Page 61 of The Devil's Chaos

I glanced at the clock and saw it was already 10 p.m., meaning I was already running late. Throwing my phone into my gold feathered clutch, I rode the elevator down to the parking garage. The drive to the manor seemed to fly by, and as I approached the sprawling estate, I was struck by its grandeur. I was no stranger to wealth, but this mansion was breathtaking. It stood before me, its towering façade aglow with countless lights, giving it an otherworldly appearance. Music and laughter drifted through the air, beckoning me to join the revelry.

I handed my keys to the valet and made my way up the marble steps, my heart pounding. The moment I stepped through the grand double doors, I was transported to another world. The ballroom was a sight to behold, with its soaring ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and opulent decor. Guests in elaborate costumes and masks filled the space, their laughter and chatter mingling with the sounds of a live orchestra.

I scanned the room, searching for Kai among the sea of masked revelers. People were dancing, kissing, touching, and even fucking in the crowd. I moved farther into the ballroom, the skirt of my crimson gown swishing around my legs as I navigated through the crowd of guests.

Suddenly, a hand grasped my waist from behind, startling me. I spun around to find myself face to face with a tall, masked man in a tailored black tuxedo. His mask was a deep, midnight blue, adorned with silver filigree accentuating his blue eyes.

Eyes I knew all too well.

"Looking for someone?" Kai asked.

"Perhaps," I replied coyly.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Dance with me," he whispered. It was more of a command than a request.

Before I could respond, he swept me onto the dance floor, his strong arms guiding me effortlessly through the swirling couples.

“You look absolutely stunning,” he said before smelling my skin. “And you smell so good.”

“Thank you,” I smiled.

I couldn’t help but smile. This felt good.Normal.I felt normal.

“I've been waiting for this moment all evening,” Kai murmured as his lips grazed the sensitive skin of my neck. “To have you in my arms, all to myself.”

I tilted my head back, allowing him better access as he trailed kisses along my jawline. “And now that you have me, what do you plan to do with me?” I asked breathlessly.

A wicked grin spread across his face. “Oh, I have a few ideas.” His hand slid lower, resting possessively on the small of my back.

Kai’s finger traced tantalizing patterns on my lower back as we danced. The heat of his touch seeped through the thin fabric of my gown, and I pressed closer to him. Our bodies moved as one to the rhythm of the music.

“Where’s Archer and Theo?” I asked.

“Archer and Mila are hidden away in the library. Theo is wandering around somewhere, probably trying to get laid,” Kai chuckled darkly. “Forget about them. Tonight, it’s just you and me.”

As the music swelled and the other guests faded into the background, Kai took my hand and led me away from the crowded ballroom. We wove through the crowds of people, Kai's grip on my hand firm and reassuring. My heart raced with anticipation and excitement, wondering where he was taking me.

We slipped through a set of ornate French doors and found ourselves on a secluded balcony overlooking the manor's lush gardens. The cool night air caressed my skin, a welcome respite from the heat of the ballroom. The balcony was adorned with twinkling fairy lights, casting a soft, romantic glow over the space. The distant sound of music and laughter drifted up from the party below, but here, it was just the two of us, cocooned in our private world.

Kai pulled me into his arms, his hands resting on my hips as he gazed down at me with an intensity that made my breath catch in my throat. In the soft glow of the fairy lights, I couldsee the depth of emotion swirling in his mesmerizing blue eyes, usually so guarded but now open and vulnerable.

“Haven,” he whispered, his voice low and filled with a raw honesty I had never heard before. “I need to tell you something.”

My heart skipped a beat as I searched his face, trying to read the emotions playing across his chiseled features. “What is it, Kai?”

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. “I've been fighting this for so long, trying to deny what I feel for you. But I can't do it anymore. I can't keep pretending you're just another conquest I can walk away from unscathed. The truth is, Haven, I’m falling for you. Hard. And it scares the hell out of me.”

His words hung between us, a confession that made my heart soar and ache all at once. I reached up, gently removing his mask to reveal the vulnerability etched on his handsome face.

“Kai,” I breathed as my voice trembled with emotion. “I’m falling for you too. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.”

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he leaned closer, his forehead resting against mine. “I don’t know what my future holds, little lamb. But I do know that I want you in it. I want to see where this path leads us.”

“I want that too, Kai.” My fingers traced the strong lines of his jaw.

He closed the remaining distance between us as his lips captured mine in a searing kiss that stole the breath from my lungs. His kiss was gentle at first, a featherlight brush of his lips against mine that sent shivers down my spine. As I melted into his embrace, our kiss deepened, becoming more urgent and passionate. His hands roamed my back, pulling me flush against his hard, muscular body as if he couldn’t get close enough.

My fingers tangled in his dark hair, holding him close as our tongues danced and explored. It felt like coming home, like every moment in my life had been leading up to this one perfect kiss. The world around us faded away until there was nothing but the two of us, lost in each other's touch and the all-consuming fire that burned between us.

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