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When I lifted my head, she was looking at my mouth.

I had seen it at work, fleetingly, whenever her attention wandered toward the silver ring in my lower lip.

The difference was that tonight she wasn't making herself look away.

As the song ended, she remained close, her palm flat against my chest.

Applause rippled across the ballroom. The musicians began arranging their sheet music for the next number, and a few couples drifted toward the surrounding tables.

Everly glanced toward the windows where she'd been standing earlier.

"Would you mind getting out of the crowd for a little while? I love the music, but I'm beginning to think these heels weren't designed for quite so much dancing."

"There's a quieter room just beyond the ballroom."

"That sounds lovely."

I offered my arm, and she accepted it.

We passed the carved mahogany bar, where masked guests waited beneath autumn foliage. The air smelled of roses, perfume, and salt whenever the doors overlooking the harbor opened.

The adjoining reception room was quieter, its fireplace dressed in dark greenery, brass candlesticks, and gold-painted pumpkins. Music spilled through the ballroom doors behind us.

I led Everly toward a recessed window at the far end of the room. A broad upholstered bench sat beneath it, partially concealed from the rest of the space by heavy curtains.

She released my arm and moved toward the glass.

"Oh, look at that."

Fishing boats scattered lights across the dark water, and the old lighthouse swept its beam over the channel.

Everly rested her fingers on the window ledge.

"It's gorgeous. I've lived here for years, and I still love seeing the harbor at night."

I stood beside her, folding my wings carefully in the limited space.

Her reflection shimmered against the glass: pale satin, loose golden waves, the ridiculous little halo hovering above her head.

Mine filled most of the window behind her.

She turned toward me, taking in the contrast with an appreciative smile.

"I think we make a rather impressive pair."

"You're doing most of the work."

"You're standing there with enormous black wings and half your chest showing. I think we can safely divide the credit."

Her frank assessment pleased me.

I leaned one shoulder against the woodwork and watched her. The softened light brought out the warmth in her skin and the delicate curve of her mouth beneath the mask.

She'd chosen sparkling water rather than champagne earlier. I'd noticed the lime floating against the glass when she left it behind to approach me, and her kiss would probably taste faintly of citrus.

I intended to find out.

Everly moved closer, her gaze wandering over the markings across my collarbone.