Page 135 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

I shiver. The rest of the crowd breaks out in murmurs that rise above the music. And then he, too, leaves.

The tension in the room dissipates.

Eli takes my hand. “Let’s dance.”

“I think it’s time to leave.” Someone must’ve spiked the punch, because my vision is glitching. It can’t quite keep up to the movement of my eyes.

Eli hasn’t let go of my hips. After the showdown with Jackie ended, I don’t think we’ve left the dance floor except to refill our cups. We’ve started dancing close enough to warrant stares, and any second now we’re going to be approached by a chaperone.

We’re pressed together from our thighs to our shoulders.

I tip my head back, letting him hold me steady, and giggle.

Yep, there goes the room.

All at once, he bends down and swoops me into his arms. I latch on to his neck, squealing.

He steals a kiss from my lips. I press in closer, deepening it. Our mouths part, and I lose myself in the moment.

“Get a room,” someone calls.

Eli pulls away and glares.

“We should,” I murmur. I trail my finger down his chest. “Right now.”

His eyes heat up. “Yes, ma’am.”

He carries me into the elevator, up to the floor our room is on, and down the hall.

“Inside pocket,” he tells me.

I stick my hand in his suit jacket, finding the card easily. He bends down so I can reach the doorknob, and I shove it open.

He takes two steps into the room, pausing while the door swings shut behind us, then kisses me fiercely.

I tear my mouth away and stare up at him. We both still wear our masks. Now that we’re alone, I hate the barrier between us. I slowly lift his off his face, tossing it over my shoulder. I repeat with mine, and the smirk he gives me goes straight to my core.

I practically crawl up his body in an attempt to get closer to him.

We’ve had sex before. A lot of sex last year.

But this feels different.

Like we’re both one hundred percent in it, more than either of us realized was possible a year ago.

He sets me on the edge of the bed, and his lips find mine again. His tongue strokes inside my mouth. He moves to my throat, peppering my skin with sweet, hot kisses and nips.

I slide his jacket off, tossing it to the floor. His shoes and socks follow. I work the buttons of his shirt and yank those, too, while he slowly drags the zipper of my dress past my hips.

He groans, briefly kissing my collarbone before following the fabric down my body. It slides off me easily, pooling around my heels.

He sinks to his knees.

“Will you let me worship you tonight?” he asks.

Who are you?

I almost say it, but I don’t want to ruin the moment. Mutely, I nod.