Free Kali Willows BUNDLE (Shadowed Desires Series) by Kali Willows Page B

of the cloth.
    Sliding his palm down farther, he parted the throbbing flesh and pushed a finger deep into her pussy.
    Lost in the sensations, it took a moment for her psyche to realize the shrilling noise that shattered their mood was the phone.
    “Oh no, you have got to be kidding.” She groaned. “There must be a greater force at work; this is the second interruption.”
    “Hold that thought.” He reached over her and grabbed the ringing unit from the bedside table.
    “Hello?”
    Working to control her panting breath, she focused on the pulsing still contracting her core. So close .
    “Yes, thank you.” He hung up but did not return to pleasing Tessa.
    “Our wake-up call?”
    “I’m afraid so. It’s already six thirty, and our table at the ball is reserved and waiting for us.”
    “It would be okay if we skipped it, wouldn’t it?” She pouted and rolled on her side to look into his eyes.
    With a soft laugh, he shook his head. “Sorry Tessa, it’s unavoidable. Madame Evangeline booked us for some evening activities and we are expected to make an appearance.”
    “Good Lord, is this a sign or something?” She sat up, pulling her negligee back into place.
    “Well, I’m not quite sure about that, although it does make me wonder. Come on, the sooner we go—”
    “The sooner we can get back and come.” She grinned at him then ducked her head as her cheeks heated. Not as bold as I’d like to think, sometimes .
    “Now that was funny.”
    “Who said I was kidding?” Tessa hopped off the bed and moved to the closet.
    “I—I’m speechless.”
    “Apparently I have that effect on people at times.”

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Tess approached the entrance to the Sapphire Ballroom arm in arm with her handsome escort. Brushing aside a heavy black velvet curtain, they stepped into a world of dark and eerie ambiance with the flickering flames of dozens of wrought iron torches that lit the ceiling draped with glowing nettings of simulated spider webs. She cringed at morbid displays of guillotines, executioners, dripping fake blood, and disembodied limbs. Dozens of luminescent jack-o-lanterns lit the way, filling the air with the smell of scorched pumpkin.
    Tessa squinted through the dry ice fog at the labyrinth of tables covered with black cloths and decked with flickering candle lit centerpieces encircling the massive dance floor.
    “How do we find our table?” She turned in circles, stunned by the rectangular bales of hay, dried corn stalks, and every imaginable Halloween cliché from skeletons to vampires throughout the venue.
    “What are these booths?” His deep velvet voice so close to her ear sent a thrill down her spine. She regained control of herself and noticed he was pointing to the various vendor tables lining the walls.
    “It would seem that Salem has yet again embraced the traditional folklore of fortune tellers, spell casters, and magic potions.” Trying to conceal her disdain, Tessa motioned over to the makeshift bar featuring multi-colored glass beakers of smoking, bubbling concoctions. The bartender, wearing a voodoo witch doctor outfit including a big bone in his nose, dropped straws into the smoking brews he distributed to patrons.
    Dry ice mist spilled out of every conceivable hidden nook throughout the ballroom, under tables, in the bubbling glass centerpieces, and even in the hanging cauldrons set center stage. The continuous fog emitted a cooling sensation, adding to the chilly and creepy ambience of the evening. Until now, Tessa’s recall of the day being Halloween had been in the background as she focused being on a more carnal conquest.
    “What’s that on the stage?” Samson pointed to a massive black tent. A cloaked person sitting at the covered entranceway collected admission to the mysterious attraction. With the crowd’s chatter muffled by the haunted sounds of rattling chains, sinister laughter, howls, and screams, it most definitely felt like Halloween.
    “I’m