A Date for the Masquerade

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A Date for the Masquerade Page 7

by Dover, L. P.


  His hands snake around my waist. “So, you’re not mad at me?”

  I shake my head. “Not in the least. I can’t believe you did what you did just to get close to me.”

  Owen pulls me in closer to his body. “I didn’t know how else to approach you. I’m glad you figured out it was me.”

  I stare in his eyes, knowing they aren’t really green. “It would’ve been much easier if you weren’t wearing contacts. You know I love your gray and golden eyes.”

  Chuckling, he slides a hand away from my waist and takes out the contacts, his true color staring back at me. “Better?”

  “Much.”

  He glances down at my lips. “What happens now?”

  I slide my hands up to his face. “Well, for starters you can kiss me.” He grips my waist and quickly turns me to where my back is against the elevator wall. His lips close over mine with an urgency that makes everything inside of me tighten. I want more…so much more.

  “How was that?” he asks, murmuring the words against my lips.

  My breath comes out in rapid pants. “Oh, that was just the beginning.” I reach over and press the button to start the elevator back up.

  A few seconds later, the doors open and Owen smiles. “So, what’s next? This is my floor. I could give you a tour of my place.”

  Taking his hand, I pull him out of the elevator. “Maybe tomorrow. Right now, I only want to see your bedroom.”

  He unlocks his door and closes it behind us, pushing his arousal into my body. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  His words make me smile. He asked me the same question on both the nights we slept together. “Yes,” I murmur whole-heartedly. “I want this and so much more.” Picking me up in his arms, he carries me to his bedroom and lays me down on his bed, his body covering mine. I run a hand down his cheek and brush my thumb over his lips. “It’ll be nice seeing your face when we make love.”

  He nips my thumb and smiles. “I’m glad you’re not disappointed it’s me.”

  I shake my head. “You’re everything I could ever want, Owen. I’m happy it’s you.”

  “Things aren’t going to be same after this. Are you ready for that?” He kisses me and slides a hand underneath my dress and up my thigh.

  Goosebumps fan out over my skin and I tremble with anticipation. “As long as I have you, I’m ready for anything.”

  ~ Halloween Night – 1 Year Later ~

  Trick or treaters have come and gone, and I’ve eaten so much chocolate I feel a sugar high coming on. The night is just getting started though.

  “Want a glass of wine?” Owen calls out from the kitchen.

  I get the TV ready and wave a hand in the air. “Yes. Just bring the whole bottle.”

  Owen chuckles. “I can do that.”

  He sets the bottle of wine on the coffee table beside my many empty wrappers of Kit Kat bars. There’s a whole bucket of candy on the table with various chocolate bars and I handpicked all the Kit Kats out. Owen sits down and hands me the glass of wine, his eyes focused on the candy.

  “Please tell me you didn’t eat all of the Kit Kats?”

  I knew it was his favorite candy bar so I ate some of them and hid the rest just to mess with him. “Did you want some?” I ask, feigning innocence.

  Owen sits back on the couch, looking bummed. “Well, damn. Guess I’ll just eat the Twix.” He’s talked about eating Kit Kats all day long. It takes all I have not to burst out laughing.

  Reaching behind the couch pillow, I pull out a handful of his favorite treat. “Here you go.”

  I set them in his lap, and he smirks. “I knew you wouldn’t eat them all. You love me too much.”

  “That I do. And I also learned from last year. I had no clue you loved Kit Kats so much.”

  Owen kisses the side of my head. “It made you happy to eat them all, so I was fine not having any.” I had eaten them all and felt bad, even though he says he didn’t care. He just liked giving me a hard time. That’s why I remembered to buy extra ones for this year. They happen to be my favorite too and I wanted to make sure we had plenty.

  Picking up the remote, I press play to get our DVD started. Last year, we spent Halloween night eating candy and watching Ghostbusters and The Monster Squad. We decided to do it again this year. Halloween will always hold a special place in our hearts; it’s turned into our favorite time of the year.

  The theme song for the Ghostbusters comes on, but Owen grabs the remote and presses pause. I look at him and over at the TV. “Why’d you stop it?”

  Owen sets the remote on the table and kneels in front of me, taking both of my hands in his. “Because there’s something I want to ask you.”

  My heart starts to race. “What is it?”

  There have been many times I thought he’d pop the big question, but it never happened. Not that I’m in a hurry, but we’ve been together for a year now. Maybe it’s because my business has grown exponentially and we’ve both been super busy. Not only do Jordan and I plan parties in North Carolina, but I’ve had clients fly us both out all over the country to plan them as well. Owen comes with me every time. We turn the trips into mini vacations. It’s been a whirlwind year and I’ve loved every minute of it.

