Lily stepped into the the dimly lit ball room and looked around at the masquerade party. Elegant women glided across the floor in beautiful gowns and masks that ranged from simple to ornate. Men made powerful by their greed and little else patrolled the room in tuxedos and masks of their own, bits of decorated cloth adding yet another disguise to the layers of deception they always wore when handling business - and they were always handling business. Lily knew better than to allow herself the opportunity to fall prey to anyone who truly belonged at this masquerade, but the event's planner was a close friend who had insisted that Lily be her guest and enjoy a special night out. Now here she was amid some of the wealthiest, most powerful people in the city with her friend nowhere in sight.
Deciding she was unlikely to find her just standing inside the doorway, Lily worked her way further into the crowded room. She smiled and nodded at people as they passed. Between the low light and the masks, it was all but impossible to know for certain if she was greeting well known associates or complete strangers, but she couldn't help but search over their faces in a vain attempt to register some clue to each individual's identity.
She wondered if they were doing the same with her. She reached up to casually adjust the golden mask that so exquisitely accentuated her dark eyes. It was a perfect match for the new form-fitting dress she'd bought for the occasion. Her floor length gown was a shimmering gold and seemed to flutter around her ankles even when she stood still, the motion bringing constant attention to her gold stilettos. Her shoulders and arms were bare, revealing a lustrous tan that blended exquisitely with her dress and mask. She was a vision in gold but for full lips the shade of deepest red.
The deeper she got into the party, the more comfortable she became. Sure, it was a little unnerving to not be able to recognize anyone, but it also added an air of excitement. Lily hadn't really wanted to come to the ball, but she was beginning to decide she was glad that she had. With a growing bounce in her step, she widened her smile and made her way to the bar for a glass of champagne.
Not twenty feet away, a man yawned and checked his watch, once again considering trying to slip out of the party early. Surely his boss couldn't expect him to waste his entire evening on a social gathering. He'd tried working the business angle a few times, but he was having little success. Wearing a mask didn't suit him. He took another sip of gin and tonic, wishing he could allow himself to indulge a little more and maybe liven up the ball a bit. He sighed and brushed a drop of condensation from his jacket. At least the clothes were comfortable, he thought to himself. The tuxedo he'd worn to his brother's wedding was a pile of rags compared to the tailored ensemble his company had bought him. He had to admit that he really had little reason to complain. Trying his best to fight off the surly attitude, he adjusted his gold mask and set off for another drink. He worked his way through the crowd, idly noticing a golden shimmer that seemed to shadow his approach.
He put it out of his mind as he placed his order, leaving a generous tip as a fresh glass was set before him. He leaned against the bar and lifted his glass in salute to his fellow involuntary revelers before taking a quick sip. There was something wrong with his drink. He lifted the glass again and sniffed. The usual herbal smell was too strong he was almost certain that he caught the aroma of mint. He turned to flag down the bartender and almost dropped his glass when his eyes fell on the source of his golden shadow at the other end of the bar. Even after years apart and with her face hidden behind a mask, he knew Lily in an istant. Of course, the all-too-familiar scent of rosemary and mint helped. Uncertain whether she'd recognized him and not knowing yet if she was at the party with another man, he turned away slightly and nursed his drink, watching her from the corner of his eye.
Lily ordered a glass of champagne and steadied herself against the bar, trying to be patient as newcomers jostled her in their hurry to get drinks. The hairs on the back of Lily's neck raised and she glanced around to see what could have caused it. She furrowed her brows when nothing jumped out at her and finally shrugged the feeling away. She took a sip from the delicate flute and tossed her hair back, unable to keep from glancing around again, scanning the faces around the bar. Something had set her nerves on edge, but she couldn't tell what it was with all the masks.
The man at the other end of the bar took another sip of his gin and tonic, feeling more confident in his anonymity by the minute as Lily looked around. On one hand, it made him a little angry that she'd not recognized him, but the predator in him couldn't help but relish being an unknown danger on the edge of her awareness. She was glancing around uneasily and he could tell that she was nervous. He knew her too well.
