CHAPTERFOUR
I grasped the length of my dress and lifted the hem to my ankles. I was a flash of diamonds and silk as I raced past them, my heart in my throat. My long legs took me to the staircase in seconds.
I glanced back to see if the beast was following.
But Cassander and Poppy were in an animated discussion, their heads close together as they conspired. My eyes widened of their own accord when the situation only proved more dire. Mr. King’s intimidating presence made itself known, the corporate high king walking out of the party onto the balcony, his eyes homing in on Cassander and Poppy in surprised confusion at their blatant, heated discussion.
Poppy peered directly at her lover, as if she could feel his mere gaze upon her, and waved him over with quickly fluttering hands, demanding his attendance in the argument.
I didn’t hesitate any longer.
I grabbed the marble railing of the stairs and ran down the curved structure as fast as I could. Quick glances behind me kept them in my sights, all three individuals now talking in tones that were more subdued. My heels clicked on the marble stairs in a rapid rhythm that matched the beat of my frantic heart.
Click-click, click-click, click-click.
With one last furtive glance at the balcony, no one giving chase yet, my hand slipped off the railing. I lost my balance and toppled down the last step.
Strong, warm hands caught my shoulders as I fell forward, the tops of my shoes dragging along the atrium tiling from my forward motion. My forehead smacked against a broad, muscled shoulder as I clutched at the gray tuxedo covering a massive male frame. The top of my dress strained against my chest with each labored and panicked breath I took.
I wanted to cling to my savior who had protected me from a header into the unforgiving ground. His intoxicating smell invaded my entire sphere of reality. Sunshine and snow, the dawn during the winter’s first snowfall. I kept my face against his shoulder as I regained my footing, my shaking fingers digging into the lapels of the fine material, his tux even softer than my father’s.
Whoever he was, he was warm. Safe.
He slowly released his grip on my arms to slide his palms carefully around my body, holding me close as I trembled in his embrace.
He dipped his head down to mine, his mouth against the side of my head, probing softly, “Are you okay, miss?”
I gasped in air, attempting to regulate my out-of-control breathing. The shudder that tormented my body was all encompassing, the man’s arms tightening around me as if he could rip the fear right from my soul.
One of his hands slid up and down, up and down my back as he soothed me. He inhaled against my hair, his face still against mine.
Surprised, he mumbled, “This is probably inappropriate to say given the situation, but you smell absolutely decadent. Are you wearing perfume that’s been modified for aphrodisiac results?”
My eyelashes fluttered against his tuxedo. I couldn’t control the bubble of soft, hysterical laughter that erupted. I shook my head against his shoulder, and panted my reply, “This night’s one fucked up mess.”
He pressed his nose closer against my hair, sniffing again. “So that’s a no to an enhanced perfume?”
“That’s a no.”
His lips brushed my temple, purring, “Tell me your name.”
To hell with propriety.
His strong body was paradise to rest against.
“Mina.”
“Last name?”
“Kramer.”
His palm continued to rub my back, the tremors in my frame lessening under his care. “Aren’t you going to ask me mine?”
My breathing calmed with his touch. “What is your name, sir?”
Easy and sultry. “Finn Baker.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “Hell on earth.”
