Page 8 of His to Claim

I’ve always had trouble looking into men’s eyes for longer than a blink or two. But something about looking into this man’s eyes is easier. I have no idea why, but right now, our gazes are locked onto each other and I’m not uncomfortable. In fact, I’d like nothing more than to sink into their very deep, very mysterious depths.

“You’re the most beautiful woman here,” he tells me in a low voice, and I practically swoon. It’s a damn good thing his strong arms are holding me up.

“Thank you. You don’t get out much, do you?” I tease.

A hearty laugh bursts from his throat and I like the way his eyes crinkle in the corners.

“Occasionally,” he says, and I smile up at him.

I’m dying to know more about him, but I’m so caught up in the moment, of how it feels to be in a pair of strong masculine arms, that I feel a little tongue-tied and a lot intimidated. Plus he smells so ridiculously good that all I can do is inhale his slightly spicy scent and revel in it.

As we continue to stare into each other’s eyes, the rest of the world seems to fall away. I find myself moving closer with each pass around the dance floor. Maybe I’m imagining it, but I think he pulls me in tighter, and even though my voluminous skirts separates us, I can still feel our bodies touching.

Neither of us says another word and, for the first time in my life, I know what it feels like to be lost in someone’s eyes.

4

ARCHER

As I spin my Queen of Hearts around the dance floor, I can’t look away from her gorgeous mocha-colored eyes. There’s so much mystery in those chocolate depths and, instead of asking each other a million questions, we’re quiet, caught up in the moment, and relishing it.

There’s something about her that intrigues me like no other woman has in a very long time. Hell, maybe ever, if I’m being honest. Of course, I’m attracted to her friendly smile and pretty eyes, but she’s wearing a mask. I can’t even see her face completely, but who am I kidding? I know she’s gorgeous underneath that mask and she smells like the sweetest dessert. Like some kind of sugar-dusted flower.

And the way that gown lifts her full breasts and cinches tightly to emphasize her tiny waist is making my body respond. I mentally scold myself to keep it together and not come off like a creep, rubbing his hard-on against her. It’s not like I haven’t ever seen a beautiful woman before or been in close proximity. But, well, it’s been a while since I’ve allowed myself to indulge and this lovely woman is making me want things. Sexual things. From my experience, though, the more beautiful a woman is, the more trouble she is later.

So, yeah, just because this little beauty has my full attention right now doesn’t mean she won’t turn out to be a pain in the ass. It’s one of the reasons I’m not engaging her in conversation. I just want to enjoy the moment of us being strangers and not knowing anything about each other. I like the mystery of it. The attraction is also undeniable, hot as hell, and once the song ends, I take her hand and spin her right off the dance floor.

Privacy.I need to whisk her off somewhere so we won’t be disturbed because I’m dying to know if her soft, pink lips taste as sweet as she smells. I’m willing to bet they do. Guiding her away from the crowd, I head down a quiet hallway off the main ballroom and open the first door I see.

Empty. It looks like some kind of meeting room because there’s a long table and ten or so chairs surround it. After closing the door, I turn to my lady in red hearts and pull her back into my arms. This time there’s no music. Just the thundering of our hearts as I trace my thumb over her lower lip.

“You’re insanely beautiful,” I whisper.

“I’m wearing a mask.” Her tone is dry, but also a little full of disbelief.

How could she not believe me? She has to know how damn stunning she is, right? Unless…

Well, if she doesn’t then this woman is a rare find. Not an ounce of ego to her. That makes me think someone hurt her, made her feel unworthy, and maybe her self-esteem took a hit, getting knocked down a few pegs.

I want to know who hurt her so I can crush him. I would, too, without a second thought. Because this queen should never doubt herself. She’s fucking magnificent.

Her lips part slightly and I can see her pulse beating hard in the hollow of her throat. Her breasts rise and fall faster as I close the distance between us, lower my face, and catch her mouth in a kiss. With a soft sigh, she leans further into me, and I wish I could feel her body against mine better. But all those long, full, damn skirts are in the way.

At first, the kiss is slow and soft. An introduction. But the moment she opens her mouth in invitation and whimpers for more, I give it to her without hesitation. My tongue slides into her mouth and takes control. Exploring everything. Each recess and corner, every soft place. I deepen the kiss and our mouths fuse together. Her hands wrap around my neck and her fingernails lightly scrape the skin there. She makes some kind of soft purring sound and it’s sexy as hell.

We’re so caught up in each other that I forget about the masks. They’re not in the way too much, but I don’t think either of us is ready to take them off just yet. Something about staying anonymous, not knowing each other’s names, seeing only part of each other’s faces, and remaining two strangers attracted to each other and making out is the biggest turn on.

Lust fuels me and I grab her small waist, lift her up and set her down on the wooden tabletop. It’s smooth, a nice polished cherry color, and I step forward between her legs, still kissing her. Our mouths have grown more frantic—deep, wet, needy kisses that have me aroused and aching.

Placing my palms flat on the tabletop, not trusting them to touch her, I devour her. But the need to touch her quickly becomes overwhelming and I move my hands onto her thighs. Curling my fingers into the satin skirts, I slowly drag them up to reveal her slender legs.

Her skin is so soft, like velvet, and I curve my hands around her thighs, slide them up and grasp her ass, pulling her to the edge of the table. One step forward and my aching dick meets her satin panties and, holy fuck, it’s good. So damn good. She rolls her hips and I grind against her, holding her close, creating a friction that has us both panting for more.

I’m not sure where exactly this is going and it’s not like I have a condom in my jacket pocket. I don’t normally start making out with complete strangers, but goddamn, this woman feels like more than a mere stranger. Something about her feels almost familiar. I’m sure that’s complete bullshit and just my hormones talking, but whatever. I’m going to dry hump her until I can’t take another second. Until I’m on the verge of blowing. Because the alternative is letting her walk away and I’m not ready to do that yet.

Just because I can’t slide my aching dick inside her doesn’t mean I can’t pleasure her more, though. Releasing her plump ass, I round my hands over her thighs, spreading them further. Then I glide a hand between her legs and touch the center of her panties. A little gasp escapes her and she briefly tenses, but then relaxes. I trail a finger over her satin-covered slit. Fucking drenched.

Pure masculine satisfaction makes my chest puff out a little and I move the soaked material aside and touch her wet folds, continuing to stroke her. Her breaths are coming hard and fast now and when I sink a finger inside her wet pussy, her inner muscles clench and her hips begin moving against my hand.

---