Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

A fter dancing, Anthony led Eliza to the refreshments table where they each picked up another glass of champagne. They sipped their drinks, the bubbles tickling Eliza's nose and adding to her already buoyant mood.

Anthony's hand lingered on her lower back as he guided her towards a more secluded alcove, away from the throngs of masked revelers.

They found another quiet corner, a dimly lit alcove with candles casting flickering shadows on the walls. Anthony turned to Eliza, his gaze searching her face.

His lips curved into a soft smile. "Do you see now that the ton isn't the whole world? Stuffy balls and parties are not the only way to enjoy oneself. There are places like this where you can be yourself without judgment."

Eliza nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "After living at Mrs. West's and with my aunt, I never thought I could actually be happy, even if it's with an incorrigible rake like you."

Anthony chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "There's that word again."

Eliza's laughter joined his, the sound light and carefree. "Absolutely incorrigible."

The laughter faded, leaving a charged silence between them. Anthony set his drink aside and reached out, his fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

"You are remarkable, Eliza," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He took her glass of champagne from her hand and set it on the windowsill in the alcove.

Eliza's breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked up at him, her eyes wide and vulnerable. "Anthony…"

Before she could say more, he untied his mask and then hers, revealing her flushed face.

"There you are," he murmured and tugged the blonde wig off her head, letting her red hair tumble free, "So beautiful."

Anthony closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a tender yet passionate kiss. Eliza responded immediately, her hands gripping the lapels of his coat as she pressed herself against him.

The world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of them in that secluded alcove.

The kiss deepened, growing more intense as their emotions surged. Anthony's hand cupped the back of Eliza's neck, his fingers tangling in her hair as he pulled her closer. Eliza's hands moved to his chest, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart beneath her palms.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads resting together as they tried to catch their breath.

Anthony's eyes searched Eliza's face, desire and something deeper shining in their depths.

"Would you like to go somewhere even more private?" Anthony asked, his voice a soft whisper against her cheek.

She merely nodded.

Anthony guided Eliza through a series of dimly lit hallways until they reached a small, quiet bedroom. He closed the door behind them, locking the door, the click echoing in the silence.

The room was cozy with a single window that let in the soft glow of moonlight. Anthony turned to Eliza, his eyes dark with desire.

Eliza's breath hitched as he backed her up against the wall, then leaned in, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. She melted into him, her hands gripping his shoulders for support. Anthony's hands roamed over her body, caressing her curves with a reverence that made her heart race.

He broke the kiss, his eyes locked onto hers as he slowly knelt before her.

"I want to taste you, Eliza," he said, "I want to worship every part of you."

Eliza's cheeks flushed at his words, her heart pounding with anticipation. Anthony kneeled before her, and his hands moved to the hem of her dress, lifting it gently as he pressed soft kisses along her thighs.

"You deserve to be worshipped," he whispered against her skin.

"Anthony," Eliza gasped, the sensations foreign against her skin.

His breath was warm and his mouth soft and wet, pressing kisses against her sensitive skin. He continued up her thighs then pressed a kiss between her legs, making her gasp with surprise.

"Just relax," he told her softly, "Here, put your leg over my shoulder."

"But I'll—" she began to protest but Anthony shook his head.

"Don't worry. I got you. You won't fall," he reassured her, and through the lust, she could detest a softness in his eyes that made her feel better.

"All right."

Gently, she slung her right leg over his shoulder and leaned back against the wall, balancing herself.

"Good girl," he said with a smirk, and she shivered.

Without waiting, he grasped her hip with one hand and explored her slit with his tongue. She cried out when his tongue touched that most sensitive part of her, causing her legs to tremble.

"You are so exquisite," he murmured between kisses, his voice a husky whisper that sent shivers down her spine. "Every part of you deserves to be cherished."

Eliza's breaths came in short, sharp gasps, each one trembling with anticipation and the unfamiliar intensity of his touch. Anthony's hands moved with both tenderness and urgency, as if he could not get enough of her. The feeling of his lips and tongue exploring her most intimate places was both overwhelming and intoxicating.

When she thought she could not stand it any longer, desire and pleasure building up in her core, Anthony broke away.

"Come on," he said, slowly taking her leg off his shoulder, and stood up.

"Lay down," he told her, taking her hand.

He took her to the bed, hiking her skirts up as she scooted back. Anthony kneeled before her again, his gaze filled with an intense hunger. Her body trembled with pleasure, her fingers tangling in his hair as he continued his ministrations.

"You taste divine," he whispered against her skin, his words sending jolts of pleasure through her body. "I could spend forever here, pleasuring you."

Eliza felt her body tense and then melt under his touch, her senses overwhelmed by the way his mouth and hands worked together.

"Anthony… Please… please…" she whispered, her voice breaking with the intensity of her feelings.

"Such sweetness," he murmured, his lips grazing her inner thigh. "Such a good girl for me."

The sensation of his tongue, combined with the low, reverent tone of his voice, pushed her closer to the edge. She could feel herself slipping, her body surrendering to the waves of pleasure he was creating.

"Oh my God," she managed to gasp, her fingers tightening in his hair.

Anthony smiled against her skin, his breath hot and teasing. "Yes darling, that's it. Come for me; be a good girl and come for me."

Slowly, she felt an intensity building within her, like a string being stretched taut. When she thought she might break, the tension released, washing over her in waves.

She cried out, trying not to press Anthony's head between her thighs. He chuckled softly, licking his fingers as he stood and smiled down at her.

"Is that what it's always like?" she gasped, amazed at the pleasure she felt.

"It is when you are with me," he told her devilishly.

Eliza's heart raced as she looked up at him, her body still trembling from the aftershocks of her climax.

"You… Um, you must be really good at that," she admitted, her voice soft.

He chuckled, "Why thank you, darling. Though I must let you know that's merely a first taste of what's to come."

Then, he leaned down, capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

"You deserve to feel cherished, every moment," he murmured against her lips. "You are a marvel, Eliza. Every inch of you is a treasure."

She blushed, feeling warmth spread through her at his words. "You have a way with words, Anthony."

When she sighed deeply, Anthony offered her his hand. "You are incredible," he murmured, brushing a kiss against her lips. "But I want you to enjoy more of the masquerade."

Eliza, still breathless from the intensity of the moment, nodded.

Anthony helped her straighten her dress and fix her hair, his touch gentle and affectionate.

They replaced their masks, and Anthony offered her his arm.

"Shall we?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.

Eliza smiled, feeling a sense of contentment and excitement. "Yes, let us go."

They made their way back to the main room, the lively music and laughter welcoming them back into the fold of the masquerade.

Eliza felt a newfound confidence and joy, her earlier worries and fears melting away in the warmth of Anthony's presence.

For the rest of the night, they danced, laughed, and enjoyed the freedom that the masquerade offered.

In that enchanted world, they transcended the expectations of society, allowing them to be truly themselves.