"Close to midnight," he says, lifting his arm to check his watch.

Already? It seems as if we've only just found one another.

"I have to go! My sister…"

He doesn't ask any questions. He kisses me on the cheek and then wraps his arms around my waist, picking me up as he climbs to his feet. He makes it seem effortless. I slide down his body, shivering when I feel his erection against my center and then my stomach. He feels it too and groans.

I stumble before managing to catch my balance and quickly start looking for my panties and skirt so I can get dressed. He watches me for a minute, adjusting himself with another loud groan when I bend over to grab my panties off the floor.

It dawns on me that he made me come, but I didn't return the favor. I feel bad about that, and excited about the prospect of making him feel as good as he made me feel. But I don't have time right now. I really do have to go meet Kennedy before we get found out. If we haven't already. I didn't exactly spend any time downstairs pretending to be her.

I straighten up and sway toward Jared, feeling bold and naughty.

He watches me through hooded, curious eyes until I'm right up against him again, no space at all between us. His gaze drops to my lips and then lower, to where my breasts practically spill out the top of my dress.

"Since I can't help you with your situation tonight, maybe these will, daddy," I murmur. Before I lose the nerve, I grab his hand and drop my panties into them and then lean up to whisper in his ear. "You can give them back to me tomorrow when I see you."

The sound of his loud growl rips through me.

I drop back down to flat feet and then dance away from him, laughing when he tries to catch me. He lets me go long enough to put my skirt on. I tease him while he zips me up, brushing up against him in seemingly innocent touches that leave him growling my name.

As soon as I'm zipped, I dance away again. I barely make it two steps before he has me pressed up against the wall, my cheek to the cool wood.

"You're playing with fire, little girl," he snarls in my ear, grinding his erection against my back side. His hot breath hits my neck, making me moan out loud. "Daddy is going to come all over these panties and then make you wear them tomorrow."

"Yes," I moan, willing to give him just about anything.

"Meet me here in the morning."

"Okay."

He places a kiss on my neck and then nips at my ear. "I'm already a broken, lonely man, waiting for you to come back to me, princess."

"Jared," I whisper, melting as he switches from naughty to sweet in the blink of an eye.

"Hurry, sweet baby. Before I find a reason to make you stay." He releases me, practically launching himself across the room, as if he can't be any closer or he really will find a reason to make me stay. He doesn't know it but finding one wouldn't be hard. I don't want to leave him and the magic of this room, this hour.

I slip my feet into my shoes and then don my mask and cape.

He watches me the whole time, his chest heaving. He looks like my dashing prince again, hypnotic fire burning in his mossy eyes. It sears me everywhere it touches, until I burn too. To stay. To never go anywhere he isn't.

"What time tomorrow?" I whisper, feeling a little like I might cry.

He seems to know I need him. He ends his self-imposed exile to the far side of the room, striding quickly across the space separating us. I'm in his arms in a matter of seconds, pressed against his hard body, surrounded by his strength.

"Seven. I'll bring breakfast."

"Okay."

He holds me close for a long, silent moment. His lips brush my hair and then my lips. "I'll be waiting for you, princess."

I slip from his embrace and out the door. As soon as it whispers to a close behind me, my stomach twists into painful knots. It takes all of my willpower to get my feet moving. When I round the corner, the top floor is empty. The sounds drifting up from below are louder. Everyone is thoroughly drunk now.

The dance floor is crowded with bodies. I dodge around them, darting away from flailing arms and wildly uncoordinated feet, searching for the entrance to the kitchens. Kennedy is supposed to meet me at the kitchen door at midnight. She'll come in, and I'll go home.

Alone.

My heart aches at the thought.

I already miss beautifully wicked prince.

Tags: Nichole Rose Claimed Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net