Page 23

Everly tipped her head back to inspect the black feathers folded behind us.

"Well, I can certainly say this has been a memorable Halloween."

I reached for the water and poured a glass for her and one for myself.

She drank, then settled against my shoulder again, her fingers drifting over the ordinary ink along my ribs.

The room smelled of warm linen and the perfume she'd worn to the masquerade. I could have kept her beside me until morning and still wanted another hour.

She lay perfectly at ease against a man whose name she didn't know.

I was less at ease with how badly I wanted her to stay.

She shifted slightly to look at me.

"I don't regret coming upstairs."

"I'm glad."

She smiled.

"I know I said I didn't want to exchange names, and I meant it. But I don't usually spend an evening with a man without finding out anything about him."

"What would you like to know?"

She considered the question, studying my face beneath the mask.

"Something that doesn't give away your identity. You can choose."

"I like my music louder than most people can stand. I've never owned a respectable pair of loafers. And I rather enjoy being underestimated."

"Then I suspect you have a very good time proving people wrong."

"Occasionally," I said, and kissed her hair.

Everly stretched, then reached across me to retrieve her phone from her bag.

"Oh, goodness. It's getting late."

She checked the screen, and I watched her expression soften.

"My friend has sent me three more messages. Apparently she's having the time of her life downstairs."

Everly sent a reply to her friend, then paused and looked at me.

"Would you mind if I stayed a little longer? I know I should probably go home, but I'm not quite ready to leave."

I set my glass aside and drew her closer.

"Stay as long as you like."

She smiled and kissed me, soft and lingering.

Then she settled against my chest again.

Eventually Everly sat up and reached for the dress draped over the armchair, its little white wings trailing toward the carpet.

She took the dress into the bathroom to change.