Page 13 of Unmasked Heart
The woman in question is in a garish bright yellow and black bandeau-style dress. She’s wearing a gold mask with flower details and her hair is piled high on her head like a hive.
“That’s the one. Three time divorcee—she cleans them out every time. Part-time Domme with a collection of rainbow butt plugs.” I toss Mystery Guy a sharp smirk. “Absolute cougar in the sack.”
Mystery Guy claps his hands together in delight while we snicker, leaning against each other. I catch the scent of his aftershave, a clean and fresh smell that I like so much more than the harsh and spicy cologne Cohen wears.
Our game continues. We take turns picking out unsuspecting party guests to give hilarious secret life stories. After a few minutes I tip my head to the side.
“Do you have a name, or should I keep calling you Mystery Guy in my head?”
“Tall, Dark, and Handsome,” he jokes.
“Okay, but really.”
“Husband material?”
I roll my eyes and huff out a laugh. “For real.”
Mystery Guy grins and it’s a stunning look on him. He’s movie star handsome. Even with the mask, which doesn’t block much of his features.
He studies me for another beat, like he’s trying to bore into my soul.
“Colton,” he says, holding out a hand.
I take it to shake and he brings my knuckles to his lips for a kiss in one swift move.
Smooth.
I bite my lip and sip champagne as his gaze finds mine.
“Want to dance, Colton?”
“Not so fast.”
Colton holds up a hand and I freeze. Did I misread his flirting?
“What is it?”
“I need to know your name.”
“Oh.” My lashes flutter. “Annie. Now can we dance?”
“Sure thing, sweetheart.”
For a second, I hesitate. Almost everyone calls me endearments like princess. But Cohen’s the only one that calls me sweetheart. I shake it off and smile.
Colton draws me close, his hand hovering at my lower back like it belongs there as he guides us downstairs.
* * *
Twirling beneath the stars feels magical. Colton tucks me closer and I spot my father across the room. Smugness settles in me as I dare to lay my cheek against Colton’s chest for everyone to see.
The point of tonight might be to celebrate my engagement to Cohen, but here I am on the dance floor with someone else.
I imagine Cohen watching from the shadows, too. I hope it’s eating him alive to see me in the arms of another man of my choosing.
Maybe he’s spent all these years thinking I waited for him, but I shed the bullshit social construct of my virginity in boarding school when I was seventeen.
Colton traces my bare back, grazing his fingertips up my spine and back down in lazy strokes, nearly teasing into my dress. I shiver and follow his lead as he spins me away, tugging me back into his arms after a beat. Dancing with him is a dream.