As if sensing me, his hazel eyes turn my way and they send electricity shooting down my spine. He wears a light grey three-piece suit with a white dress shirt that fits him perfectly. He looks like he’s just been pulled out of either a James Bond movie or a GQ magazine.
His eyes never break from mine. He looks hungry, and from the way he starts making his way toward me, it’s clear that tonight he won’t be holding back.
I swallow my nerves and notice that as he gets closer, his metal, gold-plated mask perfectly complements my gown and I’m left speechless. Surely that wasn’t on purpose … right?
Why do I feel so nervous around him? Why am I so desperate for him to take my hand and kiss me as though I’m the only girl in the world? This is the guy who declared he was going to make my life a living hell, he’s the guy who stood back and watched as five guys poured acidic grease all over me, he’s the one who’s made me feel small ever since I got here, yet he’s also the one who has gone out of his way to protect me, stand up for me, save me.
My world is quickly beginning to revolve around him and it scares the ever-loving shit out of me.
Colton steps up in front of me, tall, dark, and oh so fucking handsome. His eyes roam over my face while mine mimics his movements. I swallow hard, feeling my mouth begin to dry. I need to feel my lips on his. It’s been way too long since he kissed me last and I’m quickly beginning to realize that his kiss is my drug and I’m deeply addicted.
As if on instinct, his hand reaches out to mine and I take it willingly, both of us watching with shallow breath as his fingers lace through mine.
What is this?
A throat clears beside us and both our heads whip up to Milo. His eyes are cautiously on mine, a secret message within them asking me what I want to do when it occurs to me that Colton and the rest of the room think that Milo and I are together.
I go to pull my hand free but Colton tightens his grip. He’s not letting go, at least not for the rest of the night.
Colton looks to Milo and somehow it turns into a pissing contest but it doesn’t last long because Colton is a Carrington and he’s been taught from a young age to take what he wants and don’t relent.
Milo bows out while slipping my purse from my hand and I want to curse him while also thanking him but I can’t do either because the second he’s gone, all that exists is Colton.
He tugs gently on my hand and I fall into his side, allowing him to lead me through the room the same way Milo had been doing. His hand falls to my bare back and the heat that comes from his touch is enough to leave my skin burning and desperate for more. The champagne flute is plucked out of my hand and swiftly delivered on to a passing waitresses tray and before I know it, we’re heading for the dance floor.
Colton walks in silence, neither of us knowing what to say. When we reach the dance floor, he spins me into his arms and my hand instantly falls to his wide chest, taking possession as though it was mine to claim. Colton’s arm curls around my lower back and just as he had done earlier, claims me. Our hands find one another’s and just to add a little more confusion to the mix, he pulls me in tight to his body.
I don’t understand this. All this time I thought he was afraid to show the world that there was something—however minimal—between us, yet here he is, displaying it for the world to see. Every one of the wealthy bastards in this town are here tonight and Colton is flaunting the trash their family brought in. It doesn’t make sense but for tonight, I think I can try to forget.
Maybe it’s the masks acting as armor, and making us brave.
My eyes close for a brief second, inhaling and smelling his manly scent that drives me wild. I’ve never smelt anything like it. It’s so naturally him with a splash of greek God.
The music flows through the room and Colton is quick to pick up the rhythm, leading me just as easily as Milo had done at the Black and White party. A million questions rush through my mind but I put each of them aside, refusing to ruin this moment with talk. After all, Colton and I seem overly compatible except for when it comes time to communicate.