aSo, fair maiden,a he continued, awhat brings you here?a Lily smiled, dazzled by his dancing skills. The man might be a highwayman and look similar to the man in her flash with the mask yesterday but, boy, could he lead a girl around the dance floor.

aI know Susy from way back. I contacted her when I decided I wanted a break from work and decided to take a vacation. I figured everyone should experience a real Mardi Gras down here in New Orleans and here I am. Besides, it seemed like Fate taking a hand when I called some of the local hotels and there had been a last minute cancellation the week before the Mardi Gras.a Lily couldnat help but smile at Fate and Luck taking a hand in her impromptu holiday. She couldnat help her pride and satisfaction at how well and easily everything had turned out. aHow about yourself?a aI also decided I needed a break from work, but came here by pure luck. Thankfully, my luck seems to have held in finding you.a Lily laughed. aOh, I donat know. There seems to be some sort of magic floating about during the Mardi Gras, donat you think? Something sparkling in the air, or so I could easily believe.a The man smiled down at her and she noticed a slight dimple in his cheek. It managed to make him look mischievous and s.e.xy at the same time. Lily swallowed. The man could be dynamite if he chose to be.

aYes,a he huskily agreed with her. It took her a moment to remember what he agreed with. aI do think there might be some magic or witchery sparkling in the air. You seem to have cast a fair dose of it over me.a Lily merely smiled and tried not to let it widen into a face-splitting grin. No sense in letting the man know she felt weak in the knees just yet.

Just then the slow music came to an end and the band struck up a faster number. Regretfully, Lily pulled herself from his tight embrace and let the rhythm and beat sink into her soul. Raising her arms, she swung her hips and enjoyed the fast beat pounding through her body. Her dance companion stayed close, but thankfully wasnat macho enough to try and hold her again. He, too, swung his hips and began to dance to the energetic beat of the music.

In the bliss only brought by releasing oneas tension and energy through music, Lily closed her eyes, let her head fall back and truly enjoyed the music and dance floor.

After a number of more upbeat tunes, a slower song struck up and Lilyas highwayman stepped closer and took her into his arms again.

aYou sure know how to dance, sweetheart. Lucky for me, Iam a guy with confidence or you might have made me feel self-conscious.a Lily looked up to his masked face, dark brown eyes gleaming with laughter, dimple showing underneath his simple black mask. When she felt her face blush slightly, she saw his grin widen and she laughed.

aI donat think anything could shake your confidence.a Grinning back at him, she knew her mischievous and naughty thoughts would be shining in her own light brown eyes.

Her highwayman grinned back at her and pulled her closer. She could feel a ma.s.sive erection straining against his pants. Lily drew in a quick breath, feeling her blush come back again. It had been so long since she had let herself indulge in some nooky. Yet now that the chance was before her, she hesitated.

Thankfully, her highwayman was in no way concerned, nor did he seem uncommonly eager to push her. Or so she thought.

aShall we take a stroll around Susyas gardens? We can stay on the back patio if you like. Not even a desperate highwayman would ravish a young lady with a dozen or more people around him.a Lily smiled. Never having had exhibitionist fantasies, she wasnat keen to be seduced physically on the back patio, where much of the party had spilled out to, yet neither was she completely adverse to a bit of nooky with said highwayman.

aYou said I had cast a spell over you. Well, you seem to have a good bit of that old magic yourself. Letas go.a Pulling herself from his embrace, even though he tried to tighten his arm around her, she took his hand and led him out toward the large French doors, open to the patio.

Pa.s.sing one of the many waiters wandering around with trays of drinks, they both grabbed a flute of champagne on their way out. Lily mentally commended her highwayman on being able to negotiate the crowd with his arm still around her all the while holding his gla.s.s and not spilling a drop.

No two ways about it, the man had talent and style. Her very own James Bond, or a bad-boy James Bond-turned-highwayman. Seated by the edge of the garden, looking in at the ma.s.sive party in full swing, Lily breathed in deeply, enjoying the scents of freshly mown gra.s.s and flowers in full bloom.

