Page 47 of Revelation (Love Isn't What It Seems 3)

I returned my focus to the attractive man in front of me. Something about him felt familiar. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but my body instantly heated, unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

Except with Maxim.I almost groaned out loud at that thought. I had to stop. There was a gorgeous man here within my reach.

Dark brown hair fell forward; part of his face was hidden behind the slightly unusual Phantom mask. It was made out of a soft leather, leaving part of his face open, revealing his full soft lips… my heartbeat sped up tenfold, almost hurting me with pounding within my chest. The half-smile on those lips was sinful and almost cruel. Like he was promising pleasure and pain. A whimper almost left my lips. And it was one that would tell this stranger just how fucking turned on I was right now.

I couldn’t deny that maybe I felt this attraction due to this man’s slight resemblance to Maxim. No, no. That would mean I had fallen for him and I haven’t.

It must be the ambiance and novelty of the situation, I justified my intense reaction.

I forced myself to inhale a deep breath and then slowly exhale. My breasts tingled, my nipples hardening under the tight corset of the gown. His voice was like the darkest caress, doing things to me I had never experienced before.

“Yes, I would love to,” I heard myself say, and I watched the corners of his lips curved up in a smile. God, those lips. They must be every woman’s envy. I literally had to hold myself back from the intense need to taste him.

What the hell is wrong with me?

This man would take the reins in the bedroom and know exactly what he was doing, what my body needed. I didn’t know where those thoughts came from but everything about him screamed strength, control, and the promise of ultimate pleasure.

He stepped closer to me, his hand gently running down my arm. A shiver danced down my spine accompanied by the sparks of current. With the startling realization, I was shocked by the desire pooled between my thighs, soaking up my panties. He gently took the champagne glass I was holding and placed it on a nearby table. I briefly thought that I should have taken at least one more gulp before I let him take it from me.

I took his hand, and he led me to the dance floor. With his one palm placed on my waist, we started our waltz. But it was so much more. There were people dancing all around us but all of them faded into background noise for me. All my senses were zeroed in on this man that held me in his arms.

He tugged me up and drew me closer, our bodies flushed together. God, his body; it did things to me. He was hard everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I felt his erection pressing against me and my body melted, craving more of his touch. He danced smoothly, his moves confident and alluring. There were glances thrown our way but neither of us paid any attention to anyone or anything other than each other.

“You are mine tonight,” he rasped. There was no denying it. His voice sounded familiar.Maybe in my dreams, I scoffed to myself. His fingers stroked along my neck and my shoulder, making my skin sizzle under his expert touch. I wanted him to touch me everywhere.

As we glided over the dance floor, his eyes never wavered from me. Even through the mask, I could see his gaze burning, matching the fire running through my veins.

Chapter Sixteen

Maxim

Irecognized Layla the second she walked into the ballroom. Those soft golden locks, they were a unique shade of blonde. I have wanted to touch her from the moment we met, tangle my fingers in her hair and tug on her as she sucked my cock. She was driving me crazy. While we danced, I pushed my fingers through that mass of blonde and leaned closer to inhale her scent.

She smelled just like she did a week ago, when I kissed her in the back of Daniel’s restaurant while we waited for my driver. She smelled divine, a mixture of coconut and beach.

Just like that day, she surprised me by leaning closer to me, her bodice pressing against my chest. Her skin was soft and silky under my fingers. I lowered my mouth, placing my lips to her bare skin and a little moan left her. Fuck, it was enough to make me blow my load. Nobody ever affected me like Layla Cambridge. I wanted to tie her to my bed and fuck her into oblivion.

But even more, I wanted to protect her from her greedy family. I had kept my distance from her over the last week. Not because I wanted to. Each day not around her, after I tasted her lips and how she responded to me, was torture. But I worked with the police, presenting evidence to put Henry Cambridge away for life. And we intended to get every penny back, then finally give the military families what they were supposed to get from the beginning.

Aware of Layla's studious eyes on me, I made sure to refrain from making my usual lighthearted comments. She didn’t recognize me, and I was glad for it; even if it irked me that she’d have this kind of reaction to someone she thought of as a stranger. Maybe this would make her relax around me. I sent her a message on her first day with Wounded Uniform and her reply was short and professional. It made me wonder whether she regretted our kiss. Sometimes this woman was hard to read.

I didn’t expect her here, but it was the most elevating turn of events. Yes, I was part owner, but I didn’t bother myself with the visitors list. I would wager my entire fortune that Daniel put her on that list.

I almost missed her because I was on my way out. There was nothing and nobody that captured my interest here… till I spotted her. Thank God that I did. I shuddered at the thought of someone else having her tonight.

The way she held herself, the nervousness about her, told me she had never been to a party like this before. I would stay the evening -- for her. She had captured me the moment I laid my eyes on her and the incognito status the masked ball allowed made her react to me. Made her relax and react unlike when we were face-to-face. Each time we were near each other, she fought this attraction.

There has been a shitload of crap happening over the last few weeks. Starting with my father’s obsession with Liberty’s mother, to finding out that Layla and Liberty were sisters. Secrets unraveled, and I kept my distance from Layla. I didn’t give a shit who her parents were, but I knew she and her sister had a lot to work through. But fuck, from the moment I met Layla, I started my day jerking off in the shower, thinking about her, and ended my day jerking off, thinking about her. Like some damn teenage boy with a crush.

A little sigh left her lips and I couldn’t resist the urge to drop my lips to hers, taste her. The moment our lips met, she shuddered and another sigh fell between our lips. She tasted divine, like sweet and sour candy.

Kind of like her personality, I mused to myself. She started out sour, resisting this attraction between us, and then slowly, at the center of it all, her sweetness started showing.

“Ten minutes till the stage opens.” The announcement came through the speakers in a soft British accent. Layla stiffened in my arms and stopped dancing.

“Ummm, I have to go.”

She immediately took two steps backwards, her eyes striking blue even behind her mask. A slight nod and she scurried away. My eyes remained glued to her form till she disappeared behind the curtains in the far-right corner.What the hell?

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