  Owen looks up at me with those gray eyes of his I can never seem to get enough of. He squeezes my hands and smiles. “I wanted to ask you if you’d mind planning another event for me. This one is going to be huge and might take a little extra work, but I’m hoping you’ll agree to do it.”

  “Of course. What kind of party is it?”

  He lets one of my hands go and reaches into his back pocket, pulling out an exquisite diamond ring. “Well, it’s more like a wedding.” Eyes wide, I gasp. He holds the ring up and takes a deep breath. “I wanted to do this months ago, but I wanted the timing to be right. Halloween was a special time for us last year and I thought this would make it even more memorable.”

  Tears stream down my cheeks. “Oh my God. This is perfect.”

  Owen nods. “That’s what I thought too. We started a tradition last year with the Ghostbusters and The Monster Squad. I want to do this exact thing every year from here on out. I want it to be our tradition. But I what I want most is to remember all these times with you being my wife. I can’t imagine it any other way.” He slides the ring onto my finger. “Please say yes.”

  All of the emotions hit me at once. I want to cry, laugh, and dance all at the same time. I fling my arms around his neck and we both fall to the floor with me on top of him. “Yes,” I laugh. “You are completely and utterly stuck with me now.”

  He winks. “I’m fine with that. Even if you are a Kit Kat thief.” He lifts a hand to my face and guides me down to his lips, kissing me gently. “Whenever you want to get married, I’m ready. Just name the date.”

  “Tomorrow then,” I tease.

  His eyes light up. “Let’s do it.”

  I roll my eyes. As much as I’d love to get married quickly, it’s not what I’ve envisioned for myself. “Soon,” I reply. “I’m a party planner. My wedding is something I’ve dreamt of my entire life.”

  “And I want it to be perfect,” he murmurs, caressing my cheek. “Then afterwards, we can start our family. I mean, come on, our Halloween tradition is amazing. What kid wouldn’t like binging classic movies all night?”

  This makes me laugh. “Maybe until they get older and we’re not cool anymore. They’re not going to want to hang out with their parents on Halloween.”

  Owen cups both my cheeks. “True, but at least, we’ll have each other. That’s all that matters.”

  I press my lips to his. “Exactly.”

  THE END

  You’ve tasted some Food, ate some watermelon at the Fair, sailed the sea in Regatta, and been to a party or two in Masquerade. Get ready for some Turkey!

  More Books from Heidi & L.P.

  SOCIETY X

  Dark Room

  Viewing Room

  Play Room

  Also by
Heidi McLaughlin

  THE BEAUMONT SERIES

  Forever My Girl – Beaumont Series #1

  My Everything – Beaumont Series #1.5

  My Unexpected Forever – Beaumont Series #2

  Finding My Forever – Beaumont Series #3

  Finding My Way – Beaumont Series #4

  12 Days of Forever – Beaumont Series #4.5

  My Kind of Forever – Beaumont Series #5

  Forever Our Boys - Beaumont Series #5.5

  The Beaumont Boxed Set - #1

  THE BEAUMONT SERIES: NEXT GENERATION

  Holding Onto Forever

  My Unexpected Love

  Chasing My Forever

  Peyton & Noah

  Fighting For Our Forever

  CAPE HARBOR SERIES

  After All

  Until Then

  THE ARCHER BROTHERS

  Here with Me

  Choose Me

  Save Me

  LOST IN YOU SERIES

  Lost in You

  Lost in Us

  THE BOYS OF SUMMER

  Third Base

  Home Run

  Grand Slam

  Hawk

  THE REALITY DUET

  Blind Reality

  Twisted Reality

  SOCIETY X

  Dark Room

  Viewing Room

  Play Room

  THE CLUTCH SERIES

  Roman

  STANDALONE NOVELS

  Stripped Bare

  Blow

  Sexcation

  HOLIDAY NOVELS

  Santa’s Secret

  It’s a Wonderful Holiday

  Also by L.P. Dover

  SECOND CHANCES SERIES

  Love’s Second Chance

  Trusting You

  What He Wants

  (Trusting You Prequel)