He turned to get a better look up the bar, eyes hungrily drinking in every detail of her form. He'd been an idiot to let her go. Before he could realize it, he was staring at her openly. He could feel his jaw clench in anger as he imagined Lily with another man. Even after years of being apart he didn't think he'd be able to accept that. He narrowed his eyes and took another drink, the act obscuring his face as the cool liquid spread through him.
Lily finished off her champagne and set the flute down on the bar, looking around yet again as she did. She couldn't she anyone who was obviously staring at her, but she could feel it. So intent was her search that she jerked a little, startled, when a man stepped close, offering a glass of champagne and asking for a dance. She cleared her throat and laughed nervously, drinking the champagne a little too quickly in an effort to soothe her nerves and collect herself as she accepted the invitation, the newcomer sweeping her out onto the dance floor almost immediately.
The man at the bar narrowed his eyes and watched as Lily was led away by a man that must be her date. Realizing that his glass was empty, he started to order another drink but thought better of it. While he'd never had a problem holding his liquor, there was no point in pushing the limits and making a bad impression. Mask or no, unacceptable behavior would be identified and dealt with harshly. He thanked the bartender and offered another tip, deciding that it was finally time to leave the ball.
He skirted the dance floor, unable to keep from looking. His eyes found Lily of their own volition and he couldn't stop staring at her. He hated her for being with there someone else. He hated himself for letting her go in the first place. He hated her dance partner for daring to touch her. The man stopped in his tracks quite suddenly, nearly colliding with a server carrying a tray full of champagne flutes, and tilted his head in thought as he watched the couple dance.
The newcomer was holding Lily much closer than was appropriate for the event, with a hand settled very low on her back. She backed away from him a little, trying to put some space between them as they danced, but each time she moved away he pulled her back. The man from the bar decided that this newcomer couldn't be Lily's date after all. Even if he was, it was obvious that the man's advances were not appreciated. Nodding apology to the server, the man from the bar took a pair of flutes and walked out onto the dance floor without another thought.
"Lily!" he called. "There you are. I finally found us some drinks."
Lily's eyes snapped to the side when she heard her name called out over the music and the steady murmur of countless conversations. Relief filled her as she realized that some friend or another must have noticed her plight and decided to rescue her. She looked over the man carrying the champagne flutes, her body going rigid when her eyes locked onto his. All of the anxiety she felt at the bar hit her in a rush.
"Dean?" she stammered in shock. "What ...?"
Dean lifted the flutes and gave a little wave with each. "Our drinks. You were thirsty."
He turned and fixed his gaze upon Lily's dance partner, eyes narrowing as he looked down at the smaller man and spoke in a voiced that brooked no discussion.
"Thank you for keeping her company for this dance, but you can go now."
Lily continued to stare at Dean, absently noting her dance partner's obvious distaste at being so abruptly dismissed. He tightened his hold on her for an instant, but finally accepted Dean's intrusion. He backed away in resignation and turned to stalk into the crowd. The movement made Lily's hands fall to her sides and she simply continued staring at Dean, speechless. She swallowed hard and shook her head, finally managing to find her voice again.
"What are you doing here?" she murmured just barely loud enough to be heard above the masquerade's din, pulling Dean's attention from the man disappearing through the crowd. He turned his powerful gaze and disarming, crooked grin upon Lily, giving a little shrug as he casually deposited the two champagne flutes on the tray of yet another passing server. His familiar touch was on her almost immediately, sending a quiver through Lily's body as he guided her hands into place with little more than a thought.
Dean's right hand settled even lower than the previous man's as he led her to follow the music's rhythm. He looked down into her eyes and could tell she saw how the press of her body against him still made him feel after all their time apart. He turned to gaze out over the crowd, hoping for some wild distraction to clear the fog that her scent had set over his mind. He cleared his throat and realized he'd not answered her question.
