When we started down the grand staircase, I admired the enormous crystal chandelier over our heads. “I can’t believe how posh this place is,” I remarked.
Hudson grinned. “Oh darling, you haven’t seen grand until you see Archie’s parents’ place in Exeter.”
“It’s pretentiously posh,” Archie agreed.
“Then it’s settled. I’m coming with you guys next time.”
Since the two were always trying to get me to travel more, they both nodded in agreement. The truth was that their need for me to travel was more about me leaving my responsibilities behind. But that was much easier said than done.
While some guests congregated in what appeared to be a library and then a sitting room, most of the masked and costumed crowd spilled out into the massive foyer with its marble floors and walls. When a waiter started past me with a silver tray, I grabbed a flute of champagne. Both Hudson and Archie followed suit.
Erotic energy buzzed in the air. The kind that raised the hairs on your arms and the back of your neck. At the same time, my core ached with a growing need that I knew would only be satisfied once my Masked Man claimed me.
With a seductive smile at Archie, Hudson said, “I think it’s time I went shopping for our prey.”
Archie and Hudson loved double-teaming their prey, and they took turns picking their entertainment for the evening.
With a playful slap to Hudson’s ass, Archie said, “Find us a highly fuckable one.”
“My pleasure.”
He then headed into the throng of people surrounding us. Although predators eyed me and my ribbon, they didn’t make the move to ask for it. After a few minutes of this behavior, I started to think there was something wrong with the way I looked this evening.
I was just about to ask Archie about it when he sucked in an exaggerated breath. “Fucking hell, it’s him.”
With my gaze spinning wildly around the room, I asked, “Who?”
“The Beast.”
I blinked at him. “Excuse me?”
Leaning over, Archie whispered into my ear, “The giant bloke over in the shadows.”
As nonchalantly as I could, I narrowed my eyes and focused in on the dark corners of the massive room. When I finally saw him, every molecule in my body shuddered to a stop. A tremble ricocheted through my body at the electrical refiring of my brain before sending a pulsing hum between my thighs.
Even though his face was hidden behind a silver skull mask that gleamed in the light, he had to be the most beautiful specimen of a man I’d ever laid eyes on. Instead of the typical medieval knight, he’d chosen to wear a Stryder costume fromLord of the Rings. The long black cloak with the hood pulled up only added to his mystery and sexiness.
Peeking out from his cloak, jet black hair fell across the top of the mask–the silky kind that made my fingers twitch withthe need to tug and grip the strands. Multicolored ink started at his jawline and swirled down into the collar of his tunic. Despite being surrounded by oversized antique furniture, he was massive with his bulging biceps, thick thighs, and a broad chest.
“You weren’t kidding when you called him a giant,” I practically panted.
“He could throw me around one-handed,” Archie remarked.
Even though Archie was muscular, I didn’t doubt for a second that he was right. You didn’t see men built like the Beast outside of the military…or maybe pro wrestling.
Cocking his brows at me, Archie said, “Can you see now why he’s legendary on the hunt scene?”
“Oh I won’t argue that he’s not the most impressive man I’ve seen both in and outside of hunts.”
“I feel there’s a but you’re not adding.”
Grinning, I replied, “It’s more that I didn’t know there were celebrity predators,” I mused around the mouth of my champagne flute.
Archie shot me a look. “I’m serious. We’re talking about a bloke who after five years in the scene, I’ve only heard rumors about. Like I thought he was a hunting urban legend.”
With a snort, I asked, “How have you never run into him before?”
“He never seems to come to Pennsylvania events.” He leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Rumor has it he’s like a politician or someone who doesn’t want to be found out, so he goes out of the area.”