  Meant for Me

  Fighting for Love

  Intercepting Love

  Catching Summer

  Defending Hayden

  Last Chance

  Intended for Bristol

  ARMED & DANGEROUS SERIES

  No Limit

  Roped In

  High-Sided

  CIRCLE OF JUSTICE SERIES

  Trigger

  Target

  Aim

  In the Crossfire

  ARMED & DANGEROUS/CIRCLE OF JUSTICE CROSSOVER SERIES

  Dangerous Game

  Dangerous Betrayals

  Book 3 - TBD

  Book 4 – TBD

  GLOVES OFF SERIES

  A Fighter’s Desire

  Part One

  A Fighter’s Desire

  Part Two

  Tyler’s Undoing

  Ryley’s Revenge

  Winter Kiss: Ryley and Ash

  Paxton’s Promise

  Camden’s Redemption

  Kyle’s Return

  SOCIETY X SERIES W/HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN

  Dark Room

  Viewing Room

  Play Room

  FOREVER FAE SERIES

  Forever Fae

  Betrayals of Spring

  Summer of Frost

  Reign of Ice

  ROYAL SHIFTERS SERIES

  Turn of the Moon

  Resisting the Moon

  Rise of the Moon – Coming Soon

  BREAKAWAY SERIES

  Hard Stick

  Blocked

  Playmaker

  Off the Ice

  STANDALONE NOVELS

  Easy Revenge

  Love, Lies & Deception

  Going for the Hole

  Anonymous

  Love, Again

  Fairytale Confessions

  THE DATING SERIES W/HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN

  A Date forMidnight

  A Date with an Admirer

  A Date for Good Luck

  A Date for the Hunt

  A Date for the Derby

  A Date to Play Fore

  A Date with a Foodie

  A Date for the Fair

  A Date for the Regatta

  A Date for the Masquerade

  A Date with a Turkey

  A Date with an Elf

  CHRISTMAS NOVELS

  It Must’ve Been the Mistletoe

  Snowflake Lane Inn

  Wrapped Up with You – December 2020

  MOONLIGHT AND ALEENA SERIES

  W/ANNA-GRACE DOVER

  Moonlight and Aleena: A Tale of Two Friends

  About Heidi McLaughlin

  Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

  Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.

  In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

  Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.

  Don’t miss more books by Heidi McLaughlin! Sign up for her newsletter, or join the fun in her fan group!

  Connect with Heidi!

  www.heidimclaughlin.com

  About L.P. Dover

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything's sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it's with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that's why she's seriously addicted to chocolate.

  Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children's book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she's also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you'll never see her without a smile on her face.

  You can find L.P. Dover at www.lpdover.com.

  Praise for A Date for Midnight

  5 SEXY AND SWEET STARS!! This was a quick sexy and sweet story. Natalie and Brennan story has all the feel for a perfect book. These two authors know how to suck us readers in. I am so excited for this series.

  —Rhonda Ziglar, Goodreads

  This was a great romantic novella that you can read pretty fast. So sweet and romantic!

  —MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog

  McLaughlin and Dover give sex appeal a heart.

  —Isha Coleman

  This was such a fun, quick read!

  —Midnight Reads

  The writing draws you in and I could easily see more books for this couple. I love the writing style and I look forward to reading more from this series.

  —Krista Ricchi

  Praise for A Date with an Admirer

  In less than 100 pages, theses 2 authors have made me laugh, blush and fall in love with their characters.

  —Yoneidis Martín Martínez

  Sophie and Tanner will take you on a whirlwind romance filled with friendship, sweetness, intense chemistry and finding someone you never thought you needed!

  —Michelle McMullen

  Fantastic! Short, cute, and full of laughs. I love how Tanner and Soph are together.

  —Jennifer Millaway

  This was such a cute novella!

  —Jessica, Goodreads

  A Date with an Admirer had me laughing from beginning to end.

  —Nadia, Goodreads

  Praise for A Date for Good Luck

  A Date for Good Luck is the next book in this wonderful dating series by the dynamic duo of Dover & McLaughlin. They have once again hit it out of the RomCom park with Hope and Kellan.

  —Michele McMullen

  An adorable St. Paddy’s Day romantic novella of overbearing parents, lots of green beer and falling for someone you least suspect.

  —MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog

  What started as a sham ends up becoming a beautiful love story. One of the things I like t
he most about these series is that in less than 100 pages, these 2 authors are able to develop a beautiful and fun story.

  —Yoneidis Martin Martinez

  5 of 5 STARS! McLaughlin and Dover are a match made in romance heaven. Humor and heart collide to make beautiful music together.

  —Isha Coleman

  Overall, this is a romantic novella told in dual POVs and includes St. Patrick's Day, green beer, a wedding, and a HEA. And how could one resist an endearment like "lassie" said in a whisper in a husky Irish brogue? Shiver…

  —Sharon

  Praise for A Date for the Hunt

  This novella is worth 10 STARS!!!! I absolutely loved this one. It's a fun concept that was spot on and the women did a spectacular job writing this story.

  —Jennifer Millaway

 

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