he was owed that too. When they reached the bar, he said to the waiting bartender, “An unopened bottle of your best.”
The bartender responded without question, dropping a new bottle of champagne in front of Rhys, along with two glasses. Within minutes, Rhys had popped the cork, poured the glasses, and offered one to Zoey before adding to the bartender, “Whenever Ms. Parker would like a drink tonight, open a new bottle for her and pour the drink in front of her.”
“Yes, sir,” the bartender said then strode off to the next customer.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Zoey said, color rising to her cheeks.
“Yes, I did,” Rhys said, leaning an elbow against the bar. “You deserve to enjoy a couple fine drinks as much as everyone else here.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but those are my issues—”
Rhys had his arms around her, pulling her close. “Issues that are the result of trauma. You’re not asking; I’m offering.” He lifted his glass, wanting to show her that real men earned trust. “To a fun night.”
She smiled softly, a new warmth in her gaze that made his chest expand, and clanged her glass with his. “To a fun night.”
After she took a sip, he placed his glass back on the bar and drew her close again. “I’d like you to stay a little later after your friends leave tonight. I can drive you back to Brooklyn later.”
“Oh,” she said, wide-eyed. “So, you don’t just plan on teasing me all night?”
“Never,” he said, licking his lips when she licked hers. Damn, that mouth tempted him. Her innocence seeped into the air around him, tasting sweet and eager. “Ask them to leave at midnight, all right?”
“Okay,” she said. “Am I in for a good surprise tonight, then?”
He lowered his hand from the small of her back to her bottom, pressing her against his erection. “A surprise? Most definitely.” He dropped a soft, teasing kiss against her lips. “Midnight, Zoey, that’s when our game will begin.”
He leaned away and grinned a slightly dark smile when he caught the arousal in her expression. To move things along in the right direction for their night ahead, he turned away and chuckled to himself at her loud gasp when he set the vibrator to full speed.
Chapter 10
Shortly after midnight when the party ended and all the voices grew quiet, Zoey felt the energy shift in the air. Elise and Hazel had gone home, and so had half of the people in attendance. Zoey had said goodbye to her friends in the circular driveway as they hopped in the chauffeured car Rhys had arranged for the night. When she strode back toward the house, a security guard met her there. One she’d seen working at Phoenix before. He gave her a gentle smile and handed her a black metal butterfly mask. “Rhys requested you wear this tonight.” He gestured down the lit pathway that led into the forest. “Follow it until it forks then go right.”
Zoey glanced down the long stone path and smiled at him. “Thanks.” Her stomach danced with nerves as she tied on her mask and followed the cobblestone path, but halfway down, she stopped short. Erotic moans filled the air, all blending together like a beautiful song.
“Zoey.”
The low vibration of Rhys’ voice hummed nearby. She glanced back, finding him striding toward her, wearing only his black dress slacks, a gold mask on his face. His gorgeous body glistened with the soft hue coming from the gaslit lanterns. Every muscle flexed and moved with his long strides. He looked like a warrior that belonged in another century, ready to defend and protect against any threat. When he got close, he turned on the vibrator again, and a strangled moan broke from her throat, her knees weakening.
“You don’t play fair,” she said when he reached her. She’d never been so sensitive before. Maybe that was his intent.
“I never said I would play fair,” he murmured, taking her hand and leading her forward, continuing around the bend of the pathway.
The night was a perfect mix of warm and dry, and when they broke free from the forest and entered a clearing, Zoey couldn’t stop her surprised gasp. Not because of the light buzz against her clit, sending shock waves of pleasure through her, but in the middle of the clearing was a large round cushion a few feet off the ground. On it, dozens of men and women were engaging in every type of sexual act Zoey