She'd not even been looking in his direction when he took hold of her hand, her heart suddenly jumping out of shock...and then it turned into something else. As her eyes rolled around to him, watching him coming up from a bow, she blinked in surprise...<br/><br/>...And everything else sort of fell away...<br/><br/>No longer were the sounds of music and merriment filling her ears. No longer did she see anyone else, no one dancing or talking or anything. ...There was only him... Though he was wearing a mask, it didn't matter. Something about him...his eyes, for starters. The way they held hers so completely, looked past her own and into her very soul, boring deep into her frightened her, yet enticed her. The way he stared at her as if hooked, took her in like she was perfect, made her heart race. Those amazing blue eyes holding her attention entirely...<br/><br/>As his hand took hold of hers, she felt a spark. Not a bad spark. Far from it. It was like, every cell of her being came to life under his touch, moving through her arm, hitting her straight at her heart. And his voice...was like music to her ears.<br/><br/>â€œWould you step into the realm of chaos, and dance with me this night? I'd hate to see a such a beautiful girl dance with another...CosÃ¬, dio ha messo un angelo su questo pianeta per me, mi auguro che danza con me?â€<br/><br/>Hearing him slipping so easily into Italian the way he did, the way his voice seemed to sooth her soul, melt down her defenses so easily...She couldn't say no.<br/><br/>Nor did she want to.<br/><br/>A smile pulled at the corners of her soft lips, along with a nod. Her hand squeezed his the smallest fraction, her eyes leaving his for the first time since their exchange started to look at their hands. Hers looked small in his strong one, but it warmed her heart to see...Like her hand had been made for his, they fit so perfectly together. Bringing her violet gaze back up to his, her lips parted to speak...<br/><br/>But was interrupted by another man's voice.<br/><br/>"Pardon the intrusion, but might I ask for a spot on your dance card? Possibly the first dance?" came an eager voice.<br/><br/>Alessia's eyes didn't even look in his direction, but rather held Valentino's when she responded in kind. "I'm sorry...But my card is full..." Inclining her head, she gave him a subtle nod, as if to say, "after you," while the rest of the party came back into mind. The music started up, the chatter returned. But none of it mattered.<br/><br/>None except Valentino.