No wonder everyone in town said his parties were epic. Gavin went all out tonight. She loved every bit of it. Even if the details were so realistic that the food made her cringe. She still loved it. Gavin followed close behind the object of his newest obsession.
“Allow me, lass.”
Gavin wrapped his large hands around his masked beauty’s tiny little waist and lifted her petite frame up onto the counter top. She leaned on the edge of the counter with her hands and swung her legs back and forth absentmindedly. Deciding to continue her fun flirtations, she asked Gavin in her best alluring vixen voice, “Does the king plan to feed me himself?”
She mocked a shocked gasp, bringing her hand to her heart. “What would all your subjects think of such an act?”
Her seductive Spartan stalked over to her with a tray of goodies in his hands. By far, this one of the sexiest things Adelle had ever seen. A barely dressed Spartan, ripped from head to toe, and the most magnificently attractive specimen she’d ever laid eyes on… holding a tray of chocolates. Yes, please! Gavin didn’t stop when he was in front of her. He pressed his hips against her bent knees, wedging his way between her legs, and he didn’t stop until he was against the counter.
“The best of kings always kneel before their queen.”
He waited for his fiery vixen to tense up or push him away to an acceptable distance. But she did neither. All those fears melted away when she looked down at his new position and smiled a devilish grin. She opened up to him willingly. Gavin thought, too late, that this may not be the best idea.
The look she gave, paired with her unexpected action, sent his male hormones raging out of control. He was afraid that if things got hot and heavy pretty quickly, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from taking her. Taking all of her.
He definitely didn’t want to screw up with this woman. He didn’t even know her name. How would he find her again? Well, now Gavin was going to have to stay nestled between her softly curvaceous thighs, facing the cabinets, until he could get his body under control. Or else the rest of the party would bear witness to exactly how much he desired her.
Calming down his growing need for her was proving to be extremely difficult, especially when he saw the passion in her eyes that lay hidden behind her mask. As he looked deeper into them, he could’ve sworn he’d seen them before. They were so familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on why. Or who. She also seemed to look on him as if she knew him well.
But this couldn’t be. If Gavin had ever been lucky enough to call this tempting, witty, challenging, and sexy woman his… to be lucky enough to hold her in his arms, he’d never be stupid enough to let her go. Ever!
Adelle’s temperature rose, staining her cheeks pink. The man of her dreams was gazing into her eyes and nestled between her trembling legs. This was a page right out of one of her fantasies. She had to fight an incredible need deep down in the pit of her stomach, not to wrap her legs all the way around his waist. Instead, she opted to wrap her arms around his neck. The height of the counter brought her up to his eye level. They both gazed into each other’s masked faces.
A few hot, breathless moments passed. Adelle opened up her perfectly glossed lips, prompting him to feed her a tasty treat. Gavin let out a long sigh, smiling at her. He shook his head in an attempt to chase away his wayward thoughts about what he’d like to do to those plump lips. Without looking, he picked up a pastry and brought it up to her mouth. It ended up being a cheesecake roll shaped as a bloody finger.
Not so romantic.
But, it did have them both laughing. Thankfully, that lightened the intense, lustfully charged pull that drew them closer and closer together. Adelle had to try harder to keep her wits about her. She’d never had a boyfriend before, let alone experienced any of these intense sexual desires she was feeling right then. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up giving herself over to him. That wouldn’t be a problem in that she’d always wanted to give herself to Gavin, and only to Gavin.
But only if she knew he could love her back. Love her the way she loved him. It would hurt too much if he only wanted that one thing from her then walked away without a backward glance. She decided that, just for tonight, she would hold him. Touch him. Flirt and dance with him. Hopefully, by the end of the night, she’d be able to kiss him the way she had always wanted to. The way she had always dreamed of doing, time and time again.
Only then would she be able to leave. Gavin watched her closely, and he could’ve sworn he saw a brief sadness flicker across her features. Before he could question it, it was gone. He picked up an eyeball Oreo and popped it into her mouth slowly, trying to bring her attention back to them. Adelle sucked the melted chocolate off of his finger, not wanting to waste one bit of the decadence. She enjoyed the appreciative groan he let out.
“You’re killing me, woman.”
Adelle leaned into him further, pressing her barely covered breasts against his broad, well-defined chest. “My aim is to please the king… not kill him.”
Their lips were now a breath apart. She could feel a shudder work through his bare body. Every muscle twitched and flexed, straining underneath the skin that contained it. His eyes narrowed on hers and dilated with the same erotic excitement she felt as well. For a brief moment, she was nervous. If she kissed him now, her fun would be over. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from giving everything over to Gavin. Anything he wanted, she’d give to him. She was having way too much fun being with him like this to have it end so soon.
Gavin tilted his head, leaning in to kiss her. Adelle panicked for a second, blurting out, “Oh, I love this song. Let’s dance!”
She wasn’t sure what was playing but needed the diversion. Gavin wasn’t mad or even disappointed. A sinister smirk appeared across his flawless face. He certainly loved the challenge and loved to give chase. And right then, Adelle was the one on the run. Gavin didn’t want things that were easily attainable. That’s why, up until now, every woman he’d ever been with bored him to death.
