Page 192 of Let the Game Begin

Barely twenty-four hours had passed since we’d last touched each other, but to me it felt like an eternity. I shut my eyes and let my head fall back against his chest as his tongue drew a wet trail up to the shell of my ear where a golden gem winked, matching my outfit. He nibbled on my earlobe and unexpected flood of warmth spread out of me, soaking the regular cotton panties I’d worn even under this sexy costume. I was still me, after all.

“What are you supposed to be? A princess or a fairy?” he spoke again, his low, deep voice leaving me stunned.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Erik.” I was astonished at my ability to speak, let alone remember the Phantom of the Opera’s name while his big hands roved over my hips, holding me even closer to him.

In that moment, I felt exactly like Christine, the young woman in the novel who’d been Erik’s obsession. Here he was, right in front of me, my own captivating phantom.

“The pleasure is mine, little fairy,” he answered in tones of velvet, having apparently decided that I was not a princess. Then, he leaned in close to my ear. “I’m on to your little game, you know,” he said, sounding faintly amused. He was surely referring to Alyssa’s scheme to make me irresistible to him.

I swallowed hard and moved closer to him, crushing my breasts against his chest.

“And did you like it? Our little game?” I put my hands on his hips before sliding them around to the base of his spine. His black shirt was so tight that I feel the ridges of his muscles under my fingertips. My eyes were drawn to his unbuttoned collar suddenly. I found myself staring at his throat where,I pressed a sweet kiss. Neil squeezed my hips reflexively and parted those full lips that I longed to taste.

“Oops,” I whispered facetiously, as though I had overstepped. Something lit up within his golden eyes, something that made him lean down over me until he could touch my nose with the tip of his own. His clean scent was even more powerful than usual, which only increased my longing to get him undressed and take him entirely.

Take everything he had: body, mind, and soul.

“You’re playing with fire, Babygirl,” he said in a seductive warning just before his lips crashed into mine. He grabbed my glutes with his hands, groping them possessively, and in the same moment, he plunged his tongue into my mouth. The kiss was urgent, passionate, and dominating and I returned it eagerly.

My hands crept around to his front, worshipping his tensed abdominals. A tiny moan slipped out of my lips as he devoured me like it was all he could do to keep himself from fucking me right there on the dance floor. He cradled my face in his hands and continued moving his tongue hungrily inside my mouth. He confounded my thoughts, my desires, my fears, everything.

His body, stiff with arousal, began to grind against me in a firm, unmistakably male sort of way, and in that moment he became the center of my world.

“Come with me,” he whispered impatiently. He grabbed my hand before I could really understand what was happening and led me through the crowd of people.

I followed him without argument.

He could have been leading me straight to hell and I would have cheerfully gone with him.

I squeezed his arm when someone shoved me and Neil turned to shoot a warning look at a skeleton who apologized immediately with his hands raised defensively.

“You okay?” he asked, eyeing the other guy in irritation as he walked away and I nodded. The last thing I wanted was to incite a fight or watch Neil struggle to control his anger.

Fortunately, he just started walking again, and I sighed as I followedhim up the stairs to the second floor. I didn’t know exactly where we were going. All I could see were his broad, powerful shoulders, a sight that made me feel protected. Safe.

I was not so naive, though, that I didn’t realize that Neil wanted me and we could really only have one destination: some free bedroom.

My conscience prickled me then.What am I doing?

After our night at the pool, Neil had ignored me completely. He’d gone so far as to pretend I didn’t exist. He made me feel used and tossed aside.

I needed to resign myself to the truth: Neil liked my body, but he didn’t likeme. He didn’t feel the way I felt. Because I liked him even with all his problems, and that was why I had to go back to Detroit. I would have stayed if he’d asked me to. If he’d wanted to try to really get to know each other and build something together. That was the only way I could have stayed.

“You want to use me again,” I said to him, using his term for what we shared.

Neil stopped, fingers still interlaced with mine, and turned to face me.

I thought once again about how beautiful he was. The mystery and the darkness of him worked to create a man of uncommon, inexplicable allure.

“I just want you to understand,” he answered ambiguously. An almost imperceptible look of sadness moved over his face, half-concealed behind his mask. He opened a door and waved me inside. I looked from his long fingers to the open door, uncertain whether I should cross the threshold.

After a moment’s hesitation, my legs seemed to move under their own power, taking me into the room. I looked around, admiring the decor. This ceiling was also quite high and decorated with a fresco that my eyes lingered on.

It looked like a bedroom fit for a queen. Velvety ivory hangings around the canopy bed and two armchairs positioned in front of the enormous window gave the room an intimate yet welcoming vibe. Mini pumpkins with lit candles inside were here as well on the bedside tables and the antique desk with a few more scattered around the room.

There was no need to look for a light switch; the room was softly yet amply lit. Our shadows moved across the walls, the same ones that reflected the candle flames.

“Finally. I’ve been waiting for you.”