Page 187 of The Penalty

“Hi.” Xavier’s low, rich voice invaded my senses.

“Hi.” I felt the blush climbing my neck when he gestured toward the envelope.

“What’s that?”

“A gift from Killian and Max.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be giving them a gift? It is their wedding night.”

“It’s actually for both of us.”

Xavier’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Us? May I see?”

I handed him the small card.

“What’s The Guild?”

I thought back to the night we stood on the sidewalk in London, and he told me about Bennet’s library parties. How had he phrased it?

“It’s a place where people go to enjoy one another’s company.”

Curiosity morphed to something carnal. A hint of darkness glinted in his eyes. “Have you been before?” His voice lowered into a possessive growl.

God, I love this tone.

“No.” I took the card and slipped it into my clutch. “It would be my first time. And I only want to go with you.”

Three minutes until midnight.

“Good answer.” He glanced to his left. “We should get a spot by the window. Come on.”

Weaving our way through the crowd, we ended up at a window directly above the ball. The DJ announced all the lights in the room would dim thirty seconds before midnight, giving us a sharper view.

We stared down at the growing party on the street.

“Maybe next year we can ring in the New Year in London.” Xavier stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Just don’t make me sing Auld Lang Syne.”

“I make no promises.”

“About the singing or coming to London?”

Two minutes until midnight.

The nervous tremble in his voice surprised me. I turned to face him.

“The singing. I would spend the New Year with you in London, Barcelona, Rome, here, wherever.”

“I like that answer, too.”

Stepping closer, he pushed me back a step, then two, until I was pinned between him and the window. It wasn’t lost on me that were we surrounded by wedding guests. Hot desire ripped through me.

“I’m curious,” he whispered in my ear. “Would we enjoy one another’s company like this at The Guild?” The light touch of his hand traced from my collarbone down to the swell of my breasts. “Would there be a crowd watching, like in your fantasy?”

My lips parted on a silent gasp.

One minute until midnight.

“Yes,” I breathed.

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