Page 28 of A Duchess to Unravel (The Devil’s Masquerade #3)

Alistair smirked and led her to one of the high-backed chairs.

Around them the other members, for the most part, returned to their flirtations or dancing.

Some though, she noticed, continued to stare at her in wonder as Alistair sat her down in the chair, then braced both hands on the arms as he leaned down to look in her eyes.

“Are you going to behave while I am gone?” He asked, his mouth tilting toward a smile.

“No promises,” she purred, then leaned forward to kiss the tip of his nose.

“Cheeky thing,” he chuckled, brushing his knuckles under her chin.

She watched him rise up to full height, taking pleasure in letting her eyes rake over him and linger on his crotch.

Her excitement amplified when she saw the bulge already formed there, and wicked thoughts let loose in her mind.

Even as he turned from her and parted the crowd to get her drink, she could not keep her eyes off him.

“Oh, darling,” a feminine voice oozed in Theo’s ear. “Where did you come from? And where, oh where did you find such a yummy morsel of a man?”

Theo turned to the voice, surprised she hadn’t noticed someone had approached her, and saw the mask of Aphrodite.

A woman she knew. Not in real life, but within the fantasy of the masquerade.

Theo knew she preferred the company of both men and women, and the two had talked many times before.

Yet as Aphrodite was anxiously waiting for Theo’s answer, she realized that the woman did not recognize at her all.

“We are visiting from Ireland,” she replied. The lie came smooth and ready off her accent-laced tongue, and it thrilled her to tell it.

“How utterly exotic,” Aphrodite purred, tracing her fingertips down Theo’s arm.

A moment later, a pair of arms wrapped around the woman’s waist, and man with a fiery red eye mask appeared at her shoulder.

Aphrodite gave a sultry smile as she slid herself against the man’s front, and leaned her head back on his shoulder.

“Who is your new friend, darling?” he asked.

“I was just about ask,” she replied, tapping her nails against his mask.

“We are Aphrodite and Ares,” she said to Theo, “Tell us, what are your names?”

Theo faltered for a moment. Alistair had not told her what their new alters’ names were, and she did not think it would be safe to use the old ones. Before she floundered very long though, Alistair reappeared and placed a glass of red wine in her hand.

“Handsome,” Aphrodite breathed, her chest growing flush as she took Alistair in. “We were just asking this lovely lady of yours what you are called.”

“We are nameless,” Alistair replied, his tone stern as he raked a quick look over the curious couple. “And we are off limits tonight.”

The masked couple both pouted.

“Such a shame,” Aphrodite sighed, stepping away. “Well, let us know if you change your mind. We seldom get new flesh around here. It would be nice to try a taste of Ireland.”

Alistair gave her a curt nod, then turned his full attention to Theo. He hunkered down to meet her eyes, his mouth forming into a devilish half-smile as he shook his head.

Theo smirked back and took a sip of her wine. It was sweet and delicious and she took another long pull, half-emptying the glass.

“I leave you alone for two minutes and you have already broken the rules,” Alistair said. His deep tone was wickedly teasing, but Theo shivered at the dangerous notes laced through his voice.

“Was I to be rude and ignore her?” she asked.

Fire danced in Alistair’s eyes, sending another shiver of anticipation down her spine.

The hunger she felt radiating from him was palpable, and she suddenly felt inclined to break another one of his rules just to see what he would do.

She drained her glass, emboldened by the idea, and held it out to him.

“You made an excellent choice for me,” she praised. “Would you care to do so yet again? Something different this time.”

“Still testing me?” he remarked, and she answered with a sultry grin.

Theo leaned forward, her lips hovering dangerously close to his.

“I am finding it quite enjoyable to do so,” she purred.

Alistair’s predatory stare was steady and unblinking as he slowly smirked, baring a hint of his sharp, white canine tooth. He said nothing, but the smile felt like a threat. One she wanted to test.