Much like any garden, private or public, in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras, it was well maintained with lush green gra.s.s, flowers spread everywhere and a number of trees. While it didnat exactly look like the scene she had experienced in her avisiona, neither did it look dissimilar to it.

Lily smiled.

She would love to cast off her responsible side and run naked through the trees with her highwayman chasing her, only to let him catch and seduce her. But something inside her rebelled at acting purely out of a fantasy she had. Why not create her own memories, instead of enacting others?

aThatas a mighty big grin you have there, my dear. Care to share the joke?a Looking at him, really looking at him, Lily pondered her two choices. To seduce or not to seduce. Lily took in his eyes, the set of his body, the casual, yet slightly tense way he held himself. Lily easily came to her decision.

She didnat know him exactly but she could only see kindness in his eyes, could only see the tension in his body of a man waiting for a woman. The sort of tension that meant, with the womanas approval, he would pounce. Nodding to herself, she smiled and leaned closer, so no one else on the patio could overhear her naughty comment.

aI was just deciding to take you back to the hotel with me. Iam not really one for a quickie out in the backyard; I think weare both a little old for that. But Iam not adverse to a one night stand, back at my hotel.a The dimple came back as her highwayman smiled.

aA one night stand? Who says I wonat rock your world and youall want to marry me and chain me to your bed?a Laughing, Lily placed her flute of champagne on the thick concrete rail that surrounded the patio. Noticing her highwayman also set aside his gla.s.s and turned to face her gave her courage.

He is definitely interested in me too, she silently acknowledged to herself.

Gla.s.ses dispensed of, she moved even closer into him as he slid his arm around her shoulders, creating a strange intimacy between them. Even among fully a dozen couples on a cramped back patio, there seemed to be only the two of them in their own little world.

aWell, having my own personal s.e.x slave chained to my bed twenty-four seven is quite a dream come true. But I think we both have our own lives and I intend to go back to mine after my holiday here is over.a aMmm,a he muttered, leaning in so his lips rested just above hers.

She smiled as the thought, Here comes the pounce, rushed through her brain.

aLetas discuss tomorrow when tomorrow comes, hmm? Iad much rather enjoy you and this night right now.a He bent down and took her mouth in a fierce kiss. Barely giving her time to orient herself, he opened her mouth and his tongue gave her his taste. She sucked on his tongue, enjoying the jerk of surprise she felt go through his system.

In the background, she could hear the ballroom go quiet, as she heard Susy ordering the waiters to give everyone a gla.s.s of champagne for the countdown to the official beginning of the Carnival.

Lily wanted to pull away, wanted to watch the clock tick over, but her highwayman was invading her senses. She felt as if she drowned in his scent, in his heat, in the fierce possessiveness she could feel in his kiss.

In the back of her mind, Lily heard the waiter chuckle and pa.s.s them by.

aDonat look like you two need a gla.s.s of bubbly,a he commented and continued to pa.s.s around the gla.s.ses of celebratory champagne.

Her highwayman grunted and nipped at her lips, demanding her attention. Lily wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in his heat and pa.s.sion.

All too soon streamers were released and whistles blew. Lily relaxed into the kiss as midnight clocked over. Recalled to their surroundings, Lily unwound her arms and rested her hands against her partneras large chest. Leaning into him she began to nip at his lips, demanding to be released.

Finally, once he had taken his time, she felt his arms let go and he pulled back, sucking at the air.

aNow that was a Mardi Gras start-up to remember.a Grinning, Lily couldnat help but agree. She took a step, and then two backwards, and held out her hand to her highwayman in invitation.

aCare to be taken home by a strange Regency England woman?a He grinned, his dimple showing, ad.a.m.n straight, if you can cope with being taken by a highwayman.a She smiled, enjoying the easy camaraderie between them. aOh, I think I can handle being taken by a highwayman. I always enjoy a good ride.a Chuckling, she let herself be led away by her new partner.

Chapter Three.

