The Millionaire Door Prize (Erotic Romance) by Emorej Luag, Spyder

eyes. It was like they were at their wedding, and the guests noted their moment of being lost in one another.
    Xander couldn’t help himself as he leaned to kiss her , licking the bit of icing from the corner of her mouth. Both their breathing escalated. There was quite a shock from the onlookers, but Xander only saw Alyssa as flashes from the cameras illuminated the room.
    “One last dance , love, then we disappear,” he said, leading her to the dance floor. “So, did you enjoy yourself?” he asked just before he dipped her. She laughed in a breathy way, smiling when he righted her. He noted her heaving chest, then raised an eyebrow. “Excited are you?”
    “Maybe, a bit.”
    When the dance ended, Xander escorted Alyssa from the ballroom and to the elevators. Once inside he pulled the scarf from his pocket. She looked at him as he smoothed the scarf and folded it a few times. She swallowed nervously, realizing now she would learn his secret. “Don’t be afraid. I have a surprise for you.” He raised the scarf up to cover her eyes. Her smile though her fearful expression spoke volumes. Alyssa’s hastened breathing resounded off the walls of the elevator. She reached for him after being plunged into darkness.
     

Chapter 7
    It is Always Darkest Before the Dawn
     
    Xander put his arm around her, pushed the button to the top floor, and holding her to him, kissed her temple. “Just trust me, Alyssa,” he whispered, then rest his cheek against her hair. She clung to him faltering off balance in her state of unknowing. When the elevator stopped and the door opened, Xander helped her out. She took careful steps and held her hands in front of her.
    “Trust me, I won’t hurt you ,” he promised, stopping after a short walk. Xander opened the door, had her step forward, then closed it. She reached for the scarf, but he took hold of her hand, leading her to the sofa.
    Xander framed her face with his hands; then he kissed her. Alyssa’s lips quivered under his soft warm lips. She looked around though she could not see, but still very responsive. “Alyssa,” he said, but his voice sounded . . . distressed. She reached for him, touching his face, his shoulders, then lowering them to rest at his bent elbows.
    “Are you okay?” she asked.
    “I’m fine,” he mumbled, “but I need to let you know a few things.” The tone of his voice set her on edge. He watched her tremble before him, but inside he was now a frazzled bundle of nerves, biting at his lower lip and looking troubled. He swallowed his apprehension, drew in a deep breath, and blew it out.
    “What things?” she asked , retrieving her hands, but he was quick to take hold of them, pressing them to his chest. His heart raced beneath her hand. Xander removed the scarf. She blinked her eyes, looking around the immaculate room. There was a pristine, white sofa with a carved, wooden frame. Two matching chairs sat apart with a matching settee. The coffee table was glass, with a silvery finish and golden accents. The drapes were cobalt blue tied back with silver and white twisted cords. Underneath, shear curtains billowed from the cool breeze wafting in the open French doors of the balcony. Alyssa looked at Xander, not sure what to say and why they were there.
    “Where are we?”
    “The penthouse suite.”
    “You’re allowed up here?” she asked , smiling at the beauty that surrounded them. Just over Xander’s shoulder, she spied a huge kitchen area with a white-brown swirled marble countertop. Four barstools with white wooden backs sat like statues.
    “This is my new . . . place to live,” he said. She looked at him, furrowing her eyebrows.
    “Why?”
    “Because I have pretty much earned it.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “The past few months have been a buzz around here in preparation of my twenty-fifth birthday.”
    “Wow , it sure was a buzz,” she said with a soft laugh.
    “That was just the finish of it, but all the previous things were . .