a parlor. The room had soft blue wallpaper, and the furniture was all soft tones of wood. It was a very peaceful space, complete with an enormous library.
Rush settled on a loveseat and patted the space next to him when Chantal hesitated before sitting so close to him.
“I won’t bite very hard, love. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“That’s what the big bad wolf would say,” Chantal quipped, putting her hands on her hips. She narrowed her eyes at him, but her lips were curled into a smile.
Rush’s laughter was smooth. He flipped off his mask. “Would the big bad wolf show his face?”
Chantal forgot how her brain worked.
She also forgot how to speak, how to breathe, and how not to stare.
It was impossible to do all of those things. Rush was hands down the most handsome man she had ever seen. She had known he would be handsome. He had a square and defined jaw. Now that she was getting the full effect of his features, she felt breathless. His long nose was masculine but delicate. His scruff added a wild quality to his otherwise perfect face.
Rush leaned back into the loveseat, studying her carefully. “I notice that you didn’t reciprocate and take off your mask. Must I earn the privilege of looking at your face as well as earning your name?”
“Yes. I’m still not sure you aren’t a big bad wolf.”
This time, when he laughed, it was a deep belly laugh. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto the seat next to him. “You’re amusing, Chacha. I haven’t laughed in a very long time. I think that means you have earned two personal questions.”
“You still have not asked one,” she pointed out.
“I’m keeping it for the opportune moment.”
His answer was silk on her senses. It was erotic, and teasing, and all kinds of things Chantal wanted to explore. She didn’t mean to, but she found that she was leaning into Rush.
“Why did you take off your mask?” she asked.
“So I could do this,” he answered, his head dipping low.
Then?
Well, then Rush kissed her.
Chapter Seven
Rush
Chacha gasped into the kiss.
He knew he was pushing some kind of human boundary he shouldn’t have crossed. But the scent of her desire had been driving him half-insane with lust. She had wanted to be kissed. He knew that much. Besides, she was thoroughly kissing him back. More than that, her tongue was moving against his, and she was clutching his dress shirt, anchoring him to her.
Rush slowly pulled away, earning him a sad, confused pout from Chacha. “I should apologize. I should not have done that without asking if it was all right. Forgive me.”
“Oh, it’s—” She blushed from hairline to cleavage. The color was so alluring, he was sure she could see the outline of his erection in his tuxedo pants. “It’s fine,” she whispered, running her fingertips across her swollen lips.
“I do not regret the kiss. I should have been more of a gentleman about it, though.” He cupped her cheek, his eyes boring into hers. “Now, I’ll use one of my personal questions and trade it in for something else, if you will allow.” He watched her pupils dilate, her throat work on a swallow. He knew the answer before he asked, “May I kiss you again, Chacha?”
She didn’t respond. Instead, the mysterious woman grabbed his collar and brought him down to her. Her lips were parted and waiting for him. She might have instigated the kiss, but he quickly took control of it. His hand trailed up to tangle in her hair. Whatever hairdo she had was thoroughly ruined. Long tendrils of wavy brown curls tumbled down, basking them in the sweet scent of honey. It was so intoxicating, Rush groaned into Chacha’s mouth.
Deep inside himself, he heard his wolf howling in pleasure. Mate, we’re kissing our mate, the wolf shouted over and over again. The feeling of her body pressed against his was heavenly in a way he couldn’t have predicted. It was so right. It was so good.
But, of course, his mate would end up being a wealthy lady. Someone who was from the world with which he had a bizarre relationship.
He would deal with that later.
First, he wanted to soak up everything that was Chacha. She didn’t want to give him her name. Fine, he would work for it. She didn’t want to take off her mask yet. That was perfectly all right. He would work for that too.
He wouldn’t just get her