“Love may be blind…
But only because you’ve hidden
it behind your mask.”
GAVIN FOLLOWED AFTER the woman of his dreams, wrapping his arms around her waist. His helmet-clad head came up from behind her, and he whispered in her ear, “You fit in my arms perfectly, but you definitely feel better than I’d imagined.” He breathed in her subtle vanilla perfume and hummed in appreciation. The vibration it caused sent chills down her exposed spine.
Adelle closed her eyes as an unfamiliar sensation coursed through her. Desire. Gavin placed a wet kiss on her neck. The firm pressure brought out a low groan from her. This man was killing her. Gavin moaned, pleading with her, “Please. What is your name? I have to know it. I want to feel it roll off my tongue.”
The woman who quite literally walked out of his dreams turned into him, grabbed both his hands, and pulled him onto the makeshift dance floor, A.K.A. his dining room.
“I’ll tell you when the timing is right.”
Gavin immediately moved his body to the bass and in step with the girl’s flirty movements. “You’re a tease.”
The girl just lifted one corner of her lip in a dangerous grin. “No. I’m just saving the best surprise for last.”
Adelle was enjoying the feel of his strong hands as they gripped her hips. She rolled them provocatively to the rhythm of the song playing. She was amazed at the confidence she felt while wearing this corset. It was like it possessed its own magic. It transformed her into a seductress. The mask made her bold, braver than she’d ever dreamed of being. She unconsciously ran her hands up his bare, muscled torso. This would be the last time she’d see him, she knew this much.
She’d enjoy these last moments with the man she’d fallen for long ago, as he wrapped her in his strong protective arms. She would enjoy the feeling of having him hold her this close and pretend that he knew exactly who she was. Especially since she worried that when he did finally learn who she was, his intere
st in her would disappear.
As time ticked down to when Leiah would pick her up, she knew she wanted to kiss him. Just once, before she left Portree for college. A slow song drifted out of the speakers, bringing the pace down to an intimate rhythm. The masked couple smiled at each other, happy with the song selection. They gazed into each other’s eyes. Gavin’s grip on her hips tightened as he brought her as close as their bodies would allow.
His body ached with desire as he felt her body against his. He wanted this mysterious woman more than he’d ever wanted anyone else. She wrapped her arms around his neck and swayed against his body to the seductive words of the song. Feeling her body roll and grind against his was enough to drive him mad with need. He was moments away from getting down on his knees and begging for mercy. Gavin cupped her masked face in his hands. He couldn’t wait any longer. Gavin needed to taste her lips.
Adelle let out a gasp as he bent down to kiss her. She wouldn’t stall anymore. It was something they both wanted. It was what they both needed. When their lips met, she could’ve sworn she felt an electric shock at their connection. It sent waves of pleasure rippling through her tiny frame. This overpowering sensation sent tremors across her hyper-aware body.
His wetted lips moved with hers, their pace slow and attentive. He cherished her with every tender kiss. Adelle’s knees went weak and buckled under the persuasive power of his desire for her. Her Spartan King easily held her up, wrapping his arm tightly around her waist. Adelle moaned uncontrollably against his lips.
Gavin’s body stirred at the sound of her pleasure. His remaining hand tangled into her long strawberry locks. He had to get closer. This just wasn’t close enough. His need to taste every inch of her body intensified every time her tongue swept along his. The overpowering kiss grew in intensity, as did his desire for her. The pounding of his excited heart thumped fast and hard in his chest, and he was positive that she would feel it. Finally, his mystery woman opened her mouth to him, and he took the invitation, sliding his tongue inside.
Adelle had died and gone to heaven. There was no way this was her first kiss. First kisses were awkward, gross, and with someone you’d wish you’d forgotten later on. Every touch. Every stroke of his skilled tongue. Every nip on her lip had her climbing higher and higher to a destination that was still foreign to her. Gavin had to put a stop to this kiss. He needed to know once and for all who this captivating woman of his dreams was, who in just one night had stolen his attention and his heart. As he started to pull away, the little minx gripped him tighter.
She tilted her head and deepened the kiss even more. The barely clothed man groaned in pain as his body reacted to her unbridled passion. His desperation to have her right then and there was growing by the second. Gavin back-stepped to the flight of stairs he knew were about ten feet behind him and took her with him. They never came up for air, or to look where they were going.
It was as though they were locked together.
“C’mon, love, let’s not give everyone here a free show. I want time and space to properly worship my queen.”
Adelle was putty in his hands. All her well thought out plans had flown right out the window with his kiss. She wanted him so much. She didn’t have the strength of mind to say no, let alone pull away from him. She wanted him to take her, have her, and hold her for just one night. In the back of her mind, she thought she heard someone calling her name. It finally broke through her lust-filled haze, capturing her attention.
To her despair, it was Leiah. It was time. She had to go. Her heart broke wide open. She definitely didn’t think this adventure would hurt as much as it did. Deep down, she knew she would be feeling the effects of this for a very long time. Gavin continued to kiss a path down her neck, unaware that her friend was calling out her name.