Andrew had to keep himself from grinning manically as he led Lily out of the huge mansion still in the middle of its reveling. He finally had his Lily-girl just where he wanted her. For too many months he had been ogling her in his rare spare time at their workplace. As badly as he wanted to ask her out, the right time and place just never seemed to come up. Either he had been just returning or just heading out on the road, or she had been working on a major project and looking far too frazzled and stressed for him to want to try his luck.

He could still remember the instant l.u.s.t and falling-out-of-the-sky feeling he had experienced the first time he had seen her, a number of months ago.

He had been headhunted from a rival company and basically dropped into a sea of internal company problems. Simply keeping his head above water, metaphorically speaking, had kept him busy for weeks. He only had seen tantalizing glimpses of Lily after that first casual, all-too-brief introduction and exchange of names by the CEO.

Lily had been in the middle of a crisis, and had barely paid attention to him at the time. Not that she had any reason to be more than superficially polite. She worked in a different division and so he had no reason for a follow-up coffee, or more personal contact. Yet just seeing her pa.s.s in the corridor sporadically had been enough to brighten his day.

He found it ironic the only reason he had taken on the position in the company had been to earn enough money to nest egg for a mortgage in the suburbs. He had decided it was time for him to settle down, maybe open his own much smaller consulting firm. It was well past time for him to settle down and start thinking of his own family, a wife and kids, maybe a dog and cat or two plus all the tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs.

Yet the months had seemed to flit by and still he came no closer to introducing himself to Lily, or even setting up a few casual getting-to-know-you-better dinners. Time just seemed to slip away from him and every time he thought he solved one problem and could ask Lily out, another problem cropped up and he had to either leave to go fix it or, worse, bury himself in paperwork and solve the issues himself.

He smiled as he recalled his fierce determination two weeks ago. He had cleared his calendar, even been toying with the idea of taking annual leave so they could escape for a romantic week away and get to know each other properly. He had seen her talking to a workmate over the watercooler, gesticulating excitedly.

Feeling like a sneak, he had walked close enough to hear what she was talking about. Even coming in halfway through the conversation as he had, her excitement to her friend had bubbled over him and all his plans easily clicked together.

aaand donat you think everyone should experience at least one real Mardi Gras down in New Orleans? And what better way than to go to Susyas masquerade ball? All the excitement, romance and mystery, with none of the ramifications! I can go pick up a masked stud, have my wicked way with him and still have a week to recuperate! Trust me, Darla, annual leave was invented for weeks like these.a Andrew tightened his hold on Lilyas hand as his memories came to a halt. Oh yeah, he had spent the last two weeks plotting and planning this night, and hopefully the following week of fantastic s.e.x and intimate getting-to-know-you time. He shied away from the mental question of why he was going to so much trouble for one woman and one week of s.e.x. He didnat want to think about the long-term. He felt far too eager to enjoy the next week.

aYour hotel room, my dear, or mine?a Thatas it, he patted himself mentally on the back, keep it in the present. No knowing how long this will last.

He paused just outside Susyas huge plantation-style home, letting Lily make the decision with no pressure. It honestly didnat make any difference to him whether they used his room or hers; all he felt interested in was stripping them both bare and plunging b.a.l.l.s-deep inside her. He had been wearing his hard-on since the moment they had been introduced. The following months of trying to set something up between them had been a slow burning foreplay session peppered by casual smiles and intense fantasies.

He was more than eager now to start the real seduction and see where they ended up.

Lily looked at him a moment, then surprised him.

aWhatas your name? Much as I enjoy calling you my highwayman, I think Iad prefer a name for a man Iam about to asleepa with.a Andrew could only smile at the emphasis on the word sleep. Both of them knew d.a.m.n well not much sleeping would occur.

The highwayman, who until he had discovered this costume he had no realization resided inside himself, grinned charmingly. aIam Andrew,a he said.

