Page 10 of Eden's Deliverance

Penelope shouts something over the music, but I can barely make out a single syllable, so she gives up and drags me through the mob of wriggling dancers. The song switches to “Shake it” by Jake Miller, but thankfully, we make it to the bar before the throng turns more animated.

She orders my favorite cocktail without even needing to ask—a true sign that she knows me more than anyone else in my life—and a few minutes later, we’re getting our buzz started.

“Have you seen anyone you like yet?” Pen asks, no longer needing to shout for me to hear her.

Honestly, I’ve been too overwhelmed to look. I’ve been so enthralled by what’s going on around us, I almost forgot our whole reason for being here. I already love this place, even without the sex.

Hopefully with the sex, too.

“I was wondering the same thing myself,” a low voice rumbles in my ear. When I turn around, Mr. Sultry Ear-Breather is standing so close he can probably smell the adrenaline pumping through me.

Mr. Ruby, as it turns out.Shame.

He’s got gorgeous, flowing hair that comes past his shoulders a bit, and a short, smooth beard. I can’t tell if it’s just the club lighting, but it almost seems like his hair and beard have a red-burgundy tone to match his mask.

Either way, he’s fucking ravishing.

“Buzz off, guy.” Penelope cuts in, killing the vibe immediately. “She’s clearly not going anywhere with you tonight, so make room for the others.” She shoos him away with a wave, spinning her chair back to face the bar.

“Well, I’d say I hope you go choke on a fat one, but I guess that’s what you’re here for. Isn’t it, Sapphire?” He turns to me and reaches up to swipe a lock of hair out of my eyes. “Maybe some other time. Good luck, Pearl.”

His knuckles trail a path down my jaw and collarbone, brushing so tenderly against my skin, I don’t realize I’m chasing his touch until I nearly fall from the stool.

Then, he walks away, leaving as soon as he came.

“What did you go and do that for? The man was fucking Adonis in human form, Pen.” I lightly shove her shoulder, reprimanding her for scaring away the first person to speak to me.

“I’m not gonna let you stray from the goal and get sucked up by all the crazies. You can’t go breaking rules on your first night here.” She pulls me to my feet, heaving me towards the dance floor after we get a new set of drinks. “Come on, let’s dance!”

It’s only natural when my hips start swaying to the beat of “love me” by Ex Habit, but I’m not used to this overwhelming feeling of calmness. I don’t know if it’s the alcohol, but I’ve never felt more worry-free. Goosebumps coat the surface of my skin, and it’s like my body’s floating on air.

Our hands travel up and down each other’s bodies to the rhythm of the music, soaking in every bit of sexual energy the club feeds into us. If she doesn’t let me fuck somebody soon, she’s going to have to do it herself.

I’m going fucking crazy.

Towards the end of the song, a second pair of hands lay on my waist, pulling me back against a rock-hard chest and even harder groin. His cock grinds into my ass, making the clothes separating us feel irrelevant—I can feel every inch of him.

The song fades into “I Want To” by Rosenfeld, setting a more fitting pace for the movement he’s encouraging as he guides my hips. I let go of Pen to reach my arm behind my head, wrapping my fingers around the nape of my new partner’s neck.

I know it’s just dancing, but this interaction alone is already dripping with the passion I’ve been desperate for. The music helps to set the mood, but this man knows exactly what he’s doing.

I throw my head back to rest against his chest, and his hands begin exploring a bit of their own. From my waist up to my ribs, then across my stomach and down to my thighs, his fingers glide over my body.

Everywhere they go, a lingering burn follows in their wake.

“Would you like to join me in the White Room, Miss Pearl?” It’s said dangerously low, and the hot breath against my ear sends a shiver right down my spine.

Just to make sure I heed Penelope’s advice and don’t get myself into trouble, I spin around to check him out. My hands trail across the expanse of his chest, but he grabs my wrists to stop me.

At least he’s wearing a white mask, so I know I’m in the clear.

Unfortunately, I feel more self-conscious now than before. Those girls in the lobby started it, but the fact he won’t let me touch him doesn’t help. If he’s going to turn me away, I just hope he lets me down easily.

“Is that what you want?” I ask as seductively as I can muster so there’s no mistakingIwant whatever this is.

Instead of a verbal reply, he gives me a cheeky, lopsided grin and takes my hand. I turn to Penelope and mouth a silent scream before getting dragged off, watching her wave at me through the growing distance between us.

He leads me through an archway off the right side of the bar, taking us down a hall with doors lining both walls. The sounds emanating from behind all the closed doors send electric shockwaves straight to my clit.

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