2 Chapter 2 – A Reckless Encounter
“Nonsense. You just need to relax.” She squeezed my hand. “Look around. Everyone here is playing a character tonight, Why shouldn’t you?”
“… thank you,” I managed, cursing my sudden inability to form coherent sentences.
“Stupid? It’s brilliant!” She clapped her hands together. “My little Hazel, having hot masked sex at a fancy ball. I’m so proud!”
“Some people are impossible to forget, masked or not.” His eyes–those incredible eyes -roamed my face with undisguised appreciation.
“What if someone recognizes me?” I whispered.
“That’s the best part,” Chloe insisted. “It’s like something out of a romance novel. The mysterious stranger with the unusual eyes who rocks your world and disappears into the night.”
Hazel’s POV
The moment we were alone, he pressed me gently against the wall, one hand cupping my face while the other rested on my hip. “Tell me to stop, he murmured, his face. inches from mine.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, panic clawing at my throat. “We didn’t.”
“I have to take this,” he said, already stepping back. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
into
My heart hammered against mye This wasn’t me–I didn’t follow strangers
dark corners. And yet, I couldn’t make myself stop. For once in my life, I wanted to be reckless.
“And how was the sex?” Chloe leaned forward eagerly. “Don’t skimp on details.”
The champagne in my system made me bold. “Are you always this forward with strangers?”
Before I could spiral into regret, he gently set me down, straightening my dress with tender care. “That he trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words.
His hands were everywhere then, exploring my body with an expertise that left me
- Chapter 2- A Reckless Encounter
gasping. When he slipped under the hem of my dress, I didn’t protest. When he pushed aside the thin fabric of my underwear, I only urged him on with breathy
moans.
The deep voice startled me. I turned to find a tall figure standing beside me, his face partially concealed by a sleek black mask. But what the mask didn’t hide took my breath away–full lips curved into a confident smile, a strong jawline, and the most unusual, striking violet–blue eyes I’d ever seen.
“I haven’t seen you at one of these events before,” he said, his voice like velvet as he pulled me closer. “I would have remembered.”
Just as he leaned in to kiss me again, a phone rang. He cursed under his breath, pulling a sleek device from his pocket. His expression changed instantly as he checked the
screen.
As the champagne warmed my veins, I felt my anxiety slowly melting. Chloe was right. For once in my life, I could be someone else–someone confident and carefree.
“Dance with me.” It wasn’t a question, but there was something playful in his tone that made my heart race.
“Spectacular?” Chloe supplied, already scanning the room like a general surveying a battlefield. “And full of eligible bachelors. Come on.”
My cheeks burned, but I couldn’t deny the lingering pleasure. “It was amazing. Like nothing I’ve ever experienced. He was so… confident. Like he knew exactly what I needed.”
“Let go,” he commanded softly, his rhythm intensifying. “I want to hear you.”
I did as he asked, letting the quiet hallway fill with my breathless moans as he drove me toward a shattering climax. He followed moments later, his face buried in my neck as he shuddered against me..
“See? Best therapy ever!” Chloe raised her wine glass. “To masked strangers and new beginnings!”
Noah chuckled from the doorway. “That’s the point of a masquerade, Hazel. No one knows who anyone is.”
His smile widened, revealing perfect white teeth. Without another word, he took my
2 Chapter 2–A Reckless Encounter
hand and led me away from the dance floor, through the crowd, and toward a dimly lit hallway.
I gasped as he lifted me slightly, pressing his body more firmly against mine. “We shouldn’t I started, but the protest died as his lips found my neck.
I made my way back to the ballroom, scanning the crowd for any sign of him or Chloe. Finding neither, I texted Chloe that I was ready to leave.
“Drink up,” she instructed. “Liquid courage”
“God, you’re incredible,” he groaned against my mouth, his hands sliding down to grip my thighs through the silky fabric of my dress.
Heat flooded my cheeks. Was I that transparent? Something about this man was magnetic, drawing me in despite my usual caution. Maybe it was the anonymity of the masks, or maybe it was just him.
The glass nearly slipped from my fingers as cold realization washed over me. In the heat of the moment, protection hadn’t crossed either of our minds.
After ten minutes of waiting, it became clear he wasn’t coming back. Humiliation washed over me. Of course he’d left–he’d gotten what he wanted from the naive girl at the masquerade.
“Don’t you dare stop,” I breathed.
“So,” Chloe said casually, “did you guys at least use protection?”
