“Cindy. My name is Cindy.” She said breathlessly.
“Smile Cindy, we are about to enter the lion’s den.”
He took her hand and led her towards Stephen and Ava. Ella breathed out. She could do this.
Would they be able to identify her by her voice? It wasn’t anything like Ava’s. Ava had one of those high pitched girly voices. Ella saw no need to increase her volume so everyone around her could hear everything she said like Ava did.
It was too risky to talk normally, just in case. Ella would intentionally pitch her voice lower to keep others from guessing.
The decision to use the ball to seek revenge on Ava was a big mistake. She found herself in a position where she had to cooperate with this stranger. Her mind was racing as they reached the other couple.
Nick placed his hand on her lower back on her bare skin, making her breath catch. His hand was hot, and it did something to her she hadn’t experienced before. It was all she could do to keep her smile in place when facing Stephen and Ava.
“Stephen, Ava. Let me introduce you to my date, Cindy.” Nick’s thumb moved over her spine, almost making her jump out of her skin. “You did say, Stephen, I could bring a plus one.”
Ella focused on the two in front of her instead of his very distracting hot hand. Ava seemed on the verge of screaming as Stephen stared at her.
“Nice to meet you both,” Ella said in her moderated voice.
“Welcome to Blackwater Manor, Cindy.” Stephen lightly tapped Nick’s shoulder in a gesture of approval. Ella detected the wink that he also sent to Nick. What was that about?
Ava totally snubbed her completely, which if Ella had been a guest that Ava didn’t know this would be the height of rudeness and not the behaviour of a welcoming host. Mary would have to work hard to make Ava aware of her duty. Not that Ella believed Ava would listen to any advice given by Stephen’s mother. Ava believed she knew everything.
“Thank you.” Ella said to Stephen. Ignoring her sister as well.
“If you both don’t mind, I’m going to take this vision of loveliness onto the dance floor.” Ava snorted, becoming even angrier because of Nick’s choice of words.
Nick guided Ella away from the other couple, then embraced her tightly on the dance floor. That hand went around her waist, laying again against her bare skin of her back, above the start of her dress. “So why doesn’t anyone recognise you? Are you a beautiful party crasher?”
His loins heated as he listened to the joyful laughter that filled his ears. The woman’s exotic beauty was so enchanting that Nick was certain he could experience it through her sound, smell, and taste. Before the night was done, he was determined to make her his.
“No, I have lived here all my life. I even have an invitation. If you want to see it, we will have to find my friend first. The reason people don’t know who I am is because, I think...... they only see what they want to see.” He could hear the hurt in her voice.
“We don’t have to find your friends because regardless, you are my plus one tonight.” Nick responded.
Ella felt a warm sensation throughout her entire being. She had never felt this way with any man before. He was undeniably sexy. There was no man she knew like him in Ashwell, so he had to be a friend of Stephen’s.
He wouldn’t be Ava’s. Ava didn’t have male friends. She doubted that Ava could maintain a friendly or platonic bond with any man. She had always used sex as a weapon.
Nick was tapped on the shoulder by someone who wanted to cut in. “No!” was all he said before spinning her away.
“How do you know Stephen and Ava?” she asked softly.
“I went to university with Stephen.” Proving she had been right.
“Do you live in London?” Cindy asked him.
“No, I’m visiting Stephen. I live overseas.”
Hearing that she would never see him again made her feel a little disappointed. “Are you here for the wedding?”
“I hadn’t planned on it, but I could be persuaded!”
Ella didn’t say anything, shyness doesn’t just go away because of a mask and a pretty dress. The art of flirting and persuading men was completely new to her.
“You don’t give a lot away, do you?” Nick remarked.
“What’s the fun in that?” Ella counted. Feeling freer than she had ever felt before. Wearing a mask was fun.
“Come, let’s go for a walk.”
As they made their way towards the balcony through the French doors, Nick quickly snagged two flutes of bubbles from a passing waiter. Ella took hers. Outside, Ella was careful not to ruin her beautiful dress as she leaned against the stone ledge and had a sip of her drink.
Hmm, it was nice. Ella didn’t drink often. Ella didn’t fit the typical mould of her age group, as she preferred movie nights and feasting on food with Em rather than going out to pubs. Em’s father used to struggle with alcoholism. He had a drunk driving accident 10 years ago, wrapping his car around a lamp post on his way home from the pub. He had died that night, leaving behind a young Emily.
Em had no interest in drinking. Worried about inheriting her father’s issue, she feared developing it herself.
She watched Nick watch her as she took another sip. “How was Stephen at university?”