Lily smiled back. aIam Lily.a They solemnly shook hands and then both laughed simultaneously. aIt does seem slightly bizarre to introduce yourself to the woman youare about to have mind-blowing s.e.x with, doesnat it?a aYes,a Lily agreed, shivering slightly at his not-so-subtle hint at the heat and intensity of the s.e.x to come. aI was just thinking the same thing myself.a Andrew smiled as she looked up and down the crowded street, filled with revelers enjoying the carnival atmosphere. aWhere are you staying?a she continued.

Andrew pointed in the direction he knew was close to Lilyas own hotel, and named a well-known hotel branch. He had purposely chosen a hotel close to Lilyas, but not close enough to arouse her suspicions. Lily appeared to think a moment, then nod her head with the decision she had made.

aLetas use your hotel then.a Andrew held out his arm in an old, courtly gesture, totally at odds with his highwayman costume and his raging desires. They turned to begin the short walk back to his room.

As they chatted, Andrew carefully watched Lily. He wanted as much warning as possible if she felt any tension about taking a astrangera to her bed. Her posture seemed calm enough and her voice didnat shake but he could see a little bit of tension in her arms.

Looking carefully into her eyes, even masked as she was, he could see the deep hunger buried in their brown depths. They glittered in the street light, reflecting the dozens of colors shining from the beads, stars and moon from the gaily lit city.

Oh yeah, the heat from that gaze could burn a lesser man than I, he admitted. She felt the same attraction he had been slowly burning from for months now. She might not consciously know who he was but, deep inside herself, she must know she either knew him, or recognized him from somewhere.

He breathed in deeply, wishing he could already smell the tang of her desire. He knew he would have to wait until they reached the hotel room for that. But aching as he was, he could hardly wait.

Instead, they chatted about social niceties, the weather, how long they were staying in the city. As they strolled casually, in absolutely no hurry, they then moved on to restaurants, shops and arcades they had each visited and could recommend.

Andrew, desperately trying to ignore the double entendres Lily teased him with, enjoyed the fresh night air, the definite sense of apartya on the streets as houses were thrown open, loud music playing everywhere and parties spilling onto the streets. While nowhere near as crowded as when the main parade came through, the streets were still full of partiers even now, after midnight.

He slowly wound them along to his hotel, tipping the doorman, who had a profusion of beads, stars and streamers covering his uniform as he held the door open for them both. The doorman, Tom, grinned at them, tipping his hat and rattling his beads.

aYou two have a great night, eh?a Andrew laughed and handed Lily into the foyer of the hotel.

aI intend to, Tom. I certainly intend to.a Lily glared at him but Tom laughed jovially at them both. Andrew smiled and retook her hand, placing a soft kiss on her chin, the only area of skin, other than her mouth, exposed by her mask.

aTom is a nice guy. He didnat mean anything by his comment.a Lilyas face split into a grin. aI know; I was just teasing.a They both nodded to the concierge, also covered in beads and streamers. Balloons floated everywhere in the foyer. An extremely loud party could be seen and heard from the conference room. Shouts and music and whistles being blown all leaked out into the main hotel s.p.a.ce.

Hurrying them over to the elevators, Andrew pressed the call b.u.t.ton and felt relief when a door opened immediately. Under normal circ.u.mstances, he wouldnat have minded taking Lily and joining the main party for another hour or so but he was hard as a rock and far too eager to begin their own little party to want to postpone it even a minute longer.

As the doors closed behind them, Andrew turned them both gently so they looked into the reflective surface of the back of the elevator. Lily looked excited and flushed behind her beautiful mask. Her eyes glittered, a strange light brown color that could be amber, or maybe it was simply the light in the elevator. Behind the satin blue mask it seemed hard to tell.

Enjoying their first moments alone together, Andrew placed his hands gently on her shoulders, holding her against his hard body. He saw a slight flush creep up her neck and, looking into the mirror, began his seduction.

Chapter Four.

Lily looked at her reflection in the elevator and found she had trouble breathing correctly. This man, Andrew, her highwayman, seemed familiar somehow. She couldnat pin it downa"a part of her didnat even want to pin down how she seemed to know him. She felt caught up in the fantasy, lost in the colors and dazzle of the carnival atmosphere.

