Fuck, he looked good. All the heat in my body dropped straight to my lower half.
Why did he have to look like that? Even with his face covered, I could recognize him instantly. That blond hair falling over the full-face mask that he clearly favored. Metal, though light enough to move with him. Probably uncomfortable as shit.
Wonder where he got it.
The jawline was pointed and unmistakably masculine. It had this strange elegance to it that didn’t match his personality at all.Never judge a book by its cover, they say.Cezar was still a pervert.
Dark red details broke up the black of his suit. It had this vintage Victorian pattern to it. The fabric, silky like my dress, caught the light when he moved. The jacket had a subtle textured pattern too, running from the shoulders to the neck, like dragon scales along the sleeves.
He is so extra…
The tie he wore had red roses on it. Subtle as a damn billboard. Or maybe I was reading too much into it. As I watched him from the corner of my eye, he strolled to the bar and grabbed a couple of drinks.
I wonder if he is here with anyone?
Sitting there stealing glances only made it worse. And of course, the one time he had to look my way, our eyes met. Briefand too familiar. The bartender set my drink down, and I was quick to take advantage of the interruption.
I pushed to my feet, intent on being anywhere else in the room, but Cezar blocked my path.
Fuck.
“Care to dance?” He extended his hand, and I could practically feel that insufferable smirk hiding behind the mask.
I didn’t want to act suspicious. There was no way he knew it was me. He was probably just a horn dog looking for a warm body to grind on.
“Sure,” I replied, lowering my voice just enough to try to throw him off.
To my surprise, he was a good dancer. I wasn’t exactly skilled, but Dorin had taught me enough to fake my way through tonight. I stepped on Cezar’s toes a few times, but he didn’t say a word. I wouldn’t look at him either, even though I could feel his piercing gaze burning right through me.
A dance for the damned.
The atmosphere grew warm as he moved my body with his, his stare locked onto me like I was the only person in the room. Cezar was intense in every encounter we’d ever had. Probably like that with every woman.
Pissed. Wait, why do I care about that?
“Your dress—elegant, sexy. Suits you.” His voice was low and raspy, sending an unwelcome shiver down my spine.
I wanted to ask what exactly “suits you” meant. My figure? Typical man.
“Thanks.” The word came out barely above a whisper as I kept my head tucked close to his chest, forcing myself not to look at him.
He smells so nice.
His hand traveled down the middle of my back, unhurried and deliberate. Heat followed in its wake. When he reached theslit in my dress, he paused at the top of it, his body crowding mine. I could hear his breathing. If not for that mask, I’d feel it too.
“Is this an invite,Petal?” he growled in my ear, his hand gripping my bare leg.
My face burned, thankfully hidden from view. I didn’t move. Deep down, I didn’t really want to.
“H-how did you know it was me?” I murmured, my voice hushed and a little shaky.
Get your shit together!
“How could I not? Those captivating eyes… You’ll be etched into my memory forever. Every god damn beautiful detail,” he replied, lifting my chin.
His icy blue stare cut right through me; the glint of his scar barely visible. Time slowed, or maybe I just forgot everything else for a second. Then his gaze moved slightly to the right.
A gentle pressure guided me aside. Screams erupted across the room, and a rush of memories from that night slammed into me. My mind spun, telling me to breathe, to calm down, to hold it together.
