Masked Attraction Read Online Free

in high school. Now, he commanded her by half a foot or more.
    Zoe pressed into him, rubbing like a cat. Her breasts pillowed against him, full and ripe. He delighted in her bountiful, feminine feel, rubbing sensuously against her in return, as if he could mark her with his scent…
    A sound like a burr ruffled his ears, jarring his concentration. He couldn’t quite identify it over the heavy thudding of his own heart.
    She stepped back. He had trouble letting go, until he sensed her agitation.
    That did it. He released her as he finally identified the burr—and wanted to bang his head against a cauldron when he realized why she was turning red.
    They were getting applauded.
 
    Zoe stepped back from Daniel’s embrace, the clapping ringing in her ears. She plucked ineffectively at her bodice, trying to hide the hard poke of her nipples.
    What have I done?
    Besides kissing a man in front of a whole ballroom of elegant people, that was.
    Her cheeks heated. This ball was supposed to be about romance, not sex. Yet the first thing she’d done was set the wrong example, kissing Daniel passionately in front of everyone, with only their applause keeping her from doing a helluva lot more.
    The blunder hit her between the shoulder blades, and she hunched with a gasped sob.
    To her surprise, Daniel moved to shield her. Blocking the crowd’s view, he slid a finger under her chin, tilting her head up until she met his gaze. She remembered those gorgeous blue eyes from high school, his best feature, spokes of silver around the pupil like a magical star exploding.
    Now, his compassion shone in them, highlighted by his mask—compassion, and a wry acknowledgment of their blunder. Theirs , not hers.
    The embarrassment tingling in her belly and ears melted away.
    He was standing by her, with her. Helping her. Protecting her, if she needed it.
    Just like high school.
    Daniel Light, the one boy who hadn’t been just trying to get in her pants. Her chem lab partner; the only partner who hadn’t failed her. His help was why she’d passed the class.
    She’d underestimated that selfless aid then. Didn’t really appreciate a guy who simply saw she was struggling and stepped in—not for any reward, but just to make her life better.
    Those days, she’d been more interested in the feel of jocks’ muscles under her hands.
    But now?
    She’d changed since high school. Now, she appreciated character as much as brawn.
    But Daniel had changed, too, no longer the cute-but-scrawny kid with the clunky glasses. He’d grown up, and very, very well. An Adonis of a man. Tall, muscular, with strong jaw and straight nose, the only thing that was the same was the blond hair like sunshine and eyes like blue novas sparkling behind his mask.
    He smiled down at her. Her belly shimmied. She wanted to kiss him again, to thrust her hands into his bright hair and feel his tongue drive into her mouth and more.
    Guilt made her pause.
    In high school, with the self-centeredness of youth, she’d been thoughtless of him—grateful for his help, but never acknowledging what it cost him. Sure, she’d thanked him, but she’d never done anything in return, never helped him or dated him or even gone and bought him coffee. Later, she’d come to realize he’d probably had feelings for her, and her indifference might have hurt him. Not intentional, but it was one reason she’d never tried to reconnect with him, not wanting to reopen any possible wounds.
    But tonight, he didn’t seem to know who she was.
    A new opportunity with him.
    Zoe leaned in. “Shall we step out of the limelight?” She nodded toward the far corner, where the cheese table was nearly deserted.
    “It is a bit difficult to whisper sweet nothings in your shell-like ear with half the ballroom watching.”
    “Only half? I’m disappointed.”
    “Then I lied. It’s everyone. I’m glad you’re not too embarrassed.”
    His gaze was warm and appreciative, and she felt lighter simply basking in the