“I prefer you be grateful and in awe.”
She laughed. “Be glad I’m not about to order you to get me wine all night.”
“You’ll be toting around along with me.”
She arched a brow. “Is that so?”
He lowered his head so that his lips brushed the skin of her cheek. “Remember rule number one.”
“Never leave your side,” she whispered.
“No matter what.”
Deerhurst swept her up into the dance before she could offer a witty retort. He couldn’t promise not to kiss her saucy mouth if she did. His restraint had a limit where this woman was concerned. He’d rather she not talk, since he suspected he would not be able to deny her anything. She possessed an unfathomable power over him.
Best that she never discovered that.
“Oh!”
Deerhurst went on alert as they twirled about the dance floor. “What? What is it?” He lowered his voice. “Are you all right?”
“The couple to our left is kissing,” she exclaimed under her breath. “Kissing, Deerhurst.”
Deerhurst followed her gaze and chuckled.
Indeed.They were practically shagging for all the groans and fondling going on.
“Are you shocked, my lady? Didn’t we already establish that this is a ball where mischief occurs?”
“I just hadn’t expected such displays out in the open.”
“Well, this is not your average ball.” Deerhurst pulled her closer than was acceptable at a normal ball. “Which is why everyone is wearing masks.”
“So all of these parties are masked?”
Deerhurst shook his head. “There are some parties where you don’t have to wear a mask, but those result in—”full on orgies“—more sensual pastimes.”
She lifted her chin. “Carnal, you mean?”
Blood surged through him at the purr of that word, a wave of heat exploding him into spiraling need. Christ, he wanted this woman in his bed. There, he finally admitted it to himself. He wanted this woman so badly it hurt.
“Carnal,” he repeated, finding it impossible to pull his gaze from her. “You looked up its meaning?”
“Of course. You thought I wouldn’t?”
He hadn’t thought much about it at all. Mainly because he had thought she’d forgotten about it, but also becausehehad forgotten about it.
He cleared his throat. “Naturally, you would. And yes, carnal is the name of the game at balls such as these. There is something about masks that allows you to liberate yourself from the straps of society.” His gaze dropped to her lips. “Don’t you agree?”
She tilted her head. “Not fully in the Cyprian world and not fully in ours.”
“Somewhere in between,” he agreed, his grip on her waist tightening. Something he could do in this world but never in theirs.
“A space where we can be whoever we want for the night.”
“Yes.”
Christ, yes. And what he wanted to be tonight washers.
