New Boss Is My One-Night Stand's Baby Daddy novel Chapter 2

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Chapter 2 – A Reckless Encounter

Hazel’s POV

“No way, Hazel. I didn’t spend three hours making you look like a goddess just so you could hide in my apartment.” Chloe grabbed my shoulders firmly. “Tonight, you’re not going to be the responsible, practical Hazel who always follows the rules. Tonight, you’re going to live a little.”

I stared at my reflection one more time, hardly recognizing myself behind the golden mask. My bright green eyes shimmered with nervousness, but also something else—anticipation.

“What if someone recognizes me?” I whispered.

Noah chuckled from the doorway. “That’s the point of a masquerade, Hazel. No one knows who anyone is.”

“Exactly,” Chloe nodded triumphantly. “For one night, you can be whoever you want to be. No ex-boyfriend, no backstabbing cousin, no disappointed parents. Just you, having fun for once in your life.”

Her words hit home. When was the last time I’d actually had fun? Before catching Ethan and Jessica together, probably.

“Fine,” I conceded, taking a deep breath. “One night of freedom.”

The Sterling Masquerade Ball was nothing like I’d imagined. The grand ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers, while masked figures in suits and gowns mingled like characters from a fairy tale. Classical music flowed from a live orchestra, and champagne flowed even more freely.

“Wow,” I breathed, clutching my small clutch nervously. “This is…”

“Spectacular?” Chloe supplied, already scanning the room like a general surveying a battlefield. “And full of eligible bachelors. Come on.”

She dragged me toward the bar, Noah following with an amused smile. After ordering champagne for us, Chloe turned to me with determination in her eyes.

“Drink up,” she instructed. “Liquid courage.”

I sipped the bubbly drink, feeling it fizz down my throat. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this, Chl.”

“Nonsense. You just need to relax.” She squeezed my hand. “Look around. Everyone here is playing a character tonight. Why shouldn’t you?”

As the champagne warmed my veins, I felt my anxiety slowly melting. Chloe was right. For once in my life, I could be someone else—someone confident and carefree.

An hour and two champagne flutes later, I was actually enjoying myself. Noah had swept Chloe onto the dance floor, leaving me people-watching from a quiet corner. The masks transformed everyone into mysterious characters from some elaborate play.

“You look far too beautiful to be standing alone.”

The deep voice startled me. I turned to find a tall figure standing beside me, his face partially concealed by a sleek black mask. But what the mask didn’t hide took my breath away—full lips curved into a confident smile, a strong jawline, and the most unusual, striking violet-blue eyes I’d ever seen.

“I… thank you,” I managed, cursing my sudden inability to form coherent sentences.

“Dance with me.” It wasn’t a question, but there was something playful in his tone that made my heart race.

Before I could overthink it, I nodded. His hand found the small of my back, sending electricity through my body as he guided me to the dance floor. His touch was firm but gentle, confident without being presumptuous.

“I haven’t seen you at one of these events before,” he said, his voice like velvet as he pulled me closer. “I would have remembered.”

I smiled behind my mask. “How could you possibly know? Everyone’s wearing masks.”

“Some people are impossible to forget, masked or not.” His eyes—those incredible eyes—roamed my face with undisguised appreciation.

The champagne in my system made me bold. “Are you always this forward with strangers?”

“Only the exceptionally beautiful ones.” His hand tightened slightly on my waist. “And only when they look at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. Was I that transparent? Something about this man was magnetic, drawing me in despite my usual caution. Maybe it was the anonymity of the masks, or maybe it was just him.

“And how exactly am I looking at you?” I challenged.

His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Like you’re wondering what it would be like to kiss me.”

My breath caught. The music swelled around us, but all I could focus on was the warmth of his body against mine, the intoxicating scent of his cologne, and those eyes that seemed to see right through my mask and into my soul.

“Maybe I am,” I admitted, surprising myself with my honesty.

His smile widened, revealing perfect white teeth. Without another word, he took my hand and led me away from the dance floor, through the crowd, and toward a dimly lit hallway.

My heart hammered against my ribs. This wasn’t me—I didn’t follow strangers into dark corners. And yet, I couldn’t make myself stop. For once in my life, I wanted to be reckless.

The moment we were alone, he pressed me gently against the wall, one hand cupping my face while the other rested on my hip. “Tell me to stop,” he murmured, his face inches from mine.