Nick lifted a brow. “Is Stephen someone to you?”
Ella swallowed. She wasn’t going to tell him the truth in case he brought it up within Ava’s hearing.
Nick continued before she could think of her answer, “I mean, if you want him to be and you wanted to upset Ava, we shouldn’t have told them you were my date. I can tell you, you leave Ava for dead.”
Ella flushed under her mask. “Thanks, but it isn’t about Stephen or Ava. I have no interest in him other than two people from the same town and he is only a point of conversation, someone we both know.”
Ella directed her attention to her glass. She had drunk the whole thing. Passing it to the waiter walking by, Ella picked up another glass for something to do with her hands. She was nervous.
“Stephen was a hard worker at uni very focused on his business studies, surprisingly so for a second son not due to inherit the lion’s share of the family estate, very much like myself.” Frowning, he then added, “Well, I hadn’t planned on it.” In a sad tone..
Ella deciphered the hidden meaning in his statement. His brother was dead. “I’m so sorry. When did it happen?” Laying her hand on his arm in comfort.
“Thank you, yes I lost my brother in a boating accident eight months ago. He unfortunately hadn’t had children.” In other words, Nick didn’t want to inherit the family business.
“Did you have other plans? You didn’t want the family business.”
Nick laughed. “Family business.” Shaking his head “No, I didn’t want to worry about the family business. I had my own concerns without the added issues or the family business, as you say.”
Ella found herself slightly perplexed by his choice of words and the tone he used in his answers, but brushed it aside. It’s possible that it’s an inside joke. One she didn’t get.
“You said you had a friend here tonight? Family?”
“Yes, my family is here. They are unaware it’s me.”
“Are you insulted by this?” He questioned her.
She cast her eyes upon the gardens, bathed in moonlight. Bushes and trees near the balcony were adorned with wrapped fairy lights. Before answering. “Not really. It allows me to be myself.”
Ella realised she had revealed too much after drinking her second glass, which made her feel lightheaded and made her speak freely. Did she really care? This man wasn’t staying.
Tonight, she could be anyone she wanted, experiencing a sense of freedom. Only Em knew her true identity, yet this attractive man desired her company. Despite her young age, she led an uneventful existence. Em is the only thing that keeps her from a monotonous routine of school and home. Ella was planning to have a great time tonight and savour every moment.
“Let’s dance.” Ella had enjoyed being in his arms, and she wanted to experience it again.
“Lead the way.” He grinned.
Ella intertwined her fingers with his and led him onto the dance floor, settling into his embrace.
Ella’s attention was caught by Ava and Stephen as they stood near the edge of the dance floor. She sensed her sister’s extreme anger, and Stephen was discreetly trying to calm her down. Ella had doubts about its effectiveness. It wasn’t just her who was looking towards them - others were, too.“I give that marriage a year at most.”Even though she felt sad by his statement, Ella believed he was likely correct. Stephen will go to great lengths to maintain their unity after marriage, but if Ava continues to embarrass him and his family. There is a possibility that he will have to reconsider.Everyone knew that the Blackwater’s upheld traditions in the community, which were old-fashioned. She knew how Stephen would feel about public scenes or even PDAs (public displays of affection). She was desperately wishing for the prenup to be watertight.“Really, all couples fight Nick. My parents have been together for a long time, but they fight. Rarely grant you.” Looking back at the other coupl
Nick lifted his head, then kissed her quickly on the lips before dropping to his knees in front of her. Slid his mask to the top of his head out of his way, still holding her dress up to her waist. He ran his other hand up her long legs, caressing her smooth skin. She was like silk. Her hands fell to his shoulders, not following his instructions to not move. She cried out.“Shh,” he said before moving forward and placing his mouth against her most intimate part, running his tongue over her silk and lacy underwear. She gasped in surprise, making her other hand grip the back of his head and bringing her up to her toes. Her intoxicating aroma overwhelmed him, arousing his senses. Nick ran his tongue over the damp area on her underwear, a result of her craving for him.She was so responsive, so sensual, and so very sexy. Nick knew there was no way he could leave her now. He had wanted to take her in a bed, not against a gazebo wall in the garden where a party was taking place a few hundre
As they walked back to the manor, Nick led Ella to the side entrance so she could go to the ladies’ bathroom with no observers. She really needed to clean up.“Do you want me to wait here for you or meet you back in the ballroom?” Sliding an arm around her waist, pulling her in close.He had put his mask back in place and, like her, she could only see the lower half of his face. Yet, the sight she beheld during their rendezvous under the moonlight was breathtaking. His eyes were as dark as his hair. With a soft touch, Ella traced her hand along his sculpted jaw. She loved the sensation of his stubble grazing her fingers.“I think we both have been away too long. You go back. I’ll join you in a few minutes.” Leaning in, he kissed her hungrily. Not wanting to let her out of his sight even for a minute.“I’ll be waiting for you. I also think we need to talk before the night is over.” Giving her one last kiss before turning and heading down the stairs to the ballroom.Ella entered the bat
