents had asked; she had been a good girl. But tonight was an opportunity to let her body fly; to selfishly take pleasure and revel in it. She could not walk away from this gift thrown at her feet.
“I need your answer. Will you give yourself to me until the masquerade is over?”
His hips continued the slow rocking, and liquid heat pulsed between her legs. She arched backward in a blatant invitation, and gave him her answer.
“Yes. I’ll do what you ask.”
His breath hissed behind her. Without words, he took her hand and led her up to the room she had found him in. He shut the heavily carved door and stared at her in the sudden silence.
Haily faced him, ready for wherever the night took her.
CHAPTER THREE
God, she was stunning.
Theodore stared as she stood in the center of the room, her shimmering blue dress falling to the floor, fiery red waves of hair spilling down her back. Her long white fingers clenched and unclenched in both anticipation and fear. Finally, he’d be able to satisfy this primal craving to claim her. She was his for the next three nights and would obey every command. The bargain made not only gave him her body, but her inner soul.
It was more than he’d ever expected.
“Do you want me to undress?”
A smile touched his lips at her faintly trembling voice. “I’d like to ask you a few questions first. When was the last time you had a man fuck you?”
She jerked back at the crude word, but Theo caught the gleam of excitement she couldn’t seem to hide. Yes. She liked dirty talk, but was afraid to indulge.
“It’s been a few years,” she said.
He lifted an eyebrow in surprise, then took a few graceful steps toward her. “Your choice?”
“Yes.”
