Chapter 19 #2
“I believe we go this way.” Corliss turned toward the twisting set of stairs, covered in wine-red carpet.
The sounds of the live orchestra rehearsing, the bustle of the crowd, and the myriad of scents; the perfumes on the ladies and the tobacco smoke from the men, were almost too overwhelming.
Amid the chaos of bright colors, the sparkling chandelier lights, the golden décor of the auditorium, and the brightly lit center stage, I finally took my seat on the private balcony.
My eyes scanned the crowd below, and I noticed several pairs of eyes looking at us in our loge, only partially concealed by two sets of velvet curtains on either side.
Corliss immediately took her seat beside me and Lord Adger made himself comfortable on the remaining chair, leaving Kent standing on guard by the entrance of the theater box for the entire performance.
I bit my lip and shifted my gaze back to the stage. Men in black moved the decorations, and from my vantage point, I could see everything happening just behind the curtains. The actors, dressed in costumes and heavy makeup, huddled around the entrance to the stage, watching me.
I leaned back in my seat, distracting myself by playing with the diamond bracelet on my wrist. Corliss and Adger were engaged in light conversation about the current affairs in the capital. No one mentioned the upcoming marriage. I had learned to find comfort in the little things.
Finally, the orchestra started playing and the performance began. The actors came out on stage, and the most incredible voice made me forget about everything. I found myself moving forward and fixing my eyes on the female performer.
“Do you like opera?” Corliss whispered into my ear.
“It’s magical.” I whispered back.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her moving back with a satisfied smile, but I did not care about anything around me anymore; I was too affected by the incredible beauty of the moment.
Every note penetrated my soul, speaking directly to me, giving me solace in my desperate longing, of needing to be loved, cherished and accepted.
I do not know how long I stayed so enraptured, trapped between layers of the real world and the world of dreams.
“My dear, you are crying.” Corliss patted my shoulder.
“Young ladies are very sensitive to performances,” Lord Adger observed.
I was instantly ashamed of my feelings and lowered my gaze.
“Please allow me.” Corliss carefully patted my cheek with her handkerchief.
I could not help myself, I glanced at Kent, who leaned against the wall, his eyes hidden in the shadows.
After one particularly dramatic scene, the curtains were drawn and the servants walked around lighting more lamps in the space below us.
“It is an intermission which will last for half an hour.” Corliss informed me.
Lord Adger was already up and had moved to the exit.
“My child, would you like to walk around?”
“No, thank you. I’d rather stay.”
“As you wish.” Corliss motioned to the sentry to close the velvet drapes. Then she took Lord Adger’s arm and they left the loge, leaving me alone with my guard.
I fidgeted with the silk gloves I held in my hand as Kent moved to secure the balcony. But he ignored me, and immediately returned to his post. My thoughts instantly repeated the last words I spoke to him when we argued the day before.
This is ridiculous! Why did he have to be so stubborn?
Not being able to stay in my chair any longer, I stood up and moved away from the seats.
As I turned toward the exit, I could not stop myself, and glanced at him.
What I saw in his face rooted me to the spot.
His eyes, so immensely dark and expressive, the danger and vulnerability I saw in them made me feel things I did not know I was able to feel.
There was no denying it any longer. I wanted him, when he was brooding and distant, when he was cold and unreachable, even when his anger was directed at me. I still wanted him.
I bit my lip and forced myself to take another step. I was just inches away from the door, but I hesitated, and we just stared at each other. Right when I was about to move past him, his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.
His mouth trailed down the skin below my ear, and I had to grab onto his shoulders as the rush of hot blood flooded my head, coloring my cheeks, making me desperate for every touch.
The feeling of belonging to him with my body and soul and owning every piece of him in return, was more dangerous than the most deadly poison.
Just being alone with him, secluded from the prying eyes of the crowd, undid every resolution I had promised to myself.
“Someone might see us,” I whispered, nearly dying from the raw pleasure coursing through my veins.
“I’ll kill anyone who walks in.” His hands were on my waist, sliding down to my hips.
“You wouldn’t.” I gasped when he lifted me onto the tips of my toes, pressing me against his hard, firm body.
He did not respond because his unbearably hot lips slid down my neck, burning my skin, making my body wild and shaky. His powerful thigh slid between my legs and I bit my lip without feeling any pain.
“We can’t do this. This is madness.” I breathed into his lips.
“Last chance to stop me.” His eyes locked with mine.
Contrary to what I was saying, I leaned more toward him, almost in a daze.
Our lips touched and a raw, unrefined pleasure, mixed with the taste of sugar and cinnamon on his lips, made me press harder against his body.
He kissed me gently, forcing me to lift my head higher, allowing him to explore my mouth.
Our tongues intertwined and the searing heat traveled down my body, melting my bones, and undoing every remaining coherent thought.
“Gods!”
The next moment his hands were in my hair, cupping my cheeks, the back of my neck, but I had already crossed the line and wanted more. I lifted my hips and I moved against his body.
“Fuck,” he exhaled against my lips.
That was still not enough. I had to know if he felt the same way I did. Without realizing what I was doing, I reached down and pressed my hand against his hardened length.
“Alina.”
“Do you like this?”
“Stop.”
“I don’t think so.”
Instead of answering, he jerked up my skirt and his hand brushed against the inside of my thigh. I gasped and arched my back, lost to everything.
"Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for this?"
I closed my eyes, but he was not in a hurry. His rough calloused hand moved up and down, stopping just inches away from my undergarments.
“Please,” I hated how weak my voice sounded.
Through the haze, I met his gaze. A faint blush on his cheeks, his parted lips, as his eyes locked onto my very soul.
“Please.”
“What do you want, princess?”
“I . . .”
“I want you to say it.” His eyes dropped to my mouth.
“Please touch me.”
“Where do you want me to touch you?”
“I hate you so much!”
“Just say it.”
“Between my thighs.”
The loud sigh that I heard next, did not belong to me. The man who held me in his arms chuckled lightly and continued exploring my burning hot flesh.
When his fingers brushed against my underwear and tugged on the silk fabric, I almost blacked out, but that was only the beginning, because his fingers slid between the tender folds.
“Please.”
I was begging him, clinging to his arms, wild and unapologetic in my desire.
“Like this?” he asked, his voice sounding strained and unsteady.
“Yes . . . Yes.”
“So wet,” he growled.
His fingers moved inside of me, sliding in and out. I reached up and pulled on his hair devouring his lips.
“Alina . . . sweetheart . . . someone’s coming.”
I blinked, only just realizing that Kent was adjusting my clothes before he pushed me toward the chair and I sat down. All just moments before the door opened and Corliss walked back into the loge, and opened the curtains.
My face was beet red, and I turned away, praying for the performance to start and the lights to be dimmed in the auditorium. At last, the final call echoed, and people took their seats, ready for the second act.