CHAPTER 2
~Catherine's POV~
"Care for a dance?" he asked, his piercing eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch completely in my throat.
"I don't even know you," I whispered.
"That is the point of the masquerade, isn't it? I'm guessing that's why you came," he replied smoothly, pulling me a fraction closer. "No names. No past. Just right now, taking the next escape."
I hesitated, but the tequila swimming in my veins made me bold. "Fine. One dance."
He pulled me against his chest. My hands instinctively flattened on his suit jacket, feeling his muscular physique.
"Let go and let the beat flow through you."
I inhaled, taking his intoxicating scent, hoping the painful memories of Claude and Kelly were completely replaced by the stranger's touch.
"You smell incredible," he murmured. He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. "Like vanilla and rain."
A shiver rolled down my spine. The room suddenly felt suffocating, my body reacting so intensely I thought I might collapse.
"I... I need some fresh air. I'm feeling a bit dizzy."
"Let me get you out of here," he said instantly.
He grabbed my hand, his long fingers interlacing with mine, and suddenly I felt safe, like I wanted to mould into him.
He guided me through the sweaty crowd, pushing open a metal door that led into a dim corridor. We took the stairs and burst out a side exit into the cool air of the parking lot, the club's bass instantly fading.
Immediately, the cold night air struck my flushed skin, but it did nothing to cool the raging fire he had ignited inside me.
I backed up until the wall stopped me and gasped.
As soon as the door slammed behind us, he trapped me against the concrete wall with his towering frame, blocking out everything else.
His eyes dropped to my lips, and I parted them even before he asked the most brain-teasing question. "Can I kiss you?"
"Yes," I breathed out.
He didn't waste a second. His mouth crashed down on mine, hungrily.
The taste of whiskey lingered on his tongue as it swept inside. It was a kiss that devoured my senses. My hands slid into his hair, gripping tight, pulling him closer.
The kiss turned rough fast, matching the ache in my chest and the heat building between us.
He broke away just enough to trail his mouth down my neck. "You're so beautiful," he groaned against my skin. His hot breath sent shivers straight through me, making my core clench.
"Please," I whimpered, arching my back as his hands roamed over my body.
He kissed me again, deeper this time, while his hands slid up my sides. He pushed my blouse higher, bunching the fabric under my breasts. Cool air hit my skin before his warm palms covered me.
He massaged my breasts firmly, thumbs brushing over my nipples until they hardened under his touch.
The feel of his hands mixed with the heat of his mouth on mine sent fresh heat pooling between my legs.
Overcome with desire, his hands moved under my skirt, rough palms sliding up my bare thighs. The friction made my core tighten.
The stranger didn't rush. While one hand stayed on my breast, squeezing and teasing, the other hand dipped back under my skirt. He hooked his fingers around my lace panties and yanked them aside and pushed two fingers inside me.
I gasped.
I was already soaked, but he kept working me, curling his fingers just right, stroking that sensitive spot until my thighs trembled and more wetness coated his hand.
He did not need to do much, considering just our kiss had left me dripping wet, in ways even Claude never got me.
"You're so wet," he muttered against my lips, voice low and rough. He added a third finger, stretching me carefully. He knew he was big. He wanted me ready.