Thankfully, they were alone in the elevator and, as she watched the reflection of Andrewas hand caress down her shoulder and around to her partially exposed breast, she felt her heart beat faster. She could feel his breath, warm across her ear, as he inhaled the mingled scent of her shampoo and perfume. He seemed to breathe it deeply inside him as his hand flicked over where her erect nipple stood just under her thin layer of silk.

He caressed the hard point, once, then twice. Lily leaned back into his body, warm and solid behind her. She reached back, her eyes closed to the bliss his hand created, and pulled his a.s.s closer, so they ground together. Her hand squeezed, testing the strength of his a.s.s cheek, strong and solid like the rest of him.

He groaned into her ear, a hoa.r.s.e, almost desperate sound.

aAndrew,a she panted, needing more of him, aI hope you plan to do more than just feel the silk of my dress.a As if her taunting him gave him permission, he groaned again, blindly reached out across the small elevator and pressed the red astopa b.u.t.ton. The elevator jerked to a stop and, obviously knowing they only had a few minutes at best, dipped his hand beneath the bodice of her dress to touch the creamy swell of her breast.

While not overly large, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were a handful and Andrew didnat seem to have any complaints about them. Lily arched up, never having even considered something as naughty as making out in a stopped elevator before. It had a ring of wicked to it, knowing sooner or later security would ring them and ask if everything was okay.

When he flicked her nipple, making her gasp with the sensation, she lost her train of thought. Arching into his hand, Lily felt the dampness between her legs and she ground back onto his erection, straining the black pants he wore. The seconds ticked by and Lily could feel herself heating up more.

Just as Lily turned into him, deciding to raise the stakes of the game by touching some of his hot spots, Andrew reached out once more and pressed the stop b.u.t.ton, letting the elevator continue its rise to their floor.

In a few seconds the elevator dinged and the doors slowly opened.

Blinking, feeling as if she were waking from a dream, Lily smiled as Andrew hastily removed his hand and smoothed down the front of her dress. Looking left and right, he took her hand again and led her away from the elevator.

The muted sound of music came from a few of the rooms but, by and large, the corridor was silent. Lily listened carefully, only hearing the odd muted sound, almost completely suppressed. If she hadnat been listening so carefully she would have missed it altogether. Lovely to know most sounds are dulled in these rooms. Theyare obviously well insulated, she thought.

Standing outside room 403, Andrew dug into his pocket and produced a key card. Opening the door, he stood back and waved her in. Lily could see a c.h.i.n.k of light where Andrew had obviously left one of the lamps on to have some light in the room.

aAfter my lady,a he grinned.

Tilting her chin, Lily regally swept into the room. Continuing over to the window, she looked down upon the still avidly partying streets of New Orleans, and dimly registered the thud of the door shutting behind them.

She heard Andrew cross the room after her. There was a slight clink as he dropped keys and the keycard onto the side table. Lily heard his footsteps cross the carpet and then he pressed himself against her, much as they had been in the elevator.

He reached inside her bodice once more, taking the same breast in his hand, and toyed with the nipple again.

aWould you like a drink of something?a he huskily murmured in her ear, absently caressing her breast and nipple.

Lily saw their reflection in the window, not as clearly as the mirror in the elevator, but still there against the black of the night and the small amount of light given off by the lamp. The erotic possibilities for the night ahead danced in her head, a feast before the starving.

She swallowed, arching into his touch as the sensations overwhelmed her. The night held endless possibilities.

Chapter Five.

Andrew tried to swallow a moan, to clear his throat, anything to clear his head as pa.s.sion overtook him. Lilyas b.r.e.a.s.t.s were perfect. An easy handful, firm and round with delicious nipples one could suck forever. He felt his mouth water at the thought of playing with these beauties for a whole week.

Over the last few months, dreaming and fantasizing about how he would get Lily into his bed, not in his wildest fantasies had he pictured a hotel room in the middle of the Mardi Gras and a large window looking out into the world.

He smiled, amused at the twists of Fate.