The Strange Man

Lucia

"You're far too beautiful to be relegated to the shadows."

Before I could spin around to locate the source of the words, I felt a large figure pressing into my back, trapping me between the balustrade and his body. The smell of leather, smoke and whiskey teases my senses.

The man behind me isn't my husband, and I should be panicking, but instead heat curled through my belly, followed by shame.

"Who are you? What do you think you're doing? I'm a married woman, get lost." I snapped.

The man chuckled. "What kind of husband would let their wife stray away from him in a party when she looks like that."

I swallowed. "Like that?" I echoed.

"Like sin and temptation wrapped into one alluring package." He whispered into my ear. "Like a siren drawing every single man here closer." His fingers brush down my exposed spine and I shiver, wondering if I'd gone mad.

Christian could come up here any second and catch me in this compromising position with this stranger. But the man's words had weaved a spell, trapping me.

When was the last time I had felt beautiful and desired?

"Who are you?"

"Isn't it fun not knowing?" He purred, and my knees went weak.

I grabbed the edge of the balcony to keep myself upright even as the party carried on below me. I should push this stranger off, and go back to Christian's side.

Why? A voice mocked in my head. Are you really in a hurry to compete for your husband's attention with those sharks downstairs?

Did I really want to go down there and pretend to be the perfect, loving wife to a man who I hated with every fibre of my being?

"If I had a woman like you, I would never make it out of bed," he told me. "I'd spend my days mapping out every inch of you with my hands and mouth."

Goosebumps rose up my skin.

"I'd conquer the world and lay it at your feet."

"You don't even know me." I rasp out.

"I've watched you all night."

"There's more to me beneath the glittering dress and perfect make up." I cautioned. "Haven't you heard never to judge a book by its cover?"

"Tell me then, who are you beneath the glamour?" His voice was low, sending tingles firing down my spine.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. The truth was that I didn't even know who I was anymore. Christian had erased what was left of my identity and given me a new one. Bitterness coiled inside me and I spun around.

My breath caught in my throat as I caught sight of the man. He was the most gorgeous and perfect man I'd ever seen. Tall, broad shouldered, dark hair, electric blue eyes and a jaw line that was as sharp as a blade.

"Who are you?" I asked again.

A smile teased at the edge of his mouth and he stepped forward, gaze heated. The man cupped my face in his hands and raised my head till my eyes met his. I trembled at the innocent touch.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He said cryptically.

My eyebrows furrowed. "I've never seen you at any of these parties before."

He looked to be about twenties, so I assumed he was the son of one of the rich, old men that littered these events. "How old are you?" I blurted out.

The man chuckled, then leaned closer. "You ask too many questions, sweetheart."

"I'm not your sweetheart." The moan that tore out of my mouth as his mouth closed around my ear lobe ruined the effect of my reprimand. Dear God, what was he doing to me?

"Not now, but soon."

"I'm married."

"And yet, you haven't stopped this." He taunted, tone suddenly hard. "That ring on your finger doesn't mean anything and we both know it."

I blinked in shock. "Who are you? Do you know me from somewhere? Enough of the games."

"But I've barely even begun." And with that, his mouth closed on mine. I gasped into the kiss, current skittering down my body as he pulled me into his large, hot body.

Every last bit of resistance melted away as his tongue dragged over the seams of my mouth. I opened for him and he pushed inside, claiming me with his mouth. The kiss ended as quickly as it began.

"Good night, Lucia."

"Wha_"

Before I could get the question out, the man took a step back and with a smile that promised danger, he melted back into the shadows. I took a step forward, intent on going after him but the sound of approaching footsteps stopped me.

"Lucia, I've been looking all over from you." My husband snapped as he appeared at the French doors leading off to the balcony.

A scowl was written on his face. "What are you doing out here?"

"I w-was just getting some air." I stammered, guilt and terror spinning together at the base of my stomach. What the hell had I done?

"Let's go. Mr. Roman is asking about you." He snapped. "You're supposed to stay close by and laugh at his jokes. If I don't get that contract, it will be your damn fault. Do you think I brought you here to just drink wine?"

"I'm sorry." I hung my head, trailing after him as we marched downstairs and rejoined the party. I kept up the farce, smiling when someone said something, complementing the women's dresses and looks, playing the role Christian demanded I play.

But the whole time, I could feel a dark, possessive gaze searing into me. Each time i glanced over my shoulder, there was no one there though.

I could feel the ghost of the stranger's kiss against my mouth, and it was only at the end of the night when my husband pressed his mouth to mine did a dark realisation hit me.

The stranger had called me by my name.