Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

AURORA

R oman ran his fingertips over the curve of my shoulder. "You look beautiful."

He was standing before me, impeccably dressed in a bespoke tuxedo, holding a red leather and gold necklace case. I recognized the signature Cartier box.

His dark gaze ran over my body. "I wanted to find a dress that would capture the starlight I see in your eyes."

I ran my palms over my hips. The dress fit perfectly. I looked way older than my age as I stared at my reflection. The heavy silver sequin fabric draped over my hips and pooled at my feet, giving me a perfect hourglass silhouette. The neckline was both modest and daring. A fragile net covered my neck, only allowing a hint of my cleavage to be seen through the deep V. Sewn into the delicate gauze were hundreds of sequins and crystals, giving an elegant starburst effect over my breasts. Still, I felt scandalously naked since Roman had insisted I wear nothing under the gown.

Roman lifted the lid on the jewelry box. Nestled on red velvet was a stunning diamond necklace. The diamonds seemed to float in a gentle cascade. There was no visible setting or metal chain. Roman picked up the necklace and circled around behind me. I had pulled my thick hair up into a chignon, exposing my neck. His warm breath teased the small curls on the back of my neck as he secured the necklace.

I reached my hand up to stroke the diamonds. "Thank you," I said breathlessly.

He offered his arm. "Shall we?"

I tucked my hand into the crook of his arm and allowed him to lead me out of the house and into the night.

We headed up the driveway, which was shrouded by ancient oak trees. Twinkling lights from his brother's country estate cut through the gloom. The massive three-story mansion was dominated by four large columns, giving the estate an imposing air of classical authority.

Roman waved away the valet and held out his hand to help me out of the car. As we approached the entrance, I noticed a family shield on the closed double doors. I couldn't read the Latin inscription, but the image of two weapons suspended over a dead dove was enough to give me an idea. The doors swung open dramatically when we were only a few feet away.

Servants dressed in the Winterbourne livery and wearing black masks bowed as we walked past.

The moment we crossed the threshold, an imposing figure approached us. Even with the mask, I could tell this man must be Roman's older half-brother, the infamous Duke of Winterbourne. They could be twins. My stomach clenched. He was dressed in a designer tuxedo with a black shirt. Over his shoulders was a breathtaking cloak of black and cobalt blue feathers. His half mask was in the shape of a bird beak and covered with black diamonds.

Roman held out his hand. "Brother, so nice to see you this evening. Lovely party."

Richard extended his hand. "Yes, it's amusing, though… I cannot seem to recall inviting you."

Roman smiled. "An oversight, I'm sure."

"If you had received an invitation, you would have, of course, been informed this was a masquerade ball."

Roman turned to look down at me. He stroked my cheek. "I have no interest in hiding this beauty. And as for myself, I thought it would be far more effective if there was no doubt as to my identity. Masks can be so… inhibiting to one's pursuits."

I was caught in a game between these two dangerous men. A game with no rules.

Richard motioned for a passing servant carrying a tray of champagne to stop. He reached for a glass and held it out to me.

I glanced at Roman. He nodded his approval. I gingerly picked up the glass and took a sip.

Roman took one as well. Richard held up his tumbler filled with some kind of amber liquor in a rather mock toast. "To uninvited guests."

Roman lifted his glass. "To unwanted family."

They both drank.

The tension was palpable. It was like watching two snarling dogs circle one another. Except they were being so rigidly polite and courteous, any bystander would think they were old friends.

I drained my glass. I turned to leave it on a passing servant's tray as I picked up another one. Ignoring Roman's disapproving look, I took another sip. I was never one to try to sneak alcohol. Given my experience with my alcoholic mother, I usually avoided the stuff, but if I was going to survive this night, alcohol was a must.

Richard lowered his glass as he changed the topic. "I saw an old friend of ours today. I understand I have you to thank for that."

Roman shrugged. "Nicole seemed so eager to become acquainted with your new love, I had a hard time denying her."

Nicole. The woman who sat on his lap yesterday. Apparently, there was history between her and the brothers.

Richard looked down at the melting ice in his glass. He smiled as he returned his hard gaze to Roman. He then looked at me. It was unsettling. He had the same dark, soulless eyes as Roman. Keeping his gaze trained on me, he said, "I look forward to repaying the favor someday."

I shivered, feeling the unspoken threat like an unwanted caress.

Roman placed a protective hand on my lower back. His voice was hard and uncompromising when he responded. "I wouldn't recommend it."

Again Richard smiled without warmth. "Enjoy the party." He then bowed to me and left.

Roman guided me through a series of parlors that ended in a ballroom brilliantly lit by a chandelier. It was filled with guests in elaborate costumes. Bright jewel tones of crimson, gold, platinum, ruby, and sapphire blended with elegant tuxedos to give the ballroom a carnival atmosphere. Couples spun around the dance floor to an old-fashioned waltz as the orchestra on a dais at the end of the ballroom played a spirited rendition of Johann Strauss II's 'Emperor Waltz.' It was like a scene from a period movie. The entire room was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. Despite the revelry, I inched closer to the protection of Roman's body. There seemed to be an almost feverish, chaotic energy that had a dark edge.

We didn't linger. He turned me to the right. I could smell the lush foliage before we even entered the conservatory. Before I could take in the magnificent view of all the lush trees sheltered by an elaborate wrought-iron and glass ceiling, my gaze was caught by a stunning gold cage suspended from the ceiling.

Trapped within its bars was a beautiful woman. She was dressed in an emerald and gold gown that gave the impression she was covered in glorious delicate feathers. She wore a similar mask to the duke except hers was a gold beak with white diamonds. She was swinging on a velvet perch. A beautiful, trapped bird in a gilded cage.