For several heartbeats, we stayed locked together, our ragged breathing the only sound. Reality slowly began to seep back in, and with it came the first flickers of embarrassment. What had I done?
Despite my embarrassment, I couldn’t help smiling. “His eyes were incredible. This weird violet–blue color I’ve never seen before.”
“Yes,” was all I could manage.
“Maybe I am,” I admitted, surprising myself with my honesty.
“We absolutely should,” he countered, his voice rough with desire. “Unless you want me to stop?”
2 Chapter 2–A Reckless Encounter
I knew I should say yes. This was madness—a stranger in a hallway at a masquerade. ball. But the heat building between us was undeniable, and for once, I didn’t want to be sensible Hazel.
His lips crashed into mine with a hunger that matched my own. The kiss was nothing like I’d experienced before–demanding yet tender, passionate yet controlled. I melted. against him, my hands gripping his shoulders as if I might float away without hist anchoring presence.
“I need you,” he growled, his fingers working magic that had me clutching desperately at his shoulders. “Right now.”
My breath caught. The music swelled around us, but all I could focus on was the warmth of his body against mine, the intoxicating scent of his cologne, and those eyes that seemed to see right through my mask and into my soul.
“Well, he clearly knew what he was doing,” Chloe giggled. “I knew this ball was exactly what you needed to get over Ethan.”
“Fine,” I conceded, taking a deep breath. “One night of freedom.”
“Don’t stop,” I whispered instead.
I sipped the bubbly drink, feeling it fizz down my throat. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this, Chl.
“And how exactly am I looking at you?” I challenged.
She dragged me toward the bar, Noah following with an amused smile. After ordering champagne for us, Chloe turned to me with determination in her eyes.
I clinked my glass against hers, feeling lighter than I had in months. Maybe this reckless night was exactly what I’d needed to finally move on.
“Unexpected, I supplied, smoothing down my hair.
Her words hit home. When was the last time I’d actually had fun? Before catching Ethan and Jessica together, probably.
The Sterling Masquerade Ball was nothing like I’d imagined. The grand ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers, while masked figures in suits and gowns mingled like characters from a fairy tale. Classical music flowed from a live orchestra, and champagne flowed even more freely.
2 Chapter 2–A Reckless Encounter
I smiled behind my mask. “How could you possibly know? Everyone’s wearing masks.”
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Don’t be proud. Be horrified. I don’t even
know his name?
“I guess you were right,” I admitted. “For the first time in months, I didn’t think about Ethan once.
Before I could overthink it, I nodded. His hand found the small of my back, sending electricity through my body as he guided me to the dance floor. His touch was firm but gentle, confident without being presumptuous.
–
He laughed a rich, warm sound that eased some of my anxiety. “Spectacular was the word I was looking for.”
“Keep your voice down,” I hissed, though we were alone. “It was stupid, I know.”
Before I could respond, he was striding away, phone pressed to his ear. I leaned against the wall, feeling simultaneously elated and foolish. What had gotten into me? This wasn’t who I was.
What followed was a blur of sensations–his hands lifting me higher, my legs wrapping around his waist, the sound of his zipper, and then the exquisite feeling of him pushing inside me. The angle was perfect, the pressure divine. Each thrust sent waves of pleasure through my body until I was biting my lip to keep from crying out.
“You did WHAT?” Chloe shrieked as we sat in her living room later that night, Noah having tactfully retreated to the bedroom.
“You look far too beautiful to be standing alone.
His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Like you’re wondering what it would be like to kiss me.”
An hour and two champagne flutes later, I was actually enjoying myself. Noah had swept Chloe onto the dance floor, leaving me people–watching from a quiet corner. The masks transformed everyone into mysterious characters from some elaborate play.
“Exactly,” Chloe nodded triumphantly. “For one night, you can be whoever you want to be. No ex–boyfriend, no backstabbing cousin, no disappointed parents. Just you, having fun for once in your life.”
2 Chapter 2–A Reckless Encounter
Chapter 2 – A Reckless Encounter
“Only the exceptionally beautiful ones.” His hand tightened slightly on my waist. “And only when they look at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”
“No way, Hazel. I didn’t spend three hours making you look like a goddess just so you could hide in my apartment. Chloe grabbed my shoulders firmly. “Tonight, you’re not going to be the responsible, practical Hazel who always follows the rules. Tonight, you’re going to live a little.”
“Wow,” I breathed, clutching my small clutch nervously. “This is…”
I stared at my reflection one more time, hardly recognizing myself behind the golden mask. My bright green eyes shimmered with nervousness, but also something else- anticipation.
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