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"Oh, I'm sure you have. But I rather like the idea of keeping you to myself."

I stepped closer.

She slipped her phone into her bag and looked up at me.

"May I have one last kiss?"

I caught her gently at the waist.

"One?"

Her smile turned wicked.

"Perhaps two."

I kissed her until her fingers had tangled in my hair again and her little white wings were brushing the edge of my forearm.

Her phone buzzed, announcing that the car was approaching.

Everly glanced at the screen and sighed.

"That's my ride."

I walked with her toward the suite door.

She paused beside the console where I'd left the key card, turning to look at me one final time.

"There," she said, straightening my black mask with gentle fingers. "I want to remember you just like this." Then her expression softened.

"Thank you for tonight," she said. "I didn't realize how badly I needed to do something entirely for myself."

I touched her cheek.

"I'm glad you chose to spend it with me."

"So am I."

She stepped closer and kissed me once more, then drew back before either of us could suggest another reason for her to stay.

"Goodnight, mysterious stranger."

"Goodnight, beautiful."

I opened the door and watched her walk into the corridor. The soft carpet muffled her footsteps, and the little white wings moved gently against the back of her dress.

At the corner, she looked over her shoulder.

I was still standing in the doorway.

She gave me a smile that promised she'd remember tonight for a very long time.

Then she disappeared around the bend toward the elevators.

I remained there until the faint chime announced the elevator's arrival, then closed the door.

Everly was gone, taking her ridiculous little white wings, that beautiful smile, and a substantial portion of my self-control with her.

I returned to the bedroom, where the scent of her perfume lingered among the rumpled sheets. Beyond the windows, moonlight silvered the harbor, and the distant music from the ballroom drifted through the old hotel's walls.