Billion Dollar Stranger - Stephanie Brother Page 0,72

journey to find this woman. Through meeting her, I learned that allowing fear to control my life was only holding me back from searching for what I really needed. Learning to trust again has been my greatest awakening, and I know that the love I feel for Nicole will last me to the end of my days.

No longer a stranger, the woman I found in the hotel bar is the other half of my soul.

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1

ANALIE

The ball is in full swing, but I'm lagging behind. I hate to think of myself as being reserved, but this is a work event, not a night out with my friends, so I've been drinking soda for the last hour. I'm just reaching for my first glass of champagne when a deep voice says, "Nice mask."

I turn to find I'm standing in the shadow of a very tall man in an impeccably fitted tuxedo. His broad shoulders are the first thing I notice, then his smile as he looks down at me. It's at that point I realize the reason for his comment; he's wearing a phantom of the opera style mask that conceals half his face, and it's exactly the same as the one that I'm wearing.

The uncovered part is pretty damn gorgeous; one twinkly blue eye, a high cheekbone, smooth tan skin, and a set of luscious lips that my gaze lingers on a little too long. His grin widens as though he knows what I'm thinking, and I curse myself for letting him form the impression that I appreciate him. I curse myself again for feeling a little aroused by his cheeky confidence.

"It's a masked ball," I reply with a shrug. "It was this or one of those glittery masquerade ones, and I can't look at those without thinking of a certain erotic trilogy."

The masked stranger laughs, a deep and infectious chuckle that makes me smile.

"You know you just confessed to reading dirty books?" he says.

Ugh. He got me. I'm not embarrassed, though. "There isn't a woman in here that hasn't read something smutty at some point in their lives." I turn from the drinks table and surveying the ballroom. The Plaza has done a great job in decorating their ballroom for a Halloween fundraiser. There isn't a fake cobweb or glow-in-the-dark skeleton in sight. Instead, they've used dark drapes and twinkling lights to create a perfect backdrop for candle filled pumpkins and huge branches that suspend cascades of golden leaves. The stage is set with giant free-standing candelabras topped by dripping candles that look like something from Dracula's castle. It might be Halloween, but there isn't a ghoulish mask to be seen.

"See that woman," I say, pointing to a woman in her fifties who is swaying by herself in the corner.

"The one in red?" he asks.

"Yeah. I bet her kindle is stuffed with erotica."

"You think?" He doesn't sound sure, and I raise my eyebrow.

"Yeah. Her leather mask is a dead giveaway. She'll be a closet BDSM enthusiast."

The stranger chuckles and drinks some champagne, his tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip in a way that sends a rush of heat between my legs.

"Does it take one to know one?" he asks.

"That would be telling." I try to keep the half of my face that's revealed as straight as possible.

He moves closer and whispers, "Nothing wrong with telling."

Damn. He smells good too like the swankiest section of the best department store's cologne section. He smells expensive and good enough to lick. "We've just met, and you want me to confess my sexual predilections?" I say, feigning shock. It's not like me to be so flirtatious, but there's something about this night and this man that's bringing it out in me. It's an interesting development for sure. I curse my constant need to self-analyze. It's a downside of the job.

"Well, if you really feel like you need to get them off your chest, I'll be more than happy to be a sympathetic ear."

"Oh, you will, will you?" I snort with laughter. "So generous of you."

"What can I say…I have a weakness for a woman in distress?"

I glance to the side, catching the panty-melting grin he's shooting in my direction. God, he's cheeky in the best way, and possibly the worst too. What is it