Aiden's mind raced as their kiss broke, his lips tingling from the taste of her—sweet, with a hint of the champagne she'd sipped earlier. The pillar hid them from prying eyes, but the ballroom's distant chatter reminded him they weren't entirely alone. Yet, the hunger in Elena's sparkling eyes mirrored his own, urging him to claim more. His cock throbbed against the confines of his slacks, hard and insistent, begging to bury itself in her warmth. But he savored the slow build, the teasing that made every touch electric.

Spotting a side door to a private lounge, he took her hand, his grip firm yet gentle, leading her away from the crowd. The lounge was dimly lit, a plush sofa dominating the center, velvet cushions inviting under the soft glow of a single lamp.