When someone brushed against him, spilling his drink, his rage almost erupted.
"Sorry mate." The idiot was obviously drunk and clueless, unaware how close Ed was to smashing the glass into his stupid face. "Sorry." He repeated, the grin slipping as he stared at Ed and backed away.
Smiling tightly to ease the fear and wariness that had come over the man, Ed nodded to show his acceptance of the apology and followed up with reassuring words.
"Great party, huh?"
The wariness disappeared from the other man's face. With a cheerful nod, he toddled on his way. The smile was wiped off Ed's face immediately.
Swearing under his breath at the mess the fool had made, he plucked out a starched and ironed handkerchief from his breast pocket and meticulously wiped his fingers off.
Lifting his head, he noticed to his consternation that the couple were nowhere to be seen.
He kept his attention fixed on the swirling mass of dancers, each couple a reminder of what he'd lost, or never truly had. The music's infectious rhythm failed to move him. Instead, every beat echoed the agitation simmering just beneath his calm facade.
He flexed his hand around the glass, jaw clenched, silently counting down the minutes until he could slip out without drawing a single eye.
"We'll be missed." She was trying to bat his very busy hands away as they tried to pull the shoulders of her top off. "Or you'll be. And your parents. What would they be thinking?"
"That I need to be alone with you." He had successfully exposed one rounded breast. "Dancing with you stirred my juices. I had to get out of there." A groan sounded in his throat as he cupped the flesh.
"Anything stirs you up. Really Oscar, this is ridiculous."
"I just need a minute. Christ baby, you're naked under this thing."
"You saw me getting dressed." She reminded him.
"No. I was distracted. Had to take a call, remember?" His thumb was drawing circles around the rigid nipple.
"The door."
"Is locked. I just need a few minutes." Lifting her up, he put her on the desk and pushed her back. "Just a taste." He felt as if his head was about to explode.
The words she had been about to utter died inside her throat as he seized the nipple between his teeth. Desire blossomed and flowed ruthlessly through her body, leaving her weak.
"Make it quick." She moaned.
"I can be quick." Oscar hesitated for a heartbeat, his breath hot against her skin, then surrendered to the ache that pulsed between them. The room was thick with the scent of perfume and anticipation, muffling the distant throb of music from the party beyond.
For a fleeting moment, nothing else existed, just the hush of whispered names and the feverish press of hands seeking reassurance in stolen intimacy.
"Hey!" The strident Irish voice had him jolting. "What the bloody hell are you doing back here?"
Steadying himself with difficulty, Ed turned to face the giant of a man with a charming apologetic smile. "I was looking for the rest room."
Eric stared at the wide moon face with narrowed eyes. "There are several on the ground floor. This is off limits."
"I can only apologize. The lines for the ones downstairs were pretty long and I had the urge. But I'll just make my way back. Sorry again."
For a few pulsing seconds, it seemed as if the man didn't believe him. Ed felt his heart hammering inside his chest as he wondered frantically if he was going to be discovered. Then with a curt nod, the giant gestured towards the stairs.
Forcing himself not to clamber along, Ed made his way back down, his palms sweaty, his rage stunning.
Chapter 7
The murderous expression on his face gave her a jolt.
"He was in the bloody club. Right there, close enough to leave this, this note." He gestured towards the plain envelope that sat on the table. "Who the hell is this person? We have cameras everywhere."
