people. It would go against etiquette.
I found a comfortable bench in a side corridor and sank down on it. I released a sigh when I slid my heels off. My feet were red, and blisters were forming at my toes. I shouldn’t have worn new shoes for a night of standing and dancing.
Footsteps alerted me that someone was coming, and I looked up to see Danilo rounding the corner, a look of concern on his face. He relaxed visibly when he spotted me.
“Worried I’d run off?” I said with a small smile.
He sat down beside me and surprised me by taking my foot and massaging it. I leaned back and moaned under my breath. “Sorry, this just feels too good.”
Danilo shook his head and bestowed the same treatment on my other foot. The look he gave me was intense, and soon the simple massage felt like more than a way to ease my pain.
It was silent in this part of the hotel. The banquet room was a good distance away and the restrooms were in the other direction. Danilo set down my foot and cupped my face. I scooted over to him, and our mouths crashed together.
I lost myself in the kiss, in Danilo’s warmth and taste. He hoisted me onto his lap, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, sinking even deeper into the kiss. His erection dug into my ass, stirring up my own need. So much for changing panties.
“Shit,” someone muttered.
Danilo and I jerked apart. Anna stood a few steps from us. She sent me a look that made it clear she wanted details, then slowly backed away with a fake sheepish expression. Before she turned the corner, she winked at me.
Danilo made a low sound in his throat. “She’s getting annoying.”
“You can’t blame her. You haven’t given her much reason to like you.”
“I’m trying to make up for my past transgressions,” Danilo said as he kissed my throat.
I closed my eyes, letting his mouth work its magic. “We should return to the party before people get suspicious.”
“Let them get suspicious. We’re married. We can do whatever we please. What we do in private is our business.”
Goosebumps rose on my skin as I considered the options.
I scooted off his lap before I could lose myself completely, but Danilo caught my wrist and pulled me down so he could murmur in my ear. “How are those panties? Soaking wet?”
My eyes widened, surprised by his directness. I wanted to be just as bold. Looking around, I reached under my dress and dragged down my panties. With a coy smile, I stuffed them into his pocket. He froze, and I worried I’d crossed a line, or done something disgusting, then he jerked me against him and kissed me hard. I gasped and pulled away.
“We should get back.”
Danilo shoved his hand into the pocket with my panties and groaned. “Sofia, fuck, what are you doing to me?”
I stepped back. The air against my pussy felt strange. The thought of spending the night bare almost made me regret my little stunt, until I saw Danilo looking at me as if he wanted to devour me.
On our way back to the banquet room, Anna intercepted me. Danilo went ahead as Anna and I made our way to the restroom. The moment we were alone, I blurted, “I’m not wearing panties.” I wasn’t sure what made me say it—perhaps it was the effect of the nervous energy buzzing under my skin since I’d lost the barrier between my throbbing flesh and the air.
Anna’s brown eyebrows shot up. “Good for you!”
I covered my eyes and giggled. “I think I’m losing my mind.”
“All because of a kiss? Or did you two have a quickie in a dark corner before I caught you?” She pulled my hand down, forcing me to meet her curious gaze.
“That was only our second kiss. We haven’t really done more . . . unless you count the party.”
“It doesn’t count,” Anna muttered. “But you two looked awfully cozy, not at all like people who wanted to stop at kissing.”
“I didn’t. I don’t.” I sighed. “I don’t want to rush into things after everything.”
“Then don’t. Or try to separate lust from love. You could start by having great sex with Danilo and then slowly work your way up to an emotional connection.”
“I doubt that’s going to work. I can’t separate sex from emotions.”
“If you say so, but from what I saw I can tell that you won’t be able to resist much