are you friends with Tinsley Constantine?”
“Not friends, no. I know her from social gatherings. Our families are old money as you guessed. My friends aren’t part of our circles…” I drifted off, realizing I was giving away too much.
“Good choice. You’ll never find friends here.”
I regarded him, surprised by his words that reflected my own thoughts. Shadows played on his square jaw, and I felt the urge to trail my tongue over it.
“Wondering what lies beneath the mask?” he murmured.
“Yes, but I’m glad I don’t know. I prefer the anonymity.”
“Allows you to take risks you wouldn’t usually take and to show your true colors.”
I didn’t get the chance to reply before he turned to me and kissed me again. My lips parted immediately, wanting to taste and feel him. He shoved down my corset and pulled out of our kiss, admiring my breasts. My nipples stuck out in the cool evening air. “The prettiest nipples I’ve ever seen.”
He bent down to nibble and lick my breasts. My eyes scanned our surroundings, worried we could be seen, or heard…because Dark wasn’t being silent about devouring my breasts.
Dark chuckled against my nipple. “Relax.”
I rested against the cushioned backrest. Dark leaned over me, cupping my cheek. For a second, I thought he’d shove my mask off, and part of me wanted to reveal my true self to him, but that would have been foolish.
Dark came closer, his lips brushing mine before he sucked at my lower lip and dipped his tongue into me once more. I could barely focus from the pounding between my legs. My panties were soaked completely from this mysterious stranger’s ministrations.
“Dark,” I pressed out. Dark’s kiss had left me breathless and disoriented.
“I’m hungry for your sweetness, Gigi,” he growled into my ear.
“I’m not into bloodletting,” I got out.
His tongue darted along the outer rim of my ear. “I’m not talking about that kind of sweetness, my dear. I’m talking about that sweet juice dripping out of you as we speak.”
Coming from his dangerous lips, ‘my dear’ sounded like a threat.
Heat flooded my body when the meaning of his words set in.
I wasn’t officially engaged yet, even if a yes was obligatory. It wasn’t even my choice. Mr. Chanler might be able to buy my hand in marriage, but he wouldn’t get any of those damn firsts he wanted.
Dark stood, easily keeping his balance on the swaying gondola. He knelt at my feet and grabbed the hem of my sweeping dress. I covered my exposed breasts with my hands as if protecting my modesty was still an option at this point. I bit my lip when he pressed a hot, wet kiss to my ankle before he trailed up my calf, his head disappearing under my skirt. His antlers held the fabric up for him, and for a crazy moment I wondered if that’s why he had chosen his mask. Soon his back too disappeared under my skirt. I couldn’t see him anymore. But I could hear him…and God, feel him.
His finger brushed my soaked panties before he pushed them aside, laying me bare. No embarrassment came. This was a night for revelry, a night of no regrets. I’d never see him again. His breath ghosted over my swollen flesh, and he took a deep breath.
I curled my fingers over the rail, clinging to the smooth wood in silent anticipation. His fingers hooked in my waistband, and he dragged down my panties. I lifted my feet so he could discard them.
“Your pussy smells divine. I wish I could see it in all its glory. But now I’m going to feast on you.”
And feast he did. His tongue traced my slit, dipping between my pussy lips to taste me. He licked me like I was an ice-cream cone, with pleasure, languidly. He never touched my clit as he lapped at me. Still, the teasing of his tongue against my sensitive flesh brought me closer and closer to release. I’d touched myself plenty of times and even occasionally fingered myself, but this was something else entirely.
I started working my nipples, something I’d never done before but now every tug of my fingers increased my lust. Every inch of my skin was hypersensitive. My core clenched, so close to release, but Dark pulled back and lightly traced my outer labia with his thumb.
I huffed. “I was about to come.”
“I know, but it’s too soon. I don’t want you to come yet, my dear. Your body needs to learn to savor pleasure.” His tongue