I followed the flash of crystals outside, onto the balcony above the hedge maze outside. The moon hung in the sky, swollen with the late time of night and shining brightly on the beautifully lit gardens below it. It was like a scene from a fairytale, and the gardens sparkled in the moonlight like they never had before.
And that was when I finally saw her.
A princess, leaning on the balcony, looking at the magical scene below her with wonder. She wore a mask that hid her face, but I would recognize her in a sea of people—not just by her scent, but the effect her presence had on me, making me crave her more badly than ever. I approached her slowly, my intent so clearly visible the other couple on the balcony fled back inside. They knew I wanted her alone, and they knew better than to stick around.
“Ella,” I spoke out, my voice rough and needy as she turned around to face me.
It was undoubtedly her. I saw it in the tremble of her fingers as she gripped the balcony railing, in the way she licked her lips nervously as I approached her.
“No point in hiding now, princess,” I told her roughly. “I’m here to collect you.”
I reached for her hand and she let me have it. I left a fleeting kiss on the top of it, and she pulled back with restraint I sure as fuck wasn’t exhibiting myself.
“I’m so glad you came,” I told her. “I’ve been looking for you for hours…”
“I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it,” she whispered, smoothing down a crease in her dress.
My eyes were drawn to the sensuous curve of her waist, and I fought every instinct in my body so I wouldn’t grab her and pull her against me where she belonged.
“Come to me,” I said, and slowly, she took a step closer.
I took her hand in mine once again and made her twirl in front of me, admiring her incredible dress. She looked like a million bucks, and I’d never wanted her more.
“How did you know it was me?” she whispered, and I grinned at her.
Should I tell her the truth? I thought to myself. The fact that I could smell her from a mile away like a fucking predator, that her scent was so powerful I could almost taste it on my tongue.
“I couldn’t get you out of my head,” I admitted. “And the second you walked in, I knew. Now, will you let me show you around?”
She nodded shyly, and I led her back inside. Part of me wanted to tell her everything. That this was my home, but one she would soon share, and she was welcome to do anything and everything she wanted to with it. Fuck, I wanted to give her everything on a damn silver platter just to make sure she’d be mine. But I could tell she felt it too, the crazy attraction between us, sparks flying so intensely they almost burned my skin. I was addicted, but so was little Ella. It was in every step she took, in every look she thought I’d missed.
I grinned to myself, pleased with the way things were going. By the end of the night, I was going to make my little princess mine completely.
I pulled her against me to whisper in her ear, “I know you came because of me,” I said, and I felt the goosebumps on the back of her arm. “Well, worry not, princess, you’ll be mine by the end of the night.”
The sweet little hitch of her breath was barely audible, but it was enough to make my dick twitch. I wanted to take her so badly.
I took her hand in mine and led her to the dancefloor, and the crowd parted for us, gasps ringing out in the room as Ella looked up at me through her mask.
“A dance, my princess?” I grinned at her, and she smiled back as I pulled her in.
I thought I was a good dancer, but Ella, she was incredible. Gracious, shy, but with so much power in the way she moved, it made her seem like a woman, not an innocent little girl.
I pulled her against me as we danced with the crowd watching, and when she was only a whisper away, I touched my lips to her ear.
“Tonight, my sweet little princess,” I told her darkly. “You’re going to leave with a baby in your belly.”I COULDN’T STOP STARING INTO Rafe’s eyes as he spun me around the dancefloor.
He was darkly enchanting, charming me with his wicked smile and the promises he kept whispering in my ear. I was wet, I could feel it between my legs. I was thankful Rafe didn’t know, but the way he licked his lips and looked at me, I really wasn’t sure he was as clueless as I thought.