It is unsettling to realize how much she resembles me in looks and body shape.

It is as if I'm the one in the cage.

Below the cage was a crowd of men in tuxedos. Judging by their flushed faces and inappropriate catcalls, they were drunk. As I took in the bacchanal revelry it was obvious this was not my world. I would never fit in with all this luxury and gross excess.

I continued to watch the guests but sensed a mood change in the room. Something had shifted. Guests were clutching at one another, embracing with frenzied arms and legs. A throaty moan reached my ears. Oh, my God! The entire party was turning into a lurid Roman-like orgy.

Roman stepped behind me. He ran his hand down my arm, then lifted the half-empty champagne glass out of my hand. His strong hands ran over my hips. He then slowly started to lift the fabric of my gown.

I gasped and placed my hands over his in a weak attempt to stop him. "What are you doing?"

He kissed the side of my neck just below my ear. "When in Rome…"

"Roman, no. I don't like this. I want to leave."

"No."

Cool air tickled my thighs as he lifted the back of my dress up to my waist. None of the guests paid us any attention but I felt exposed and vulnerable all the same. "Please, Roman. People will see."

He ran a hand up my back before applying pressure to the back of my head, pushing my torso down slightly. The movement pushed out my hips. My ass brushed his already aroused cock. "I want them to see," he growled against my hair.

Despite the music and laughter, I could have sworn I heard the sound of him lowering his zipper.

I grasped the slender trunk of the tree shading us from view. Its rough bark dug into the delicate skin of my palms.

I held my breath as his cock pushed between my legs.

I couldn't believe this was happening. I couldn't believe I was letting him fuck me in the middle of a party like this. I felt like I had no willpower left when it came to Roman.

He pushed inside me.

Roman wrapped his arm around my waist as he thrust his hips upward.

Two men with a drunk woman between them called out to us as they passed.

Between the heavy, long fabric of my dress and the large glossy leaves of the tree partially shielding us, I knew my modesty was covered but little more than that. It was obvious to anyone who passed by that Roman was fucking me from behind.

His hand reached under the front of my dress to push between my legs. He placed open-mouthed kisses on my exposed neck as he thrust his cock in as deep as our position would allow. I actually found myself missing the weight of his body pinning me down and the harsh, full feeling of his cock penetrating me more deeply.

Roman pinched my clit. "I love how responsive you are to my touch, no matter the circumstances. I think I could fuck you in front of the queen herself and you'd still come."

I hated that he was right.

He lifted me off my feet into his embrace. Using my body's own weight to push down on his cock as he thrust upward again and again. Soon the heated stares of the guests around us only added to my pleasure. There was something so wrong and twisted, and yet so freeing and exhilarating, knowing that others were watching you make love.

No.

This isn't love.

This is fucking.

Frenzied, hedonistic fucking.

Roman's hand grasped my breast as he leaned down to whisper, "Do you like playing the whore for me, my love?"

A tear rolled down my cheek even as I came.

In that moment, a scream rent the air.

I looked up to see the suspended gilded cage swaying erratically. Several drunk men were pulling on the bars, tilting it at a dangerous angle. They were taunting the woman trapped inside. "Can birdie come out to play?"

Another man called out, "Here, Tweetie, Tweetie, Tweetie!"

The woman inside screamed as she fell from the perch. "Richard! Richard!"

Astonished, I looked up at Roman. "That woman isn't your brother's girlfriend, is she?"

He picked up my champagne glass and drained it. "Yes, I believe she is."

The idea sent a chill through my veins, banishing any wicked euphoria I had from my orgasm. That a man would subject a woman he supposedly cared about to such public degradation and danger was beyond the pale.

I looked down at my wrinkled gown. Hadn't Roman just done something similar to me?

Blackness crept around the edges of my vision as I stumbled back into Roman's arms, feeling faint at the horrendous realization.

Roman wrapped his arms securely around me.

The woman in the cage screamed again as it crashed to the floor. Crowds of people cried out as they ran, trampling discarded masks, capes, and other guests as they did so.

"Fuck!" ground out Roman. "I need to help her, but first I need to get you someplace safe."

The idea of him abandoning me in this crowd terrified me, but I knew the woman in the cage needed his help more. Just as Roman was calling over a servant to instruct them to take me to the duke's private study, Richard burst into the ballroom. Gone was the bored demeanor of a sophisticated aristocrat. He looked like a man possessed.

"Out of my way! Elizabeth! Elizabeth," Richard raged as he tossed men aside as if they were no more than rag dolls in his haste to get to her.

Seeing that Richard had the matter in hand, Roman swept me into his arms. "Time to get you out of here, kitten."

As I clutched Roman, I watched over his shoulder with horrified fascination as Richard also swept Elizabeth into his arms and boldly carried her to safety. It would all seem terribly romantic, if I hadn't known he was the one who'd put her on display in that wretched cage in the first place.

Roman carried me through a labyrinth of secret passageways before we emerged into a silent walled-in garden behind the estate. Shafts of bright light from the mansion windows above cast the manicured bushes and flowers into stark relief despite the gloom of the night.

Roman's ever-present, well-trained security staff, which had followed us to the event in a separate car, were already opening the gate. "Sir, we have the car waiting. If you would just follow me."

I didn't take a full breath until we were safely in the back of his car being whisked away. I watched through the windows as crowds of people, their costumes in disarray, poured out of the mansion in their haste to get away from the disaster.

As we drove off into the night, I couldn't help but wonder about Elizabeth. Was she safe? Did she love Richard? Did she too feel as if her life was no longer under her control as she got deeper into her relationship with him?

Did she feel as lost and trapped as I did with Roman?