“Pleasseee?” She purred, tracing her lips over his.

A low growl rumbled from Alistair’s lips, sending a shot of desire straight to Theo’s core.

Oh, I like this game, she mused silently.

“Do not move,” he instructed, rising to his full height. “And do not speak to anyone else. I will be right back.”

Her smile was wide as she leaned back into the chair, satisfied that she had succeeded in her mission.

The moment she saw him disappear, Theo shot out of her chair and searched for a familiar aquatic themed mask.

She found Poseidon lounging on a chaise in the common room, drinking a glass of wine as he casually stroked the hair of another masked man lying contently in his lap.

Theo reached for Poseidon’s chin and tilted his face up to hers and with a mischievous smile asked, “Did you miss me, darling?”

Poseidon cocked his head, as if confused as to who she might be, then his eyes widened with recognition, and he gently pushed the man out of his lap.

“Calypso? Is that you, darling?” he asked, rising to his feet.

A thrill climbed up Theo’s spine, and she struck a pose as she offered her hand to him, wiggling her fingers.

“Dance with me, Poseidon,” she practically purred, feeling more confident than ever.

Poseidon flashed her a wide smile as he rose and took her hand. He bowed to her deeply, and the next second he had her twirling into a dramatic start to a dance. Laughter, loud and gleeful, rang from Theo’s mouth as she was spun.

“You look different,” Poseidon praised, his voice filled with awe as they danced. “What has changed in you?”

“I found a husband,” Theo answered truthfully, “And he has … had an effect on me.”

“Ahhh,” Poseidon sang, grinning from ear to ear, “Shall we make him green with envy?”

“Do, lets,” Theo cheekily replied.

Poseidon spun her again, away from his body this time, and she twirled with a freeing elegance.

The red lamps illuminating the room swayed and spun as she twirled, the masked faces of those watching her with fascination and curiosity swirling around her.

She dipped her back, throwing herself fully into the motion, and spun until she landed fully into Alistair’s solid chest.

Theo giggled madly as she braced herself against him, boldly letting her arms slip around his waist and cling.

One of his arms locked like a vice around her waist, and she felt a rumble in his chest. She looked up and saw that Alistair’s dark blue eyes had once more turned that obsidian black as they glittered down at her.

His chiseled lips were set into the most wicked of smiles she’d ever seen on him. A smile that promised payback.

“Wicked little rule breaker,” he mused, keeping her pinned against his chest.

Theo was in trouble, she knew it. Yet she could not wipe her giddy smile from her face.

“Your Grace,” she sighed, delighted to see him. She smoothed her hands down his chest, loving the feel of the solid muscles that laid beneath his clothing.

“Did you fetch me another drink?”

Alistair’s black eyes glittered with something cynical, but he said nothing as brought the small glass to her lips.

Theo did not reach for the glass but instead let him tip the rim to her bottom lip and as he poured the liquid into her mouth.

The contents were sweet and thick, almost like honey.

Heat poured into her as soon as it touched her tongue, and she knew it was something much stronger.

“Apologies, my lord,” Poseidon offered, coming up to Alistair’s side, “We are old friends, nothing more. Rest assured, I was not trying to seduce your lady away.”

“Of course not,” Alistair mused, keeping his eyes on Theo the entire time. A shiver ran down Theo’s spine as she took in his penetrative smile; a combination of excitement and danger, seeping into her very veins.

“However, I will be taking her back now.”

Poseidon bowed lowly to them both, thanked Theo for the dance, and walked back to the chaise where his lover patiently waited.

Theo waved a hand in farewell toward her friend, but she did not look away from Alistair’s intense stare.

Could not even if she wanted to. She was falling into his thrall again--and wanted to.

“You disobeyed me,” Alistair stated, his deep voice sinking her deeper into his spell. “On purpose.”

“I am afraid I did,” Theo sighed, lifting her chin defiantly as she let herself melt further into his chest. “Whatever are you going to do about it?”