Well, it’s now or never.
Gavin would get his wish and find out exactly who she was. Adelle trembled when her adrenaline flooded her system, scared of what would happen after she revealed herself to him… in front of all of these people. The very same people who tormented her all her life. Abruptly, she dropped her hands from around his neck. She placed them on his chest, pushing him away. He opened his lust-filled eyes and looked into her masked face.
When she took a step back and away, Gavin looked hurt and confused. It tore her heart wide open.
“What’s wrong, love? What have I done? If I’m going too fast, just tell me. Don’t back away. I won’t hurt you.”
Oh, but I’m going to hurt you, she thought to herself. And that’s not at all what she meant to do. The look on his face shook her resolve. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him and let him take her upstairs. She’d dreamed of it.
“It’s time for me to go, Gavin.”
She glanced over at her friend, waiting by the door. She wore an excited and shocked look on her face from walking in and seeing them together. After a few minutes of looking back and forth between them, Gavin finally realized that it was Leiah.
“You know Leiah?”
Without another word, Adelle lifted the mask, removing it completely, and looked up at the man of her dreams. A man she could never have.
“When not wearing their masks,
Kindred souls can finally see each other.”
~ Francine Portelance
GAVIN STARED AT those familiar eyes and telling freckles. But he couldn’t wrap his head around the stranger wearing them. “It’s me, Gavin. It’s Adelle,” she announced the obvious. Several party goers within earshot stopped what they were doing and turned around. The Spartan King stood frozen on the spot.
His heart swelled at the sight of the girl next door.
“Adelle! You’re… you’re breathtaking!”
It was now Adelle’s turn to be rendered speechless. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t this reaction. She thought he’d be horrified, upset, embarrassed, or even angry with her for doing this. But the look in his eyes as he searched her from head to toe was something else entirely. Her self-conscience mind refused to believe that he looked at her with adoration and possibly love. No. She wouldn’t believe it even if he spoke the words out loud. The time had come to rip off the Band-Aid.
“Goodbye, Gavin. Thank you for inviting me. I had a really fun time with you.”
The emotionally wrecked girl walked over to her friend, trying hard not to fall apart in front of everyone. She had to be strong, but her shaking legs gave her away. Adelle was glad Leiah called out her name when she did, breaking the spell. Adelle couldn’t fall for a playboy like him. She knew that. It was best to walk away now, before things went further… before she fell for him even more than she already had. At least, for a few hours tonight, he was all hers.
“Goodbye? What do you mean goodbye? You can’t leave me now. Don’t leave now that I finally know who you are.”
Adelle looked over her shoulder at him, trying hard not to cry. Had her ears betrayed her into thinking he was actually happy it was her under that mask.
“I have to go. I’m leaving for college. Tonight. I’m not coming back, not for a while. I just wanted to have one more night of fun in this town before I left. Goodbye, Gavin. I will never forget tonight. Thank you.”
She felt hollow inside. She thought she would feel epic for leaving like this after her big reveal. But she was dead wrong. The broken look on his face as he slowly removed his helmet made her feel horrible. Before he could think of something brilliant to say to make her stay with him, she stepped out of the house and out of his life. Realizing too late that the girl next door who had chased him around growing up, the girl everyone else dismissed, the girl who always had a special place in his heart, had been the girl he’d been searching for all along.
Everyone in town thought he chased or dated all those other women because he was a playboy. That was his reputation, after all, but that wasn’t the case. He was just searching for the girl of his dreams, the girl who’d been right there all along. And he’d ju
st let her walk out the door. No longer having the strength to stand, Gavin sank to the couch as his heart shattered into a million pieces.
It took him this long to figure out what it felt like to be in love. The moment he finally grasped it in his waiting arms, the woman responsible walked out of his life and took his beating heart with her. He wasn’t sure how, but he would get Adelle back into his arms again. No matter how long it took or how far he had to go to get her.
He wouldn’t let Adelle go.
He loved her.
To my Lord and Savior: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”—Hebrews 10:17
Thank you to the winners of the “Your name in book 3” contest:
June Erevia, Lauren Jones, Wendy Syposs Litz, Teresa Branch, Lisa Kulow, and Annie Boylan PA. Thanks to your list of great names, the characters truly came to life.
To my loving hubby: I sacrificed countless amounts of time and energy away from my family in order to follow my dream and write this series. Your love and support mean everything to me. Thank you for putting up with me. I love you so much, Eggie.
Womb-mate! Thank you so much for your continued love and support. I can always count on you. I love you, twinny.
Thanks, Mommy, for reading to us at an early age. I’m so happy I was born in a family of book lovers. Daddy, your over-exaggerated storytelling and crazy antics helped fuel my imagination.
To my Chicken Soup Chicks: Thank you for always being there to support me. You all are the best group of people on the planet. I’m truly proud and blessed to call you all my friends. I still plan on meeting you all in person someday… It’ll happen.
To my Amazing Beta Readers/critique partners—Babs, Natasha, Lucy, and Cindi M.: Thank you for all your help. I’m so grateful for all your hard work. You ladies are the best! I love your faces off.
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