Evie had been dancing for what felt like an eternity. She looked over to her friend Lily, who had her arms wrapped around a tall blonde man, dancing along to the music while he pulled her close against him.

David Johnson, Lily’s father and owner of the Johnson Hotel chain, held a lavish party every year. Why? “Because life is too short not to celebrate it!” as David always put it. No expense was ever spared. The annual Johnson Hotel party was the talk of the city and the highlight of everyone’s year.

No ballroom in the hotel was spared of decadent decoration. Every room garnered a different theme, catering to all guests young and old and stocked with enough champagne to fill the Pacific.

Staff waited on guests hand and foot with food and drink so delicious you always went back for more. Singers and musicians entertained all who would listen and guests partied until the first rays of dawn. Every year David transformed his Belgravia hotel in to a luxurious nightclub.

This year’s dress code? Masquerade.

All night Evie and Lily had been hopping from ballroom to ballroom, enjoying every theme from Tudor to 1940s to Motown. They had been in the Modern Ballroom for the last half hour, dancing and singing their hearts out. Chart music blared through the room and silver lights panelled through the darkness, bouncing off the Rococo walls and lighting up the sea of people partying the night away.

Evie swayed along to the pounding R&B song, dodging a drunk dancing couple. She adjusted her mask of simple black lace that matched the black gown that hugged her womanly curves. Scanning the crowds, she watched the clusters of men and women dancing in groups and those who had partnered off.

Then her eyes fell on him.

Tall, dark haired, broad shouldered and a muscular frame that rippled underneath the crisp, white shirt of his tux. Though half his face was covered by a jewelled silver mask, Evie saw it disguised a granite strong jaw and an incredibly handsome face.

His gaze locked on hers from across the room and in that moment, it was as if all the people in between them weren’t there. Evie stood rooted to the spot, unable to take her eyes off him. He was quite simply gorgeous! He towered powerfully over everyone else, holding her captive under his imposing gait. His stare burned in to her, confident and male. She felt the familiar somersault of butterflies in her stomach and heat rushed to her cheeks. She’d seen some handsome men at this party, but this man was something else.

She smiled sweetly at him and as much as it pained her, tore her eyes away, swaying her hips to the music. There was no way she was going to him, she frankly didn’t have the guts. What if she’d got it completely wrong? What if he was staring at someone behind her? It wouldn’t have been the first time. She was too shy to make the first move. If he wanted to talk, he’d have to come to her.

It wasn’t long before she felt a strong arm snake around her waist, a solid chest pressed against her back.

“I’ve been watching you.” A rough, baritone voice whispered in her ear.

His grazing, light touch scorched through her dress and her nerve endings stood to attention. Trying to keep some composure, Evie turned around to face him. Her eyes widened. Even with the mask he was possibly the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

“Have you now?” she squeaked, desperately trying to keep her voice playful and even. Why was she being like this? She was normally so confident with men, always having an answer for any charm or cheesy pick-up lines thrown her way. Yet here she was, quivering like a wallflower. His full lips curled up in a charming half smile. Evie felt her knees wobble.

“I have.” He pulled her smack against his rock hard torso and she let out a little gasp. A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, “You’re a great dancer.”

A strong hand held firm against the small of her back, pressing her body flat against his as he took her hand in his much larger one. Evie’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart slammed in her chest, threatening to burst. Then he leaned forward and brushed his lips oh so gently against her ear once again.

“Dance with me.”

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Violet Grey
Copyright, 2017 –  Life of Violet
All Rights Reserved.
*Photo – Pinterest/fashionstylemag.com