As he ran to the top of the stairs leading to the grounds surrounding the manor and driveway. Nick looked both ways, scanning cars and pathways, looking for Cindy everywhere. Starting down the stairs, he kept looking, hoping to spot her bright hair in the moonlight.He moved at a fast clip down the driveway along the line of cars. He had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, knowing she had run from him. Needing to know what she had heard. Was it just he was a prince?Nick heard footsteps, turning to see Stephen running to catch up to him. “Do you see her? Tate just told me your date has run off.”“No. I can’t find her.” Nick didn’t see any cars start up or lights turn on.“Do you know why she left like that? Phone her. Ask.”“I would if I knew it.”“She was your date. How do you not have her number?”Frustrated, Nick said, “she wasn’t my date. I tried to stop a scene I could see brewing with Ava and I was trying to help. Cindy is a local.”“No way mate, I don’t know a Cindy and I
It wasn’t until the next morning Nick found out why Cindy must of ran and he was mad as hell and ready to kill Ava. The only thing that was stopping him was his friendship with Stephen. Ava had found out from Stephen that he was getting pressured to marry his sister-in-law and was currently hiding out in England. The little bitch had thought this gossip too good and had spread it around.Like any piece of gossip, she had told the story wrong. She had told everyone he was to marry Sophia. Had that been why Cindy had run? Had she heard this rumour?Sitting down with Stephen and Tate having breakfast the morning after the ball, his friend couldn’t apologise more. But now he needed to find Cindy because the damage was already done.He struggled to comprehend her virginity. She had been so sensual, so tantalising and exotic. Their sexual chemistry was like he had never experienced before.He would not let her slip through his fingers once he found her. If he was being forced to marry. Why
Sunday morning, Ella had breakfast with Emily at her friend’s apartment before Ella made her excuses and left. Emily had questions that at this time Ella wasn’t ready to give. Only repeating the same part of the story she had told her last night. She couldn’t tell her friend the whole truth. She couldn’t even voice it out aloud.Ella didn’t sleep well last night, running the events of the ball through her mind. Feeling sick just thinking about it all.If she had stayed the previous night in her own place, Ella was sure she would have cried herself to sleep. She had stayed a virgin this long. If she was going to give away her virginity so easily, why hadn’t she pushed to sleep with Stephen during their engagement? Instead, she had given it to someone she just met at a masked ball.A two-timing asshole at that. Ella felt very discontented and disappointed in herself. In the end, she solely held herself accountable. She had behaved recklessly last night. The situation was contributed bec
Nick looked out one of the top floor windows at the manor later that day. He watched the reporters being held back at the gates by his security team.Devlin, his personal guard, watched the scene alongside him. “Sir, I have to say running like you did without proper security was a very dangerous move.”Because of their long-standing relationship, Nick didn’t take offence at Devlin speaking to him in this manner. He had known the man even before he had started working for his family. “I know, I get it. Just needed to get away. Becoming the crown prince wasn’t part of my plan, especially with the pressure from my dad to marry Sophia. Who I don’t want.”Nick was sure Sophia had manipulated his father into believing it was the best thing for everyone, that they should get married. “I would denounce my title before I marry that woman.”Having witnessed Sophia in action for years, Devlin understood his reasoning. He held little to no respect for the woman. “Tell your father the truth about S
Saying goodbye to them both, Stephen turned and joined his friend outside.Ella breathed an enormous sigh of relief. Wanting to ensure her well-being, Stephen showed kindness.Her rudeness and sharp manner were so unlike her. However, their friendship was forever changed. She knew it was silly, but she could never trust him not to hurt her again. It wasn’t so much their engagement had broken up; it was how it had ended and that everyone knew in town. She didn’t want to be pitied. Even if they try for some sort of friendship now, Ava just wouldn’t allow it.Ella was pleased and stupidly angry that Nick remained unaware of the presence of his mysterious woman.Swinging around to her friend, Ella found Em leaning against the counter, looking at her. Waiting.“Well, safe for another day.” Ella rushed out.“Yes! But is that really what you want?” Em questioned“Why wouldn’t I? I don’t want anyone to find out.”Emily reasoned, “Maybe deep down, babe, you do. There must have been something b